Merlin
L. Bruening - 2000 Young Investigator Award
Since joining the faculty
at Michigan State University in 1997, Merlin Bruening's research has focused
on developing ultrathin films for separations, sensing, and anti-corrosion
applications. Bruening received his B.S. and M.S. degrees at Brigham
Young University in 1989 and 1990, respectively. Under the direction
of Reed Izatt, he investigated the use of silica gel-bound crown ethers
for separations applications. Merlin did his Ph.D. work with Avi
Shanzer at the Weizmann Institute of Science. While there, he studied electronic
effects of ligand binding to semiconductor surfaces. During his NIH
postdoctoral fellowship (1995-1997), Bruening worked with Dick Crooks in
developing hyperbranched polymer films. Recent achievements in the
Bruening group include the development of ultrathin, nylon-like films on
electrodes and synthesis of hyperbranched poly(acrylic acid) films on porous
alumina membranes.
