RUI: Investigations of Newly Discovered OxoMetallic Clusters Inside Fullerene Cages

在美国国家科学基金会化学部化学结构、动力学和机制项目的RUI资助下，史蒂文·史蒂文森教授将对含氧金属富勒烯（OMFs）进行研究，OMFs由包裹在富勒烯内的金属氧化物团簇组成。研究目标包括：(1)发现和合成新的omf，(2)新的分离方法，(3)功能化化学，(4)表征（如磁性，电化学，x射线，核磁共振）。史蒂文森还将开发可持续性技术，以解决在合成过程中使用的昂贵和稀有金属（例如Sc， Lu）的枯竭问题。这些OMF分子的一个特殊特征是它们能够形成包含大多数被困在富勒烯中的原子的簇。史蒂文森的样本传播网络和科学思想交流包括国内外科学家。该研究项目促进了东道国的本科生研究人员以及当地社区大学生在学术生涯早期阶段的参与。学生将发展技术技能（例如，仪器，实验室工作），沟通技巧（例如，出版物，演讲）和人际交往能力（例如，在团队环境中参与实验室工作）。根据拟议的计划，社区学院/本科生可以有2到4年的研究经验，以更好地为研究生院，工业或其他职业（例如，医学，药学）做好准备。

With a RUI grant from the Chemical Structure, Dynamics, and Mechanism Program in the NSF Chemistry Division, Professor Steven Stevenson will carry out research on oxometallic fullerenes (OMFs), which consist of metallic oxide clusters encapsulated within fullerenes. Research goals include the (1) discovery and synthesis of new OMFs, (2) novel separation methods, (3) functionalization chemistry, and (4) characterization (e.g., magnetic, electrochemical, X-ray, NMR). Stevenson will also develop sustainability technologies to address the depletion of expensive and rare metals (e.g., Sc, Lu) used in their synthesis. A special feature of these OMF molecules is their ability to form clusters containing the most atoms trapped inside a fullerene. Stevenson's sample dissemination network and exchange of scientific ideas includes both domestic and international scientists. The research program promotes participation of undergraduate student researchers at the host institution as well as local community college students at early stages in their academic careers. Students will develop technical skills (e.g., instrumentation, lab work), communication skills (e.g., publications, presentations) and people skills (e.g., lab participation within a team environment). With the proposed plan, a community college/undergraduate student can have 2 to 4 years of research experiences to better prepare themselves for graduate school, industry, or other careers (e.g., medical, pharmacy).