Critical repair of a UV/vis/NIR spectrophotometer used to characterize solar, plasmonic, and sorptive materials

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During the summer of 2018, a critical UV/vis/NIR spectrophotometer in the Department of Chemistry failed. The spectrometer needs key parts replaced (micrometers and their corresponding drive motors), which must be installed by a qualified technician. This spectrometer was in daily use by researchers throughout the chemistry department; however, the Kelly, Burgess and Wilson groups have been impacted the most. The loss of the spectrometer threatens to derail key research projects in these groups; until its failure, it provided essential data on the light absorbing layers of solar cells, electrodeposited metal films, and adsorption processes on biopolymers, data which is crucial to the success of these research programs. If the spectrometer is not repaired or replaced, it would prevent a large number of students and post-doctoral fellows from completing their programs. This application therefore requests funding for the replacement parts needed to repair the spectrometer and their installation.