This is a picture of a YBCO superconductor levitating a rare earth magnet. This superconductor was made and evaluated here at Wingate by Todd Griffin (1997) during a recent duPont research grant. Todd and I used this grant to characterize compounds and do theoretical calculations.

High Temperature Superconductivity

The discovery of superconductivity in ceramic copper oxides in 1986 has led to a world-wide explosion of research into this new phenomenon. With superconductivity now above liquid nitrogen temperatures, there is the possibility of greater application of these materials, as well as the development of a room-temperature superconductor. Since the preparation of these superconductors is remarkably simple and there are no viable theories currently available, research opportunities in this frontier are limitless.  My superconductivity project at Wingate began in 1987 and has involved a number of our chemistry majors. The research has been the focus of two DuPont Summer Research Projects in 1994 and 1996. During this time we have produced a new microwave processing technique, new superconducting compounds and a superconductor/polymer composite, and a new theoretical model.

The key to explaining the chemistry of any material is an understanding of the forces, energies and types of bonding in the constituent atoms and molecules. With the tremendous growth of computing power in the last decade, chemists now have access to a wide variety of theoretical calculations for use in their investigation of chemical bonding. These programs can provide insight into the preferred geometries, electronic structures, and bonding configurations of many compounds and can be a powerful technique for studying and proposing reaction mechanisms. A recent innovation in this area has been the development of a computer program to derive, calculate, and draw the pictures of the different atomic orbitals. Senior Chemistry major Todd Griffin (1997) and I used the Mathematical program to draw the orbitals that you see throughout our Web site.

As a physical-inorganic chemist I am interested in a wide variety of chemical and physical phenomena and how to characterize and measure the associated parameters. I am developing a Materials Science Laboratory that will include several magnetometers for studying magnetic properties down to liquid helium temperature. The Lab will also include an x-ray diffractometer for compound analysis and structural determinations and an electrical conductivity apparatus for studying electrical properties.   In recent years I have studied the elastic properties of polymers, the light scattering of small particles, and the use of reagents on supported media. The increasing availability and power of low-cost microcomputers continue to significantly change many aspects of chemistry and science methodology. The increased computer automation of laboratory instruments and processes offers greater utility and flexibility for both teaching and research projects. Over the years I have interfaced instruments from pH meters to analytical balances to the computer for improved data acquisition. We are incorporating many of these efforts into the undergraduate laboratories.

I would like to hear from anyone interested in the chemistry department here at Wingate. If I can answer any questions about the department or university itself, please email me at jhall@wingate.edu.

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