Welcome to the website of Prof. Michael Klem, assistant professor of Inorganic Chemistry, at Montana Tech of the University of Montana.  My research interests include the use of exploratory synthesis as a route to discovering new materials with the furthering of our understanding of how the physical properties of materials can be related back to their structure.  Also of interest is the ability to impart functionality by chemical or genetic means to biomolecules for the purposes of materials science at the nanoscale.  This includes self assembly on specific substrates, substrate recognition, and for the synthesis of specific materials normally outside the realm of biology.  My research features a unique blend of traditional solid state techniques and modern material science.