Florida Institute of Technology

Chemical Research Funding

The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation recently awarded Dr. Kurt Winkelmann a 3-year grant to develop new nanotechnology laboratory experiments for freshmen.

Dr. Rudi Wehmschulte received a 3-year, $400,000 NSF grant to synthesize and study novel, highly reactive cationic aluminum and gallium compounds. These materials can be applied as catalysts for important processes, including C-H and C-F activation, arene functionalization, and carbonylation and hydrogenation. An outreach program to nearby colleges and high schools is also planned.

Dr. Virender Sharma received a 3-year, $70,000 NSF award to investigate the electrochemical synthesis of ferrate(VI) salts (Na2FeO4 and K2FeO4). This project is a collaboration with Dr. K. Bouzek of the Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague. This research program seeks to reveal the mechanism of the processes occurring at the surfaces of silicon and carbidic cast iron anode materials. One practical goal is to enhance the formation of solid ferrate(VI) in electrochemical solution mixtures. Understanding the synthesis of ferrate(VI) is important because ferrate(VI) can be used as an environmentally friendly oxidant, disinfectant, and coagulant for treatment of emerging pollutants and toxins in aquatic systems. Other potential applications include industrial "green" processes for synthesizing environmentally more benign products. This international collaboration will facilitate scientific and educational interaction between US and Czech Republic research groups.

Dr. Clayton Baum was awarded an $18,500 grant "Light Weight Smart Materials for Exploration Applications" from ASRC Aerospace Corporation, a contractor for the NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center. The award is to provide both data and analysis for new materials developed by ASRC using departmental equipment, including DART mass spectrometry, FT-NMR spectrometry, FT-IR spectrometry, and thermal analysis.

Dr. Nasri Nesnas received a $15,000 research grant from the Florida Solar Energy Center to synthesize light absorbing molecules. Applications for such compounds include nanophoto-sensors and energy storage systems as well as medical applications relating to the treatment of visual ailments and understanding vision.

Dr. Rudi Wehmschulte received a $15,000 award from the Florida Solar Energy Center for the development of a low temperature synthesis of nitrogen doped titania. This material is of interest for photocatalysis (e.g. destruction of pollutants) with visible light as opposed to undoped titania, which requires UV light.

Dr. Joshua Rokach, Florida Tech Chemistry Professor and Director of the Claude Pepper Institute, has been awarded a four-year $1.3 million research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute will allow Dr. Rokach to continue his studies on chronic inflammatory diseases.