# Collaborative Research: Impact of Alcohol and Alkanoic Acids on Reverse Micelle Formation and Properties: Integration of Research and Education from the Novice to Expert

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · DePauw University (IN) · $230,000

## Abstract

With support from the Chemical Structure and Dynamics (CSD) program in the Division of Chemistry, Professor Nancy Levinger at Colorado State University and Professor Bridget Gourley at DePauw University will investigate self-assembled structures of a few hundred to a few hundred thousand molecules.  These nanoscopic structures, which are soap bubbles turned inside out, trap water inside and serve as models to explore physical and chemical properties of solvents in confined structures. Confined solvents are important in biology, manufacturing, and other fields, but they do not behave like their macroscopic liquid counterparts. Confinement can alter the motion of the molecules in the small solvent pool, and added solute molecules can disrupt its structure. Professors Levinger and Gourley and their students, will seed these structures with a series of molecular additives, and use a combination of optical and magnetic spectroscopies to see where the additives reside and watch them move in nanoscale confinement. Their discoveries could provide fundamental insight into how confined solvents behave, which could contribute to solutions in technologies ranging from drug discovery to the extraction of critical minerals and toxins from the environment. The project will provide research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students in a collaborative, multi-institution environment, thereby contributing to the development of a scientific workforce. 

The project will use one- an

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2526900
- **Awardee organization:** DePauw University (IN)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** F9SBM8237HV8
- **PI:** Bridget L Gourley
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** NANO NON-SOLIC SCI & ENG AWD
- **Estimated total:** $230,000
- **Funds obligated:** $230,000
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2526900

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2526900, Collaborative Research: Impact of Alcohol and Alkanoic Acids on Reverse Micelle Formation and Properties: Integration of Research and Education from the Novice to Expert. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2526900. Licensed CC0.

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