Functional Group Analysis of Infrared Spectra Using Auditory Pattern Recognition

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This project is in the general area of analytical and surface chemistry, broadly defined. The thrust of this experimental activity is an investigation of approaches to extracting molecular functional group information from infrared spectra and presenting this information as auditory patterns, primarily for the benefit of visually impaired scientists. These investigators have previously developed several schemes for presenting tabular and graphical data as electronic music and now seek to extend that work to develop methods that can be used to assist in the detailed analysis of infrared spectra. A central feature of this project will be the use of chemometric techniques to select features from infrared spectra which can distinguish organic functional groups and present these features as auditory patterns that will enable a listener to discern whether or not certain functional groups are likely to be present in a particular molecule. An essential part of this research will be the determination of the features of the spectra to be used for generating the sound patterns. This research has broad applications to chemistry and other experimental fields in science and engineering. Additionally, this project is important to Foundation activities in both the Science and Engineering Education and Computer and Information Science and Engineering Directorates. The techniques to be developed in this research could be useful to sighted as well as to visually impaired scientists.