UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR RECEIVES FUNDING FOR SCIENCE RESEARCH

David Ritter, a Southeast Missouri State University assistant professor of chemistry, has received a $39,176 Cottrell College Science Award from the Research Corporation, a foundation for the advancement of science and technology.

An award recipient must present a project that explores new areas of experimental research. Ritter has developed a new theory whereby multiply-charged ions in a metal compound can be vaporized. Previous research has included only a single-charged ion.

Ritter's research project on "Reaction Kinetics of Gas-Phased Multiply-Charged Transition-Metal Cations" will begin during the spring semester and continue for several years, he said.

"The research falls within two broad categories," Ritter said. "One purpose is my primary interest of understanding physical laws that govern chemical reactions. The second purpose includes applied use of the research in the field."

For example, vaporized metal composed of multiply-charged ions may produce thinner films for semi-conductors or metal coatings for the high-tech industry. Currently, metal coatings from single-charged gas-phased metal are used on compact discs. When light falls across one of the disc's surfaces, the thin metal coating can be seen as a rainbow of colors. In the laboratory, these metals are charged and then vaporized so a durable metal coating can be adhered to a surface, similar to applying spray paint.

"Current techniques require a laser to blast the metal and create a plasma of the metal," Ritter said. "Instead of using a laser, I came up with an electrode system which is capable of charging the ions. Lasers cannot charge ions."

The award will partially fund equipment and supplies. Ritter will create an apparatus that will include a vacuum chamber for restricting the electrode current and the gas-phased multiply-charged metal vapors. Equipment assembly is scheduled for the first year of the project. Experiments will begin the second year.

The award includes a summer stipend for Ritter and an undergraduate student assistant. The Research Corporation says award recipients must "include undergraduates in meaningful roles and research-oriented teaching that assists able students to pursue careers in science." To that end, an undergraduate chemistry student, who has not been chosen yet, will work with Ritter on both phases of the project.

Additional funding for the project is being provided by Southeast's chemistry department and its College of Science and Technology. Southeast's Grants and Research Funding Committee recently awarded Ritter $2,913 for a digital oscilloscope and power supply. The committee also awarded Ritter $5,540 last year for preliminary work on the project.