Richard C. Bell

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Penn State Altoona

3000 Ivyside Park

Altoona, PA 16601-3760

Email: rcb155@psu.edu

Vita in pdf

Education:

1995-2000 Ph.D. Physical Chemistry

The Pennsylvania State University

Research Advisor: Professor A. W. Castleman, Jr.

Dissertation: Comprehensive Evaluation of Vanadium Oxide Cluster Ion Structure and Chemistry with Proposed Correlations to Condensed Phase Catalytic Reactions.

1991-1995 B.S. Chemistry

University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

Research Advisor: Professor Richard C. Ulsh

Thesis: Conversion of a UV/VIS Spectrometer for Use with Laser Emission Spectrometry: Study of the Hydrogen Atom.

Professional Experience:

2003 to present Assistant Professor of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, Altoona College

2005 to present Faculty Associate, Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, Altoona College.

2000 – 2003 Postdoctoral Associate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Advisor: Dr. James P. Cowin

1995 – 2000 Graduate Research Assistant, The Pennsylvania State University

Advisor: Professor A. W. Castleman, Jr.

1998 Graduate Student Summer Intern, Dupont’s Central Research and Developmental Station, Wilmington, Delaware

1994-1995 Summer Intern, The Pennsylvania Electric Company

Advisor: Assistant of Professor J. Carney at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

Teaching Experience:

2003 to present Assistant Professor of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, Altoona College

Problem Solving in Chemistry (CHEM 108) - Techniques, strategies, and skills for solving problems in general chemistry.
Chemical Principles (CHEM 110) - Basic concepts and quantitative relations.
Chemical Principles (CHEM 112) - Continuation of CHEM 110, including an introduction to the chemistry of the elements.
General Chemistry Laboratory II (CHEM 113) – The second-semester introductory general chemistry laboratory course with emphasis on quantitative analytical procedures.
Physical Chemistry I (CHEM 450) - Introduction to chemical principles, including properties of matter and fundamentals of chemical thermodynamics.
Physical Chemistry II (CHEM 452) - Continuation of CHEM 450, including molecular structure and chemical kinetics.
Special Problems and Research (CHEM 294) - Designed for freshman or sophomore students who are prepared to undertake special problems and research by arrangement with a faculty member.
Chemistry Teacher Assistant Training Instruction (CHEM 395) - Instruction and practice in the role of the teaching assistant in the undergraduate chemistry laboratory.
Introduction to Chemical Research (CHEM 494) - Experimental investigation of an original research problem, including a literature search and formal thesis.
Internship in Mathematics & Natural Sciences (INTSP 295D) - Supervised off-campus instruction including field experiences and book knowledge in which weekly reports and a formal final report are required. Both written and oral critiques of activity are provided throughout the course of the internship.

1995-1996 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Physical Chemistry laboratory

The Pennsylvania State University: Department of Chemistry

Oversight of Physical Chemistry laboratory, instructed students, graded lab reports, proctored examinations, and evaluated student’s performance in the laboratory and assigned grades.

1993 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Organic Chemistry laboratory

University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Johnstown, PA

Instructed students of Organic Chemistry laboratory, graded lab reports, proctored examinations and prepared lesson plans for predetermined experiments.

Professional Affiliations:

American Chemical Society
IUPAC
American Vacuum Society
American Physical Society

Awards and Honors:

Roberts Graduate Research Award (1999)
College Scholar (1995)
The Society for Applied Spectroscopy Undergraduate Student Award (1994)
University Scholar (1994)
UPJ Chemical Society Exemplary Service Award (1994)

Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications:

H. T. Deng, K. P. Kerns, R. C. Bell, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Oxidation Induced Ionization and Reactions of Metal Carbide Clusters (Nb, Zr, V, Ta),” International Journal of Mass Spectrometry and Ion Processes 167/168, 615-625 (1997).
R. C. Bell, K. A. Zemski, K. P. Kerns, H. T. Deng, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Reactivities and Collision-Induced Dissociation of Vanadium Oxide Cluster Cations,” The Journal of Physical Chemistry, A 102, 1733-1742 (1998).
H. T. Deng, K. P. Kerns, G. Guo, R. C. Bell, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “The Formation of TiO(H₂O)_n⁺ Cluster Ions,” Croatia Chemica Acta., 71, 1105-1116 (1998).
R. C. Bell, K. A. Zemski, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Gas-Phase Chemistry of Vanadium Oxide Cluster Cations. 1. Reactions with C₂F₆ and CH₃-CF₃,” The Journal of Physical Chemistry, A 102, 8293-8299 (1998).
R. C. Bell, K. A. Zemski, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Gas Phase Chemistry of Vanadium Oxide Cluster Cations. 2. Reactions with CH₂F₂,” The Journal of Physical Chemistry, A 103, 2992-2998 (1999).
K. A. Zemski, R. C. Bell, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Reactivities of Tantalum Oxide Cluster Cations with Unsaturated Hydrocarbons,” International Journal of Mass Spectrometry and Ion Processes 184, 119-128 (1999).
R. C. Bell, K. A. Zemski, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Gas-Phase Chemistry of Vanadium Oxide Cluster Cations. 3. Reactions with CCl₄,” The Journal of Physical Chemistry, A 103, 1585-1591 (1999).
R. C. Bell, K. A. Zemski, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Size Specific Reactivities of Vanadium Oxide Cluster Cations,” Journal of Cluster Science 10, 509-524 (1999).
W. D. Vann, R. C. Bell, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Gas-Phase Reactions of Nickel and Nickel Oxide Clusters with Nitrogen Oxides. 3. Reactions of Cations with Nitric Oxide,” The Journal of Physical Chemistry 103, 10846-10850 (1999).
R. C. Bell, A. W. Castleman, Jr., D. L. Thorn “Vanadium Oxide Complexes in Room-Temperature Chloroaluminate Molten Salts,” Inorganic Chemistry, 38, 5709-5715 (1999).
K. A. Zemski, R. C. Bell, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Reactions of Tantalum Oxide Cluster Cations with 1-Butene, 1,3-Butadiene and Benzene,” The Journal of Physical Chemistry, A 104, 5732-5741 (2000), (Erratum: 104, 7408 (2000)).
R. C. Bell, K. A. Zemski, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Formation, Structure and Bond Dissociation Thresholds of Gas-Phase Vanadium Oxide Cluster Ions,” Journal of Chemical Physics 114, 798-811. (2001).
K. A. Zemski, D. R. Justes, R. C. Bell, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Reactions of Niobium and Tantalum Oxide Cluster Cations and Anions with n-Butane,” The Journal of Physical Chemistry, A 105, 4410-4417 (2001).
R. C. Bell, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Reactions of Vanadium Oxide Cluster Ions with 1,3-Butadiene and Isomers of Butene,” The Journal of Physical Chemistry, A, 106, 9893-9899 (2002).
R. C. Bell, H. Wang, M. J. Iedema, J. P. Cowin, “Nanometer-Resolved Interfacial Fluidity,” Journal of the American Chemical Society, 125, 5176-5185 (2003).
H. Wang, R. C. Bell, M. J. Iedema, A. A. Tsekouras, J. P. Cowin, “Sticky Ice Grains Aid Planet Formation: Unusual Properties of Cryogenic Water Ice,” The Astrophysical Journal, 620, 1027-1032 (2005).
R. C. Bell, K. Wu, M. J. Iedema, J. P. Cowin, “Hydronium ion motion in nanometer 3-methyl-pentane films,” Journal of Chemical Physics, 127, 024704, 13pp (2007).
R. C. Bell, E. D. Miller*, J. O. Karli*, A. N. Vavreck, D. T. Zimmerman, “Influence of particle shape on the properties of magnetorheological fluids,” International Journal of Modern Physics B, 21, 5018-5025 (2007).
R. C. Bell, J. O. Karli*, A. N. Vavreck, D. T. Zimmerman, G. T. Ngatu, and N. M. Wereley, "Magnetorheology of submicron diameter iron microwires dispersed in silicone oil," Smart Materials and Structures, 17, 015028, 6pp (2008).
H. Wang, R. C. Bell, M. J. Iedema, G. K. Schenter, K. Wu, J. P. Cowin, “Pyroelectricity of Water Ice,” Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 112, 6379-6389 (2008).
G. T. Ngatu, N. M. Wereley, J. O . Karli*, and R. C. Bell, "Dimorphic Magnetorheological Fluids: Exploiting Partial Substitution of Microspheres by Nanowires," Smart Materials and Structures, 17, 045022, 8pp (2008).
R. C. Bell, K. Wu, M. J. Iedema, G. K. Schenter, J. P. Cowin. “The Oil-Water Interface: Mapping the Solvation Potential,” Journal of the American Chemical Society, 131, 1037 – 1042 (2009).
H. J. Song, N. M. Wereley, R. C. Bell, J. L. Planinsek*, J. A. Filer II*, “Field Dependent Response of Magnetorheological Elastomers Utilizing Fe Spherical Particles Versus Fe Nanowires,” Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 149, 012097, 4pp (2009).

* Undergraduate research students.

Books and Book Chapters:

K. A. Zemski, R. C. Bell, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Reactions of Group V Transition Metal Oxide Clusters with 1,3-Butadiene,” In Cluster and Nanostructure Interfaces, eds. P. Jena, S. N. Khanna, B. K. Rao, World Scientific: Singapore, 2000; p. 535–544.
R. C. Bell, H. Wang, M. J. Iedema, J. P. Cowin, “Sculpting Nano-Scale Liquid Interfaces,” In Mesoscale Phenomena in Fluid Systems, eds. F. Case, P. Alexandridis, ACS Symposium Series, 861, Oxford University Press: New York ,2003; Chapter 12, p. 191–203.
R. C. Bell, E. D. Miller*, J. O. Karli*, A. N. Vavreck, D. T. Zimmerman, “Influence of particle shape on the properties of magnetorheological fluids,” In Electrorheological Fluids and Magnetorheological Suspensions Proceedings of the 10^th International Conference on ERMR 2006, eds. F. Gordaninejad, O. A. Graeve, A. Fuchs and D. York, World Scientific Publishing Company, Inc.: New Jersey, 2007; p. 786–792.
H. J. Song, N. M. Wereley, R. C. Bell, J. L. Planinsek*, J. A. Filer II*, “Field Dependent Response of Magnetorheological Elastomers Utilizing Fe Spherical Particles Versus Fe Nanowires,” In Electrorheological Fluids and Magnetorheological Suspensions Proceedings of the 11^th International Conference on ERMR 2008, World Scientific Publishing Company, Inc.: New Jersey, submitted.

Presentations (first author presenting):

R. C. Bell, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Reactivities and Collision-Induced Dissociation of Vanadium Oxide Cluster Cations,” Seventy-first Symposium of Colloid and Surface Science, July 1, 1997, University of Delaware. Oral Presentation.
R. C. Bell, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Correlation Between Structure and Reactivities of Vanadium Oxide Cluster Cations,” Dupont’s Central Research and Development Experimental Station, July 31, 1997, Wilmington, Delaware. Ivited Oral Presentation.
R. C. Bell, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Size Specific Reactivities of Vanadium Oxide Cluster Cations,” Seventh Annual Workshop of the Consortium for Nanostructured Materials, October 30, 1998, Richmond, Virginia (Virginia Commonwealth University). Oral Presentation.
R. C. Bell, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Reactivities of Transition Metal Oxide Cluster Cations: Insights into Catalysis and Catalytic Design,” University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, April 16, 1999, Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Invited Oral Presentation.
R. C. Bell, K. A. Zemski, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Reactivities of Vanadium Oxide Cluster Cations: Insights into Catalysis,” 218^th American Chemical Society National Meeting, August 22, 1999, New Orleans, Louisiana. Poster presentation.
R. C. Bell, K. A. Zemski, A. W. Castleman, Jr., “Reactivities of Group V Transition Metal Oxide Cluster Cations: Insights into Catalysis,” International Symposium on Cluster and Nanostructure Interfaces, October 27, 1999, Richmond, Virginia. Poster presentation
R. C. Bell, M. J. Iedema, J. P. Cowin, “Nano-Scale Effect on the Fluidity of Organic Films,” Annual American Physical Society Meeting, March 14, 2001, Seattle, Washington. Poster presentation.
R. C. Bell, M. J. Iedema, J. P. Cowin, “Nano-Scale Effects on the Interfacial Fluidity of Organic Films,” American Chemical Society Northwest Regional Meeting, June 17, 2001, Seattle, Washington. Oral Presentation.
R. C. Bell, M. J. Iedema, J. P. Cowin, “Nano-Scale Effects on the Interfacial Fluidity of Organic Films,” American Vacuum Society National Meeting, October 30, 2001, San Francisco, California. talk at 3M, Technology Center, June 24, 2002, St. Paul, Minnesota. Invited Oral Presentation.
R. C. Bell, M. J. Iedema, J. P. Cowin, “Sculpting nano-scale liquid interfaces,” American Chemical Society National Meeting, August 18, 2002, Boston, Massachusetts. Oral Presentation.
H. Wang, R. C. Bell, M. J. Iedema, K. Wu, A. A. Teskouras, G. K. Schenter, J. P. Cowin, “Sticky Amorphous Ice Grains Aid Planet Formation,” Astorphysics of Dust, May 28, 2003, Estes Park, Colorado. Poster presentation.
R. C. Bell, “Nanomaterials: The Shrinking World Around Us and Our Control Over It,” Penn State Altoona Science Club, 2004. Oral Presentation.
R. C. Bell, “Fuel Cells to Magnetic Brakes: Applications of Nanotechnology,” Penn State Altoona Colloquia, 2005. Oral Presentation.
R. C. Bell, E. D. Miller*, J. O. Karli*, A. N. Vavreck, D. T. Zimmerman, “Influence of Particle Shape on the Shear Strength of Magnetorheological Fluids,” ERMR 2006, the 10^th Conference on Electrorheological and Magnetorheological Fluids, Lake Tahoe CA, June 2006. Poster presentation.
R. C. Bell, J. O. Karli*, P. J. Dougherty*, E. D. Miller*, and C. A. Thomas*, “Understanding Magnetorheological Fluids: Particle Shape-Dependence,” Materials Day at University Park, 2006. Poster presentation.
R. C. Bell, J. O. Karli*, A. N. Vavreck, D. T. Zimmerman, G. T. Ngatu, N. M. Wereley, “Magnetorheology of submicron diameter iron microwires dispersed in silicone oil”, 10^th Joint MMM/Intermag Conference, Baltimore MD, January 2007. Oral Presentation.
R. C. Bell, J. O. Karli*, J. M. Krug*, C. A. Adams*, A. N. Vavreck, D. T. Zimmerman, “Enhanced Magnetorheology Fluids for Fly-by-Wire Technology,” Penn State Altoona Science Club, 2007. Oral Presentation.
R. C. Bell, J. O. Karli*, J. M. Krug*, D. T. Zimmerman, “Length dependence of the magnetorheological properties of cobalt microwires dispersed in silicone oil”, March Meeting of The American Physical Society, New Orleans LA, March 2008. Oral Presentation.
R. C. Bell, J. O. Karli*, and J. M. Krug*, “Influence of particle shape on the magnetorheological properties of MR suspensions,” ERMR 2008, the 11^th Conference on Electrorheological and Magnetorheological Fluids, Dresden, Germany, August 2008. Oral presentation.
J. O. Karli*, and J. M. Krug*, N. M. Wereley, L. A. Ahure, R. C. Bell, “Dimorphic magnetorheological suspensions: Effect of aspect ratio and volume fraction substitution of nanowires in fluids consisting of spherical particles,” ERMR 2008, the 11^th Conference on Electrorheological and Magnetorheological Fluids, Dresden, Germany, August 2008. Poster presentation.
H.J. Song, R. C. Bell, J. O. Karli*, and N.M. Wereley, “Field Dependent Dynamic Response of Magnetorheological Elastomers Utilizing Particles of Different Morphology,” ERMR 2008, the 11^th Conference on Electrorheological and Magnetorheological Fluids, Dresden, Germany, August 2008. Poster presentation.

Student Presentations (first author presenting):

Eric D. Miller*, Shem T. Grove II*, Craig A. Thomas*, Richard C. Bell, “Magnetic Brakes: Magnetorheological Fluids,” Poster Presentation at the 3^rd Annual Penn State Altoona Honors Program Undergraduate Research Fair (4/5/2005). Took 1^st place in the Physical Sciences Division.
Craig A. Thomas*, Daniel P. Morath*, Richard C. Bell, “Prevention of Fuel-Cell Poisoning Using Nanotechnology,” Poster Presentation at the 3rd Annual Penn State Altoona Honors Program Undergraduate Research Fair (4/5/2005). Took 2^nd place in the Physical Sciences Division.
Joshua O. Karli*, Patrick J. Dougherty*, Richard C. Bell, “A Study of Particle Shape Dependence of Magnetorheological Fluids,” Poster Presentation at the 4th Annual Penn State Altoona Honors Program Undergraduate Research Fair (4/11/2006). Took 1^st place in the Physical Sciences Division.
Brittany A. Richards*, Jeffrey M. Krug*, Richard C. Bell, “Nanowire Fabrication,” Poster Presentation at the 4th Annual Penn State Altoona Honors Program Undergraduate Research Fair (4/10/2007). Took 3^rd place in the Physical Sciences Division.
Joshua O. Karli*, Richard C. Bell, “Multijunction Nanowire Arrays: A Novel Solar Cell Design,” Poster Presentation at the 4th Annual Penn State Altoona Honors Program Undergraduate Research Fair (4/10/2007).
Jeffrey M. Krug*, Joshua O. Karli*, Richard C. Bell, “New Type of Microwire-based Magnetorheological Fluid with Enhanced Properties,” Oral Presentation at the 2007 Penn State Behrend-Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research and Creative Accomplishment Conference (4-28-07). Took 1^st place in the Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics division.
Benjamin R. Beers*, Joshua O. Karli*, Richard C. Bell, “Understanding Magnetorheological Fluids: Cobalt Microwire Length Dependence,” Poster Presentation at the 5th Annual Penn State Altoona Honors Program Undergraduate Research Fair (4/8/2008).
Joseph A. Filer II*, Joshua O. Karli*, Jeffrey M. Krug*, Richard C. Bell, “New Type of Magnetorheological Fluid Based on Microwires Dispersed in Silicone Oil,” Poster Presentation at the 2008 Undergraduate Exhibition, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park (4/9/2008). Took 1^st place in the Physical Sciences Division.
Joshua O. Karli*, Jeffrey M. Krug*, Joseph A. Filer II*, Richard C. Bell, “Revolutionizing Magnetorheological Suspensions: Exploration of Particle Shape and Aspect Ratio Dependence,” Oral Presentation at the 2008 Penn State Behrend-Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research and Creative Accomplishment Conference (4/19/08).
Joshua O. Karli*, Jeffrey M. Krug*, Norman M. Wereley, Louise A. Ahure, Richard C. Bell, “Dimorphic magnetorheological suspensions: Effect of aspect ratio and volume fraction substitution of nanowires in fluids consisting of spherical particles,” ERMR 2008, the 11^th Conference on Electrorheological and Magnetorheological Fluids, Dresden, Germany, August 2008. Poster presentation.

* Undergraduate research students.

Funded Grants:

“Uniform Deposition of Ultrasonically Generated Nanoparticles,” $1,500, RDG, Penn State Altoona, 2003-2004.
“Nanotube-Based Magnetorheological Fluids,” $5,800, Deans Fund, Penn State Altoona, R. C. Bell (PI), D. T. Zimmerman (Co-PI), and Dr. Vavreck (Co-PI), 2003-2004.
“Electrodeposition of Nanowire Arrays in Hexagonally Ordered Porous Alumina,” $1,700, Research Development Grant – Altoona College, 2006-2007.
“Dechlorination of Chlorinated Organic Compounds with Doped Iron Nanowires,” $3,300, Chancellor’s Fund – Altoona College, R. C. Bell (PI), January 2006.
“Science Outreach Trailer,” $4,400, Chancellor’s Fund – Altoona College, R. E. Flarend (PI), R. C. Bell (Co-PI), M. K. Maurer (Co-PI), M. D. Menachery (Co-PI), G. J. Weisel (Co-PI), D. T. Zimmerman(Co-PI), 2006-2007.
“Numerical Modeling and Computer Simulations of Microwire Magnetorheological Fluids," $6,918, Research Development Grant – Altoona College, D. T. Zimmerman (PI), R. C. Bell (Co-PI), J.-K. Ma (Co-PI), A. N. Vavreck (Co-PI), 2007-2008.
“Magnetorheology of Submicron Diameter Microwires Dispersed in Silicone Oil," $6,000, National Science Foundation – Research Experience for Teachers, 2007.
“RUI: Systematic Study of the Rheology and Sedimentation of Microwire-Based Magnetorheological Fluids," $179,859, National Science Foundation, R. C. Bell (PI), D. Zimmerman (Co-PI), A. N. Vavreck(Co-PI), July 2008-July 2011.

“Combustion Characterization of Solid Fuels Containing Advanced Metallic Nanowires,” $6,000, Chancellor’s Fund – Altoona College, G. A. Risha (Co-PI), R. C. Bell (Co-PI), 2008-2009.

Pending Grants:

“RUI: Studies of electromagnetic transport in conductor-insulator composites,” $347,340, National Science Foundation, D. T. Zimmerman (PI), R. C. Bell (Co-PI), G. J. Weisel (Co-PI), July 2009-July 2012.
“Purchase of Sputter Coater for a New Course in Nanotechnology and Enhancement of Undergraduate Research,” $15,000, Future Fund Initiative Proposal, The Pennsylvania State University, R. C. Bell (PI), 2009.

Funded Undergraduate and High School Student Grants:

“The Production and Characterization of Metallic Nanowires for Magnetorheological Fluids,” $1,750, American Chemical Society (Project Seed), 2004.
“Fuel Cell CO Conversion,” $1,500, Altoona College, Mathematics and Natural Science Division Student Grant, 2004.
“Characterization of Nanowire-Based Magnetorheological Fluids,” $500, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park Student Grant, 2004.
“The Production and Characterization of Metallic Nanowires for Magnetorheological Fluids,” $1,750, American Chemical Society (Project Seed), 2005.
“Synthesis and Properties of Ferromagnetic Microwires,” $1,500, Altoona College, Mathematics and Natural Science Division Student Grant, 2005.
“Fabrication of Micro- and Nanowires for Study of Catalytic Reactions,” $1,500, Altoona College, Mathematics and Natural Science Division Student Grant, 2005.
“Generation, Characterization, and Catalytic Properties of Nanowires,” $2,275, American Chemical Society (Project Seed), 2006.
“New Techniques for the Fabrication of Templates for Electrodeposition of Nanowires,” $1,000, MNS Student Grant, 2006.
“Magnetorheology of submicron diameter iron microwires dispersed in silicone oil,” $1,000, Altoona College and The Pennsylvania State University, Undergraduate Research Conference Travel Grant, 2006.
“Partial Oxidation of Alcohols using Core@Shell Micro- and Nanowires,” $3,000, American Chemical Society (Project SEED), 2007.
“Investigation and Modeling of Unique Microwire-Based Magnetorheological Fluids for Enhanced Sedimentation Properties,” $750, President’s Fund for Research – The Pennsylvania State University, 2007.
“Hydrogen Fuel Cell Poisoning: Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide to Carbon Dioxide”, $2,500, University Park Undergraduate Summer Discovery Grant, 2007.
“Magnetic Switch Using Segmented Nanowires,” $1,000, Altoona College, Mathematics and Natural Science Division Student Grant, 2007.
“Reducing Stress in Electrodeposited Iron Microwires,” $1,500, Altoona College, Mathematics and Natural Science Division Student Grant, 2007.
“Investigating the Catalytic Properties of Gold-Coated Metal and Metal Oxide Nanowires,” $1,500, Altoona College, Mathematics and Natural Science Division Student Grant, 2008.
“Novel Multijunction Nanowire Photovoltaic Arrays,” $1,000, Altoona College, Mathematics and Natural Science Division Student Grant, 2008.
“High Speed Videography of Macroscopic Magnetorheological Fluids,” $500, Altoona College, Mathematics and Natural Science Division Student Grant, 2008.
“Dimorphic magnetorheological suspensions: Effect of aspect ratio and volume fraction substitution of microwires in fluids consisting of spherical particles,” $900, Altoona College and The Pennsylvania State University, Undergraduate Research Conference Travel Grant, 2008.
“Ferromagnetic Nanowire Generation and Characterization for Use in Novel Magnetorheological Fluids,” $2,500, American Chemical Society (Project SEED), 2008.
“Understanding the Underlying Physical Properties of Microwire-Based Magnetorheological Fluids,” $750, President’s Fund for Research – The Pennsylvania State University, 2008.

Undergraduate Research Assistants:

Robert A. Wolford, B.S. Chemistry (2004)

Craig A. Thomas, B.S. Materials Science (2004-2005)

Eric D. Miller, B.S. Nuclear Engineering (2004-2005)

Shem T. Grove II, B.S. Science (2005)

Patrick J. Dougherty, B.S. Science (2005-2007)

William J. Murray, B.S. Biology (2005-2006)

Joshua O. Karli, B.S. Science (2005-Present)

Amanda M. Gibson, B.S. Biology (2005)

Jamie J. Wagner, B.S. Industrial Engineering (2005-2006)

Daniel P. Morath, B.S. Geography (2005-2006)

Josiah S. Newman, B.S. Mechanical Engineering (2005-2007)

Brittany A. Richards, B.S. Science and Mathematics (2005-Present)

Kenneth S. Reffner, B.S. Chemistry (2006-2007)

Corey A. Adams, B.S. Mechanical Engineering (2006-2007)

Jeff A. Krug, B.S. Chemical Engineering (2006-2007)

Dana L. Allender, B.S. Materials Science (2007-2008)

Benjamin R. Beers, B.S. Engineering Science (2007-2008)

Joseph A. Filer II, B.S. Biology (2007-Present)

Jacob L. Planinsek, B.S. Nuclear Engineering (2007-Present)

Megan A. Davidson, B.S. Science (2007-2008)

Richard J. Finn, B.S. Biology (2008)

Benjamin R. Hanson, B.S. Nuclear Engineering (2008)

Kelly J. Walter, B.S. Science (2008-Present)

Katrina K. Shumaker, B.A. Letters, Arts, and Sciences (2008-Present)

Kellyann Cruz, B.S. Biology (2008-Present)

Kayla D. Foor, B.S. Biology (2008-Present)

Brian M. Glunt, B.S. Science (2008-Present)

Sidney E. Moser, B.S. Nutritional Sciences (2008-Present)

Jonathan M. Adzema, B.S. Biology (2009)

Luis A. Gan Chau, B.S. Electro-Mechancial Engineering Technology (2009)

Nicole M. Zeky, B.S. Kinesiology (2009)

ACS Project SEED – Summer Research High School Students:

Shem T. Groove II (2004)

Michele N. Porta (2005)

Ashley N. Lacey (2006-2007)

Chantelle E. DeLozier (2008)

NSF – Summer Research Experience for High School Teachers:

Paul Longwell (2007)

Collaborators:

Magnetorheological Fluids

Darin Zimmerman (Penn State Altoona, Chemistry)

Andrew Vavreck (Penn State Altoona, Engineering)

Norman Wereley (University of Maryland, Aerospace Engineering)

Vortex Mixing in Triaxial Magnetic Fields and Chemical Sensors

James Martin (Sandia National Laboratory)

Ion Transport through Thin Films and Properties of Water-Ice

James Cowin (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

Service (Altoona College, 2003-Present):

Member, Penn State Altoona Faculty Senate (2008-Present).
Penn State Altoona Science Degree Coordinator (2008-Present).
Chemistry Minor Coordinator (2007-Present).
Vice Chairman, Student Life Committee of the Penn State Altoona Faculty Senate (2008-Present).
Chair, Pre-Professional Committee (2008-Present).
Member, MNS Executive Committee (2008-Present).
Member, Pre-Professional Committee (2003-2008).
Member, Judicial Affairs Committee (2003-Present).
Member, Honors Program Advisory Committee (2007-Present).
Member, Science Degree Advisory Committee (2007-Present).
Chair, Committee for the creation/transfer of the Chemistry Minor (2003-2007).
Member of ad hoc committee for the Applied Physics degree proposal (2003-Present).
Member, Search committee for Chemistry Laboratory Technician (2003).
Member, Search committee for Biology Laboratory Technician (2003).
Member, Search committee for 2 tenure-track Chemistry faculty (2003, 2005).
Member, Search committee for tenure-track Physics faculty (2004, 2005).
Member, Search committee for tenure-track Geosciences faculty (2006).
Member of committee for 2 tenure-track teaching evaluation of PSA faculty members (2005, 2006).
Chair of committee for the tenure-track teaching evaluation of PSA faculty member (2008).
Judge for the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (2007-2008).
Judge for the Undergraduate Student Research and Creative Accomplishment Conference at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College in the Science and Engineering divisions (2007-2008).
Member of the Organizing Committee and Poster Session Chair for the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education to be held at the University of Pittsburgh in 2014 (2007-Present).
Webmaster of Chemistry department web site and primary developer of site (2004-Present).
Reviewed manuscripts for the Journal of Applied Physics, the International Journal of Modern Physics B, Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, Smart Materials and Structures, and IEEE Journal of Rheology.

Outreach to Community:

Boy Scout Chemistry Merit Badge (December, 2004). Instructed group of Boy Scouts in a laboratory setting on the specific requirements to earn their Chemistry Merit Badge.
Summer Science Program for children 8-10 (July, 2004). Week long summer camp program aimed at stimulating the interest of children in the sciences through hands-on activities and demonstrations. In addition to preparing the experiments, I was the primary contributor to the lab manual that I created to help the children understand and perform the experiments better. They were able to keep this manual for future reference.
Participated in the Week of the Young Child Celebration for Blair County children and their families (2004-2007). Lead a group of students create fun, developmentally appropriate chemistry and physics-related learning activities and demonstrations that were geared for children ages 1 through 8 years old. Some of the activities included making silly putty, disappearing / reappearing ink, electroplating nickels with copper, demonstrations of the effects of liquid nitrogen and demonstrations of the gas laws.
Boy Scout Nuclear Science Merit Badge (April, 2005). Organized and helped local Boy Scouts earn their Nuclear Science Merit Badge through program with Radiation Science and Engineering Center at the Breazeale Nuclear Reactor at University Park.
Kids’ College Program for children 8-10 (July, 2004, 2005, and 2006). Week long summer science camp called The Knowledge Factory aimed at stimulating the interest of children in the sciences through hands-on activities and demonstrations. In addition to creating and preparing experiments, I was the primary contributor to the creation of a handbook that allowed the children perform and understand the chemistry experiments better and served as a memento that science can be both fun and educational.
Chemistry demonstration for the Glendale Middle School students who visited the college (April, 2005). This demonstration was intended to introduce them to college level chemistry and to the research programs available to them at Penn State Altoona.
Demonstration for local Cub Scout group entitled “Science and the Future” (January, 2006). Outreach program intended to develop the interest of 1^st through 6^th graders interest in the sciences. Performed many demonstrations involving chemistry and physics. Talked to the children about the future of science and the role it will play in their futures and the path that they would need to take to pursue careers in science.
Fun with Science - Demonstrations and Hands-on Activities for 20 Cub Scouts and their families (March, 2007). Outreach program intended to develop the interest of 7 to 11 year old children in the sciences. Several undergraduate students helped to perform many demonstrations and hands-on activities involving chemistry and physics. Talked to the children about the role science will play in the future and the paths that they will need to travel to pursue careers in science.
Keystone District Cub Scout Day Camp – This 3 day event (from 9 am to 3 pm each day) included demonstrations and hands-on activities for 260 Cub Scouts ages 5 to 12 years old that were divided into groups of ~40 (July, 2007). Each group would spend 45 minutes at our station while I and several undergraduate students directed many chemistry and physics hands-on activities.
Science Demonstration for the Keystone District Cub Scout Day Camp for 260 Cub Scouts, their families, and leaders (July, 2007). Performed 2 forty minute science demonstrations with the aid of several undergraduate students.
Science Demonstration and Hands-On Science activities for Junior Girl Scout Troop 20 of the Talus Rock Council at Camp Conshatawba in Summerhill, PA (October, 2007). Along with several undergraduate students, we introduced these 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grade young ladies to the wonders of science through many demonstrations and hands-on activities involving chemistry and physics related topics.
Science Demonstration for the Blacklick Elementary School in Nanty Glo for 330 children ranging from kindergarten up to sixth grade (March, 2008). Several undergraduate students helped to perform many demonstrations involving chemistry, physics, and engineering.
Science Demonstration for the Ebner Elementary School in Altoona for approximately 200 children ranging from kindergarten up to sixth grade (November, 2008). Several undergraduate students help me to perform many demonstrations involving chemistry, physics, and engineering.
College Classroom Experience for 20 tenth grade Altoona High School students (December, 2008). This was a combination of a lecture and laboratory experience to introduce and encourage high school students to pursue college after graduation.

This page was last updated on 12/31/08.