Dynamics in Complex Molecular Condensed Matter Systems-Renewal

Stanford University, Stanford CA

Investigators

Abstract

This program involves an interrelated set of experimental and theoretical investigations of dynamics in complex condensed matter molecular systems, particularly complex liquids. Complex liquids have significant nanoscopic or molecular level structures that arise from anisotropic intermolecular interactions and exhibit complex structural dynamics. The experimental methods are a variety of ultrafast non-linear techniques, particularly ultrafast infrared and visible light experiments. The types of systems that will be investigated are supercooled liquids, liquid crystals, and water in nanoscopic environments. Nanoscopic water plays important roles in chemistry, biology, and material science. Examples are water in reverse micelles and very small quantities of water in organic and ionic liquids. Nanoscopic water has dynamics that are distinct from bulk water. In addition to the scientific investigations, this project will host high school science teachers in the laboratory over summers. The P.I. has obtained a grant from the Dreyfus Foundation to support high school teachers at Stanford. The P.I. is involved in the wide dissemination of teaching materials at both the graduate and under graduate levels and is currently writing a book to explain quantum theory to laymen. %%% Molecules can form complex structures, which have properties that depend on the time evolution of the molecular positions. Even water, the most important liquid, behaves the way it does because of the making and breaking of the connections between water molecules (hydrogen bonds) on ultrafast time scales. When water is confined on nanoscopic dimensions, as occur frequently in chemistry, materials science, and biology, its properties change. Ultrafast infrared and visible light experiments as well as theory are being used to directly examine the relationships between structure, dynamics, and material properties of systems like nanoscopic water, supercooled liquids, and liquid crystals. The program also involves the development of advance optical techniques for the investigation of molecular matter. In addition to the scientific investigations, this project will host high school science teachers in the laboratory over summers. The P.I. has obtained a grant from the Dreyfus Foundation to support high school teachers at Stanford. The P.I. is involved in the wide dissemination of teaching materials at both the graduate and under graduate levels and is currently writing a book to explain quantum theory to laymen.