Chemistry

The optical properties of lanthanide ions can be used to determine temperature. We have used two different approaches: (1) Eu3+’s ability to probe its local environment and (2) 2-color fluorescence (Dy3+ and Sm3+) to determine temperature under extreme conditions. I will describe three research projects that have used these approaches to measure temperature in detonation environments and in composites under dynamic compression.

The DeYonker laboratory uses quantum chemistry to study two very different types of problems. First, we are developing software to automate, simplify, standardize, and validate the construction of atomic-level enzyme models. Enzyme simulations are notoriously challenging as their large size prevents modeling the whole enzyme with highly accurate but computationally expensive quantum mechanical (QM) methods. Determining which biological sub-units necessarily should be included in the QM-model remains ambiguous, and current practices for model construction typically suffer from human bias and unclear methodology.

Surface degradation and high overpotentials are two common obstacles in electrocatalysis. In recent years, topological quantum materials have taken an onset in oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution reactions to overcome these problems.

Exploring the Design Space in Highly Tunable Metal-Organic Frameworks Materials Platforms

Speaker: Natalie Yaw, chemistry graduate student
Moreau Group
Talk title: Pu interactions with Fe colloids: implications for environmental transport
Abstract: The release of actinides into the environment, both accidentally and negligently, is a continuing legacy of US weapons/energy programs which threatens the health of humans and the ecosystem.

Talk title: The structural and electronic attributes of doped Ce (IV) and U (IV) nanomaterials

Speaker: Parvaneh Ahmadvand
Group: Douglas Call
Title: Structural characterization of class A b-lactamase CTX-M-15 and class C b-lactamase CMY-2 and their complexes with b-lactam compounds
Abstract: Cefotaximase-Munich (CTX-M) extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are Ambler class A cephalosporinases that are commonly associated with Gram-negative, hospital-acquired infections worldwide.

Protein Interactions in the Monolignol Pathway in Sorghum Bicolor

Illuminating Energy Materials with X-ray Scattering