NSF East Asia and Pacific Summer Institute for FY 2012 in Japan

这一行动资助了北卡罗来纳大学教堂山分校的Lauren Elizabeth Jarocha于2012年夏天在日本宫城县仙台市的东库大学开展了一项研究项目，题为“自由基反应的电子顺磁共振研究，以改进太阳能电池和人工光合作用”。该研究项目的智力价值在于对质子耦合电子转移反应(PCET)中的作用、结构和机理有了更详细的了解。这种类型的反应在人工光合作用装置和染料敏化太阳能电池中都很重要。质子耦合电子转移反应涉及自由基中间体，可以直接用电子顺磁共振(EPR)谱进行研究。这项拟议的工作利用高场时间分辨电子顺磁共振探索基于Ru的氧化催化和还原猝灭质子耦合电子转移反应，以获得关于这些反应的结构、动力学、化学性质和机理的准确信息，这将有助于设计更有效的化学反应用于太阳能电池和人造光合作用设备。EAPSI奖学金的更广泛影响包括为研究员提供美国以外的第一手研究经验；介绍各自所在地的科学、科学政策和科学基础设施；以及对社会、文化和语言的介绍。这些活动符合NSF的目标，即在其科学家、工程师和教育工作者的职业生涯早期为国际合作进行教育，从而确保拥有一支具有全球意识的美国科学队伍。

This action funds Lauren Elizabeth Jarocha of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to conduct a research project, entitled "Electron paramagnetic resonance studies of radical reactions to improve solar cells and artificial photosynthesis," during the summer of 2012 at Tokoku University in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The host scientist is Seigo Yamauchi.The Intellectual Merit of the research project is related to the development of a detailed understanding of the role structure and mechanism play in proton-coupled electron transfer reactions (PCET). This type of reaction is important in both artificial photosynthetic devices and dye sensitized solar cells. Proton coupled electron transfer reactions involve radical intermediates, which can be studied directly by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The proposed work explores ruthenium based oxidative catalysis and reductive quenching proton coupled electron transfer reactions using high-field time resolved electron paramagnetic resonance to obtain accurate information on the structure, dynamics, chemical properties, and mechanism of these reactions, which will be helpful in designing more efficient chemical reactions for use in solar cells and artificial photosynthetic devices.The Broader Impacts of an EAPSI fellowship include providing the Fellow a first-hand research experience outside the U.S.; an introduction to the science, science policy, and scientific infrastructure of the respective location; and an orientation to the society, culture and language. These activities meet the NSF goal to educate for international collaborations early in the career of its scientists, engineers, and educators, thus ensuring a globally aware U.S. scientific workforce.