Charge Transfer Processes: Making Connections

Building on the theoretical models of Marcus, Hush, and others, scientists have made unprecedented strides in understanding the fundamentals of electron transfer. The inherent complexity of charge transfer processes on very short time scales and at interfaces has lead to new theoretical and experimental approaches. Unexpected and fascinating features of charge transfer reactions continue to emerge in many areas, but the diversity of detailed objectives has not fostered a wider discussion of the challenges and fundamentals issues to be addressed. This symposium will emphasize the underlying physical basis for charge transfer processes on ultrafast timescales, in biological systems and at interfaces and will promote conversations between these research communities.

Robert J. Cave, Harvey Mudd College; Robert_Cave@hmc.edu
Matthew B. Zimmt, Brown University; Matthew_Zimmt@brown.edu
Alexei A. Stuchebrukhov, University of California, Davis; stuchebr@chem.ucdavis.edu

Chemical Control of Oxide Material Response

Multicomponent perovskite ABO₃ oxides exhibit a wide range of useful material responses, from ferroelectricity and piezoelectricity to colossal magnetoresistance and ionic conductivity. Changing the solid-state chemistry by changing the A and B cations alters the balance between different structural, electronic, and spin orderings, leading to sensitive material response. The speakers in this symposium have contributed to understanding chemical bonding in complex oxide environments, and how bonding combinations can be orchestrated in new ways to develop materials with novel functionality.

Andrew M. Rappe, University of Pennsylvania; rappe@sas.upenn.edu
Nicola A. Spaldin, University of California, Santa Barbara; ncola@mrl.ucsb.edu

Computational Exploration of Energy Landscapes: Challenges and Solutions

This international symposium will highlight recent developments in methods for computing potential energy landscapes and their application to problems from small-molecule spectroscopy to large systems of biological interest.  Topics include new approaches to nondynamical correlation and bond-breaking reactions, multi-reference methods, nonadiabatic and non-Born-Oppenheimer approaches, potential energy functions of biologically relevant systems, and applications to particularly challenging chemical reactions involving one or more potential energy surfaces.

C. David Sherrill, Georgia Institute of Technology; sherrill@chemistry.gatech.edu
Anna I. Krylov, University of Southern California; krylov@usc.edu

Influence of Local Structure and Reagent Energy on Chemical Reactions at Solid Surfaces

Fundamental investigations of surface chemistry at the gas-solid and gas-liquid interfaces are the focus of this symposium. Topics of interest include: the effects of local surface structure, impurities, and defects on surface reactivity; the dependence of surface reaction rates on reagent internal state and kinetic energy; and controlling the outcome of surface reactions by tuning reagent and surface properties. Both experimental and theoretical approaches to these problems will be represented.

Dennis C. Jacobs, University of Notre Dame; dennis.c.jacobs.2@nd.edu
S. Alex Kandel, University of Notre Dame; s.a.kandel.1@nd.edu

Frontiers in Photobiology

Photosynthesis and vision are the two major paradigms in photobiology. However, nature has many more uses for light and some of these photobiological systems are now receiving more attention. Biophysical chemistry plays a crucial role in understanding how these systems work and how they can be exploited. This symposium focuses on lesser known but highly significant light-driven biological reactions, from photocarcinogenesis and DNA repair, to signal transduction and light-driven gene regulation. In addition, applications of photobiology are explored, including photodynamic therapies, biosensor technologies, and artificial photoenzymes.

Robert J. Stanley, Temple University; robert.stanley@temple.edu
Linda A. Peteanu, Carnegie Mellon University; peteanu@andrew.cmu.edu

Physical Chemistry Curriculum Reform Update: Where are we now and Where are we going?

This symposium provides a forum for the sharing of ideas regarding the continual improvement of the physical chemistry curriculum.  Speakers from research institutions, primarily undergraduate institutions, industry and government will present their ideas.  Topics will include, but are not limited to: what content is necessary; what laboratory experiments are fundamental; how to incorporate the cutting edge on a limited budget without sacrificing necessary content; what content is necessary for preparing students in state-of-the art fields such as drug design, biotechnology, and nanotechnology; and how to incorporate undergraduate research projects.

Tracy A. Schoolcraft, Shippensburg University; tascho@ship.edu
Mark D. Ellison, Wittenberg University; mellison@wittenberg.edu

Structures and Properties of Small Clusters

This symposium highlights the determination of structures, physical and chemical properties of small covalently and weakly bound clusters. Talks will be divided equally between experimental and theoretical approaches to emphasize the importance of interplay between these two approaches. Additionally, the dynamics of reactions and electronic excitations will be discussed, along with the observation of new and unexpected physical phenomena such as anomalously high melting points and ferroelectricity in small clusters.

Caroline Chick Jarrold, Indiana University; cjarrold@indiana.edu
J. V. Ortiz, Kansas State University; ortiz@ksu.edu

Symposium on Ions in Complex Physical, Chemical, and Biological Systems

This symposium will focus on the properties of ions in a variety of complex environments, including liquid water. Topics of interest include the structure, dynamics, and thermodynamic properties of ions in bulk liquids, microsolvation, ions at interfaces, and ions in biological systems and confined environments Both experimental and theoretical approaches to these problems will be represented.

Benoit Roux, Cornell University; benoit.roux@med.cornell.edu
Susan B. Rempe, Sandia National Laboratories; slrempe@sandia.gov

Physical Chemistry Poster Session

Contributions from all areas of physical chemistry are highly encouraged for the poster session to be held on Wednesday evening, August 30, 2005. Also, see the announcement below for information about the Physical Chemistry Student Poster Awards.

Barbara J. Garrison, Penn State University; bjg@psu.edu

On-Line Abstract Submission Deadline:

April 8, 2004

http://oasys.acs.org/oasys.htm