Title: Thin Film Technology in Bacteriorhodopsin Optoelectronic Synapses

Adam Clausen , Jared Edgel, Yao Wu

Mentor: Dr. David Shelton

ABSTRACT: We explored various methods of vacuum deposition for the purpose of creating thin film heaters, insulators, and thermocouples. These devices will be used in the creation of a synapse in an artificial, optoelectronic, computing neural network.

Title: First Observation of Infrared Spectrum of the methide anion, CH3^-

Philip Conklin

Mentor: John Farley

ABSTRACT: The methide anion, CH3-, is the negative ion isoelectronic with neutral ammonia. Methide, the simplest oblate rotor, is of significant theoretical interest. However, the infrared vibrational-rotational spectrum of CH3- was completely unknown until now. The first observation of the infrared spectrum of methide was made, using a custom ion beam/laser beam apparatus.

Title: Electrical Transport Measurements on Superconducting Crystals,

Andrew DeMond

Mentor: Dr. Andrew Cornelius

ABSTRACT: Superconductivity is a state of zero resistance that arises in certain solids when the are cooled below a critical temperature. My research involved the design and implementation of a system for measuring the resistance of such superconductors as a function of their temperature.

Title: Sensitive Laser Detection of Environmental Pollutants

Sean Flaherty and Shelly Wark

Mentor: Dr. John Farley

ABSTRACT: The students used a sensitive laser technique (capillary electrophoresis/laser-induced fluorescence) to study liquid solutions with trace amounts of pollutants. They utilized a deep ultraviolet laser (a frequency-doubled argon ion laser) on a research instrument, applying the technique to a variety of classes of compounds of current environmental interest, such as neutrceuticals, pharmaceuticals and personal care products.

Title: Index of Refraction Experimentation on PEO

James Harrison

Mentor: Dr. Jim Selser

ABSTRACT: Precision measurements were made of the index of refraction of polyethylene oxide (PEO), using the critical angle. Particular attention was paid to the variation of the index of refraction with salt concentration, temperature, molecular weight, and wavelength. Measurements were made to a precision of better than 0.1%. These measurements shows that experiments in the Selser laboratory are free of systematic errors at the 0.1% level.

Title: Electronic Properties of Methyl-Substituted Metal Quinolates: Theory and Experiment

Jeff Marshall

Mentors: Dr. Kathleen Robins, Dr. Linda Sapochak

ABSTRACT: Marshall worked with Robins to calculate the properties of large organometallic molecules (methyl-substituted metal quinolates), using Gaussian and similar ab initio quantum chemistry software packages. He then worked with Sapochak to synthesize these molecules and to measure their properties. These molecules are of interest for use in luminescent displays.

Title: Charge Transfer Cross Section Measurements and Building an Ion Trap

Jennifer Pursley

Mentor: Dr. Victor Kwong

Abstract 1: Charge Transfer Cross Section Measurements

The experiment was designed to measure the cross-sectional area of high energy electron transfers, specifically between O3+ and O2+ ions and CO molecules. I assisted with the final data analysis on this project.

Abstract 2: Building an Ion Trap

The ion trap is to be used in an experiment in charge transfer rates between atomic hydrogen gas and multiply charged ions. I was able to observe and help both with the designing of the trap and with building the trap structure.

Title: Tightening Device for High Pressure Cell

Anton Riley

Mentor: Dr. Malcolm Nicol

ABSTRACT: A standard cell used in over 1000 laboratories is the Merril-Basset cell. Riley found an improved tightening technique which can be used to achieve high pressures. The technique is especially useful in loading the cell with toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide (CO) or hydrogen cyanide (HCN). These toxic materials are commonly studied in theoretical investigations. This new technique allows high pressure experiments to be conducted on these materials as well.

Title: Charge Transport in Organic Thin Films

Richard Schofield

Mentors: Dr. RamaVenkat, Dr. Linda Sapochack, Dr. Dave Shelton

Abstract: Our group was attempting to electronically characterize a selection of optically active organics when deposited in amorphous thin films. The primary properties we were concerned with were electron and hole mobilities.

Title: A Real Time Java3D Physical Pendulum Simulation

Adam Treat

Mentor: Dr. Stephen Lepp

ABSTRACT: Treat used Java to simulate a physical pendulum in real time on computer, and he placed his simulation on the Internet. His simulation displays a number of important parameters as a function of time, in real time. His simulation has generated interest in a number of research groups around the world.

Title: Sensitive Laser Detection of Environmental Pollutants

Shelly Wark and Sean Flaherty

Mentor: Dr. John Farley

ABSTRACT: The students used a sensitive laser technique (capillary electrophoresis/laser-induced fluorescence) to study liquid solutions with trace amounts of pollutants. They utilized a deep ultraviolet laser (a frequency-doubled argon ion laser) on a research instrument, applying the technique to a variety of classes of compounds of current environmental interest, such as neutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals and personal care products.