Meet Wesley Chalifoux: Advancing materials for electronics, energy storage and more

Wesley Chalifoux and Nicolai Gois with one of the ‘highly red' fluorescent materials used in their lab. Photo supplied.

Wesley Chalifoux is a professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Alberta, where he combines his passion for teaching with cutting-edge research in organic materials chemistry. His work focuses on developing novel carbon-based materials, including nanographenes and graphene nanoribbon polymers, which have potential applications in electronics, energy storage and nanotechnology. Chalifoux's journey in chemistry began with a fascination for understanding matter at the molecular level, leading him to explore the synthesis of complex carbon structures like polyynes and carbyne.

Beyond his research, Chalifoux is committed to mentoring students and promoting diversity in STEAM fields. He is actively involved in the I-STEAM Pathways program, which integrates Indigenous knowledge with science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. This dedication to education and inclusivity is complemented by his background as a former varsity football player for the University of Alberta Golden Bears, an experience that taught him valuable lessons in teamwork and perseverance that he applies to his academic career.

Meet Wes Chalifoux.

Tell us about your current role and the work you are involved in.

As a professor of chemistry at the University of Alberta, I am involved in both teaching and research, focusing on the synthesis and study of advanced carbon-based materials like nanographenes and graphene nanoribbon polymers. My research aims to develop novel organic materials with exciting applications in electronics, energy storage and nanotechnology.

In addition to my research, I am also deeply committed to mentoring students, particularly through the I-STEAM Pathways program, where I work to promote the integration of Indigenous knowledge with science, technology, engineering arts, and mathematics (STEAM) fields.

This program is designed to provide opportunities for underrepresented students to engage in interdisciplinary learning and research, creating pathways for future careers in STEAM fields.

It’s an exciting initiative that reflects my belief in the power of diverse perspectives and approaches to solving complex scientific problems.

What led you to pursue a career in your field?

I’ve always been fascinated by how things are made up at the tiniest level — atoms and molecules — and how we can control them to create new materials.

During my time at university, I realized that chemistry gave me the chance to do just that: design and build new molecules that could be used in real-world applications. That’s what led me to become a chemist and eventually a professor, so I could continue exploring these ideas and teach others to do the same.

Was there a particular moment or influence that sparked your interest?

A key moment for me was during my graduate work when I first encountered the concept of “carbyne” — the elusive sp-hybridized carbon allotrope.

The synthesis of polyynes to model carbyne sparked my interest in organic materials chemistry, as it presented an opportunity to explore novel structures with unique properties. What made this particularly exciting — and challenging — was that extremely long polyynes and carbyne are difficult to synthesize due to their increasing instability as their length increases. This instability makes it much harder to manipulate and study these materials, presenting a huge scientific challenge.

The prospect of overcoming these challenges and developing new methods to create these long carbon chains was incredibly motivating and has driven much of my research since then.

How does your work or research contribute to the high-level goals of your department or unit?

In my research, I am working on developing new materials that could have a big impact on various industries, including electronics and energy.

The university’s goal is to drive innovation and contribute to the development of new technologies. My work fits perfectly with that, as I am exploring ways to make materials that could eventually be used in next-generation devices, from smartphones to renewable energy systems.

What do you find most rewarding about your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is helping students and researchers grow in their careers. It’s amazing to watch them tackle difficult problems and come up with solutions.

I also love seeing the “aha” moment that students get when they finally understand a challenging concept or make a key connection in their research. That moment of realization is incredibly fulfilling for both them and me.

Additionally, knowing that the research we’re doing could lead to real-world applications that improve people’s lives, whether through better energy storage or more sustainable materials, makes the challenges of academic life worthwhile.

Can you share a project or initiative you are particularly proud of? What was its impact?

One project I’m particularly proud of is our work on creating large, complex carbon-based molecules called “nanographenes.”

We developed a new method to synthesize these molecules more efficiently, which has opened up exciting possibilities for their use in electronics, solar cells and energy storage devices. In particular, our research on chiral nanographenes is very rewarding. These materials have a unique twisted structure that makes them suitable for chiroptic applications on account of their circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence properties. 

The ability to design and create these chiral structures could lead to breakthroughs in materials science, offering new ways to manipulate light and develop more advanced technologies.

This work has had a significant impact in the field, not only advancing fundamental chemistry but also paving the way for practical applications in the future.

What skills or experiences have been most valuable to you in your work?

One of the most valuable experiences in my career was my time as an undergraduate intern at Raylo Chemicals.

During that internship, I gained hands-on experience in applying chemistry at an industrial scale and developed important skills in problem-solving, collaboration and working on challenging projects. These skills have been invaluable in training students and mentoring them through their own research challenges.

My postdoctoral experience at Columbia University further refined my approach to tackling difficult synthetic projects and managing ambitious research goals. Working on complex organic syntheses during this time gave me the confidence and expertise to take on high-risk, high-reward research in my own lab.

Together, these experiences have shaped my ability to explore innovative ideas and support students in achieving their own scientific breakthroughs.

How do you stay current with advancements and new trends in your field?

Staying connected to the broader scientific community is essential, and one way I do this is through my membership in the Canadian Society for Chemistry. Being part of this organization keeps me informed about the latest developments in Canadian chemistry and provides opportunities to engage with other researchers at conferences and events.

I also regularly attend international conferences, where I can exchange ideas and learn about cutting-edge research.

Reading the latest journal articles is another important part of staying current, as it helps me track advancements in organic and materials chemistry.

Additionally, discussions with students and colleagues, both locally and when traveling to other institutions, often spark new ideas and keep me aware of emerging trends in the field.

What is one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?

One thing that people might be surprised to know about me is that I played varsity football for the U of A Golden Bears during my graduate studies.

While many people might associate me with being a chemist and academic, my time as an athlete taught me a lot about time management, teamwork, discipline and perseverance—skills that have been invaluable in my professional life. Football taught me how to handle pressure, stay focused on long-term goals and collaborate with a diverse group of people to achieve success.

These lessons have translated directly into my work as a researcher and educator, where collaboration and resilience are key to solving complex problems and guiding students through challenging projects.