Jeffrey Scott Moore

Jeffrey S. Moore is a Research Professor of Chemistry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and former Director of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology. His research centers on the intersection of mechanical force and molecular reactivity — with contributions spanning mechanochemistry, stimuli-responsive materials, and the reactive processing of high-performance polymers. He is widely recognized for pioneering the design of self-healing materials and demonstrating how mechanical load can activate chemical reactions in polymers. A champion of interdisciplinary collaboration, Moore’s recent efforts connect molecular design to sustainable materials, space manufacturing, and AI-assisted education. As an educator, he leads project-based learning for large undergraduate science courses, helping students engage deeply with molecular science through curiosity, creativity, and real-world problem solving.