Ashkan Salamat (Physics and Astronomy), Paul Forster, Frederic Poineau, and Keith Lawler (all Chemistry and Biochemistry) were awarded a $449,901 research grant from the National Science Foundation for "Expanding Known Binary Technetium Nitrides and Sulfides: A Computationally-Led Synthesis Program." Technetium is a radioactive element and its chemistry is not well established in comparison to neighboring elements. This proposal will fill in critical gaps in fundamental knowledge of the solid state chemistry of binary technetium compounds using a computationally-led synthesis program employing extreme conditions to access unique states. As part of the grant, an outreach program will be created through the National Atomic Testing Museum for school students and the general public, designed to inform them of the science behind radiation and nuclear processes.
