Clayton State University: Strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Research
Abstract
Clayton State University (CSU) is a public university serving 7000 students. Since its founding, CSU has worked to meet the growing need of affordable and quality education in the metro Atlanta area. CSU was recognized by U.S. News & World Report for having the most diverse student body for a university of its size in the Southeast United States. The CSU student body is 62.7% African American, 2.6% multiracial, 3.5% Hispanic and 68.5% female, with an average student age of 27. Approximately 2/3 of the students are considered non-traditional, and faculty and staff work diligently to improve student retention and provide extra support to ensure student success in its programs. As part of the university s effort to address the needs of an increasingly diverse student body, particularly with respect to STEM, CSU introduced a B.S. degree in Chemistry in 2010, and construction of the Lakeview Discovery and Science Center was completed in 2015. The Chemistry degree program provides undergraduate students with core competencies in fundamental chemistry, consistent with degree programs offered by other 4 year academic institutions. A highlight of the degree is the requirement of independent research opportunities to better prepare students for careers in science laboratories along with graduate studies, medical school, dental school and pharmacy school. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is widely accepted as one of the most powerful experimental methods in chemistry, serving diverse and important roles in organic chemistry, forensic chemistry, biochemistry, protein chemistry, and other disciplines. This proposal is requesting funding for a high field NMR spectrometer. Acquisition of an NMR spectrometer will be critical to support efforts to meet ACS standards in the Chemistry degree program by playing a central role in multiple laboratory courses, providing students with hands-on experience and skills that will improve their marketability in a competitive work environment, and enhancing faculty-directed undergraduate research. Moreover, these research opportunities will better prepare our students for various careers in the high demand STEM careers that are a focus in higher education within the State of Georgia. In addition to the six laboratory courses that have designed experiments for an NMR, the majority of faculty members will benefit from the availability of an NMR instrument for undergraduate research. Four research projects which will require the use of NMR analysis are described: The first is a study of the structural changes and intercalation mechanisms in clays. After incorporating organic and inorganic species into clay interlayers, advanced solid-state NMR techniques will be conducted for structure, dynamic, and kinetic studies of the modified clay samples. The use of smectite clay is an important principal component in fluids used for drilling boreholes for oil and gas exploration. The use of clays in drilling for oil and gas is currently an important environmental and economic issue. The second project is a study of proton-transfer reactions of hydroxyarene compounds in the excited state. Previous research projects have included the investigation of the dynamics of photoacids in microheterogeneous conditions, but NMR spectroscopy is necessary for structural analysis and confirmation of these compounds. The third project involves the synthesis of novel derivatives of sulfaniliamide, a sulfa drug, for use as antimicrobial agents. Several such derivatives have been synthesized by research students at CSU, but their structures have not been confirmed. NMR spectroscopy is necessary for structural analysis and confirmation of these compounds. The fourth project is an investigation of the oxidation of carbonyl compounds under conditions safer for the environment. NMR will be utilized for the characterization of the synthesized starting materials and products of these reactions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 20, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1710539
Entities
People
- Caroline Sheppard
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Clayton State University
- Office of the Secretary of Defense