"My research interests involve the
determination, interpretation, and correlation of the basic chemical and physical
properties of the f elements--the lanthanides (4f) and actinides (5f).
Knowledge of the properties of these elements (especially the actinides) is important for
understanding their position in the periodic table and the fundamental architecture of the
periodic table, as influenced by relativistic effects which become more prominent in the
heavy element region. Because the actinides are radioactive and often available only in
milligram or less quantities, we use in our studies specialized microchemical techniques
which we prove to be effective on the nonradioactive and more readily available
lanthanides. Our research is carried out in the nearby ORNL Transuranium Research
Laboratory, a specially equipped facility for working safely with radioactive materials.
Experimental techniques derived from synthetic inorganic chemistry, absorption, Raman and
luminescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, analytical and electrochemistry,
solid state chemistry, thermochemistry, high pressure science, solution chemistry, and/or
others are used where suited to the particular problem at hand. Thus, a student can
acquire experience in several areas of classical chemistry while still being focused on
our programmatic theme of f-element science. To keep our broad-based research
program viable, we collaborate freely with other university and national laboratory
scientists, as well as with several European scientists."
