Topics
- Applied Mathematics
- Arts and Culture
- Bioengineering
- Cognitive Science
- Computing, Sensing, Gaming and Robotics
- Earth and Environment
- Economy and Markets
- Evolution and Genomics
- Human Health
- Immigration
- Law and Politics
- Math and Science Education
- Physics
- Spanish and Latino Studies
- Stem Cells
- Water Resources
Associated Resources
- To Africa – In Search of Hippo “Sweat” and Materials Science Breakthroughs (UC Merced Article)
- Hippo "Sweat" May be Waterproof, Antibiotic Sunscreen (UC Merced Article)
- Imaging and Microscopy Facility Opens at UC Merced (UC Merced Article)
- Snail Mucus and Spider Silk Entice Students to Science and Engineering (UC Merced Article)
- UC Merced Participates in Nanomechanical Research Center (UC Merced Article)
Christopher Viney
School of Engineering
Primary contact information
- Email: cviney@ucmerced.edu
- Phone: (209) 228-4359
- Address:
- 5200 N. Lake Rd.
- Merced, CA 95343
Secondary contact information
- Name: Ana Nelson Shaw
- Title: Public Information Representative
- Email: ashaw@ucmerced.edu
- Primary Phone: (209) 228-4406
- Secondary Phone: (209) 205-8561
Associated Topics
Background
Everybody should have a friend who actually knows and can explain how and why things look and behave as they do in the physical world around us. Why is the sky blue? How does a thermostat work? Why does hot water do a better job of washing dishes than cold water? What are the signs that something’s about to break or fall down?
Viney is that type of friend. He specializes in explaining complex natural processes and the behavioral properties of materials in terms a lay audience can understand. He also has a keen eye for relating the physical world to everyday quality-of-life issues – past, present and future.
Why do atoms and molecules organize in certain ways? How can scientists use that knowledge to create new materials with desirable properties? What are the physical and societal issues to be considered in the rush to develop genetically modified foods, drugs and other products? Viney can explain the chemistry and, equally important, the impacts such advances have had and will continue to have on society as a whole.
Viney has studied, conducted research, published articles and lectured on a wide variety of biomolecular and physical-science/engineering topics throughout his 25-year academic career. He earned both his B.A. and his Ph. D. in materials science at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. Before joining the faculty at UC Merced, Viney was a professor of chemistry and head of chemistry at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. He currently writes a monthly column for the Merced Sun-Star answering children`s science questions.
Viney is that type of friend. He specializes in explaining complex natural processes and the behavioral properties of materials in terms a lay audience can understand. He also has a keen eye for relating the physical world to everyday quality-of-life issues – past, present and future.
Why do atoms and molecules organize in certain ways? How can scientists use that knowledge to create new materials with desirable properties? What are the physical and societal issues to be considered in the rush to develop genetically modified foods, drugs and other products? Viney can explain the chemistry and, equally important, the impacts such advances have had and will continue to have on society as a whole.
Viney has studied, conducted research, published articles and lectured on a wide variety of biomolecular and physical-science/engineering topics throughout his 25-year academic career. He earned both his B.A. and his Ph. D. in materials science at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. Before joining the faculty at UC Merced, Viney was a professor of chemistry and head of chemistry at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. He currently writes a monthly column for the Merced Sun-Star answering children`s science questions.