Jim Barr, M.S. Chemistry
- Office:
- ANS 109
- Research Lab:
- ANS 108
- Phone:
- (731) 989-6348
- Email:
- jbarr@fhu.edu
Autobiographical Data
Friends and students often categorize me as a "nerd" or a "geek" often saying I'm overly excited as I talk about scientific subjects. While this may be an accurate observation, there are many things that are more important - such as God and family.
Education
- Marietta High School, Marietta, OH, 1996
- B.S., Chemistry, Freed-Hardeman University, 1999
- M.S., Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, 2004
Office Hours
- By Appointment
Class Schedule
- General Physics II
MWF - 9:30am-10:20am (ASC 213) - Physical Science I
TR - 11:30am-12:50pm (ANS 133) - Chemistry Seminar
W - 3:30pm-4:20pm (ANS 115)
Home
Chemistry has interested me since my first day of high school chemistry when Mr. Luthy ignited a large jug of methanol vapor that singed the ceiling tile leaving a discolored ring. I took an "advanced" chemistry course the subsequent year and have been immersed in the discipline ever since.
I attended Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) after high school and graduated with a degree in chemistry and a minor in mathematics. My intention was to continue into pharmaceutical research, but I always had this nagging interest in physics and, at the last moment, decided to go on to graduate school to pursue a Ph.D. in chemical physics.
I attended the University of Nevada, Reno, (UNR) after graduating from FHU and had the opportunity to take part in several different research projects as well as work with the Department of Energy at Sandia National Laboratory in their Combustion Research Facility. I worked with Dr. Cline at UNR and was fortunate to have great success in our projects involved in chemical dynamics and molecular control. In 2005, after graduation, I decided to return to FHU.
I was greatly blessed while a student at FHU. The faculty were considerate and encouraging, and the Christian atmosphere was nurturing such that I can truly say that I would not be the person I am today without FHU. My desire is to continue to help provide a place of learning that will foster academic excellence as well as spiritual growth and maturity.
Curriculum Vita
Education
M.S. in Chemistry
2004, University of Nevada, Reno, NV
Coursework: Advanced Physical Chemistry, Spectroscopy, Kinetics, Mathematical Physics
B.S. in Chemistry
1999, Freed-Hardeman University, Henderson, TN
Coursework: Physical Chemistry, Differential Equations
Teaching Experience
Instructor
2005-Present, Freed-Hardeman University, Henderson, TN
Courses Taught: General Chemistry, Physical Science, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry
Teaching Assistant
1999-2002, University of Nevada, Reno, NV
Courses Taught: General Chemistry Lab, Instrumental Analysis Lab, Physical Chemistry Lab
Teaching Assistant
1995-1996, Freed-Hardeman University, Henderson, TN
Courses Taught: Organic Chemistry Lab
Other Experience
Research Experience
Photochromic Isomerization
2010-Present, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
Research focused on creating a light-driven molecular switch with unique photochromic characteristics.
2003-2005, University of Nevada, Reno, NV
Research focused on creating a light-driven molecular motor using photoisomerization.
Bi-molecular Crossed Beam Scattering
1999-2003, University of Nevada, Reno, NV
1999-2003, Sandia National Laboratories, Combustion Research Facilty, Livermore, CA
Measured first induced sense of rotation of molecules (NO-Ar, NO-Ne, NO-N2)
Research
Current
Cross-disciplinary research focused on molecular dynamics due to photochromic processes. Student research is currently investigating isomerizaion of 5-coordinate phosphorus compounds at a theoretical level and looking for trends when compared to published experimental data.
Future work to include chemical dynamics and photochemical kinetics.
Past
Chemical Dynamics:
Previous projects have included crossed-beam scattering of Ar, Ne, and N2) with NO to investigate the chemical dynamics of the scattering systems. Results show it is possible to generate molecules with a specific sense of rotation, a view toward molecular control.
Molecular Motor:
The goal was to produce a molecular motor that could be absorbed to a surface an driven by light absorption which would induce isomerization with directionally geared rotation. Functional groups were varied and spectral absorption variations were measured as well as the quantum yields for the (E)- and (Z)- isomers.
Publications
Journals
"Synthesis, structures, and photoisomerization of (E)- and (Z)-2-tert-butyl-9-(2,2,2-triphenylethylidene)fluorene", J.W. Barr, T.W. Bell, V.J. Catalano, J.I. Cline, D.J. Phillips, and R. Procupez, J. Phys. Chem. A. 109, 11650-11654 (2005).
"Ion imaging studies of product rotational alignment in collisions of NO (X2&Pi1/2, j=0.5) with Ar", E.A. Wade, K.T. Lorenz, D.W. Chandler, J.W. Barr, G.L. Barnes, and J.I. Cline,Chem. Phys. 301, 261-272 (2004).
"Ion imaging measurement of collision-induced rotational alignment in Ar-NO scattering", J.I. Cline, K.T. Lorenz, E.A. Wade, J.W. Barr, and D.W. Chandler, J. Chem. Phys. 115, 6277-6280 (2001).
"Direct measurement of the preferred sense of NO rotation after collision with argon", K.T. Lorenz, D.W. Chandler, J.W. Barr, W. Chen, G.L. Barnes, and J.I. Cline, Science 293, 2063-2066 (2001).
For commentary on this work, also see:
"Close encounters", F.F. Crim, Science 293, 2014-2015 (2001).
"News of the Week: Which way do they spin?", E. Wilson, Chemical and Engineering News 79(38), 9 (17 Sep 2001).
"Search and Discovery: Experiment and Theory Combine to Probe the Quantum Chemistry of Molecular Beams", C. Day, Physics Today 55(1), 13-15 (Jan 2002).
Conferences
"Photoisomerization Kinetics of a Prototype Light-Driven Molecular Motor", J.W. Barr, J.H. Mantha, R. Procupez, N. Hext, T.W. Bell, J.I. Cline, Western Spectroscopy Association, University of Nevada, Reno, 2004, Pacific Grove, CA. "Collision Induced Product Rotational Orientation in Inelastic Bi-molecular Cross Beam Scattering of NO With N2", J.W. Barr, J.I. Cline, M.S. Elioff, D.W. Chandler, Western Spectroscopy Association, University of Nevada, Reno and Sandia National Laboratories/CA, 2003, Pacific Grove, CA. "Collision Induced Product Rotational Orientation in Inelastic Bi-molecular Cross Beam Scattering of NO With Ar, Ne, and N2", J.W. Barr, W. Chen, G.L. Barnes, J.I. Cline, K.T. Lorenz, M.S. Elioff, D.W. Chandler, Atomic and Molecular Interaction Gordon Research Conference, University of Nevada, Reno, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories and Sandia National Laboratories/CA, 2002, Bristol, RI.* "Analysis of No-Ar Bi-molecular Cross Beam Scattering", J.W. Barr, W. Chen, J.I. Cline, K.T. Lorenz, D.W. Chandler, Western Spectroscopy Association, University of Nevada, Reno and Sandia National Laboratories/CA, 2002, Pacific Grove, CA. "Crossed Molecular Beam Scattering Sutdies of the Rotational Alignment and Orientation of Nitric Oxide in Inelastic Collisions with Argon Atoms", J.W. Barr, University of Nevada, Reno - Seminar, University of Nevada, Reno, 2002, Reno, NV. "Structure and Electronic Properties of Carbon Nanotubes", J.W. Barr, University of Nevada, Reno - Seminar, University of Nevada, Reno, 2000, Reno, NV.
* Award Winner: Best Experimental Poster PresentationPresentations
Resources
Links
University
Creation Science
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