Resume

• 2012

  Material Research Society

• 2007

  American Chemical Society

• 2003

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD

  Chemistry

  American Chemical Society

• 1998

  Spanish

  English

  Bachelor of Science - BS

  Biochemistry

  Biology

  Philosophy

  Intramural Sports

• Preparing the baseball fields for games and being an umpire for little league games

  Fairborn Little League

  Merit Badge Counselor

  Counseling the Chemistry merit badge to Boy Scouts

  Boy Scouts of America

  Thermoelectrics

  Raman

  XRD

  NMR spectroscopy

  Chemical Actinometry

  Organometallic Synthesis

  IR spectroscopy

  XRF

  UV/Vis Spectroscopy

  Materials Science

  HPLC-MS

  Viscometry

  GC/MS

  Mass Spectrometry

  Novel Synthetic Protocols

  Photochemistry

  SEM/EDX

  Cyclic Voltammetry

  Emission

  UV/Vis

  Electronic Structure of Hydrothermally Synthesized Single Crystal U0.22Th0.78O2

  James Petrosky

  Peter Dowben

  Xin Zhang

  Joseph Kolis

  Matt Mann

  Robert Hengehold

  Glenn Peterson

  Single crystals of ThO2

  UO2

  and their solid solutions

  UxTh1–xO2

  have been obtained through various hydrothermal growth conditions. This technique offers the better of two other growth processes: (i) single crystal purity as by photochemical growth of nanocrystals; and (ii) large/bulk sizes as obtained by the arc melt method. The band gap of the UxTh1–xO2 single crystal solid solution

  along with the luminescence transition

  have been characterized. The occupied and unoccupied structures are determined using ultraviolet and inverse photoemission spectroscopy and the electronic band gap was measured to be 3–4 eV. The strain of incorporating U into the ThO2 is analyzed through Vegard's law. In this crystal there are defect and impurity sites

  likely arising from the kinetic growth process

  giving rise to a similar yet slightly different optical gap evident with cathodoluminescence spectroscopy. There is a major luminescence feature spanning the range from 3.18 to 4.96 eV (250–390 nm) with a maximum at 4.09 eV (303 nm)

  corresponding with the measured electronic band gap. In this paper

  the electronic properties of a solid solution U0.22Th0.78O2 are measured and interpreted compared to the pure actinide oxides

  ThO2 and UO2.\n

  Electronic Structure of Hydrothermally Synthesized Single Crystal U0.22Th0.78O2

  Several milligrams of the ruthenium-centered organometallic complex

  ruthenium bis-4

  4′-di(thiomethyl)-2

  2′-bipyridine

  mono-2 -(2-pyridyl)-1

  3-oxathiane ([Ru{(HS-CH2)2-bpy}2{pox}](PF6)2) were synthesized and used to produce a self assembled monolayer film on a gold substrate. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of the film detected the presence of bound thiolate

  which is an indication of a chemisorbed film. Water contact angle measurements were performed before and after 5 min of visible light irradiation using an ozone-free 1000 W Xe(Hg) arc source with a 425-680 nm long pass mirror. The contact angle changed from 52° pre-irradiation (hydrophilic state) to 95° post-irradiation (hydrophobic state).

  The Lattice Stiffening Transition in UO2 Single Crystals

  Eric Hunt

  J. Matthew Mann

  James Petrosky

  Chris Young

  The photoelectric work function of nearly stoichiometric (111) and (100) hydrothermally grown UO2 was measured to be 6.28 ± 0.36 eV and 5.80 ± 0.36 eV

  respectively. Candidate metals for electrical contacts are identified for both rectifying and non-rectifying contacts based on work function

  lattice compatibility

  and electrical conductivity.

  The Work Function of Hydrothermally Synthesized UO2 and the Implications for Semiconductor Device Fabrication

  Claudia Turro

  Yao Liu

  The ultrafast kinetics of ligand exchange of cis-[Ru(bpy)2(CH3CN)2]2+ were measured in H2O and CH3CN. The formation of the 3MLCT excited-state and a five-coordinate intermediate are observed in both solvents within 2 ps after excitation (310 nm

  fwhm ∼ 300 fs). The 3MLCT excited-state undergoes vibrational cooling (5−6 ps)

  then decays to regenerate the ground-state with a lifetime of ∼50 ps. In CH3CN

  ligand recombination takes place in 28 ps

  while the formation of cis-[Ru(bpy)2(CH3CN)(H2O)]2+ in H2O takes place with τ = 77 ps.\n

  Ultrafast Ligand Exchange: Detection of a Pentacoordinate Ru(II) Intermediate and Product Formation

  ToF-SIMS Characterization of Robust Window Material for Use in Diode Pumped Alkali Lasers

  Claudia Turro

  Albert Fratini

  The title compound

  C9H11NOS

  exhibits a unique structural motif

  with free rotation of the aliphatic oxathiane ring about the C-C bond connecting this moiety to the aromatic pyridine ring. The structure elucidation was undertaken due to its potential as a bidentate ligand for organometallic complexes. The oxathiane ring adopts the expected chair conformation

  with the S atom in proximity to the N atom on the pyridine ring. The corresponding S-C-C-N torsion angle is 69.07 (14)°. In the crystal

  mol­ecules aggregate as centrosymmetric pairs connected by pairs of C-H...N hydrogen bonds.

  2-(Pyridin-2-yl)-1

  3-oxathiane

  The Debye Temperature for Hydrothermally Grown ThO2 Single Crystals

  Peter Dowben

  Matt Mann

  John McClory

  James Petrosky

  Single crystals of thorium dioxide ThO2

  grown by the hydrothermal growth technique

  have been investigated by ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS)

  inverse photoemission spectroscopy (IPES)

  and L3

  M3

  M4

  and M5 X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES). The experimental band gap for large single crystals has been determined to be 6 eV to 7 eV

  from UPS and IPES

  in line with expectations. The combined UPS and IPES

  place the Fermi level near the conduction band minimum

  making these crystals n-type

  with extensive band tailing

  suggesting an optical gap in the region of 4.8 eV for excitations from occupied to unoccupied edge states. Hybridization between the Th 6d/5f bands with O 2p is strongly implicated.

  The Unoccupied Electronic Structure Characterization of Hydrothermally Grown ThO2 Single Crystals

  David

  Air Force Research Laboratory

  Wright State University

  Air Force Institute of Technology

  Air Force Research Laboratory

  Post-Doc in the Engineering Physics Department

  GNE Divsion\n\n• Developed a chemical cleaning process for hydrothermally grown thorium dioxide to remove alkali ions and other contaminants from surface of single crystals\n• Designed and constructed numerous ultra-high vacuum systems for photoemission and cathodoluminescence measurements to be performed on actinide complexes\n• Trained in Radiation Safety and Handling for radioactive compounds

  such as ThO2 and UO2\n• Utilized SolidWorks(CAD) drawings for ultra-high vacuum design and then implemented designed into working systems\n• Mentored and trained graduate students in research to fulfill degree requirements

  Postdoctoral Researcher

  Dayton

  Ohio Area

  Air Force Institute of Technology

  • Developed an introductory general chemistry curriculum to educate college students in the principles of chemistry\n• Prepared lecture notes

  quizzes

  pre-labs

  mid-terms and a final to test the student’s understanding in the topics of chemistry\n• Designed laboratory experiments to emphasize and reinforce the concepts discussed during lecture in a hands-on

  first person experience\n• Instructed teaching assistants in the proper education methods to relay the principles of chemistry to their students in the most effective manner during weekly staff meetings\n• Proctored and graded various quizzes and examinations giving to students throughout the semester\n• Retained an in-depth and comprehensive system of grades and attendance for the students registered in the class

  Adjunct Assistant Professor

  Dayton

  Ohio Area

  Wright State University

  Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

  • Successfully developed and implemented a new research plan to tether organometallic complexes to surfaces for photo-controllable heat transfer in under a year\n• Synthesized ligands and metal compounds for a new class of photo-isomers that can actuate through irradiation/thermal means and monitored the changes spectroscopically\n• Maintained and operated a Xe(Hg) arc lamp to irradiate samples within pool-boiling apparatus\n• Developed a novel

  wet chemical synthetic protocol to synthesize an original class of thermoelectric materials (metal fullerides)\n• Utilized chemical vapor deposition chamber with precision control of two-zone temperature

  mass flow

  and pressure for synthesis of solid state materials\n• Fabricated original devices for rapid screening of Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity of newly synthesized thermoelectric complexes\n• Measured thermoelectric properties: thermal conductivity (HotDisk)

  electrical conductivity (four-point probe)

  and Seebeck coefficient (PSM)\n• Created a computational framework for making composite thermoelectric and implemented the strategic doping to test the theoretical validity\n• Mentored and trained undergraduate and graduate students in technical programs to produce high-level research\n• Prepared presentations for weekly technical reports and updates

  Research Scientist

  Air Force Research Laboratory

  Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

  • Operate and maintain ultra-high vacuum chambers and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometers and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy systems\n• Materials research and development for discovery and design of unique high powered laser window compounds\n• Collaboration coordinator with universities and small businesses for optimal design of novel high powered laser window\n• Mentored and trained graduate students in research to fulfill degree requirements\n• Utilized SolidWorks(CAD) drawings for ultra-high vacuum design and then implemented designed into working systems

  Scientist IV

  Air Force Research Laboratory