This National Science Foundation Young Investigator project is in the general area of analytical chemistry and in the subfield of surface chemistry. During the five-year tenure of this award, Professor Beebe and his students will carry out a fundamental investigation of the structure and reactivity of molecules adsorbed on solid surfaces. Ultrahigh vacuum techniques will be used to study single metal crystals and their reactions with small probe molecules. Scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy are two additional techniques that will be used to study molecule-surface and molecule-molecule interactions of large molecules, such as DNA. %%% The successful attainment of the goals of this project should enable broad advancement in the area of surface chemistry, in general, and the study of molecular interactions on solid surfaces in particular. These studies will lead to increased understanding of the fundamental chemistry of molecules adsorbed on surfaces. Additionally, this NSF Young Investigator Award will significantly assist Professor Beebe to establish a viable, innovative research program at the University of Utah.
