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NSF-funded summer research opportunities with Prof. Hoffmann

Prof. Hoffmann has received a grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate ion pairing of particular ionic liquids in low dielectric media conducting a host of physicochemical measurements. Ionic liquids are salts which are liquid at or near room temperature.  They are currently intensively studied as a novel medium for chemical synthesis and chemical applications in general. During the 2007/08 academic year Prof. Hoffmann spent a sabbatical research stay at the Friedrich-Schiller-University in Jena, Germany working with Prof. Annegret Stark at the Institute for Technical and Environmental Chemistry, an institute entirely devoted to “Green Chemistry” research.  The NSF grant will support a continuation of the research collaboration with Prof. Stark. The grant will fund summer research stipends for two undergraduate students, each ten weeks in length, 400$/week:

Student A will conduct mainly NMR experiments (diffusion coefficients, relaxation measurements) on The College’s Bruker Avance 300 NMR instrument, purchased and installed in 2005. Careful sample preparation will be involved as well. Additional on-campus housing support, if needed, may be available through The College. Expected start date is June 7, 2010.

Student B will conduct mainly calorimetric experiments with Prof. Stark in Germany.  The grant covers the travel expenses and an additional housing allowance. Prof. Hoffmann will also travel to Germany and instruct the student on the instruments at the beginning of the summer research experience. (He used the instrumentation himself during his sabbatical research stay.) Expected start date (day of departure) is May 17, 2010.

Eligibility requirements for the students:

  1. Be a full time student in the current 2009/10 academic year and be returning as a full-time student to The College for the ensuing 2010/11 academic year.
  2. Be a Chemistry Major having
    1. passed CHM 205-206 College Chemistry I and II,
    2. passed or being currently enrolled in CHM 305-306 Organic Chemistry,
    3. passed or being currently enrolled in PHS 235-240 calculus based Physics.
  3. Must have seen me in person in my office to discuss the summer research opportunities prior to applying.  Please send an e-mail (mhoffman@brockport.edu) to make an appointment.
  4. Additional preference will be given to students who are taking the NMR winter course CHM 423 with Prof. Hoffmann (January 4 – 15, 2010).  

Expectations:

  1. Must enroll for 1 lab credit (3.25 hours per week) of independent study with Prof. Hoffmann during the Spring 2010 term to prepare for the summer research experience.
  2. A continuation of the summer research through independent study during the ensuing 2010/11 academic year is expected. This may include presentation of results at undergraduate research symposia and related venues such as Scholar’s Day.

All application materials must be received by Prof. Hoffmann, by Friday, December 17, 2009 at 3 pm.
A complete application will consist of:

  1. a transcript of courses from each college you have attended (transcripts can be unofficial).
  2. one letter of recommendation from a chemistry faculty member. Writers of letters of reference should send (e-mail, campus mail, U.S. mail) their recommendations directly to Prof. Hoffmann, mhoffman@brockport.edu, Room 228, Smith Hall.
  3. your personal statement that describes why you wish to participate in summer research and which opportunity you would prefer, if you do prefer one. 

The chosen students will be contacted one week prior to the Spring 2010 semester and must accept the offer within three days.

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