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Fellowship winners are required to take an extended research visit for one to three months in China at the institute of their choice. | |||
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JACOB BERENBEIM Mattanjah de Vries Group 2014-2015 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: Mid spring 2015 Institution: DICP Advisor: Dr. Xueming Yang Project: "Study of Excited State Intermolecular Proton Transfer in Natural Red Anthraquinone Dyes" Exposure to light can lead to the degradation of many molecules vis-à-vis the absorption of ultraviolet and visible wavelength photons placing them into an energetically excited state prone to chemical and physical changes. To counter these effects, certain molecules may be photostable by possessing an excited state pathway, which dissipates energy garnered from photons, to regain a stable ground state structure on a timescale much quicker than the reaction rates of degradation. One such pathway is the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), and it constitutes one of the quickest reactions known. It is understanding this photostability gained by ESIPT, embodied in the form of color-steadfastness of a particular subset of naturally occuring anthraquinone based organic dyes, which is the focus of this research proposal.This project aims to further clarify the excited state dynamics, in particular how functional substitutions and their geometries effect the tautomerization barrier in both the ground and excited state, with time-dependent DFT and experimentally if time allows. This study will contribute greatly to work currently being done here in the de Vries laboratory at UCSB, in collaboration with the Getty Conservation Institute on cultural heritage materials, where these particular dyes have added value beyond that of fundamental science. | ||
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CHUI MARCO LAM Group 2014-2015 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: Nov 2014 - Feb 2015 Institution: Beijing Institute of Technology Advisor: Dr. Cheng-Chu Zeng Project: Electrochemical redox cleavage of lignin model dimers. | ||
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JOSH BUFFON Steve Buratto Group 2014-2015 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: May 2015 Institution:Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale - USTC Advisor: Dr. Jinlong Yang Project: DFT calculations of very small size selected vanadium oxide clusters on metal surfaces for catalytic reaction mechanism investigation. | ||
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COLIN GARDNER Susannah Scott Group 2014-2015 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: Spring 2015 Institution: SINANO Advisor: Dr.Jinping Zhang Project: Using mechanistic insights to control the size and geometry of gold nanoparticles. | ||
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PO-JU (BRUCE) HUANG Peter Ford Group 2014-2015 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: Winter 2015 Institution: Xiamen University, Fujian Advisor: Dr. Nanfeng Zheng Project: The targeted photochemical delivery of the small molecule bioregulators NO and CO using photoactive NO and CO releasing moieties (photoNORMs and photoCORMs) is an important project in the Ford group. However, this approach involves overcoming several challenges associated with using these photochemical precursors in biological systems. The primary challenges are activating these precursors at biologically relevant wavelengths (red and NIR light), as well as assessing their targeting capabilities by determining their fate and transport within a tissue culture or an entire organism. To address these challenges, we propose to synthesize carbon quantum dots (QDs) as photochemical antennae, and biological imaging of nano- and micro-carriers containing photoNORMs and photoCORMs. | ||
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JEREMY ROBINS Steve Buratto Group 2014-2015 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: Spring 2015 Institution: DICP Advisor: Dr. Xinhe Bao Project: Tungsten Carbide (WC) has attracted much attention from the catalysis community due to its similar reactivity to Platinum, corrosion robustness, and cheap starting materials. However, current studies are limited to bulk crystals and thin films, where atomic level details are perfunctory. I seek to further understand the exact surface stoichiometry, electronic structure and catalytic activity of WC by using tungsten precursors to grow a Au supported sub-monolayer model catalyst for CO oxidation. | ||
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ED PAUL Trevor Hayton Group 2013-2014/2014-2015 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: Summer 2014 Institution: State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry Advisor: Dr. Yaofeng Chen Project: My research seeks to enhance the understanding of 5f-orbital participation in bonding, through the formation of new uranium-ligand bonds, with a focus on synthesizing new uranyl analogues. I also intend to explore the reactivity of the U(III) tris(amide) with the remaining pnictogens, particularly various nitrogen and phosphorous sources. Metal phosphorous double bonds have proven difficult to create and studies with various phosphorous sources may give insight into metal-phosphorous bonding, which may have applications in a wide variety of fields. | ||
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JOSE NAVARRETE Martin Moskovits Group 2013-2014/2014-2015 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: Summer 2014 Institution: SINANO Advisor: Dr. Jinping Zhang Project: The Schottky barrier resulting from the formation of a metallic nanoparticle and semiconductor interface has been shown to be useful in the field of photonics and catalysis. In order to gain further insight into it’s capabilities, we must first try to further understand its behavior under varying conditions. Although theoretical models and calculations accurately predict behavior and trends, dynamic mapping of the electron density within the studied materials has not yet been shown. By use of HRTEM (high resolution transmission electron microscopy), we hope to correlate the varying electron densities in a SnO2 nanowire (with various metallic nanoparticles decorating its surface) with the proposed theoretical models. Such models include variations due to reactive reducing gases (H2, CO, etc.) and electronic variations when incorporated into an FET (field effect transistor). | ||
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ZACHARY JONES Susannah Scott Group 2013-2014/2014-2015 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: Jan - Feb 2014 Institution: Dalian University of Technology Advisor: Dr. Anhui Lu Project: We aim to synthesize porous carbon materials to serve as conductive supports for heterogeneous electrocatalysis. Specifically, a hierarchal approach will be used to modify the carbon surface and structure for the immobilization of copper complexes, for the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to ethylene. | ||
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MEGAN CHUI Peter Ford Group 2013-2014 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: May - July 2014 Institution: East China University of Science and Technology Advisor: Dr. Jinghong Zhou Project: Study the reductive disassembly of lignin model compounds using doped porous metal oxide (PMO) catalysts developed at UCSB on a trickle bed reactor in the Zhou lab. With Dr. Zhou's expertise, we will understand the mechanism, determine the product distribution, and compare the results to those obtained in a batch reactor at UCSB. | ||
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SEUNG JOON YOO Dan Little Group 2013-2014/2014-2015 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: Winter Quarter 2014 Institution: Beijing University of Technology Advisor: Cheng-Chu Zeng Project: (1) Development of dual redox catalysts in a two-phase electrolytic system featuring a polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) and graphene composite material, and (2) Development of a physically stable, reusable platform for redox mediators, and exploring the system as redox catalysts. | ||
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DEAN MORALES Norbert Reich Group 2012-2013 2-Quarter Fellowship Winner XRV dates: May 17 - July 31 2013 Institution: Fudan University Advisor: Fan Zhang Project: Zhang’s group explores the properties of novel nanoparticle structures that may lead to numerous advances in fields such as biomedicine. Certain nanoparticles can be designed to create attractive features that allow for stimuli sensitive release (e.g. light) of a preloaded drug in a temporal and/or spatial dependent manner. With our expertise in biochemistry in the Reich lab and Zhang’s expertise in advanced materials we will work together to study how nanoparticles can serve as a platform for biomolecule association while providing controllable release. | ||
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TONY DEMARTINO Peter Ford Group 2012-2013 2-Quarter Fellowship Winner XRV dates: Summer '13 (August-September) Institution: City University of Hong Kong Advisor: Kenneth Lo Project: Modifying a biologically-relavent chromium-based photoactive nitric oxide (NO) precursor on a light-absorbing nanoparticle antenna with a glucose based moiety to increase uptake into cancer cells via over-expressed glucose transporters (GLUTs). To study this NO-releasing platform in biological systems. | ||
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HUNTER NEILSON Steve Buratto Group 2012 Travel Grant winner & 2012-2013 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: Aug-Sept 2013 Institution: SINANO (Travel Grant) & Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Advisor: Jinping Zhang & Wei-Xue Li Project: Use DFT to understand the mechanism for the catalytic oxidation of methanol by VxOy nanoparticles on TiO2. | ||
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ELIZABETH PEDRICK Trevor Hayton Group 2012-2013 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: Sept-Nov 2013 Institution: Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry Advisor: Yaofeng Chen Project: Synthesis of new rare earth metal complexes and investigation of their reactivity. She will be working with metals she does not have access to at UCSB, such as yttrium, lanthanum, scandium, samarium and lutetium, along with ligands she has prepared previously, such as Aracnac (ArNC(Ph)CHC(Ph)O; Ar = 3,5-tBu2C6H3). | ||
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ANNA SIMON Kevin Plaxco Group 2012-2013 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: October 2012-February 2013 Institution: Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics Advisor: Chunhai Fan Project: Biopolymer-nanoparticle hybrid materials are increasingly important for nanotechnology for energy and biomedical applications. I will study how attachment to nanoparticles affects biopolymer physics, the UCSB Plaxco group’s expertise in biophysics with the Shanghai Fan group’s expertise in DNA-nanoparticle fabrication and characterization | ||
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AGUSTIN PIERRI Peter Ford Group 2011-2012 & 2012-2013 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: Summer 2012 Institution: Xiamen University, Fujian Advisor: Nanfeng Zheng Project: Using nanoparticles as light-sensitive antennae to stimulate the release of CO from molecules adsorbed on their surfaces. He will also take advantage of the Zheng group's complementary expertise in cell culture techniques to examine the potential of the nanoparticle antennae-CO precursor complex conjugates to deliver CO in vivo. In Agustin's Words: I was in China learning how I could apply nanoscale synthetic techniques towards my PhD project. Experiencing a new culture and meeting new people was more enjoyable than I could’ve ever imagined. I am looking forward to going back! | ||
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BRENDAN D'SOUZA Liming Zhang Group 2011-2012 Post-Doc Fellowship Winner XRV dates: Summer 2012 Institution: Hefei National Laboratories for Physical Sciences at Microscale and Department of Chemistry Advisor: Liu-Zhu Gong Project: In Brendan's Words: The XRV trip to Hefei National Laboratory was a great experience. I got the opportunity to work with some really smart and hardworking students at Prof. Liu-Zhu Gong’s laboratory. The laboratory was well equipped. The students in the laboratory went out of their way to make me feel comfortable. I was always accompanied by someone from the laboratory to help me get my lunch, dinner or just traveling around the city. The weekly group meetings which were normally conducted in Chinese were conducted in English so that I could feel comfortable. I got an opportunity to travel to Shanghai. I traveled to Shanghai by the high speed train. It was a great opportunity to witness the technological advancement in this country. Shanghai is a very modern city with road signs in both English and Chinese. It was a great experience. Most market places in China reminded me of my hometown in Mumbai, India. The food was really good too. I am very glad that the PIRE-ECCI program gave me such a great opportunity to visit China and witness some great chemistry research being carried out. | ||
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DAN COLLER Susannah Scott Group 2011-2012 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: Summer 2012 Institution: Suzhou Institute of Nano-tech and Nano-biology Advisor: Jin-Ping Zhang Project: Use TEM to acquire high resolution images of complex metal oxides containing precious metal cations. TEM will be used to visualize the extrusion of metal nanoparticles and their reabsorption into their oxide host, contributing to our understanding of the structural changes that lead to their exceptional activity as oxidation catalysts. | ||
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RANDI GBUR Dan Little Group 2011-2012 & 2012-2013 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: April 2012 Institution: College of Life-Science and Bio-Engineering, Beijing University of Technology Advisor: Cheng-Chu Zeng Project: Developing modular methods for attaching redox mediators to polythiophene-modified electrode surfaces, and explore their use as catalysts. | ||
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BRYAN GOLDSMITH Baron Peters Group 2011-2012 & 2012-2013 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: Summer-Fall 2012 Institution: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Advisor: Wei-Xue Li Project: Develop new methods for efficient transition-state searching in periodic DFT calculations. These methods are expected to facilitate the exploration of reaction mechanisms on catalytically active surfaces, including those of metals and metal oxides. In Bryan's Words: During my XRV trip I resided in Dalian, China. I worked at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics in Professor Wei-Xue Li's group. During my free time, I often went out with my new Chinese friends to various restaurants. We ate many different dishes ranging from sea food to insects. One insect I ate was Cicada, and it was actually quite tasty. Besides being adventurous with food, we also visited many different places in Dalian city. We went to the Zoo, karaoke bars, and flea markets. At the flea market I was able to bargain for souvenirs to bring home for my family. Also, during the PIRE-ECCi conference we visited the city of Suzhou and the city of Shanghai. Here we visited many historical sites, like ancient gardens and waterways, along we more modern industrial zones for shopping and dancing. Overall, I had a wonderful experience and I recommend others to participate. | ||
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RYAN DAVIS Susannah Scott Group 2010-2011 & 2011-2012 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: September-October 2011 Institution: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Advisor: Xinhe Bao and Quiang Fu Project: X-ray Absorption Spectroscopic Studies of Doped and Un-doped Mixed Metal Oxide Catalytic Systems In Ryan's Words: I went to Dalian China to work with Professor Qiang Fu at the DICP. While there I shared and in-situ XAS technique that I had developed in the US, for use at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility. I experienced the Chinese culture first-hand and would jump at the chance to go again. | ||
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JOHN GARCIA Peter Ford Group 2010-2011 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: March-April 2011 Institution: Fudan University, Shanghai China Advisor: Fan Zhang and Dongyuan Zhao Project: The goal of this project is the measurement of photochemical nitric oxide generation as a result of NIR radiation. We are investigating quantitative methods of photochemical nitric oxide release in aqueous media and also from films, with the goal of developing strategies for therapeutic applications in mammalian tissue. | ||
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ANTHONY CRISCI Susannah Scott Group 2010-2011 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: Jan-Feb 2011 Institution: Suzhou Institute of Nano-Technology and Nano-Bionics (Sinano) Advisor: Jin-Ping Zhang Project: The characterization of nano-structured catalysts (pre/post catalysis)by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. . | ||
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DAN ENGELHART Alec Wodtke Group 2009-2010 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: Apr-May 2010 Institution: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Advisor: Xueming Yang Project: Ultrafast Two-photon photoemission to investigate work function change due to the presence of adsorbates on anatase Titanium dioxide. | ||
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ROB MESSINGER Brad Chmelka/Mike Gordon Group 2009-2010 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: September-December 2009 Institution: Fudan University, Shanghai China Advisor: Xinhe Bao Project: Probe the catalytic activity of model mixed-metal oxide compounds containing ionized noble metals in well defined coordination sites and oxidation states. In Rob's Words: Living in China was incredible. I learned a great deal not only scientifically, but also culturally. It was a period of personal growth and a highlight of my graduate experiences at UC Santa Barbara. | ||
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JOSHUA KURZMAN Ram Seshadri Group 2008-2009 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: June-August 2009 Institution: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Advisor: Prof. Dongyuan Zhao Project: Syntheses of 13-C labeled organic-inorganic mesostructured nanocomposites. | ||
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LAUREN SPENCER Stucky/Wodtke Group XRV dates: June 27 - August 8, 2009 Institution: Suzhou Institute of Nano-Technology and Nano-Bionics Advisor: Jin-Ping Liu Project: Analyzing heterostructured nanowires by transmission electron microscopy to understand the mechanism of CVD nanowire growth. In Lauren's Words: This experience was truly unique and life changing. The challenges of learning to adapt to a completely different culture and learn a new language were rewarding on their own. In addition, conducting scientific research in a group of Chinese scientists was truly exciting and I was amazed to learn how foreign students approach the same problems we pursue here at UCSB. I really enjoyed the opportunity to make new friends in china and train along side these students in a scientific setting. I also took advantage of learning as much as I could about the culture and history which was perhaps the most rewarding part of my stay. I look forward to keeping in touch with my new friends and the science being pursued at in Suzhou in hopes of future collaborations. | ||
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TED MATSON Peter Ford Group 2008-2009 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: December, 2008 Institution: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Advisor: Project: Correlating the structure of copper-doped hydrotalcite materials with the catalytic activity of said materials after calcination. UV Resonance Raman spectroscopy provided a surface-specific probe of the coordination environment of copper. Temperature dependence studies showed that morphological changes associated with the transtion from precursor to active catalyst could be detected by UVRR. | ||
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GERALD MACALA Peter Ford Group 20078-2009 Fellowship Winner XRV dates: November 2008 Institution: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Advisor: Can Li Project: Using UV Raman instrument to examine some Fe and Cu containing catalysts which were synthesized at UCSB. In Jerry's Words: ...It was definitely one of the highlights of my graduate work at UCSB. I think programs like this are critical for personal as well as professional development. The concept of the Odyssey has not been lost on modern civilization! | ||
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RUSSELL COOPER Alec Wodtke Group XRV dates: September-December, 2008 Institution: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Advisor: Xueming Yang Project: Ultra fast two-photon photoemission. In Russ's Words: During my time in China I was also able to spend some time with graduate students from Professor Yang’s group as well as others. I attended multiple dinners, was able to play for our group’s basketball and table tennis team, and even attended a wedding. I was also able to make a few friends outside of DICP. I have maintained contact with several of the students as well as a few of the people I had met outside of DICP. I will say that it was perhaps the best three months of my life, and I would relish the opportunity to head back across the ocean. | ||
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VICTOR SOTO Horia Metiu Group XRV dates: June-July, 2007 Institution: Dalian Institute for Chemical Physics Advisor: Wei-Xue Li Project: Learn how to do calculations to find XPS spectra from DFT. | ||
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CLARON RIDGE Steve Buratto Group XRV dates: June-September, 2007 Institution: Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale Advisor: Jinlong Yang Project: Learn theoretical methods of calculating STM images. | ||
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JERRY LARUE Alec Wodtke Group XRV dates: June-September, 2007 Institution: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Advisor: Xueming Yang Project: Two-photon photoemission to probe the surface properties of water on copper on new, high-tech equipment manufactured in Germany. In Jerry's Words: The Chinese grad students are very friendly and many friendships were made. They always enjoy the chance to get some food at a local street vendor or drink some beer in town as well as going to the International Beer Festival in Dalian that coincided with my stay. Also, whenever I was in need of assistance, whether about research, travelling or food, they were always eager to help. | ||
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JASON WHITE Alec Wodtke Group XRV dates: September-November, 2006 Institution: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Advisor: Xinhe Bao Project: Scanning tunneling microscopy, XPS, UPS, and photoelectron emission microscopy. In Jason's Words: In addition to working at a top notch institution with very specialized equipment, I developed a better understanding for a very different culture (a feature that would not have been possible by going to another American or European institution) and made some very strong friendships that will stay with me for a lifetime. | ||
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ROBERT SAVINELLI Susannah Scott Group 2009-2010 Fellowship winner XRV dates: June-August, 2006 & September-November, 2006 Institution: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Advisor: Xinhe Bao Project: Conduct catalytic experiments with transition metal carbides that was similar to work at UCSB but not possible due to lack of equipment or specialization. In Rob's Words: My greatest rewards for working in China were not scientific. Many of my experiments could have been done in Santa Barbara. The new ideas, colleagues, and perspectives I've gained could not. This was a truly unique opportunity. In a world that seems to be getting smaller, it was nice to see that science is a universal language. | ||
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SAM FLEISCHMAN Susannah Scott Group 2009-2010 Fellowship winner XRV dates: June-August, 2006 Institution: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Advisor: Can Li Project: Study the structure of chromium and rhenium based heterogeneous catalysts using UV-Raman spectroscopy. In Sam's Words: I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I made friendships through my own attempt at learning Chinese as well as my attempts at holding English classes after work. I believe only by attempting to learn the language of another people can you begin to understand them socially, culturally, and intellectually. | ||
