Assessment of the Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) as a Molecular Weight

这项由化学测量和成像(CMI)项目颁发的奖项支持路易斯安那州立大学和农业与机械学院的Isiah Warner教授及其合作者的工作，他们探索了在一组基于有机盐(GUMBOS)和醋酸纤维素(或其他聚合物)的均匀材料存在的情况下，使用石英晶体微天平(QCM)测定挥发性有机化合物质量和相对分子质量的理论基础。这项研究是基于研究人员最近的发现，即在存在上述复合传感材料的情况下，在QCM测量过程中同时获得的两个参数的比率可以提供吸附分子的分子质量估计。在拟议的研究中，研究小组将(1)对传感复合材料进行详细检查，以全面了解它们的特性，以提供合适的df/dr比；(2)开发计算方法和理论模型，以更好地了解这些复合材料如何在基础水平上发挥作用；以及(3)评估有助于在QCM测量和分析应用中最佳使用的复合材料的整体形态和其他性能。华纳教授将继续积极吸引不同背景的本科生和研究生参与科学、技术、工程和数学(STEM)教育。

This award by Chemical Measurement and Imaging (CMI) program supports work by Professor Isiah Warner and his collaborators at Louisiana State University & Agricultural and Mechanical College to explore the theoretical foundation of using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) for both mass and molecular weight determination of volatile organic compounds at the presence of a group of uniform materials based on organic salts (GUMBOS) and cellulose acetate (or other polymers). This research is based upon the researcher's recent discovery that in the presence of aforementioned composite sensing materials, the ratio of two parameters, which are simultaneously acquired during QCM measurements, can provide molecular weight estimates of absorbed molecules. In the proposed studies, the research groups will (1) conduct a detailed examination of sensing composites to achieve a full understanding of their characteristics to provide an appropriate ratio of df to dR; (2) develop computational methods and theoretical models to better understand how these composites function at a fundamental level; and (3) evaluate overall morphology and other properties of composites that contribute to optimal use in QCM measurements and analytical applications. Professor Warner will continue to actively engage undergraduate and graduate students of diverse backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.