CLARKSON UNIVERSITY · POTSDAM · NEW YORK 13699 · VOLUME 18 NO 2 · DECEMBER 2002
CAMP Professors Use NMR In Their Research

CAMP Professors Devon Shipp, Richard Partch, Anja Mueller, and Yuzhuo Li are using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in their research at Clarkson University's Center for Advanced Materials Processing. They have access to a new Bruker Avance 400 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, which was recently purchased by the University. Highlights of their work are provided.

NMR spectroscopy is used to study physical, chemical, and biological properties of matter. It is routinely used by chemists to study chemical structure using simple one-dimensional techniques. Two-dimensional techniques are used to determine the structure of more complicated molecules. These techniques are replacing x-ray crystallography for the determination of protein structure. Solid state NMR spectroscopy is used to determine the molecular structure of solids and time domain NMR techniques are used to probe molecular dynamics in solutions. Also scientists have developed NMR methods for measuring diffusion coefficients.

Nuclear magnetic resonance is a phenomenon which occurs when nuclei with the property of spin are immersed in a static magnetic field and exposed to a second oscillating magnetic field. Nuclei with an odd mass number or an odd atomic number possess spin and have angular momentum. Examples of such nuclei include 1H, 2H, 19F, 13C, 15N, 31P, and 29Si. A nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum provides information about the number, nature, and environment of the nuclei in a molecule being studied. From this information, the molecular skeleton can frequently be determined, in addition to the determination of various physical properties (e.g. diffusion coefficients, binding constants, etc).

Professor Egon Matijevic' is honored with a special Symposium and dinner for his lifetime accomplishments in chemistry. From left: Clarkson University President Denny Brown, Dr. Anne Williams (the President's wife), Professor Egon Matijevic', and Mr. Charles Shipley.

Endowed Chair to Honor Clarkson University Professor Egon Matijevic'

Charles and Lucia Shipley have donated $2 million to Clarkson University for an endowed chair to honor Victor K. LaMer Professor of Chemistry Egon Matijevic' for a lifetime of professional achievement in the field of colloid chemistry.

The gift from the Shipleys was announced at a formal dinner at the American Chemical Society's annual meeting held in Boston. The dinner followed a special symposium held in honor and recognition of Professor Matijevic's pioneering work in monodispersed colloids and fine particle science and engineering.

"Egon Matijevic' is a positive thinker who radiates optimism and enthusiasm and whose resourcefulness and creativity inspire confidence in others," said Charles Shipley. "He takes pride in pursuing and achieving the previously impossible. Egon's knowledge and experience have helped the Shipley Company in so many ways since our association commenced in 1970, from helping us win a patent suit to improving a unique colloidal product that is still in use."

Shipley noted that the establishment of this endowed chair in Professor Matijevic's name recognizes not only an outstanding and creative scientist, but also a brilliant teacher who has shaped many lives.

continued on page2

TOP
NEXT PAGE
INDEX PAGE

Page
1