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40552-GB6
Investigation of Nitric Oxide Chemistry in the Upper Atmosphere

Balakrishnan Naduvalath, University of Nevada (Las Vegas)

We have successfully carried out time-independent quantum scattering calculations of the reaction between electronically ground state nitrogen atoms and oxygen molecules leading to the formation of nitric oxide. The J-shifting approximation was invoked to make the calculations computationally feasible. We confirmed the production of highly vibrationally excited NO molecules, consistent with previous semiclassical and more recent time-dependent quantum wave packet studies. The results of the calculations were published in Journal of Chemical Physics in 2006.

During the final year of the project we have also realigned our research to focus more on renewable energy related projects, a thrust area of research at UNLV and also a topic of considerable interest to PRF. We are currently engaged in fundamental research on the design and development of improved nanocatalysts and catalyst alloys for fuel cell applications and also in the design of novel materials for the storage of hydrogen. A paper on the catalytic activity of Pt-Co alloy system toward chemisorption of H₂, O₂, and CO is being prepared for submission to J. Chem. Phys.

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