Innovative research in the field of inorganic chemistry just became easier for associate professor David Watson, who received a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER award.
Intended for young, untenured faculty, the NSF says the award promotes the academic and research endeavors of future academic leaders of the 21st century.
Watson specializes in materials synthesis and works in depth with synthesizing colloidal suspensions.
The field, he said, covers a wide array of compounds, from tiny individual molecules in solution to a bulk material that can be held in one's hand.
The CAREER grant supports his study of the electron transfer properties of certain materials, to examine their potential to serve as a new energy source for solar cells.
"Anytime you have a material that absorbs light, and there is an electron transfer reaction, it could be the basis of a solar cell or a photo catalyst," Watson said.
Currently, solar cells on the market are silicon-based. He said that the method of using inorganic materials and photo-induced surface electron transfer reactions are more cost-effective.
Aside from the potential advantages of using these methods as the basis of solar cells, Watson finds the manipulation of the energetic and electronic properties of these light-absorbing materials fascinating.
"Fundamentally, it is pretty interesting and cool," he said.
The NSF award provides funding for educational activities, and Watson has plans to incorporate local middle and high school students into hands-on laboratory research projects. The program also incorporates a university-wide initiative to reach out to Buffalo public schools.
The first four students, from City Honors High School, will begin working in Watson's laboratory this summer. He hopes that the number of students will increase over the years with funding.
"When it expands, we hope to have three to five schools involved," Watson said. "Hopefully, it will grow and outlive this grant."
Beginning in the fall, the high school students will help to mentor middle school students from Buffalo Public School 19, a Native American magnet school. UB's Chemistry Department already has a connection with School 19 through an existing outreach program.
"Last fall, Professor Gardella started a connection there... it is a high-need school, with an ethnically diverse student population, and he was interested in promoting science there," he said.
In addition to community involvement, Watson is in the process of establishing a new class at UB for chemistry students that will hone writing skills; something he feels is necessary to all scientists but underemphasized in the current curriculum.
"In my opinion, writing is very important. It's a huge component of what we do as academic scientists," he said.
Although excited about continuing his research, Watson is just as eager about taking on his teaching responsibilities.
"I really get a lot of satisfaction out of mentoring undergraduate and graduate students," he said. "That, for me, is very rewarding and enjoyable."
He recognized inspiring teachers and mentors through the years who encouraged him to pursue chemistry as a career, and hopes to be able to convey his enthusiasm for chemistry to students at UB.
He said that there is a fine balance for students - between learning solid fundamentals to chemistry and in-depth exploration of other fields to discover a true interest.
"It's not just about sitting down with a textbook, that's not where its all going to happen...if you're a student go to seminars and talks, read papers, and learn what people are doing," Watson said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
