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Image of an optically transparent diamond thin film deposited on quartz. |
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March 26, 2008 |
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Michigan State University |
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Analytical Chemistry, Neuroscience and Materials Chemistry |
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SEM image of a polycrystalline diamond thin film deposited on Si. |
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Professor (b. 1962) B.A., University of Texas at Dallas, 1984 Ph.D., University of Kansas, 1991 Postdoctoral Associate, Auburn University, 1991-92 Postdoctoral Associate, Tohoku University (Japan), 1992-93 |
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Research Synopsis
My colleagues and I are engaged in both experimental and applied aspects of electrochemistry. Our research is at the crossroads of analytical, physical, biological and materials chemistry. Much of our current effort is focused on the growth, characterization, and application of conducting diamond thin-film electrodes. Different diamond electrode architectures are being produced and used in our work including boron-doped microcrystalline and nanocrystalline thin films, powders, microelectrodes and optically transparent electrodes.
The group is currently engaged in five major projects: (i) understanding sympathetic and sensory neural control mechanisms of arteries and veins and how these control mechanisms are altered in salt-sensitive hypertension, (ii) understanding excitatory and inhibitory neural signaling mechanisms in the enteric nervous system and how these mechanisms contribute to gut motility and visceral sensitivity, (iii) understanding the degradation mechanisms of sp2 carbon powders and developing high surface area and corrosion resistant sp3 carbon electrocatalyst support materials for use in fuel cells, (iv) preparing, characterizing and applying optically transparent diamond electrodes (UV/Vis and IR) for use in transmission spectroelectrochemical methods for studying structure-function relationships in redox proteins and enzymes, and (v) fundamental studies of the mechanisms by which chromate and non-chromate thin-film coatings prevent corrosion of Al alloys.
The analytical tools routinely used include various electrochemical methods of analysis, Raman and IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy (topographical, electrochemical and conductivity measurement modes), scanning electrochemical microscopy, x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, HPLC and CE with electrochemical detection .
All of the diamond thin-films and powders are prepared in our laboratory by microwave-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD). We are also affiliated with the Fraunhofer Center for Coatings and Laser Applications (CCL) on the MSU campus; an applied research center that produces a variety of carbon materials (diamond, graphites, nanotubes and Ta-C) for various commercial applications.
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Department of Chemistry 320 Chemistry Building East Lansing, MI 48824-1322 Tel. (517) 355-9715 x229 Fax. (517) 353-1793 Email: swain@chemistry.msu.edu |
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