Smith, Mark - University of Houston - Department of Chemistry

个人简介

Ph.D., University of Colorado, 1982 M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1978 B.S., University of Oregon, 1976

研究领域

My research centers upon the organic chemistry of the interstellar media and outer planetary atmospheres and the development of broadly general instrumentation for space mission investigation of complex organic mixtures with a focus on astrobiology. In the realm of interstellar chemistry, we study the rates of equilibrium and non-equilibrium ion-molecule reactions at temperatures from 500 K down to 10 K. In this way, we can investigate rates of binary and radiative reactions under conditions applicable to circumstellar shells, comae and dense interstellar molecular clouds. To do this work, we have developed a novel, radiofrequency ion trap mass spectrometer coupled to a molecular beam neutral delivery system. With this, we can independently vary the temperatures of ion and neutral reactants and investigate the internal energy dynamics of these reactions. We have been studying the chemistry of the atmosphere of Saturn’s moon, Titan, in close collaboration with the current Cassini mission. The goal is to fully understand the molecular composition and physical and chemical properties of the organic haze aerosols shrouding this object. In this way, we hope to understand how far organic chemistry can proceed in an abiotic environment. With this understanding, we can make informed decisions regarding the optimal choice of analytical chemical instrumentation for future missions to the outer planets and the future study strategies of exoplanets.

近期论文

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D. Gerlich and M.A. Smith, “Laboratory Astrochemistry: Studying Molecules Under Inter- and Circumstellar Conditions,” Physica Scripta, 73, C32 (2006). C.D. Neish, J.I. Lunine, A. Somogyi, H. Imanaka, and M.A. Smith, “Rate Measurements of the Hydrolysis of Complex Organic Macromolecules in Cold Aqueous Solutions: Implications for Prebiotic Chemistry on the Early Earth and Titan,” Astrobiology, 8, 273 (2008). C.D. Neish, Á. Somogyi, J. I. Lunine, and M. A. Smith, “Low temperature hydrolysis of laboratory tholins in ammonia-water solutions: Implications for prebiotic chemistry on Titan,” Icarus, 201, 412-421 (2009). H. Imanaka and M.A. Smith, “Formation of nitrogenated organic aerosols by EUV-VUV irradiation of a simulated Titan atmosphere.” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 107, 12423-12428 (2010). Morgan L. Cable, Robert Hodyss, Sarah M. Hörst, Patricia M. Beauchamp, Mark A. Smith and Peter A. Willis, ""Titan Tholins: A Review,” Chem. Rev., in press. Chao He, Guangxin Lin, Kate Upton, Hiroshi Imanaka, and Mark A. Smith, ""Structural Investigation of HCN Polymer Isotopomers by Solution-State Multidimensional NMR"", J. Am. Chem. Soc., submitted.