Experimental Studies of Friction and Nuclear Motion in Electron Tunneling in Supermolecules

匹兹堡大学化学系的戴维·H·沃尔德克教授因研究超分子体系中的电子转移而得到有机化学和高分子化学计划的支持。目前的项目考察了电子转移反应的一个方面，包括电子位移和原子位移。沃尔德克教授将检验最常见的假设，即反应速度由电子的运动或原子的运动控制。拟议的研究将检验这一假设，并加深我们对电子转移反应如何在这两种极限情况下演变的理解。这项工作是一个特别重要的领域，因为电子转移影响到化学、物理和生物学的所有领域。在有机化学和高分子化学计划的支持下，匹兹堡大学化学系的戴维·H·沃尔德克教授将继续他正在进行的由NSF赞助的关于控制电子远距离转移动力学因素的研究的成功。特别是，溶剂动力学的作用，以及没有共价键合到给体或受体中心的介入基团的作用，将被审查。这些都是目前电子转移领域的热门话题，沃尔德克博士的研究具有极大的潜力为我们理解电子转移现象，特别是生物系统中的电子转移现象做出重大贡献。这项工作的成果将通过科学会议和出版物传达。学生培训是这一研究计划的一个基本要素，特别强调吸引代表人数不足的群体的学生。研究生和本科生都将接受现代激光方法、光谱学和纳米技术方面的培训。

Professor David H. Waldeck, of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh, is supported by the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program for his studies of electron transfer in supramolecular systems. The current project examines an aspect of electron transfer reactions involving both electron displacement and the displacements of atoms. Professor Waldeck will test the most common assumption, or hypothesis, that the reaction rate is controlled by either the electron's movement or the movement of the atoms. The proposed studies will test this hypothesis and develop our understanding of how electron transfer reactions evolve between these two limiting cases. This work is in an exceptionally important area since electron transfer impacts all areas of chemistry, physics and biology. With the support of the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program, Professor David H. Waldeck, of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh, will build upon the success of his on-going NSF-sponsored research into the factors that control the kinetics of electron transfer-at-a-distance. In particular, the roles of solvent dynamics, and of intervening groups that are not covalently bonded to the donor or acceptor centers, are to be examined. These are hot topics in the electron transfer field at present, and Dr. Waldeck's research has excellent potential to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the electron transfer phenomenon, particularly in biological systems. The results of this work will be communicated through scientific conferences and publications. Student training is an essential element of this research program with particular emphasis being placed on attracting students from underrepresented groups. Both graduate and undergraduate students will be trained in modern laser methods, spectroscopy, and nanotechnology.