Past Undergraduate Researchers
- Michael Dzierlenga
- Zoe LaPier
- Christopher Schardon
- Michael Cammarata
- Kyle Meinhardt
Bushey Research Group
Fundamental Studies on New Separation Systems and Materials. Research in this laboratory is geared towards developing a fundamental understanding of the nature of analyte, stationary phase, and mobile phase interactions. We seek to further basic understanding of the separation mechanisms of organic polymer monoliths used in capillary electrochromatography (CEC). This will be accomplished by measuring various analyte diffusion coefficients, as related to both the mobile and stationary phases, as a function of retention factor. Retention factors will be varied by changing the identity of the analytes, the hydrophobicity of the organic polymer monoliths, and by using mobile phases with different compositions and elution strengths. Analytes selected to probe hydrophobic, steric, polar, and non-polar interactions will be used. Various polymers will be investigated. A variety of mobile phases will be investigated. Furthermore, these experiments will be conducted as a function of temperature so that the enthalpy and entropy of retention and the activation energy of surface diffusion can be obtained. These experiments, and the resulting relationships uncovered between diffusion and retention will elucidate if long held assumptions, such as the validity of the Knox and van Deemter equations, can be properly applied to separation systems utilizing the popular porous polymer monoliths. While similar studies have been done in HPLC systems for both traditional packing material and silica monolithic materials, no such complete studies have as yet been reported for organic porous polymers nor for polymers used in a capillary electrochromatographic mode. Thus, the results of this work will create a critically needed foundation upon which further investigations can build. Only by developing this fundamental understanding of how these separation mechanisms work can we hope to design better, more useful, and more efficient systems.
Elemental Analysis of Objects of Artistic or Archeological Interest: A potential second project is taking shape. This would be a collaborative project developed by M.
Bushey and personnel from a local museum. This would involve the XRF analysis of objects of art and
archeological interest. The XRF instrument provides elemental analysis of the surface of objects. Analysis
of metal coins, pottery shards, and glazes can sometimes reveal information as to their origin. Analysis
of paintings can suggest which particular pigments were used by the artists. This can in turn confirm or
refute a suspected date of creation. A student researcher will be trained in the use of the XRF and will
work with items provided by a local museum. It is likely that the student will spend some time on site at
the museum and so will need his or her own transportation.
Applicants must adhere to Chemistry department procedures and deadlines.
Recent Publications
Undergraduate students are indicated with an asterisk (*).
G.J. Anderson, Z. LaPier, M.B. Cammarata, T.S. Cullum, M.M. Bushey, Peak parking
determination of the obstruction factor in lauryl acrylate monolithic CEC columns,
Electrophoresis, 31, 1583-1585 (2010).
Qualifications of successful applicants
Summer research opportunities are available in this lab for students with at least one year of college chemistry (1318 or AP, and 2319) with grades of C or better. Students expecting to continue with research activities in subsequent semesters or summers are given preference. Rising seniors are especially encouraged to continuing the summer research project during their senior year.
Students considering declaring or those who already have declared one of the majors offered by the Chemistry Department are given preference. Students expecting to complete a chemistry minor are also eligible. Continued enrollment in chemistry classes is expected. Students should enjoy lab work. Students work full time on research activities in the summer and are engaged and interested with their research. Students should expect both to work with other students on overlapping aspects of different projects, but also to work fairly independently on their own project areas.
Students interested in the Chemistry of Art and Objects project should have some prior art or archeological interest and experience to bring to the project. Participants may need to provide their own transportation to work sites.
