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Steven Stevenson
Professor
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Steven Stevenson
Professor
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Personal Biography
Stevenson's personal biography includes speaking 3 languages stemming from time spent in France as a French nanny and living in the jungles in Guatemala for a year (no electricity, no plumbing, no running water, no toilets). Stevenson's professional biography includes the trifecta of working in industry (Luna), government lab (NRL) and academia, for which his current role is Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (Purdue University, Fort Wayne campus).
Professional Biography
Stevenson is a career “new molecule chaser.” Publishing his discoveries in Nature and other flagship journals, JACS (US) and Angewandte Chemie (Europe), The Stevenson research group has isolated a variety of new molecules that form under extreme conditions (e.g., high temperatures, low vacuum pressures, electrically charged plasmas, high voltages, elevated currents, etc.). Using a custom-built arc-plasma reactor, the Stevenson Group can “tune” the experimental conditions to selectively synthesize a complex mixture of carbon cages with spheroidal and tubular shapes. These elegant carbon molecular architectures are typically hollow, but their cages can encapsulate molecular clusters and metal atoms. Their discoveries of new molecules were successfully achieved by inventing novel separation science methods to enable their purification.
After isolation at PFW, the Stevenson group disseminates their new molecules to strategic collaborators to foster global opportunities and maximize student inclusion. The Stevenson team is interdisciplinary and amenable to a diversity of skill sets and researchers (from high school to post-docs). In 2020, they have just experimentally verified and isolated a family of new carbon allotropes. Those new molecule "fullertubes" possess a single layer of rolled graphene (nanotube belt) but have on each end a closed hemispherical endcap of a 1/2 fullerene.
Funding Biography
I. Fundamental Science: Discovery of New Molecules
9. Stevenson S. (PI), “RUI: “Fullertubes and Metallofullertubes: New Molecular Architectures and Seminal Studies,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2023 – 2026) $348,640
8. Stevenson S. (PI), “RUI: Selective Synthesis, Chemical Purification, and Characterization of a New Family of Nanotubular Fullerenes,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2018 – 2022) $295,622
7. Stevenson S. (PI), “RUI: Chemical Methods for Isolating Metal Clusters Inside Large Fullerene Cages (C82-C140),” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2015 – 2018) $288,168
6. Stevenson S. (PI), “RUI: Investigations of Newly Discovered OxoMetallic Clusters Inside Fullerene Cages,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2012 – 2015) $279,775
5. Stevenson S. (PI), “Discovery and Isolation of New Molecules,” IPFW Summer Research Grant, Research Foundation, Funded (2012) $8,000
4. Stevenson, S. (PI), “CAREER: Investigations of Newly Discovered Metallic Nitride Caged Nanomaterials,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2006 –2011), $510,000
3. Stevenson S. (PI), “Purification of Metallic Nitride Nanomaterials by Chemical Separations,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded, (2004) $499,958
2. Stevenson S. (PI), “Purification of Metallic Nitride Nanomaterials by Chemical Separation,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2003) $99,990
1. Stevenson S. (PI), “Methods for Continuous Synthesis of Carbon Nanostructured Materials,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2001) $99,981
II. Applications of New Molecules (Research and Development)
7. Stevenson, S. (subcontract to PI), “Nanocaged Metal Tags Massively Multiplexed Leukemia Bioassays and Beyond,” National Institute of Health (NIH), Funded (2011 – 2012) $94,000
6. Stevenson, S. (PI), “Making New Medical Drugs,” Lucas Foundation, Funded (2006) $4,400
5. Stevenson S. (PI), “Trimetasphere Nanomaterials as Friction Coatings,” Department of Defense, Navy, Funded, (2004) $69,963
4. Stevenson S. (PI), “Nuclear-Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Properties of Carbon Nanomaterials for Medical Applications,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2003) $715,855
3. Stevenson S. (PI), “NMR Properties of Carbon Nanomaterials for Medical Applications,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2002) $99,901
2. Stevenson S. (PI), “Novel Water-Soluble TNT Metallofullerene Derivatives for Imaging Applications,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2002) $99,988
1. Stevenson S. (PI), “Carbon Nanomaterial Based Computers,” Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency, Funded (2001) $64,966
Patent Biography
Stevenson's other interests include inventorship and development of intellectual property. See below examples.
I. World Patents
4. World Patent (WO 2005/097676) “Method of Making Multiple Carbonaceous Nanomaterials” (2005)
3. World Patent (WO 2005/096726) “Optical Limiter Having Trimetallic Nitride Endohedral Metallofullerene Films” (2005)
2. World Patent (WO 2005/098967) “Photovoltaic Device with Trimetaspheres” (2005)
1. World Patent (WO 2005/053083) “Tunable Dielectric Device and Process Relating Thereto” (2005)
II. U.S. Patents
4. U.S. Patent No. 7,570,411 “Optical Limiter Having Trimetallic Nitride Endohedral Metallofullerene Films” (2009)
3. U.S. Patent No. 7,060,636 ”Tunable Dielectric Device and Process Relating Thereto” (2006)
2. U.S. Patent No. 6,471,942 – “Imaging and Treatment for Body” (2002)
1. U.S. Patent No. 6,303,760 – “Endohedral Metallofullerenes and Method for Making the Same” (2001)
Stevenson's personal biography includes speaking 3 languages stemming from time spent in France as a French nanny and living in the jungles in Guatemala for a year (no electricity, no plumbing, no running water, no toilets). Stevenson's professional biography includes the trifecta of working in industry (Luna), government lab (NRL) and academia, for which his current role is Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (Purdue University, Fort Wayne campus).
Professional Biography
Stevenson is a career “new molecule chaser.” Publishing his discoveries in Nature and other flagship journals, JACS (US) and Angewandte Chemie (Europe), The Stevenson research group has isolated a variety of new molecules that form under extreme conditions (e.g., high temperatures, low vacuum pressures, electrically charged plasmas, high voltages, elevated currents, etc.). Using a custom-built arc-plasma reactor, the Stevenson Group can “tune” the experimental conditions to selectively synthesize a complex mixture of carbon cages with spheroidal and tubular shapes. These elegant carbon molecular architectures are typically hollow, but their cages can encapsulate molecular clusters and metal atoms. Their discoveries of new molecules were successfully achieved by inventing novel separation science methods to enable their purification.
After isolation at PFW, the Stevenson group disseminates their new molecules to strategic collaborators to foster global opportunities and maximize student inclusion. The Stevenson team is interdisciplinary and amenable to a diversity of skill sets and researchers (from high school to post-docs). In 2020, they have just experimentally verified and isolated a family of new carbon allotropes. Those new molecule "fullertubes" possess a single layer of rolled graphene (nanotube belt) but have on each end a closed hemispherical endcap of a 1/2 fullerene.
Funding Biography
I. Fundamental Science: Discovery of New Molecules
9. Stevenson S. (PI), “RUI: “Fullertubes and Metallofullertubes: New Molecular Architectures and Seminal Studies,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2023 – 2026) $348,640
8. Stevenson S. (PI), “RUI: Selective Synthesis, Chemical Purification, and Characterization of a New Family of Nanotubular Fullerenes,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2018 – 2022) $295,622
7. Stevenson S. (PI), “RUI: Chemical Methods for Isolating Metal Clusters Inside Large Fullerene Cages (C82-C140),” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2015 – 2018) $288,168
6. Stevenson S. (PI), “RUI: Investigations of Newly Discovered OxoMetallic Clusters Inside Fullerene Cages,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2012 – 2015) $279,775
5. Stevenson S. (PI), “Discovery and Isolation of New Molecules,” IPFW Summer Research Grant, Research Foundation, Funded (2012) $8,000
4. Stevenson, S. (PI), “CAREER: Investigations of Newly Discovered Metallic Nitride Caged Nanomaterials,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2006 –2011), $510,000
3. Stevenson S. (PI), “Purification of Metallic Nitride Nanomaterials by Chemical Separations,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded, (2004) $499,958
2. Stevenson S. (PI), “Purification of Metallic Nitride Nanomaterials by Chemical Separation,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2003) $99,990
1. Stevenson S. (PI), “Methods for Continuous Synthesis of Carbon Nanostructured Materials,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2001) $99,981
II. Applications of New Molecules (Research and Development)
7. Stevenson, S. (subcontract to PI), “Nanocaged Metal Tags Massively Multiplexed Leukemia Bioassays and Beyond,” National Institute of Health (NIH), Funded (2011 – 2012) $94,000
6. Stevenson, S. (PI), “Making New Medical Drugs,” Lucas Foundation, Funded (2006) $4,400
5. Stevenson S. (PI), “Trimetasphere Nanomaterials as Friction Coatings,” Department of Defense, Navy, Funded, (2004) $69,963
4. Stevenson S. (PI), “Nuclear-Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Properties of Carbon Nanomaterials for Medical Applications,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2003) $715,855
3. Stevenson S. (PI), “NMR Properties of Carbon Nanomaterials for Medical Applications,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2002) $99,901
2. Stevenson S. (PI), “Novel Water-Soluble TNT Metallofullerene Derivatives for Imaging Applications,” National Science Foundation (NSF), Funded (2002) $99,988
1. Stevenson S. (PI), “Carbon Nanomaterial Based Computers,” Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency, Funded (2001) $64,966
Patent Biography
Stevenson's other interests include inventorship and development of intellectual property. See below examples.
I. World Patents
4. World Patent (WO 2005/097676) “Method of Making Multiple Carbonaceous Nanomaterials” (2005)
3. World Patent (WO 2005/096726) “Optical Limiter Having Trimetallic Nitride Endohedral Metallofullerene Films” (2005)
2. World Patent (WO 2005/098967) “Photovoltaic Device with Trimetaspheres” (2005)
1. World Patent (WO 2005/053083) “Tunable Dielectric Device and Process Relating Thereto” (2005)
II. U.S. Patents
4. U.S. Patent No. 7,570,411 “Optical Limiter Having Trimetallic Nitride Endohedral Metallofullerene Films” (2009)
3. U.S. Patent No. 7,060,636 ”Tunable Dielectric Device and Process Relating Thereto” (2006)
2. U.S. Patent No. 6,471,942 – “Imaging and Treatment for Body” (2002)
1. U.S. Patent No. 6,303,760 – “Endohedral Metallofullerenes and Method for Making the Same” (2001)