With support from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities: Multiuser Program (CRIF:MU), the Department of Chemistry at the University of Texas, Austin will acquire a fluorimeter with the capability of measuring fluorescence lifetimes. This award will provide an instrument to be used by a large group of researchers to investigate the fundamental photochemical properties of a variety of molecular and materials systems. The areas to be investigated include electroluminescence, the rational design of new photoactive molecules, materials for solar energy conversion and measurements of excited state lifetimes.
Fluorimeters are spectrometers that measure the properties of the light emitted from a sample that has been promoted to an excited state by a light source. These emission spectra, measured over a wide range of frequencies and time resolutions, allow determination of the nature of photoexcited states and their lifetimes. The configuration of this instrument will make it accessible to a large number of users in a variety of disciplines both inside and outside of chemistry. The instrument will be used in research and undergraduate laboratory classes including the departmental Freshmen Research Initiative.
The objective of this proposal was to acquire a state of the art fluorimeter system with lifetime capabilities for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Texas at Austin. Fluorescence spectroscopy is an extremely sensitive analytical technique that is capable of detecting small concentrations of molecules. Moreover, fluorescence is a sensitive probe of the molecular environment and time resolved fluorescence provides insight into the ultrafast processes affecting excited states in molecules. A cutting edge fluorescence system was purchased and installed into the Center for Nano? and Molecular Science and Technology (CNM) in the Faulker Nanoscience and Technology (FNT) building on the UT-Austin campus. A research scientist on the CNM staff who has extensive fluorescence spectroscopy experience supports the system. This scientist trains other users such that the instrument is utilized directly by graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. The system is capable of both excitation and emission fluorescence in the steady-state mode. For time-resolved measurements it is capable of both fluorescence and phosphorescence measurements. All fluorimeter modes provide support for solid and liquid samples, as well as temperature dependent experiments. The fluorimeter system typically has 30-40 unique users each semester. These include an array of research groups in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Physics. The instrument averages 10hr of billable usage per week. This instrument has enabled data acquisition on small molecules, semiconductor quantum dots, as well as luminescent proteins and advanced projects studying new materials for solar cells, methods of drug delivery, and fundamental properties of molecules in solution.
