UWL's La Crosse Science Café makes complex scientific topics accessible to the general public

UWL's La Crosse Science Café makes complex scientific topics accessible to the general public

What do the molecules in a chemistry lab have to do with the screen on your smartphone? Quite a bit, as UW-La Crosse chemistry professor Joe Hurley hopes to explain to community members at an upcoming La Crosse Science Café.

Hurley will present "From Molecules to Pixels: How Chemistry Shapes Modern Displays" at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at JavaVino in La Crosse. His presentation will explore the chemistry behind the electronic displays people use every day, connecting the science of tiny molecules to the images and colors on smartphones, tablets, televisions and other devices.

Hurley and his UWL student researchers are working to design molecules that could eventually help make electronic displays brighter, higher quality and more affordable.

"I just want people to have a better understanding of these devices that we all carry with us every day," he says.

It's the kind of everyday connection the La Crosse Science Café aims to make - bringing scientific knowledge out of university classrooms and laboratories and into the community.

The informal, public presentation series gives community members an opportunity to hear directly from scientists and researchers about topics ranging from technology and health to the environment and other scientific discoveries.

The series began in 2017, when UWL Chemistry & Biochemistry faculty members recognized a need for more opportunities for the public to access scientific information. Their goal was to create a welcoming setting where people could learn about science, ask questions and engage with experts without needing a scientific background.

"What we hope our guests take away from these conversations is insights into the process of science, building trust and showcasing the amazing world-class research that is literally happening in the community's backyard at UWL," says Basudeb Bhattacharyya, a Chemistry & Biochemistry faculty member who helped launch the series.

The response has been strong. Events typically draw 40 to 60 community members - a full house at their café venue - ranging from high school students to retirees and representing a variety of academic backgrounds and walks of life, Bhattacharyya says.

Research with real-world applications

For Hurley, the presentation also offers an opportunity to share the broader implications of research happening at UWL.

As an assistant professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Hurley studies ways to improve the displays used in modern electronic devices, including making screens brighter and producing sharper colors. Many current display technologies rely on expensive metals. Finding suitable alternatives could help conserve those materials while potentially lowering production costs.

His research team is currently focused on designing and synthesizing molecules that could eventually be used in electronic displays. Several target molecules are at different stages of development. Some have been successfully synthesized and are awaiting testing, while others have proved more challenging to produce.

"The biggest challenge overall is getting molecules to emit the right color(s) brightly enough to be commercially viable," he says. "We want our molecules to emit white light, thus granting us access to all visible colors, but they need to be able to do so using electricity as their energy source, something that most organic molecules do not do well."

Hurley's research also connects to opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in scientific discovery. At UWL, student researchers are running the reactions, isolating the desired products, and then gathering the spectral data.

Connecting research and community

For nearly a decade, Science Cafés have provided a different kind of learning environment from a traditional university lecture. Rather than requiring people to come to campus or enroll in a course, the events bring researchers and community members together in a relaxed setting where curiosity and conversation are encouraged.

For UWL, these connections are one way the university extends its knowledge and resources beyond campus. They also give faculty opportunities to share why their research matters and help the public better understand the science influencing the world around them.

"The process of science involves disseminating findings and knowledge to the community. The Science Café helps faculty achieve this goal by providing a forum to present their work," says Bhattacharyya.

And sometimes, that science starts with something as familiar as the screen in your pocket.

"I hope people gain more appreciation of how chemistry affects our daily lives, even in ways we wouldn't normally think about," says Hurley.

Science Cafes occur on the second Friday of the month during the months of: September, October, November, January, February, March and April. Information about upcoming talks, dates and times can be found on the Science Café Facebook page.

If you go -

La Crosse Science Café: "From Molecules to Pixels: How Chemistry Shapes Modern Displays"

Who: Joe Hurley, assistant professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry at UWL

When: 6-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, 2026

Where: JavaVino, 2311 State Road, La Crosse

Cost: Food and/or beverage purchase required. Reservations are recommended.