Donald Snyder

A photo of Donald

Emeritus Professor

Chemistry

501U Science Complex

[email protected]

Education

Organic Chemistry

  • BS, University of Pittsburgh, 1974
  • Ph.D., Purdue University, 1980

Interests and Expertise

Our research is primarily interdisciplinary in nature, directed toward development of impedance-based electrical and wavefront-distortion based optical sensors for chemical, biochemical and materials applications. Current projects include organic synthesis of specialty monomers for functionalized polymers and self-assembled molecular monolayers on metal surfaces, investigation of microscopic interdigitated electrode arrays chips for impedance spectroscopy and application of Shack-Hartmann single beam interferometers to wavefront characterization of laser beams interacting with surface-modified polymers.

Courses

  • CHEM 115–116 Chemistry and Society
  • CHEM 121–124 General Chemistry
  • CHEM 270–271, 371–376 Organic Chemistry

Publications and Presentations

Recent Publications
  • Snyder, D. M. and Raju, N., "Method and Apparatus for Quantifying the Degree of Fusion of a Layer", United States Patent Application 20050012939, filed by Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Lancaster, Pa, 01/20/05.
  • D. M. Snyder, and P. Vadgama , "Impedance Resonance: a Novel Technique for Signal Acquisition from Interdigitated Electrodes (IDE) in Sensor Applications", IEEE Sensors Journal, 9(2), 143–145, Feb. 2009.
  • D. M. Snyder, "Optical Phase-Shift Dynamics in Surface-Modified Transparent Polymers: Application of Wavefront Distortion Analysis to Refractive Index (RI)-Based Sensor Development", Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 195 (2014) 473–477.
Recent Presentations
  • "Dithiocarbamate-Anchored 5-Amino-1,10-Phenanthroline Monolayers on Gold Interdigitated Electrodes – Effects on Impedance Spectroscopy of Aqueous Metal Ion Solutions", poster presented at the 17th International Surface Science Conference, 03/31/09, University of Reading, Reading, UK.
  • "Wavefront Distortion Analysis: Application of Optical Phase-Shift Measurements to the Study of Surface Absorption Behavior of Transparent Polymers", oral presentation given at the 243rd ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA. 03/25–29/12
  • "Optical Phase-Shift Effects From Surface Adsorption in Transparent Polymers: Wavefront Distortion Measurements for Chemical Analysis", poster presented at the 11th International Conference on Materials Chemistry – Royal Society of Chemistry, University of Warwick, 07/08–11/13, Coventry, UK

Professional Affiliations

  • American Chemical Society, Organic Division
  • Council on Undergraduate Research