Kim R. Williams

Professor, Department of Chemistry

Kim Williams Research in the Williams group is highly interdisciplinary, integrating analytical chemistry, (nano)materials, polymers, and biology. We are interested in developing new analytical techniques and probing complex materials and biological systems to better understand their function and behavior. Our aims are to establish a fundamental understanding of transport mechanisms leading to the successful separation and characterization of nanometer- to micron-sized analytes and to apply the developed technologies to solve high impact problems ranging from solar energy conversion to protein aggregation in biopharmaceutics.

Our group is known for advancing the field-flow fractionation (FFF) techniques and particularly for pioneering work in thermal FFF for composition and architecture analysis. We have a major interest in understanding the movement of materials in a temperature gradient (thermophoresis) and extracting size (molecular weight), chemical and architectural distributions of complex mixtures of polymers, nanoparticles, and nanocomposites. We work to improve current FFF instrumentation and practices through design of better separation surfaces and channel configurations.

In the materials area, we are interested in quantum confined nanoparticles and nanostructures for photovoltaics. This work includes the preparation of silica mesoporous thin films as a potential template for creating Si nanowire arrays and developing new routes to functionalizing Si quantum dots. These projects are done as part of the Renewable Energy MRSEC at CSM and with NREL and provide a great avenue for collaborative work.

We are actively studying protein aggregation kinetics and addressing newly defined challenges in the analysis of these dynamic and complex systems. Our focus is on biotherapeutic proteins and the formation of sub-visible (0.1 μm to 1 μm) protein aggregates. We are also working to understand the chemical and functional diversity of cellular vesicles such as exosomes and their role in cellular processes.

Contact

304 Coolbaugh Hall
(303) 273 3245
Fax: (303) 273 3629
krwillia@mines.edu

Williams Research Page

Education

BS – McGill University, Montreal, Canada
PhD – Michigan State University
Postdoctoral Study – University of Utah

Research Areas

Research in the Williams group is highly interdisciplinary, integrating analytical chemistry, (nano)materials, polymers, and biology. We are interested in developing new analytical techniques and probing complex materials and biological systems to better understand their function and behavior. Our aims are to establish a fundamental understanding of transport mechanisms leading to the successful separation and characterization of nanometer- to micron-sized analytes and to apply the developed technologies to solve high impact problems ranging from solar energy conversion to protein aggregation in biopharmaceutics.
Our group is known for advancing the field-flow fractionation (FFF) techniques and particularly for pioneering work in thermal FFF for composition and architecture analysis. We have a major interest in understanding the movement of materials in a temperature gradient (thermophoresis) and extracting size (molecular weight), chemical and architectural distributions of complex mixtures of polymers, nanoparticles, and nanocomposites. We work to improve current FFF instrumentation and practices through design of better separation surfaces and channel configurations.
In the materials area, we are interested in quantum confined nanoparticles and nanostructures for photovoltaics. This work includes the preparation of silica mesoporous thin films as a potential template for creating Si nanowire arrays and developing new routes to functionalizing Si quantum dots. These projects are done as part of the Renewable Energy MRSEC at CSM and with NREL and provide a great avenue for collaborative work.

Publications

C. R. M. Bria, J.M. Morse, R. E. Schaak, S. K. R. Williams, “Semi-preparative Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow fractionation: A Closer Look at Channel Dimensions”, J. Chromatogr. A, 1499, 149-157 (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2017.03.017
U. Till, M. Gaucher, B. Amouroux, S. Gineste, B. Lonetti, J.-D. Marty, C. Mingotaud, C. R. M. Bria, S. K. R. Williams, F. Violleau, A.-F. Mingotaud, “Frit inlet field-flow fractionation techniques for the characterization of polyion complex self-assemblies”, J. Chromatogr. A, 1481, 101-110 (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2016.12.050
C. R. M. Bria, S. K. R. Williams, “Impact of Asymmetrical Flow-Field Flow Fractionation on Protein Aggregates Stability”, J. Chromatogr., 1465, 155-164 (2016). DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2016.08.037
C. R. M. Bria, J. Jones, A. Charlesworth, S. K. R. Williams, “Probing Submicron Aggregation Kinetics of an IgG Protein by Asymmetric Flow Field-Flow Fractionation”, J. Pharm. Sci., 105, 31-39 (2016). DOI 10.1002/jps.24703
J. P. Bell, J. E. Cloud, J. Cheng, C. Ngo, S. Kodambaka, A. Sellinger, S. K. R. Williams, and Y. Yang, “N-bromosuccinimide-based Bromination and Subsequent Functionalization of Hydrogen-terminated Silicon Quantum Dots”, RSC Adv., 4, 51105 (2014) DOI: 10.1039/C4RA08477B
J. Cheng, S. Rathi, P. Stradins, G. Frey, R. T. Collins, S. K. R. Williams,”Synthesis of Free Standing Silica Thin Films with Highly Ordered Nanopores” RSC Adv., 4 (15), 7627 – 7633 (2014).
S. K. R. Williams, K. D. Caldwell, “Field-flow Fractionation“Anal. Bioanal. Chem., 406, 1577-1578 (2014).
J. R. Runyon, S. K. R. Williams, “Photon Correlation Spectroscopy Coupled with Field-Flow Fractionation for Polymer Analysis” in Handbook of Spectroscopy, 2nd Edition, G. Gauglitz, D.S. Moore, Eds., Chapter 32, pp 1201-1228, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KgaA, Weinheim Germany, 2014. Print ISBN: 978-3-527-32150-6.
N. C. Crawford, S. K. R. Williams, D. Boldridge, M. L. Liberatore, “Shear-Induced Structures and Thickening in Fumed Silica Slurries”,” Langmuir, 29, 12915-12923 (2013).
N. C. Crawford, B. Yohe, S. K. R. Williams, D. Boldridge, M. W. Liberatore, “Shear Thickening and Shear-Induced Agglomeration of Chemical Mechanical Polishing Slurries Using Electrolytes.” “Rheo. Acta 52, 499-513 (2013).
C. A. Ponyik, D. T. Wu, S. K. R. Williams, “Separation and composition distribution determination of triblock copolymers by thermal field-flow fractionation,” Anal. Bioanal. Chem., 405, 9033-9040 (2013).
J. R. Runyon, A. Goering, K.-T. Yong, S. K. R. Williams “Preparation of Narrow Dispersity Gold Nanorods by Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation and Investigation of Surface Plasmon Resonance,” Anal. Chem., 85, 940–948 (2013)
C. Bria, F. Violleau, S. K. R. Williams, “Field-Flow Fractionation for Biological, Natural, and Synthetic Polymers: Recent advances and trends,” LCGC Asia, November 2013; LCGC Europe, December 2013; LCGC North America, December 2013.
S. Kim Ratanathanawongs Williams, J. Ray Runyon , and Akram A. Ashames, “Field-Flow Fractionation: Addressing the Nano Challenge,” Anal. Chem., 83, 634–642 (2013).
Feng Lin, Jifang Cheng, Chaiwat Engtrakul, Anne C. Dillon, Dennis Nordlund, Rob G. Moore, Tsu-Chien Weng, S. K. R. Williams, and Ryan M. Richards, “In situ crystallization of high performing WO3-based electrochromic materials and the importance for durability and switching kinetics,” Journal of Materials Chemistry, 22, 16817-16832 (2012).
N. C. Crawford, S. K. R. Williams, D. Boldridge, M. W. Liberatore, “Shear thickening of chemical mechanical polishing slurries under high shear, “Rheo. Acta, 51, 637-647 (2012).
S. K. R. Williams, J.R. Runyon, A.A. Ashames “Field-Flow Fractionation: Addressing the Nano Challenge”, Anal. Chem., 83, 634-642 (2011).
Podcast http://pubs.acs.org/page/ancham/audio/index.html
J.R. Runyon, S.K.R. Williams, “A Theory-Based Approach to Field-Flow Fractionation of Polyacrylates“, J. Chromatogr. A, 1218, 7016-7022 (2011).
F. Messaud, R. Sanderson, J.R. Runyon, S.K.R Williams, “An Overview on Field-Flow Fractionation Techniques and Their Applications in Separation and Characterization of Polymers”, Prog. Polym. Sci., 34, 351-368 (2009).
H.K. Lee, S.K.R. Williams, K. L. Wahl, N. Valentine, “Analysis of Whole Bacteria with Field-Flow Fractionation and MALDI/TOF Mass Spectrometry”, Anal. Chem., 75, 2746-2752 (2003).
H. K. Lee, S. K.R. Williams, S. Dean Anderson, T. J. Anchordoquy, “Analysis of Self-Assembled Cationic Lipid-DNA Gene Carrier Complexes using Flow FFF and Light Scattering”, Anal. Chem., 73, 837-843 (2001).