Faculty Mentor:  Abby Parrill

Faculty Mentor’s Department:  Chemistry

Telephone Number and/or E-mail:  x2638; aparrill@memphis.edu

Project Description:  The Parrill group investigates the structure and function of proteins through a combination of computational and experimental methods in order to guide drug discovery and optimization efforts.  Proteins of current interest are those that produce bioactive phospholipids, or mediate the signaling networks stimulated by bioactive phospholipids.

Requirements for Student Applicants:  Amount of chemistry coursework completed will determine suitable project choices, current enrollment in General Chemistry I or higher required.

Starting Date:  anytime

Method of Compensation (Volunteer, Academic Credit, or Stipend):  To be arranged

Faculty Mentor: Ted Burkey

Faculty Mentor's Department: Chemistry

Telephone Number and/or E-mail: x2634; tburkey@memphis.edu

Project Description: Photochromic materials are substances that change color when irradiated at one frequency and return to the original color when irradiated at another frequency. These materials can be used for data storage and if they respond rapidly could be useful for random access memory components of an optical computer. More recently we have become interested in the development of optically controlled nanoreactors.  The major goal of our research is the development of photochromic materials particularly those that can be used in optical computers. This work by its nature is multidisciplinary and provides an opportunity for students to gain expertise in analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry and collaborate with scientists outside the Department. Activities include organic and organometallic synthesis, laser flash photolysis, high-vacuum and inert atmospheres techniques, instrument fabrication, computer programming and sample characterization by spectroscopic analysis.

Requirements for Student Applicants: B or better in 3511 and 3501

Starting Date: any semester or summer

Method of Compensation (Volunteer, Academic Credit, or Stipend): Volunteer, Academic Credit, or Stipend depending on funding availability.

Faculty Mentor: Ying-Sing Li

Faculty Mentor's Department: Chemistry

Telephone Number and/or E-mail: yingli@memphis.edu

Project Description: Two research projects are in consideration and in progress in my laboratory. The first one is dealing with the surface treatment of metals and alloys to improve their anticorrosion property. A novel nano-sol from organosilicone compounds is developing to serve this purpose. Different physical and chemical methods will be employed to characterize the treated surfaces. The second project is to develop a method to improve the hydrogen storage for fuse cells using the modified nanocarbon tubes. This research is involving the fabrication and characterization of materials as well as the studies of adsorption and desorption of hydrogen.

Requirements for Student Applicants: Junior level or upper; some chemistry

laboratory experiments; reasonable working schedule and plan.

Starting Date: No limit.

Method of Compensation (Volunteer, Academic Credit, or Stipend) : To be arranged.