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Experimental Physical Chemistry

Experimental Physical Chemistry at UCLA is strongly interdisciplinary and diverse. Our faculty are extending the frontiers of biophysical chemistry through experiments on the nanoscale mechanical motions involved in DNA transcription (Weiss), the screaming of yeast cells (Gimzewski), the elasticity of viruses (Knobler & Gelbart), the microrheology of biopolymer solutions and the cytoplasm (Mason), and the use of new forms of NMR to detect the seeds of cancer (Lin). We are developing new hybrid organic-inorganic materials for making high-conversion and flexible solar cells (Tolbert), nanobottles for controlled release (Zink), and nanoscale ring arrays for nanoelectronics (Baugh). Femtosecond pump-probe laser spectroscopy experiments are revealing the structure of solvent molecules responding to changes of reacting solutes (Schwartz), and high-resolution rotational spectroscopies of molecular beams are being measured to understand the fundamental potential energy landscapes of interacting molecules (Felker).

Our experimental facilities are world class. The Materials Creation lab has light scattering particle size distribution analysis systems, FTIR and UV-VIS optical spectrometers, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and a SQUID magnetometer. Our departmental nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) user facilities have the following spectrometers: AC200, ARX400, ARX500, Avance 300 solid state, and Avance 500. UCLA Chemistry is proud to have an 800 MHz NMR spectrometer in the department. The Pasarow Mass Spectrometry Laboratory has three high resolution, one quadrupole, and three gas chromatography mass spectrometers. In addition, the J.D. McCullough X-ray Laboratory has eight single-crystal and two powder X-ray diffractometers. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) facilities in the DOE Biochemistry Laboratory are also available to researchers. We have an automated Ultratech XLS i-line stepper lithography facility; this is the most advanced lithography system on campus and rivals equipment at national facilities, such as Cornell and Stanford. The biophotonics facility boasts three of the world's most advanced Leica confocal microscopy systems, fully equipped for 3D live cell imaging.

This short description just touches the surface of the wide range of experiments going on in Physical Chemistry at UCLA. Visit the web pages of the faculty members to learn more about their research interests and the recent activities of their research groups.

Webmaster - Peter Xi
Page updated 10/6/2005