Faculty Spotlight: Omar K. Farha
By Irena Garic
Omar is an Associate Professor whose expertise is in inorganic materials chemistry, specifically atomically precise functional materials known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). His current research seeks to solve exciting problems in chemistry and materials science ranging from energy and environment related applications to challenges in national defense by employing atomically precise functional materials. By exploiting the modular nature of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and porous organic polymers (POPs), Omar works to fundamentally understand the role of three-dimensional architecture in modifying a material’s function for applications in gas storage and separation, catalysis, water remediation, and detoxification of chemical warfare agent simulants.
Omar has published more than 300 peer-reviewed publications that have garnered over 40,000 citations with an H-index of 94 (Google scholar) and has secured 15 patents. Omar’s research accomplishments have been recognized by several awards and honors including the Japan Society of Coordination Chemistry International Award for Creative Work; 2018 Highly Cited Researcher in Chemistry from Clarivate Analytics. The Department of Chemistry established the Omar Farha Award for Research Leadership in 2011. Of course, Omar was the inaugural recipient, and this award has been presented annually to an outstanding postdocs and research assistant faculty who demonstrate stewardship, cooperation, and leadership in the finest pursuit of chemical research.
Beyond his fundamental science contributions, Omar is co-Founder and President of NuMat Technologies, the largest privately-held US energy and technology start-up based on MOFs. In 2016, NuMat released ION-X, the first commercial product using MOFs, based on a proprietary combination of MOF adsorbents developed specifically for gases such as arsine, phosphine, and boron trifluoride used in the electronics industry. ION-X gas storage cylinders use MOFs to store hazardous gases used in the electronics industry more safely than conventional pressurized cylinders. Recently, NuMat was awarded a contract to manufacture MOFs identified by Omar’s team for large-scale testing by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and to develop next-generation masks and fabrics.
Please see Omar’s “Combatting Nerve Agents with Nanotechnology” TEDx Talk.
Follow The Farha Group on Twitter @Farhomies!