Acquisition of a Langmuir-Blodgett Instrument for Chemistry Research and Education

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With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Acquisition Program, the Department of Chemistry at Northern Kentucky University will acquire a Langmuir-Blodgett instrument for the creation of multilayered films. The instrument will be used to investigate 1.) dendrimer interactions with blood-brain barrier model systems; 2.) organometallic supramolecular chemistry involving fullerenes and transition metal-containing polymers; 3.) the characterization of functionalized [14]-annulenes and 4.) the physical properties of phospholipids monolayers and lipid/inhibitor interactions. A Langmuir-Blodgett instrument provides a trough with end barriers to prepare and compress monolayers of molecules and thin films several molecular layers thick. It is computer controlled to allow unsupervised deposition of uncontaminated samples. The layers are then investigated and characterized by other techniques such as spectroscopy and probe microscopy. The instrument will enhance teaching and research of undergraduates at Northern Kentucky University. It will be integrated into lab courses including the upper level instrumental course and coupled to synthetic courses where materials to be studied will be prepared.