MSE Seminar: Electron spin resonance spectroscopy for micro-structural analysis
Friday, December 10, 2021
1:00 p.m.
2110 CHE
For More Information:
Sherri Tatum
statum12@umd.edu
https://mse.umd.edu/seminar-series

Speaker: Nandita Abhyankar, Assistant Research Scientist, UMD IREAP/NIST

Title: Electron spin resonance spectroscopy for micro-structural analysis of sub-nanoliter volume samples

Abstract:

Dr. Abhyankar will delineate the motivation for, and her recent work in, enabling electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of electron-spin ensembles with volumes smaller than a nanoliter. Paramagnetic centers (e.g., transition metal ions and free radicals) are direct probes of atomic-scale structure and dynamics in a wide range of solid-state, polymeric and biomacromolecular materials. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of paramagnetic centers report on phase identity, motional dynamics, interstitial defect identity and radiation dosage. Many samples with volumes in the range of nanoliters to femtoliters are currently inaccessible by EPR spectroscopy. Therefore, critical spectroscopic information is currently hidden due to a lack of sensitivity. Abhyankar's team has recently reported a new
class of microresonators for EPR spectroscopy, which allows them to probe sub-nanoliter volumes of samples with micromolar concentrations. She will discuss the advantages of this design, current applications and design adaptations for future applications.

Bio:

Nandita Abhyankar is an Assistant Research Scientist at the Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics at UMD College Park. She also conducts research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, MD. Her doctoral work at Florida State University includes physical and spectroscopic studies of phase transitions in perovskite-like multiferroic metalorganic frameworks. Her post-doctoral work focuses on development of microresonators for EPR spectroscopy of picoliter-volume samples. As a co-PI funded by NIGMS, she is currently working to integrate microfluidics and variable-temperautre capabilities with the aforementioned microresonators.

This Event is For: Campus