February 26: Robert L. Opila
"Chemistry in Two Dimensions"
Abstract
The world exists in three dimensions, and so does the beaker chemistry
we are used to thinking about. In this talk, dimensionality will be
considered from both mathematical and artistic viewpoints. Then, we
will focus specifically on two dimensions. Surfaces of crystals serve
as an ideal starting point for two-dimensional chemistry. Gases can
then be adsorbed on these surfaces, and their motion and chemistry can
be restricted to two dimensions. Often their chemistry is fundamentally
different than that seen in three dimensions. For example, the ideas of
gases, liquids, and solids in two dimensions must be reconsidered.
Finally, the practical implications of two-dimensional chemistry in
fields as diverse as catalysis, corrosion and cleaning will be discussed.
Reading List
For an interesting article about dimensions read "Boats and Deckchairs"
by Stephen Jay Gould and Rhonda Roland Shearer on p. 32, of volume 108,
the December 1999/January 2000 issue of Natural History.
Work similar to mine in graduate school is described in "Surface
Diffusion" by Robert Gomer on p. 98 of the August 1982 issue of
Scientific American.
Science News has many interesting articles about current, more practical
investigations into surface or interface science. Some articles can be
found in Vol. 152, p. 70 and p. 108; Vol. 153 p. 230; Vol 154, p. 21;
Vol. 155, p. 167; Vol. 156, p. 101 and p. 271, for the years 1997
through 1999.
The University of Sheffield (in Great Britain) maintains a tremendous
chemistry web page at http://www.shef.ac.uk/chemistry/web-elements/.
Scientific American, February, 2000 has three articles relating to
surfaces:
Page 50, "Melting Below Zero," by J. S. Wettlauffer and J. G. Dash,
about surfaces of ice;
Page 64, "Digital Materials and Virtual Weathering," by J. Dorsey and P.
Hanrahan, about interactions of materials with their environments;
Page 108, "Working Knowledge," by L. A. Bloomfield, bout catalytic
convertors and surface catalysis.
Biography
Robert Opila became interested in atoms and electrons in second grade
during a case of the flu when his father brought home books about
atoms. In seventh grade, an episode of the television show, Outer
Limits, excited interest in the second dimension. While in graduate
school at The University of Chicago, Robert got to work in
two-dimensional chemistry. In 1982, he joined Bell Labs, where he has
been ever since. In addition to science, Robert enjoys reading and
running marathons.