Presidential Young Investigator Award: Molecular Behavior in Complex Fluid Materials

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Professor Dor Ben-Amotz is supported by a grant from the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program for studies of the behavior of molecules in complex fluid materials. The goal of these studies is to gain an understanding of the structure and dynamics in these systems at the microscopic level. The research is in three parts: (1) Raman and time-resolved fluorescence/phosphorescence depolarization studies of the changes in the vibration and rotation of molecules under turbulent flow, (2) studies of surface-adsorbed molecules at solid-liquid interfaces at high pressures by the same techniques, and (3) development of molecular probes for in situ optical measurements of temperature, pressure, viscosity in inhomogeneous fluids. %%% The key questions to be adressed in the research supported by this Presidential Young Investigator Award are: To what extent do turbulent structures persist at the molecular scale? Is the distribution of local solvent cage densities significantly affected by turbulent flow? An understanding of fluid behavior under turbulent flow has important implications in lubrication and drag reduction technologies. Raman spectroscopy will be used to fingerprint chemical changes on surfaces of fluids in contact with high surface area metal powders. A long term goal is the development of new strategies for catalysis, synthesis, separation, and analysis of complex fluid materials.