J. Kerry Thomas, Julius A. Nieuwland Professor (Emeritus)
Biography
Professor Thomas obtained a B.Sc. (1954) and a Ph.D. (1957) from the University of Manchester. From 1960 to 1970, he developed short-pulsed laser photolysis and pulse radiolysis techniques at Argonne National Laboratories. In 1970, he came to the University of Notre Dame. He was awarded an honorary D.Sc. by the University of Manchester, was given the research award of the Radiation Research Society and the Colloids and Surface Award of the American Chemical Society, and was a Guest Professor at the Hahn Meitner Institute in Berlin, Germany. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Research Interests
Professor Thomas and his group have been concerned with the application of short-pulsed laser photochemistry and photophysics to the study of reactions in colloidal or organized systems, and polymers. These systems range from cells and cell membranes to small colloidal systems such as colloidal silica, colloidal semiconductors, micelles and polymers. Rapid laser techniques (response time <10-9) monitor early states of reactions induced on membranes, on catalyst surfaces and other interfaces. The exact nature of the catalytic action of these systems can thus be determined.
Another feature of the work involves laser spectroscopic techniques to determine the nature of catalytic surfaces, the organization of organic structures, e.g., membranes and the factors controlling reactions in polymer films. New types of organized assemblies with high catalytic activity are routinely developed to emphasize selected and important features on chemical reaction. The research is related to the control of radiation-induced reactions in solid systems.
Recent Papers
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Contact Information
- Julius A. Nieuwland Professor (Emeritus)
- Office: 260A Stepan
- Phone: 574.631.7589
- Contact by Email
