Chemistry and Biochemistry
W. Grant McGimpsey
Professor
Director of BEI
Department: Chemistry & Biochemistry
Professional Page
Office: Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, 3011
Phone: +1-508-831-5486
Fax: +1-508-831-5933
wgm@wpi.edu
Educational Background
- B.Sc., Brock University, 1978
- M.Sc., Brock University, 1981
- Ph.D., Queen's University, 1985
Research & Teaching Interests
Photochemistry, molecular Scale Devices, intramolecular charge and energy transfer, upper excited state chemistry and photophysics, photobiology
Research
Our research is based on two emerging areas - molecular nanotechnology and sensors - and both of these research areas are focused on practical applications. Our nanotechnology research involves the creation of devices by the rational design and fabrication of surfaces with specific physical and chemical properties. For example, we recently reported the self-assembly of a photocurrent generating multi-layered film in which individual layers are held together by non-covalent forces. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. Communication to the editor, 2003, in press) Such a device and others like it are potential solar energy converters. This modular approach to supramolecular assembly promises to have a wide variety of applications, from the construction of molecular electronic devices and sensors to providing convenient ways to control polymerization on surfaces. This work was recently funded by the Petroleum Research Fund. Molecular-level surface modification is also the key process in our nanofluidics research. With substantial support from the National Science Foundation in the form of a Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Teams (NIRT) grant we have begun work in collaboration with chemical and mechanical engineers at WPI to investigate ways of controlling fluid flow in nano-domains. This work has direct application to next-generation implantable medical devices, lab-on-a-chip technology, and drug and gene delivery.
For the past three years, we have worked closely with scientists and engineers at Bayer Diagnostics to design and synthesize molecules that can be incorporated into sensors for the detection of blood analytes. This work has resulted in the fabrication of highly sensitive and selective sensors for potassium, sodium and ammonium ions in whole human blood and in the past year has produced several publications and permanent patent submissions.
My research group occupies 1200 square feet of modern laboratory space in Goddard Hall and at present consists of 6 graduate students and a post-doctoral associate. If you are interested in joining the group, please drop by or contact me at the information given above
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