Chemistry --
SFU Web-Accessible X-Ray
Diffractometer
NSF Sponsored Consortium with Youngstown State University, Penn State University at Behrend, and University of Northern Iowa
X-ray crystallography is a technique that is used to discover how atoms in solid compounds are arranged. This process can also be used to determine bond lengths and angles within the structure. Due to the proliferation of high speed computers, it has become an almost routine analytical tool. Inorganic (and increasingly organic) chemists rely on x-ray crystallography for structure confirmation. The uses of x-ray crystallography range from research to pharmaceuticals.
X-ray crystallography is important because it provides 3D images of the atoms present in the sample. It is very important to know the structure of the compound to fully understand it's bonding patterns and behavior. Through participation in an NSF grant (#0087210), we have the opportunity to access a Bruker AXS x-ray diffractometer housed at Youngstown State University. Using the internet we can remotely control the instrument to collect crystal data.
X Ray Crystallography Links
Links to Other Members of Web X-Ray Consortium
X-Ray News
Proposed Nationwide network: STaRBURSTT
(Science Teaching and Research Brings Undergraduate Research Strengths Through Technology)
The project will facilitate increases in undergraduate
research and educational experiences.
Future Plans:
Through our consortium with Youngstown State University we hope to soon be able to control the x-ray diffractometer from a research lab at Saint Francis.
Academic Research Advisor:
Undergraduate Research Students:
- Jennifer DeCoskey
- Diane Conrad
Questions or Comments?Email Dr. Zovinka