We have developed and implemented a vertically integrated, cross-disciplinary modification of our undergraduate chemistry and biochemistry laboratory curriculum that focuses on light absorption, luminescence decay, energy transfer, and charge transfer in macromolecular and supramolecular assemblies. The target audience is undergraduate students at the sophomore through senior levels in analytical, physical, inorganic synthesis, and biochemistry lab courses. Using steady-state luminescence and time-correlated single photon counting instruments purchased with DUE funding, newly developed experiments in five undergraduate courses introduce students to luminescence for quantitation of analytes and measurements of binding affinity, resonance energy transfer and emission anisotropy in biochemical and supramolecular assemblies, kinetics of photoinduced reactions obtained from fluorescence lifetime studies, and synthesis and spectral characterization of semiconductor nanocrystals. The latter topic has been designed and implemented as a cross-course, two-semester activity that introduces the students to emerging concepts in solar energy capture and conversion. The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the NSF (DUE 0837398) for this project.

Luminescence spectroscopy in molecular assemblies and new energy conversion materials: Integration across the undergraduate curriculum

244th National Meeting (2012)

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