Ryan Steele,
University of Utah

2:00PM – OCO Conference Room, 240 Willamette

Title:“Quantum Molecular Motion in Energy and Biology”

Abstract:
This presentation will address the manner in which quantum molecular motion influences key processes in both renewable energy and biology. The splitting of water, as a means of chemically storing solar energy, for example, offers as many promises for renewable energy as it does questions for the field of chemistry. This presentation will examine the molecular dynamics of oxidized water, including an explanation for the anomalous experimental vibrational signatures of ionized water clusters. The resulting picture is an exquisite example of the strong coupling between electronic and nuclear motion. The remainder of the talk will focus on the manner in which molecular motion affects key models of biological pathologies, including mismatched DNA base pairs. Throughout the presentation, newly developed computational techniques—which are required in order to tackle these challenging systems—will be highlighted.

website: http://www.chem.utah.edu/directory/steele.php

Host: Jeff Cina
Refreshments served at 1:45pm