This Research Opportunities for Women Career Advancement Award project is in the general area of analytical and surface chemistry and in the subfield of surface spectroscopy. During the two year period beginning 1 July 1987, Professor Friend will develop new research capability in near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy with which she will study the adsorption structure of reactant molecules on clean and modified tungsten and molybdenum surfaces. This activity will complement chemical investigations already underway in her laboratory that are supported by the Foundation through a Presidential Young Investigator Award. The NEXAFS studies will utilize the synchrotron facility at Stanford University and will involve the collaborative cooperation of Dr. Joachim Storr of IBM-San Jose who is a world authority in this area. This work is expected to lead to an enhanced molecular-level understanding of the reactivity of heterohydrocarbons on the surfaces of industrially important molybdenum and tungsten catalyst surfaces.
