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Maria J. Schroeder
ChemDept.

Maria J. Schroeder

Professor of Chemistry
Associate Director of Midshipman Research (ADMR)

Chemistry Department
U.S. Naval Academy
572 Holloway Road

Telephone: (410) 293-6620

Fax: (410) 293-2218

Office:  Michelson, room 244

schroede@usna.edu

Research Interests

My research focuses on the characterization and application of elastomers, networks, coatings, and specialized polymeric systems.  In collaboration with the Naval Research Laboratory and US Army, my work involves military applications of polymers as well as fundamental studies of polymer dynamics.  Current projects include designing new polycarbonates for transparent armor applications, testing polymer coatings for blast protection on Humvees, enhancing elastomer performance using bimodal networks, and utilizing polymers to reduce drag on small Navy vessels.  I am also interested in chemical education and laboratory development with a number of research students contributing to this work.

Research Students

Daniel Chang and Hannah Klein, '23 Using the Chemistry of Bread-Making to Engage Students in the Laboratory
Clara Enninful and  Soohmin Lee, '22 Confidence and Correctness on Clicker Questions in a General Chemistry Course
Dan Midgette, '21 Assessment of Clicker Use in a General Chemistry Course*

Sebastian Yocca, '20

An Analysis of an Atom's First Curriculum*
Nicole Sarao, '19 Determination of Heavy Metals in Hyperaccumulator Plants by X-Ray Fluorescence*
Lizzie Lee, '18 Heavy Metal Analysis in Plants by X-Ray Fluorescence
Danielle Given, '17 Analysis of Heavy Metal Uptake in Plants to Determine Safety of Consumption
Brandon Pippin, '17

Analysis of Heavy Metals Uptake in Plants and their Use in Bioremediation

Stephanie Moore, '16

Exploring Students’ Understanding of Spectroscopy in Chemistry Courses

John Chamberlain, '15

Investigating the Effects of the Glass Transition Temperature on the Impact Resistance of Polymethacrylate-based Polymers
Philip Solt, '14 Investigating the Effects of the Glass Transition Temperature on the Impact Resistance of Styrene- and Vinyl Acetate-based Polymers
Stephen Meidus, '13 Improving Student Engagement in the Chemistry Laboratory: Fermentation Experiments
Catherine Reed, '13 Chocolate as a Basis for Teaching Students
Joseph Balent, '12 Investigations of Nanoclay-Polymer Composite Networks for Chemically Resistant Protective Coatings
Jose Herrera, '12 Effects of Plasticizer on Glassy Polymers: Improving the Impact Resistance of Armor Coatings
Stephen Guidry, '11 Composite Armor: Multi-layered Polymer Protection
Christopher Infante, '11 Investigations of Nanoclay-Polymer Composite Coatings for Chemical Transport Armor
Scotlin Bowden, '10 Polymer Coatings for Armor Protection: Effects of the Glass Transition Temperature on Impact Resistance
Catherine Cole, '10 The Effects of Architecture of Polydimethylsiloxane Networks on Impact Resistance
Andrew Knudson, '09 Optimization of Polymer Coatings for Enhanced Armor Protection

Craig Tieman, ’07

Investigations of Polymer Coatings for Armor Protection

Tony Ferro, ‘05

Development of an Atomic Absorption Experiment for Use in the Integrated Laboratory Curriculum

Audrey Peterman, ‘05

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy – An Interactive Approach to Learning

Brian Cummings, ‘04

Detection of TNT in Soil Samples Using Fluorescence Immunoassay Techniques

Elizabeth Yatko, ‘04

Synthesis and Characterization of a New Composite Material for Application in the Repair of Radford Terrace

Thermal Studies of SeaNine-211: A Potential Antifouling Agent for Naval Applications

Colin Browning, ‘03

Polydimethylsiloxane:  A Versatile Polymer for Teaching in the Laboratory

Crosslinking in the Presence of Solvent: Mechanical Effects on End-linked Polydimethylsiloxane and Copolymer Networks
Characterization of New High-Performance Polycarbonates for Transparent Armor Applications

Kelly Gray, ‘02

Synthesis and Characterization of Polydimethylsiloxane Networks

Jeremy Moore, ‘00

Permeation Through Artificial Skin

Luann Lam, ‘00

Permeation of Organic Solvents Through Natural and Synthetic Rubber Films

Jackie McDowell, ‘99

Development of Plebe Chemistry Curriculum: Laboratory Experiments and Demonstrations

Susan Smith, ‘99

Development of Plebe Chemistry Curriculum: Laboratory Experiments and Demonstrations

Brett Sterneckert, ‘99

Permeation of Organic Solvents Through Natural and Synthetic Rubber Films

Bradley Knope, ‘97

Polymer Characterization using Gel Permeation Chromatography

Particle Diffusion through Latex Membranes

* Chemistry Department Research Award honorable mention

Recent Publications

  • M. Bunce, M. J. Schroeder, D. J. Luning Prak, M. A. Teichert, D. K. Dillner, L. R. McDonnell, D. P. Midgette, and R. Komperda, “Impact of Clicker and Confidence Questions on the Metacognition and Performance of Students of Different Achievement Groups in General Chemistry,” Journal of Chemical Education, 100, (2023), 1751-1762.

  • M. A. Teichert, M. J. Schroeder, S. Lin, D. K. Dillner, R. Komperda, and D. M. Bunce, “Problem-Solving Behaviors of Different Achievement Groups on Multiple-Choice Questions in General Chemistry,” Journal of Chemical Education, 97, (2020), 3-15.

  • D. M. Bunce, R. Komperda, M. J. Schroeder, D. K. Dillner, S. Lin, M. A. Teichert, and J. R. Hartman, “Differential Use of Study Approaches by Students of Different Achievement Levels,” Journal of Chemical Education, 94, (2017), 1415-1424.

  • D. M. Bunce, R. Komperda, D. K. Dillner, S. Lin, M. J. Schroeder, and J. R. Hartman, “Choice of Study Resources in General Chemistry by Students Who Have Little Time to Study,” Journal of Chemical Education,  94, (2017), 11-18.

  • K. Susumu, E. Oh, J. B. Delehanty, F. Pinaud, K. B. Gemmill, S. Walper, J. Breger, M. J. Schroeder, M. H. Stewart, V. Jain, C. M. Whitaker, A. L. Huston, and I. L. Medintz, “A New Family of Pyridine-Appended Multidentate Polymers As Hydrophilic Surface Ligands for Preparing Stable Biocompatible Quantum Dots," Chemistry of Materials, 26, (2014), 5327−5344.

  • D. K. Dillner, R. F. Ferrante, J. P. Fitzgerald, and M. J. Schroeder, “Global Curriculum Changes to Facilitate Undergraduate Research Experiences,” T. W. Chapp and M. A. Benvenuto (editors), Developing and Maintaining a Successful Undergraduate Research Program, ACS Symposium Series 1156,  American Chemical Society Press, Washington, D. C., pp. 163-186, 2013.
  • J. J. Fontanella, D. A. Boyles, T. S. Filipova, S. Awwads, C. A. Edmonson,  J. T. Bendler, M. C. Wintersgill, J. F. Lomax, and M. J. Schroeder, “Dielectric Studies of Tetraaryl and Triaryl Polycarbonates and Comparisons to Bisphenol-A-Polycarbonate",”  Journal of Polymer Science, Part B: Polymer Physics, 50 (2012), 289-304.
  • D. K. Dillner, R. F. Ferrante, J. P. Fitzgerald, and M. J. Schroeder, “Integrated Laboratories: Laying the Foundation for Undergraduate Research Experiences,”  Journal of Chemical Education, 88, (2011), 1623-1629.
  • L. Sanow, D. A. Boyles, T. S. Filipova, and M. J. Schroeder, “Novel Tetra Aryl Sulfones and Their Polycarbonates,”  Polymer Preprints, 52(1), (2011), 543-544.
  • D. A. Boyles, T. S. Filipova, M. J. Schroeder, J. J. Fontanella, M. C. Wintersgill, C. A. Edmonson, and J. T. Bendler, “Novel Fluorinated Polycarbonates for Dielectric Studies,”  Polymer Preprints, 50(2), (2009), 543-544.
  • M. J. Schroeder, K. L. Ngai, and C. M Roland, “The Nearly Constant Loss, Johari-Goldstein b-Relaxation and a-Relaxation of 1,4-Polybutadiene,”  Journal of Polymer Science, Part B: Polymer Physics, 45(3), (2007), 342-348.
  • D. K. Dillner, R. F. Ferrante, J. P. Fitzgerald, W. B. Heuer, and M. J. Schroeder, “Integrated Laboratories: Crossing Traditional Boundaries,”  Journal of Chemical Education, 84(10), (2007), 1706-1711.
  • B. A. Boyles, T. S. Filipova, J. T. Bendler, M. J. Schroeder, R. Waltner, G. Longbrake, and J. Reams, “Synthesis of 1,1-Dichloro-2-2-bis[4-(4’-Hydroxyphenyl)phenyl]ethene and its Incorporation into Homo- and Heteropolycarbonates,” D. J. Brunelle and M. R. Korn (editors), Advances in Polycarbonates,  American Chemical Society Press, Washington, D. C., pp. 133-146, 2005.
  • C. M. Roland, M. J. Schroeder, J. J. Fontanella, and K. L. Ngai, “Evolution of the Dynamics in 1,4-Polyisoprene from a Nearly Constant Loss to a Johari-Goldstein b-Relaxation to the a-Relaxation,” Macromolecules, 37(7), (2004), 2630-2635.
  • T. S. Filipova, D. A. Boyles, J. T. Bendler, and M. J. Schroeder, “Synthesis of Bis[4’-(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenyl]propane and Novel Polycarbonates Prepared Therefrom,”  Polymer Preprints, 44, (2003), 771-772.
  • D. A Boyles, T. S. Filipova, J. T. Bendler, and M. J. Schroeder, “Synthesis of 1,1-Dichloro-2,2-bis[4’-(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenyl]ethene and its Incorporation into Homo- and Heteropolymers,”  Polymer Preprints, 44, (2003), 753-754.      
  • M. J. Schroeder and C. M. Roland, “Segmental Relaxation of End-linked Polydimethylsiloxane Networks,” Macromolecules, 35(7), (2002), 2676-2681.
  • M. J. Schroeder, contributor to “Physical Testing of Polymer Samples – Tensile Properties Lab,”  Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory Manual, ed. A. L. Moran, Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, August 2001.
  • M. J. Schroeder, C. M. Roland, and T. K. Kwei, “Segmental Relaxation of Poly(styrene-co-vinylphenol),” Macromolecules, 32(19), (1999), 6249-6253.

  • M. J. Schroeder and C. M. Roland, “Normal Mode Relaxation of Polyisoprene in Blends with Vinyl Polybutadienes,”  Macromolecules, 32(6), (1999), 2000-2003.

  • B. Bartlett, L. J. Buckley, D. J. Godbey, M. J. Schroeder, C. Fontenot, and S. Eisinger,  “Vapor Deposition Polymerization of 4-Fluorostyrene and Pentafluorostyrene,”  Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology - Part B, 17(1), (1998), 90-94.

SC112 Review Modules (2020)

 

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