Hal Van Ryswyk Research

John Stauffer Professor
PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Research

My interests run from analytical and environmental chemistry to solid-state materials science. Current research in the Van Ryswyk group centers around three major thrusts:

Thin Film Photovoltaics

We create quantum dot inks, semiconductor nanoparticles that can be sprayed, blade coated or printed to make solar cells thinner than a layer of commercial housepaint. We fine-tune quantum dot surface chemistry to maximize efficiency and to allow for cheap, easy processing over large areas.  In our lab we synthesize and mix the inks, make cells, and test them with a wide range of tools.

Lead Levels in Soil from Vehicle Emissions

Lead in soil from vehicle emissions is a leading cause of childhood lead poisoning in southern California. We developed a service-learning module for the general chemistry course at HMC wherein our first-year students work with local fifth- and sixth-grade students to determine lead levels in soil throughout our community. We utilized statistical sampling methods, GPS mapping, microwave-assisted digestion, and atomic absorption analysis in a preliminary study of soil at the Bernard Field Station adjacent to old U.S. Route 66 in Claremont. We have worked with Vista del Valle, Oakmont, Mountain View, and Sumner elementary schools in the Claremont Unified School District to map the lead content of their playgrounds.

Experiments for Instructional Laboratories

We have published a range of experiments for instructional general chemistry, instrumental methods, and nanoscale materials chemistry laboratories. Examples include a synthetic and structural determination experiment in the general chemistry laboratory utilizing bench-top NMR, diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry, a pulsed field gradient NMR experiment to measure the diameter of quantum dots in the instrumental methods laboratory, and a photoelectrochemical experiment using easy-to-synthesize semiconductors to split water in the materials chemistry laboratory.