Christopher Collison
Professor
School of Chemistry and Materials Science
College of Science
Jane King Harris Endowed Professorship
585-475-6142
Office Location
Christopher Collison
Professor
School of Chemistry and Materials Science
College of Science
Jane King Harris Endowed Professorship
Education
BS, Ph.D., Imperial College London (United Kingdom)
585-475-6142
Areas of Expertise
Organic/Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells
Quantum Mechanics
Molecular Photophysics
Lasers and Spectroscopy
Nanomaterials
Select Scholarship
Journal Paper
Hu, Zhiqi, et al. "An Experimental and Computational Study of Donor–Linker–Acceptor Block Copolymers for Organic Photovoltaics." JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE, PART B: POLYMER PHYSICS 56. (2018): 1135–1143. Web.
Spencer, Susan, et al. "Critical Electron Transfer Rates for Exciton Dissociation Governed by Extent of Crystallinity in Small Molecule Organic Photovoltaics." Journal of Physical Chemistry C 118. (2014): 14840-14847. Web.
Spencer, Susan, et al. "The Effect of Controllable Thin Film Crystal Growth on the Aggregation of a Novel High Panchromaticity Squaraine Viable for Organic Solar Cells." Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 112. (2013): 202-208. Web.
Published Article
Collison, Christopher J., Susan Spencer, Amber Monfette, Jessica Alexander, and Jason Staub. “Newcandidates for near-infra-red-absorbing active layers in multijunction organic photovoltaics: Characterization and performance”. Proceedings of the Thirty-fifth IEEE Photovoltaic SpecialistsConference, 20-25 June 2010. 1601-1606. Print. " É
Formal Presentation
Collison,Christopher. “Strategies for improved efficiency and sustainability of bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic devices.” Chemistry Department Seminar. University of Maryland. 15 September 2010. Presentation. "
Collison, Chris, Amber Monfette, Jessica Alexander, JasonStaub, Annick Anctil, Paul Jarosz, Susan Spencer and Harry Hu. “Potential New Candidates for Near-Infra-Red-Absorbing Active Layers in Multijunction Organic Photovoltaics: Characterization and Performance.” MRS National Spring Meeting Organic Photovoltaic Science and Technology symposium. San Francisco, CA. 8 April 2010. Presentation. "
Currently Teaching
CHEM-155
Chemistry Workshop
2 Credits
This course presents an introduction to working in a modern chemistry laboratory. Students will perform exercises that will aid in the understanding of general laboratory practices, atomic and molecular structure, and Lewis acid base theory. Students will also become familiar with keeping a scientific laboratory notebook and writing scientific abstracts. Students will also utilize modern chemical instrumentation to aid in the understanding of concepts.
CHEM-171
Advanced General Chemistry I
3 Credits
Advanced General Chemistry designed for aspiring chemical professionals. Students will learn the fundamental concepts that support a modern understanding of chemistry. Atomic and molecular structures are presented and investigated using quantum mechanics. The relationship between quantum mechanics, molecular structure, and material properties is emphasized.
CHEM-301
Undergraduate Teaching Experience
1 - 3 Credits
This course allows students to assist in a class or laboratory for which they have previously earned credit. The student will assist the instructor in the operation of the course. Assistance by the student may include fielding questions, helping in workshops, and assisting in review sessions. In the case of labs, students may also be asked to help with supervising safety practices, waste manifestation, and instrumentation.
CHEM-493
Chemistry Research
1 - 3 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research in chemistry that could be considered of an original nature.
CHEM-495
Advanced Chemistry Research
1 - 3 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving laboratory work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in their final two years of study.
CHEM-670
Graduate Chemistry Writing
1 Credits
Chemists are required to communicate information about their research, laboratory, and themselves in writing. This course is designed to develop these skills. Students will learn how to write a curriculum vitae, resume, laboratory overview, short and long research abstracts, and scientific research articles using the various formats and styles used by chemists. An integral part of the writing of a research article is the initial formulation of the research hypothesis and design of experiments to test the hypothesis. This course will also review and stress the importance of these components.
CHEM-790
Research & Thesis
1 - 6 Credits
Dissertation research by the candidate for an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.
CHEM-791
Continuation of Thesis
0 Credits
Continuation of Thesis
CHMP-442
Physical Chemistry II
3 Credits
This course provides fundamental concepts, and organizing principles of quantum chemistry, applied in all aspects of chemistry and related fields. A rigorous and detailed explanation of central, unifying concepts in quantum chemistry will be developed. Mathematical models will be described, which contain the underpinnings to concepts applied in analytical, inorganic, organic, and biochemistry courses, as well as more advanced topics in chemistry. The course will cover: Postulates and formulation of Schrödinger equations, Operators and matrix elements, Solutions for the particle-in-a-box, simple harmonic oscillators, the rigid rotor and angular momentum, the hydrogen atom; spin, the Pauli principle. Approximation methods will be described for the helium atom, the hydrogen molecule ion, the hydrogen molecule, Diatomic molecules. Linear combinations of atomic orbitals and computational chemistry will be introduced and quantum chemistry applications will be provided. In addition this course will cover standard thermodynamic functions expressed in partition functions and spectroscopy and light-matter interaction
MTSE-777
Graduate Project
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a capstone project using research facilities available inside or outside of RIT.
MTSE-790
Research & Thesis
1 - 9 Credits
Dissertation research by the candidate for an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.
MTSE-793
Continuation of Thesis
0 Credits
Continuation of Thesis