Nanoscience research topics offer viable projects for faculty at liberal arts colleges wishing to establish active physical chemistry research programs.  In this talk, I will describe two nanoscience projects in which a number of undergraduate students have participated for the senior capstone research experience.  In one we are developing platinum and palladium nanocatalysts for performing hydrogenation reactions in water, while in the second we are investigating zinc sulfide nanocrystals in photocatalysis and biological/environmental toxicity.  Aspects of the latter project have been integrated into the physical chemistry laboratory course.  For each project I will provide recommendations on identifying student roles, on designing projects for both summer and academic year research, and on seeking external collaborators to gain access to necessary instrumentation.  Finally, I will discuss the success of both projects as measured in student involvement, publications, and placement of students upon graduation.

Integration of nanoscience research projects into teaching at a liberal arts college

247th National Meeting (2014)

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