Education

Georg-August Universitat, B.A. 1989
Georg-August Universitat and Max-Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Ph.D. 1994
University of Wisconsin-Madison, , German Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow 1994-1996 (Advisor: F. Fleming Crim)

Contact Information

Office: Thompson Chemistry Laboratory, Room 120 (413) 597-3544
Lab: Morley Science Laboratory, Room 157 (413) 597-3700
E-mail: Dieter.Bingemann@williams.edu

Courses Taught

153: Concepts of Chemistry: Advanced Section
155: Concepts of Chemistry: Advanced Section
366: Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics
368T: Quantum Chemistry and Molecular Spectroscopy
ENVI 102: Introduction to Environmental Scienes
CHEM 11: Science for Kids (Winter Study Program)

Research Students

Christian Bonn ’09
Rachel Allen ’08
Aashish Adhikari ’07
James Brittin ’06
Noah Capurso ’05
John Harris ’05
Gerry Lindo ’04
Alison Peet ’03

Summer Research Students

2007: Elizabeth Upton ’08, Avalon Gulley ’09 (in Environmental Sciences with Jay Thoman and David Richardson)
2006: Aashish Adhikari ’07,Johnathan Dahlberg ‘09
2005: Ben Rudick ’08, Ashleigh Theberge ’06
2004: Geoff O’Donoghue ’06, Nat Erb-Satullo (Swarthmore ‘07), Noah Capurso ’05
2003: John Harris ’05, Noah Capurso ’05, Gerry Lindo ‘04

Selected Publications

• “Heterogeneous Dynamics and Dynamic Heterogeneities at the Glass Transition Probed with Single Molecule Spectroscopy,” A.N. Adhikari, N.A. Capurso, D. Bingemann, , Journal of Chemical Physics, 127 (8), 114508 (2007).
• “Decoupled Dynamics and Quasi-Logarithmic Relaxation in the Polymer-Plasticizer System Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)/Tri-m-Cresyl Phosphate Studied with 2D NMR,” D. Bingemann, N. Wirth, J. Gmeiner, E. A. Rössler, Macromolecules, 40 (15), 5379-5388 (2007). DOI: 10.1021/ma070519g.
• “Analysis of “blinking” or “hopping” single molecule signals with a limited number of transitions,” D. Bingemann, Chemical Physics Letters 433, 234-238 (2006).
• “Vibrational Relaxation of CH2I2 in solution: Ecitation Level Dependence,” C. G. Elles, D. Bingemann, M. M. Heckscher, F. Fleming Crim, J. Chem. Phys. 118, 5587 (2003).
• “Relaxation of the C-H stretching fundamental vibrations of CHI3, CH2I2, CH3I in solution,” M.M. Heckscher L. Sheps, D. Bingemann, F. Fleming Crim, J. Chem. Phys. 117, 8917 (2002).
• “CH2I2: Fundamental Vibrational Relaxation in Solution Studied by Transient Electronic Absorption”, C. M. Cheatum, M. M. Heckscher, D. Bingemann, F. F. Crim, J. Chem. Phys., 115, 7086 (2001).
• “Transient electronic absorption of vibrationally excited CH2I2: Watching energy flow in solution,” D. Bingemann, A. M. King, and F. F. Crim, J. Chem. Phys. 113, 5018 (2000).
• “Time-resolved vibrationally mediated photodissociation of HNO3: Watching vibrational energy flow,” D. Bingemann, M. P. Gorman, A. M. King, and F. F. Crim, J. Chem. Phys. 107, 661 (1997).
• “Femtosecond Solvation Dynamics Determining the Band Shape of Stimulated-Emission from a Polar Styryl Dye,” D. Bingemann and N. P. Ernsting, J. Chem. Phys. 102, 2691 (1995).
• “A New Cell Design for Off-Axis Amplification of Ultrashort Dye-Lasers Which Uses Total Internal-Reflection,” T. Bultmann, D. Bingemann, N. P. Ernsting, D. Schwarzer, and L. Nikowa, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 66, 4393 (1995).

Research Interests

Single Molecule Spectroscopy of Dynamic Heterogeneities

From windows to synthetic polymers, from fiber optics to sugar coatings on corn flakes, glasses are ubiquitous in our daily lives. With physical properties of a solid and microscopic structure of a liquid, glasses are neither; they evolve slowly over time. In the past few years the focus of research on these materials has gradually shifted from a macroscopic description of properties to their analysis on a molecular scale. One especially promising result explains their unusual properties as a consequence of a strong dependence of a molecule’s dynamics on the structure of its environment, a correlation often called “dynamic heterogeneity.” Our research pushes this molecular description of glass dynamics to its extreme: using single molecule spectroscopy to investigate glasses experimentally one molecule at a time along with molecular dynamics simulations on fast computers to study the theory of the glass transition at the same level of detail.

• Introductory Level (a)
  • First Year:
    • Fall: 151, 153, or 155 Introductory Chemistry
    • Spring: 156 Organic Chemistry: Introductory Level
  • Second Year:
    • Fall: 151, 251 (or 255) Organic Chemistry: Intermediate Level
    • Spring: 256 Foundations of Modern Chemical Sciences

ELECTIVE COURSES

• Advanced Level (e)
  • 319 Integrative Bioinformatics, Genomics, and Proteomics Lab
  • 321 Biochemistry I–Structure and Function of Biological Molecules
  • 322 Biochemistry II–Metabolism
  • 324 Enzyme Kinetics and Reaction Mechanisms
  • 335 Inorganic/Organometallic Chemistry
  • 336 Materials Chemistry
  • 341 Toxicology and Cancer
  • 342 Synthetic Organic Chemistry
  • 343 Medicinal Chemistry
  • 344T Physical Organic Chemistry
  • 348 Polymer Chemistry
  • 361 Physical Chemistry (e): Structure and Dynamics
  • 364 Instrumental Methods of Analysis
  • 366 Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics
  • 367 Biophysical Chemistry (f)
  • 368T Quantum Chemistry and Molecular Spectroscopy

• Independent Research Courses
  • 393, 394 Junior Research and Thesis
  • 397, 398 Independent Study, for juniors
  • 493-W031-494 Senior Research and Thesis
  • 497, 498 Independent Study, for seniors

For the purpose of assisting students in selecting a program consistent with their interests and possible continuation of their studies at the graduate level, the following groupings of electives and faculty advisors are suggested. However, a case can be made for selecting courses from the different groups.

* Students interested in Materials Science are encouraged to elect courses from the Materials Science cluster offered jointly with the Physics Department.

The Chemistry major provides excellent preparation for graduate study in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, environmental science, medicine, and the medical sciences. The major can also be useful to those whose later professional or business careers may be related to chemical materials or processes. While any accepted route through the major would permit a student to proceed to graduate study in chemistry, three electives should be considered a minimum, and the particular importance of Chemistry 321, 335, 361, 364, and 366 as preparation for advanced study should be noted. In addition, at least a semester of research and courses in computer science are strongly recommended.

Students with principal interests outside of the sciences may extend a secondary school foundation in chemistry by electing a basic two-semester introductory course of a general nature or they may elect semester courses designed for non-majors. All courses in chemistry satisfy the distribution requirement.

The Department is accredited by the American Chemical Society (A.C.S.), a professional body of academic, industrial, and research chemists. The A.C.S. suggests the following courses for someone considering graduate study or work in chemistry or a related area. Students completing these courses are designated Certified A.C.S. Majors: 151 (153 or 155), 156, 251 (255), 256, 335, 361, 364, 366, 493-494; and at least two courses from 321, 322, 342, 344T, 368T, BIMO 401.

BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (BIMO)
Students interested in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology should consult withthe general statement under the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program (BIMO)in the Courses of Instruction. Students interested in completing the BIMO program are also encouraged to complete the biochemistry courses within the chemistry majorby taking 321, 322, 324, and 367 in addition to the first and second year required courses.

BIOINFORMATICS, GENOMICS, AND PROTEOMICS (BiGP)
Students interested in Bioinformatics, Genomics, and Proteomics should consult the general statement under Bioinformatics, Genomics, and Proteomics in the Courses of Instruction. Students interested in these areas are also encouraged to complete the biochemistry courses within the chemistry major by taking 319, 321, 322, 324 and 367 in addition to the first and second year required courses.

MATERIALS SCIENCE
Students interested in Materials Science are encouraged to elect courses from theMaterials Science program offered jointly with the Physics Department, and should consult that listing.

The Degree with Honors in Chemistry

The Degree with Honors in Chemistry provides students with an opportunity to undertake an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member, and to report on the nature of the work in two short oral presentations and in a written thesis.

Chemistry majors who are candidates for the Degree with Honors take the following in addition to a major listed above:

• 493-W031-494: Senior Research and Thesis

The principal considerations in admitting a student to a program of independent research will be mastery of fundamental materials and skills, ability to pursue independent study successfully, and demonstrated student interest and motivation. In addition, to enroll in these courses leading to a Degree with Honors, a student must have a B- average in all chemistry courses or the permission of the chair. At the end of the first semester, the Department will review the student’s progress and determine whether the student is a candidate for a Degree with Honors. The designation of a Degree with Honors in Chemistry or a Degree with Highest Honors in Chemistry is based primarily on a departmental evaluation of the accomplishments in these courses and on the quality of the thesis. Completion of the research project in a satisfactory manner and preparation of a well-written thesis willusually result in a Degree with Honors. In cases where a student has demonstrated unusual commitment and initiative resulting in an outstanding thesis based on original experimental results, combined with a strong record in all of his or her chemistry courses, the Department will award a Degree with Highest Honors in Chemistry.

Exchange and Transfer Students

Students from other institutions wishing to register for courses in chemistry involving college level prerequisites should do so in person with a member of the Chemistry Department staff. Registration should take place by appointment during the spring semester prior to the academic year in which courses are to be taken. Students are requested to have with them transcripts of the relevant previous college work.

COURSES FOR NON-MAJORS WITH NO PREREQUISITES
Students with principal interests outside of the sciences may extend a secondary school foundation in chemistry by electing a basic two-semester introductory course of a general nature or they may elect semester courses designed for non-majors. All courses in chemistry satisfy the divisional distribution requirement.

STUDY ABROAD
Students who wish to complete a chemistry major (or chemistry requirements for pre-medical study) as well as to study abroad during their junior year are encouragedto begin taking chemistry in their first semester at Williams, and should consult withmembers of the department as early as possible.