IRES: U.S.-Armenia - Coastal Carolina Undergraduates in Armenia Investigating the Chemistry of Heterogeneous Catalysts

Coastal Carolina University, Conway SC

Investigators

Abstract

OISE 06-22810 Goodwin, John This US-Armenian project provides US undergraduate students opportunities for training and research in Yerevan, Armenia. The research activities revolve around porphyrin synthesis and isolation, heterogeneous catalysis, and molecular modeling. The principal investigators are John Goodwin from Coastal Carolina University and Tigran Kurtikyan from the Molecular Structure Research Center in Armenia. The US students spend eight-weeks in the Armenian laboratory where they benefit from the complementary expertise and instrumentation of the Armenian researchers. The subject research area has practical implications in the development of suitable catalysts for activation of atmospheric oxygen for a number of purposes. Development of robust heterogeneous catalysts for activation of molecular oxygen is important for a wide range of applications including environmentally-benign synthesis, water purification, fuel-cell technology, and on-site chemical nerve-agent decomposition. This project fulfills the program objectives of providing US students with a global perspective and opportunities for professional growth through international cooperative research training, networking and mentoring.