Author: Jillian Dempsey (Page 2 of 15)

Katherine and Jillian recently published a First Reaction in ACS Central Science, “When Electrochemistry Met Methane: Rapid Catalyst Oxidation Fuels Hydrocarbon Functionalization,” discussing a recent report from the Surendranath Group at MIT that describes an electrochemical strategy for catalytic methane functionalization. This exciting work from Yogi’s group was also highlighted by MIT News.

“A Practical Beginner’s Guide to Cyclic Voltammetry,” authored by Dempsey group alums Noémie Elgrishi, Kelley J. Hammon, Brian D. McCarthy, Eric S. Rountree and Thomas T. Eisenhart (along with J.L.D.) has been accepted for publication in The Journal of Chemical Education.

We have gathered in a single streamlined document all the information necessary to start learning cyclic voltammetry. In this article, we hope to follow up on three valuable articles published in The Journal of Chemical Education in 1983 by providing a basic and accessible discussion on cyclic voltammetry with a target audience of inorganic chemists.

We have written this contribution with the aim of making it easier for a motivated student to learn the basics of electrochemistry through self-teaching and self-questioning, grounding all discussion in the understanding of parameters affecting collected data. Further, training modules are provided in the Supporting Information to support aspiring electrochemists as they learn this important technique.

Yejee’s article, “Interfacial Electron Transfer Yields in Dye-Sensitized NiO Photocathodes Correlated to Excited-State Dipole Orientation of Ruthenium Chromophores” was just accepted to the Canadian Journal of Chemistry as part of a special issue on Electron Donor-Acceptor Interactions. Congratulations Yejee!

At the Fall 2017 ACS Meeting, Jillian was revealed as one of Chemical & Engineering News’ “Talented 12” scientists! In the article, her nickname is “Catalyst Connoisseur” and her cakes are highlighted in the “How the Talented 12 Celebrate” link.

Kunal Lodaya (UNC ’20)  and Emma Cook (UNC ’19) are the most recent additions to the Dempsey Group!  Kunal started working with Eric on updating our TA system software, and is now working with Katherine to explore electrochemistry at the homogeneous/heterogeneous interface. Emma will be working alongside Melody looking at ligand exchange reactions!

Welcome Kunal and Emma!

The Dempsey Group is excited to have three fantastic undergraduates working in the group this summer! Kevin Ruoff (UNC ’19) and Andrew Traywick (UNC ’19) are continuing their research in the group. They are joined by Genique Nicholas (University of the Virgin Islands ’18). Kevin was awarded a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship from UNC to support his work and Genique is visiting UNC as part of the SUROC REU program.

Current and former Dempsey group undergraduate researchers received their bachelors degrees at today’s Commencement. Congratulations to everyone!!!

Left to right:

Hannah Starr, B.S. with distinction and highest honors, is off to UNC for graduate school in chemistry.

Caroline Reilly, B.S. with highest distinction and highest honors, is off to UCSD for graduate school in materials science.

Keegan McBride, B.A. with highest distinction, is off to Atlanta to work at Boston Consulting Group.

Will Howland, B.S. with highest distinction and highest honors, is off to MIT for graduate school in chemistry.

Allison Carr, B.A., is off to Charlotte to work as a brewer.

As the 2016-2017 academic year drew to a close, many of our lab members are being recognized with major awards and honors. Congratulations to everyone on their accomplishments.

Carolyn Hartley- Honorable Mention, Link Energy Fellowship

William Howland- Venable Medal

Katherine Lee- Ledoux Travel Award

Caroline Reilly- ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry Undergraduate Award in Inorganic Chemistry

Eric Rountree- Venable Award

Hannah Starr- Student speaker at the Department of Chemistry Commencement Ceremony

(A very belated) congratulations to Dan Kurtz, who passed his second year orals exam on January 28, 2016.