Acquisition of a Sum Frequency Non-Linear Optical Spectroscopy System to Probe Interfaces of Nano, Bio and Environmental Materials

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With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Johns Hopkins University will acquire a sum frequency non-linear optical spectroscopy system (SFG) to probe interfaces of nano, bio and environmental materials. This equipment will be used to probe a) interfaces of organic thin films for microsystems and sensors; b) dynamic surfactant assemblies at liquid interfaces; c) microparticle drug delivery systems; d) lipid membrane interfaces; e) cadherin interactions in cell membranes; f) interactions of hydrophobic organic chemicals with organic surfaces; and g) identification of reaction intermediates in the reduction of organohalides by zero-valent iron. The SFG system will be used by post-doctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students. The presence of a SFG apparatus at Johns Hopkins University will also impact the education curriculum since three of the investigators teach courses in interfacial science. This instrument will allow them to incorporate examples of laser spectroscopic instrumentation and associated nonlinear optical phenomena into these courses.