ACS South Texas Section

November ACS Meeting

Date: Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

Guest Speaker: Dr. Wei Lin

                University of Texas at Brownsville

Presentation: 'The Chemistry of Water'

Meeting Location: The University of Texas at Brownsville, Brownsville, Texas ;

Order of Events:

Social: 6:00-6:30 P.M.- 3rd Floor SETB

Dinner: 6:30-7:30 P.M.- 3rd Floor SETB

Speaker: 7:30-8:30 P.M.- 3rd Floor SETB

Abstract: Water is probably the most studied substance for a couple of apparent reasons. It is the most abundant chemical constituent of our planet; it also accounts for about 75% of human body; and it is one of the prime substances responsible for life on earth. Despite the extensive studies, the behavior of water is still not fully understood with many water anomalies remain unexplained. The understanding of these anomalies requires the knowledge of the non-covalent interactions between the water molecules. A “universal” water intermolecular potential energy surface (IPS) that can explain the many anomalies of bulk phase water as well as the structural changes and bonding mechanisms of the small water clusters has been pursued by many scientists. I will review and discuss the experimental efforts on the Terahertz vibration-rotation-tunneling spectroscopy of the water clusters from the Saykally group of UC Berkeley. The recent progress on the water dimer IPS from the consort theoretical and experimental studies will also be discussed.->

Menu: Pizza and Soft Drinks (vegetarian pizza will be available)

Students: $3.00

Teachers: $3.00

ACS Members: $3.00

Non-members: $3.00

Reservations:'''Please – no later than 4:00 P.M., Wed., Nov. 18, 2009. Choose one method for a reservation; indicate the number in your party:

•Phone: Call Dr. Avila at (956)207-9376 •Computer: PC-Users may go online to: http://pens.tamucc.edu/chem/ACS/RSVP. Mac-Users/PC-Users simply e-mail Ludy at aludy@southtexascollege.edu.

Speaker's Bio:

Employment:

University of Texas at Brownsville, Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences (2009-present)//

Position: Assistant Professor of Chemistry

University of Saint Mary, Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (2007-2009)//

Leavenworth, Kansas // Position: Assistant Professor of Chemistry

University of Missouri, //Department of Chemistry (2008-2009)

Kansas City, Missouri // Position: Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry Research interests: Conformation studies of ring molecules using vibrational and rotational spectroscopy

University of California, Berkeley, //Department of chemistry (2005-2007)

Post-doctoral researcher // Research interests: Terahertz Vibration-rotation-tunneling spectroscopy of large water clusters, ammonia clusters.

Higher Education:

Wesleyan University, Department of chemistry (1999-2005)//

Ph. D. in chemical physics

University of British Columbia, Canada, //Department of chemistry (1997-1999)

M. Sc. in physical chemistry

Xiamen University, China,// Department of chemistry (1991-1995)

B. Sc. In chemistry

Research Interest:

Pure rotational and vibration-rotation-tunneling spectra of environmentally important species, including neutral clusters, charged clusters, and radicals.

Teaching Interest:

Undergraduate level general chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry courses; lower undergraduate level general physics courses; graduate level spectroscopy courses.

Directions to UTB: Take Highway 83/77 south to Brownsville and exit at Gateway International Bridge. Follow the frontage road and at the light turn right on International Blvd. Continue to drive on International until you see a Mc Donald ?’s restaurant on the left side. At this light turn left on Ridgley and continue driving toward the back of campus. The large building before the road veers right is the SETB. There should be plenty of parking. Signage and student volunteers will direct you to the 3rd Floor Conference Room.