Classes Taught
- CHE102 (Atoms and Molecules)
- CHE130 (General Chemistry I)
- CHE131 (General Chemistry I Laboratory)
- CHE132 (General Chemistry II)
- CHE133 (General Chemistry II Laboratory)
- CHE134 (General Chemistry III)
- CHE135 (General Chemistry III Laboratory)
- CHE192 (Mathematical Methods of Chemistry)
- CHE261 (Instrumental Analysis)
- CHE264 (Atmospheric Chemistry)
- CHE265 (Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratory)
- CHE302 (Quantum Chemistry)
- CHE303 (Experimental Physical Chemistry I)
- CHE304 (Thermochemistry)
- CHE305 (Experimental Physical Chemistry II)
- CHE306 (Kinetics and Statistical Mechanics)
- CHE307 (Experimental Physical Chemistry III)
- CHE330 (Senior Capstone: Art and Science)
- CHE490 (Statistical Analysis of Data)
- LSP111 (Explore Chicago: Transportation in Chicago)
- LSP120 (Quantitative Reasoning)
Research Interests
Richard Niedziela's research focuses on
the optical properties of organic molecules with an emphasis on those
compounds that are present in the lower troposphere. One part of
his research program involves the retrieval of optical constants, or
complex refractive indices, of organic materials. These
frequency-dependent quantities, when coupled with an appropriate optical
model, can be used to determine the extent to which light is either
absorbed by the material or refracted by it.
Another part of Niedziela's research
program utilizes the optical constants mentioned above to develop
analytical techniques to measure physical properties of
organic-containing aerosols. Such particles are prevalent in the lower
troposphere, particularly in urban ares. As such, these particles can
have a significant local impact on air quality and visibility.
Spectroscopic techniques can be used on an ensemble of
organic-containing aerosols to determine, amongst other things, their
size distribution, shape, and phase. All of these physical parameters
are important inputs to efforts to model chemistry in the lower regions
of the atmosphere.
Select Publications
Mid-infrared
complex refractive indices for oleic acid and optical properties of
model oleic acid/water aerosols, S.M. McGinty, M.K. Kapala, and R.F.
Niedziela,Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 11, 7998, (2009). DOI: 10.1039/b905371a
Electron-Atom
Superelastic Scattering in Magnesium at Millielectron Volt Energies, T.
Baynard, A.C. Reber, R.F. Niedziela, S.A. Darveau, B. Prutzman, and R.S.
Berry,Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 111(49), 12487, (2007). DOI: 10.1021/jp075583e
Infrared Optical
Constants for Carvone from the Mie Inversion of Aerosol Extinction
Spectra, M.T. Dohm, A.M. Potscavage, and R.F. Niedziela, Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 108(25), 5365, (2004). DOI: 10.1021/jp0365559
Infrared Complex Refractive Indices for Nopinone, M.T. Dohm and R.F. Niedziela,Geophysical Research Letters, 31, L14109, (2004). DOI: 10.1029/2004GL019737
Professional Activities
- Chemistry Advising Committee
- Chemistry Curriculum Committee
- General Chemistry Committee
- CSH Assessment Committee
- CSH Advising Committee
- CSH Curriculum Committee
- CSH Teaching and Learning Committee
- Associate Deans Council
- Reviewer for several journals (Physical
Chemistry Chemical Physics, Journal of Physical Chemistry, Atmospheric
Chemistry and Physics)
Professional Society Memberships
- American Chemical Society
- American Geophysical Society