CAREER: Surface Mediated Solvation at Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interfaces

University Of Maryland, College Park, College Park MD

Investigators

Abstract

Professor Robert Walker of the University of Maryland College Park is supported by the Experimental Physical Chemistry CAREER program to perform experiments using nonlinear optical probes of the solid/liquid boundary. Questions of structures of solvents near solid surfaces will be examined systematically through the use of solvent dependent shifts in chromophore absorption spectra. Complementing the equilibrium measurements will be ultrafast time-resolved studies of the mobility of molecules next to surfaces. The results could have impact in many fields such as catalysis, geochemistry and biology. A pilot program will be implemented to introduce motivated first year students to independent research opportunities in physical and analytical chemistry.