The research focus of the Center covers three principal areas. These are in the areas of environmentally benign synthesis, air quality monitoring and improvement, and plant biochemistry and phytoremediation. These areas are chosen because they reflect the strengths of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, the Texas Tech University community, and the agricultural region of West Texas. The Center will act to facilitate the building of partnerships between Texas Tech University and entities that can benefit from such partnerships. We plan to develop closer relations with the chemical industry, especially in programs that involve students. The interdisciplinary nature of the Center will make us more competitive in seeking funding that requires collaboration between different scientific disciplines. The Center will also on securing fellowships for students who wish to work on projects with associated faculty.

The educational component of the Center will be focused on both undergraduate programs and on outreach. A course in the honors college at Texas Tech University is contemplated, and materials about Green Chemistry will be prepared for distribution to both pre-college students and the general public. A goal of the Center is to acquaint both groups to the concepts of Green Chemistry and Technology. If the chemical industry is to remain vaible it must become an environmentally acceptable neighbor. The chemical industry has been an important contributor to industrial development over the past century, but because of environmental concerns it has acquired a tarnished reputation. Retention of this industry is economically vital, but if this is to be achieved it must be acceptable to the general public. A goal of this Center is to engage in research and education that will assist in bridging this gap. The Center is available tp provide speakers to high schools and civic groups that express an interest in having visits scheduled.

The goals of the Center are in assisting Texas Tech University to increase its national and international visibility by becoming one of the leaders in the area of Green Chemistry & Technology. This Green Chemistry Center is the first one of the leaders in the area of Green Chemistry & Technology. This Green Chemistry Center is the first one in the State of Texas, and one of the first in the United States. The Center will target its operations toward increasing federal and other external funding at Texas Tech University, and attracting an increased federal and other external funding at Texas Tech University, and attracting an increased number of high quality undergraduate and graduate students that come to the University because of our programs in the chemical sciences. A final goal is for the Center to work with Market Lubbock and other local economic development groups to help attract business into the region.