Join us for a talk by Alyssa Kovalchick from the Department of Chemistry at Zdilla Laboratory. And, of course, there will be free pizza!
Abstract: The structural analysis technique X-ray Crystallography has revolutionized the solid-state scientific community in recent decades. Advances to said technique in the world of biology and chemistry have catapulted innovation, allowing for more effective medications, energy sources, etc. X-ray crystallography is based in higher-level physics and mathematical applications, allowing for ease of structure solutions that are accessible to a trained user. In this talk, discussions of these mathematical roots of X-ray crystallography will be discussed, including the coordinate system utilized and the physical explanation for the output of data. Illustrations of the use of the complex plane and its importance to structure solution will be outlined through examples and explanations, ultimately informing the use of applied Fourier theory in an effort to create a structural model of the desired compounds.