Institute for Functional Nanomaterials

Principal Investigator

University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus

Biography

The detailed mechanisms of elementary unimolecular and bimolecular reactions are not well understood. In part, the problem lies in the difficulty of monitoring the evolution of highly reactive, short-lived intermediates during the course of the reaction. Our research applies a host of modern spectroscopic (primarily laser-based) techniques to understand the structure and reactivity of said transient species in the gas phase. In recent years, this research has focused on the chemistry of gas phase sulfur-containing species.

These studies have important overlap with current theoretical problems and are also relevant to the chemistry of high-energy gas phase environments, such as the upper and lower atmosphere, and combustion systems. Another area of interest in our research program is the development of new techniques and methodology for the detection of reactive intermediates. In particular, multiphoton processes are being investigated as a new means of probing polyatomic molecules of real world interest. Applications to atmospheric systems and microelectronic device fabrication are being explored.

Weiner's research interests include Physical Chemistry: Gas Phase Molecular Reaction Dynamics; Laser Photochemistry and Photophysics; Gas Phase Kinetics of Reactive Intermediates; Non-Linear Photoprocesses; Molecular Energy Transfer; Mechanisms of Laser Ablation.

Direct phone

+1-787-765-9695

Fax

+1-787-772-1413

Mailing address

Office of the Dean
PO Box 23341
University of Puerto Rico
Río Piedras, Puerto Rico 00931

E-mail

brad hpcf upr edu

Website

http://www.nanodiamond.org/

Education

• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, United States Naval Research Laboratory (1988)
• Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of California, Davis (1986)
• B.A. in Chemistry, Grinnell College (1981)

Appointments

2005–present	Dean, College of Natural Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
2004–2005	Director, Division of Higher Education, NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C., United States
1999–2004	Dean, College of Natural Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
1999–2004	Project Director, Puerto Rico Space Grant Consortium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
1998–present	Project Director, Puerto Rico EPSCoR, San Juan, Puerto Rico
1996–present	Professor, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
1992–1998	Co-Project Director, Puerto Rico EPSCoR, San Juan, Puerto Rico
1991–1996	Associate Professor, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
1988–1991	Assistant Professor, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Honors and awards

• Outstanding Research Award, University of Puerto Rico President's Office (2000)
• Diploma for Outstanding Research in the Areas of Science and Technology, University of Puerto Rico (1999)
• Scholarly Productivity Award, Puerto Rico Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (1989–1995)
• National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship (1986–1988)

Publications

1. P. X. Feng, L. F. Fonseca, V. I. Makarov, G. Morell, B. R. Weiner, and H. Zhang, "Growth and field emission properties of one-dimensional carbon composite structure consisting of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes and nanocones", Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 42, 035409 (2009)
2. C. R. Cabrera, I. Gonzalez-Gonzalez, G. Morell, D. A. Tryk, and B. R. Weiner, "Modulation of electron transfer activity at diamond films by dissolved oxygen in aqueous solution", Journal of the Electrochemical Society , (2009)
3. P. X. Feng, V. I. Makarov, G. Morell, B. R. Weiner, and H. Zhang, "Synthesis of nanostructured SiC using the pulsed laser deposition technique", Materials Research Bulletin, 44, 184 (2009)
4. J. De Jesus, A. González-Berríos, S. Katar, G. Morell, and B. R. Weiner, "Direct Deposition of Bamboo-Like Carbon Nanotubes on Copper Substrates by Sulfur-Assisted HFCVD", Journal of Nanomaterials, 2008, 515890 (2008)
5. G. Morell, K. Uppireddi, and B. R. Weiner, "Study of the temporal current stability of field-emitted electrons from ultrananocrystalline diamond films", Journal of Applied Physics, 103, 104315 (2008)

Grants

1. V. I. Makarov, G. Morell, and B. R. Weiner. Mechanistic Study of Sulfur-Assisted HFCVD of Diamond Films, National Science Foundation, CHEM, 3 years, August 2009, Multiple PIs, Pending, $636,592.
2. M. J. Guinel, S. Katar, G. Morell, and B. R. Weiner. Research and Education on High Performance Energy Storage Materials, United States Department of Defense, HBCU-MI, 3 years, August 2009, Multiple PIs, Pending, $445,394.
3. F. M. Aliev, C. R. Cabrera, L. F. Fonseca, K. H. Griebenow, A. J. Hernández, Y. Ishikawa, R. S. Katiyar, M. M. Martínez, A. R. Mayol, G. Morell, W. Otaño, R. G. Raptis, and B. R. Weiner. Center for Advanced Nanoscale Materials (CANM) NASA University Research, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, URC, 5 years, October 2008, Multiple PIs, Approved, $6,000,000.
4. G. Morell and B. R. Weiner. Developing Research Expertise in Support of Space Exploration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, EPSCoR, 3 years, October 2007, Multiple PIs, Approved, $425,000.
5. P. X. Feng, Y. Ishikawa, G. Morell, and B. R. Weiner. Large area, ambient pressure synthesis of nanocomposite carbon films, United States Department of Defense, AFSOR, 3 years, October 2006, Multiple PIs, Approved, $500,000.
6. G. Morell and B. R. Weiner. Puerto Rico NASA Space Grant Consortium, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Space Grant, 5 years, April 2005, Multiple PIs, Approved, $2,700,000.