Resume - Carl C. Wamser

last updated July 31, 2020

Current position:
Emeritus Professor of Chemistry
Portland State University
Portland, Oregon 97207-0751
Phone: (503) 725-4261
E-mail: wamserc@pdx.edu
Internet: http://web.pdx.edu/~wamserc

Education:
Sc.B. in Chemistry, Brown University, 1966
Summa cum laude and with highest honors
Joseph F. Bunnett, Research Advisor

Ph.D. in Chemistry, California Institute of Technology, 1970
National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship
George S. Hammond, Thesis Advisor

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Harvard University, 10/69 - 8/70
NRC/AFOSR Postdoctoral Fellowship
Paul D. Bartlett, Research Advisor

Academic Positions:
California State University, Fullerton
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, 9/70 - 8/73
Associate Professor of Chemistry, 9/73 - 8/77
Professor of Chemistry, 9/77 - 12/83

Portland State University
Associate Professor of Chemistry, 12/83 - 9/86
Professor of Chemistry, 9/86 - 6/12
Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, 7/12 - present

Adjunct Positions:
University of Southern California, 9/75 - 8/76
Visiting Associate Professor of Chemistry

University of California, Berkeley, 8/80 - 12/80
Research Fellow (sabbatical with Melvin Calvin)

University of Hawaii, 8/81 - 12/81
Visiting Professor of Chemistry

Reed College, 8/89 - 5/90
Visiting Professor of Chemistry

Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland, 9/92 - 12/92 and 3/11 - 5/11
Professeur Invité (sabbatical with Michael Grätzel)

California Institute of Technology, 1/03 - 2/03
Visiting Associate (sabbatical with Harry Gray, Nate Lewis)

Awards:
from California State University, Fullerton:
Outstanding Professor Award, 1983
Alumni Distinguished Faculty Award, 1983

from Portland State University:
Branford Price Millar Award for Faculty Excellence, 1997
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teaching Award, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2010
George C. Hoffmann Award for Faculty Excellence, 2009

from the Oregon Academy of Sciences:
Outstanding Scientist Award, 2002

Teaching Experience:
organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, photochemistry, surface chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, materials science, solar energy

Grants:

at California State University, Fullerton, 1970 - 1983:

American Chemical Society, Petroleum Research Fund, Types G and B: five grants
Research Corporation, Frederick Gardner Cottrell Research Grants: three grants
U.S. Department of Energy, University Solar Research Program: three grants (joint with Professor J. Olmsted)
National Science Foundation, Research Equipment Grants: three grants (departmental)

at Portland State University, 1983 - present:

P.S.U. Faculty Development Awards: 11 grants
National Science Foundation Travel Grants:
IUPAC Symposium, Auckland, NZ, 1984
IUPAC International Conference, Stockholm, 1989
IUPAC Symposium, Prague, 1994
Associated Western Universities Travel Grants: 1990, 1992
Oak Ridge National Laboratories Travel Grant: 1997
U.S. Department of Energy, Advanced Energy Projects Division: 1985-89 (a collaborative project with Bend Research, Inc.)
U.S. Department of Energy, Basic Energy Sciences Division: 1990-97
National Science Foundation, Division of Undergraduate Education: Institution-Wide Reform, co-PI, 1997-2001
National Science Foundation, Division of Undergraduate Education: Course and Curriculum Development, co-PI, 1998-2000
National Science Foundation, Division of Undergraduate Education: Dissemination grant subcontract, co-PI, 1999-2000
NASA NOVA Program: solar energy course development, co-PI, 2001-03
Portland General Electric: solar equipment donation, co-PI, 2001
National Science Foundation, Division of Undergraduate Education: Gordon Research Conference Mini-Grant, 2001-2002
National Science Foundation, Division of Undergraduate Education: Center for Learning and Teaching, co-PI, 2001-2005
Oregon Medical Laser Center: subcontracts, 2002-2006
Legacy Hospital subcontract, 2005
Research Corporation, Research Opportunity Award, 2005-07
U.S. Department of Energy, solar photovoltaic test facility, 2006-12
National Science Foundation, Robert Noyce Scholarship Program, co-PI, 2006-2010
Silicon Chemical Corporation, unsolicited, unrestricted donation for solar education/research, 2009-2012
National Science Foundation, Environmental Sustainability, 2009-13, with matching from various sources (PGE, City of Portland, Miller Foundation, Oregon BEST)
ONAMI Safer Nanomaterials and Nanomanufacturing Initiative, 2009-12
National Science Foundation, Chemistry Division, 2009-13
National Science Foundation, Graduate K-12 Fellowship Program, co-PI, 2010-12
National Science Foundation, Connecting Researchers to Public Audiences: Spotlight on Solar Technologies, 2012-2014
Research Corporation / Murdock Foundation, Partners in Science: 1996-2014 (ten grants)

Publications :

Ph.D. Thesis (Caltech, 1970):
I. Photochemical Studies of Phenoxy Radical.
II. The Photoreaction of Michler's Ketone with Benzophenone.

1. Radical Abstraction of Iodine from Aryl Iodides, J. F. Bunnett and C. C. Wamser, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1966, 88, 5534-7.

2. Radical-Induced Deiodination of Aryl Iodides in Alkaline Methanol, J. F. Bunnett and C. C. Wamser, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1967, 89, 6712-8.

3. The Photoreaction of Michler's Ketone with Benzophenone - A Triplet Exciplex, C. C. Wamser, G. S. Hammond, C. T. Chang, and C. Baylor, Jr., J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1970, 92, 6362-3.

4. Photoreduction of Azoxybenzene by Chemical Sensitization, B. M. Monroe and C. C. Wamser, Mol. Photochem. 1970, 2, 213-23.

5. Steric Effects in Singlet and Triplet Electronic Energy Transfer, C. C. Wamser and P. L. Chang, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1973, 95, 2044-5.

6. Steric Effects in Singlet and Triplet Electronic Energy Transfer to Azo Compounds, C. C. Wamser, R. T. Medary, I. E. Kochevar, N. J. Turro, and P. L. Chang, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1975, 97, 4864-9.

7. Fundamentals of Organic Reaction Mechanisms, J. M. Harris and C. C. Wamser, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1976, 384 pages.

8. Photooxidation of Benzophenone Oxime and Derivatives, C. C. Wamser and J. W. Herring, J. Org. Chem. 1976, 41, 1476-7.

9. Chemiluminescent Oxidations of 4- and 7-Aminophthalides, C. C. Wamser and R. B. Phillips, J. Org. Chem. 1976, 41, 2929-31.

10. Nucleophilic Substitution of Dihalopyridazines by Pyridazinethiones, R. B. Phillips and C. C. Wamser, J. Org. Chem. 1978, 43, 1190-2.

11. Hollow Fiber Membranes for Photosensitized Electron Transport, C. C. Wamser, J. W. Otvos, and M. Calvin, Lawrence Berkeley LaboratoryReport, 1981, LBL-12359:UC-63a, 29 pp.

12. Kinetics of Photosensitized Electron Transport Across a Membrane Boundary, C. C. Wamser, J. W. Otvos, and M. Calvin, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Report, 1981, LBL-12360:UC-63a, 15 pp.

13. Magnetic Field Effects on Photosensitized Electron Transport Reactions, C. C. Wamser, J. W. Otvos, and M. Calvin, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Report, 1981, LBL-12361:UC-63a, 13 pp.

14. Singlet Electronic Energy Transfer to Azoalkanes; Separation of Collisional and Long-Range Mechanisms by Steric and Solvent Viscosity Effects, C. C. Wamser, L. Lou, J. Mendoza, and E. Olson,J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1981, 103, 7228-32.

15. Type II Photoelimination from a-Cycloalkylacetophenones and a Polystyrene-Bound Analog, C. C. Wamser and W. R. Wagner, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1981, 103, 7232-4.

16. Hexamethyl(Dewar Benzene), S. A. Shama and C. C. Wamser, Org. Synth. 1983, 61, 62-4.

17. Photoinduced Electron Transfer Reactions. Radical Cations of Methylenebicyclo[2.2.0]hexene Derivatives, H. D. Roth, M. L. M. Schilling, and C. C. Wamser, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1984, 106, 5023-5.

18. Organic Chemistry: A Background for the Life Sciences, 2nd ed., G. W. Stacy and C. C. Wamser, Kendall-Hunt, Dubuque, Iowa, 1985, 466 pp.

19. Solutions to Problems and Study Aids for Organic Chemistry: A Background for the Life Sciences, G. W. Stacy and C. C. Wamser, Kendall-Hunt, Dubuque, Iowa, 1985, 172 pp.

20. The NBS Reaction. A Simple Explanation for the Predominance of Allylic Substitution over Olefin Addition by Bromine at Low Concentrations, C. C. Wamser and L. T. Scott, J. Chem. Educ. 1985, 62, 650-2.

21. Preparation and Properties of Porphyrin-Modified Hollow Fiber Membranes as Photosensitizers for Singlet Oxygen and for Artificial Photosynthesis, C. C. Wamser, M. Calvin, and G. Graf, J. Membr. Sci. 1986, 28, 31-46.

22. Functional, Photochemically Active, and Chemically Asymmetric Membranes by Interfacial Polymerization of Derivatized Multifunctional Prepolymers, H. K. Lonsdale and C. C. Wamser, U.S. Patent No. 4,784,736, assigned to Bend Research, Inc., issued Nov. 15, 1988.

23. Radical-Induced Dehalogenation of Aryl Halides by Alkoxide Ions, J. F. Bunnett, C. C. Wamser, and G. A. Tomaselli, Atti Accad. Gioenia 1988, 77-90.

24. Kinetics and Mechanisms for the Two-Phase Reaction Between Aqueous Aniline and Benzoyl Chloride in Chloroform, With and Without Pyridine Catalysis, C. C. Wamser and J. A. Yates, J. Org. Chem. 1989, 54, 150-154.

25. Synthesis and Reactions of 5-Methylenebicyclo[2.2.0]hex-2-ene Derivatives from Hexamethyl(Dewar Benzene), C. C. Wamser, D. D. Ngo, M. J. Rodriguez, S. A. Shama, and T. L. Tran, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1989, 111, 2162-2168.

26. Synthesis and Photoactivity of Chemically Asymmetric Polymeric Porphyrin Films Made by Interfacial Polymerization, C. C. Wamser, R. R. Bard, V. Senthilathipan, V. C. Anderson, J. A. Yates, H. K. Lonsdale, G. W. Rayfield, D. T. Friesen, D. A. Lorenz, G. C. Stangle, P. van Eikeren, D. R. Baer, R. A. Ransdell, J. H. Golbeck, W. C. Babcock, J. J. Sandberg, and S. E. Clarke, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1989, 111, 8485-8492.

27. Photoactive Interfacially-Polymerized Polyporphyrin Films, G. W. Rayfield, D. T. Friesen, D. Lorenz, and C. C. Wamser, in "Molecular Electronics, Biosensors, and Biocomputers", F. T. Hong, ed., Proc. Off. Nav. Res. Natl. Sci. Found. Symp., Plenum, New York, 1989, pp 149-157.

28. Functional, Photochemically Active, and Chemically Asymmetric Membranes by Interfacial Polymerization of Derivatized Multifunctional Prepolymers, H. K. Lonsdale and C. C. Wamser, U.S. Patent No. 4,917,800, assigned to Bend Research, Inc., issued Apr. 17, 1990.

29. Physicochemically Functional Ultrathin Films by Interfacial Polymerization, H. K. Lonsdale, W. C. Babcock, D. T. Friesen, K. L. Smith, B. M. Johnson and C. C. Wamser, U.S. Patent No. 4,948,506, assigned to Bend Research, Inc., issued Aug. 14, 1990.

30. Asymmetric Polyporphyrin Films by Interfacial Polymerization, C. C. Wamser, Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst. 1991, 194, 65-73.

31. Asymmetric Photopotentials from Thin Polymeric Porphyrin Films, C. C. Wamser, V. Senthilathipan, and W. Li, SPIE Proceedings 1991, 1436, 114-124.

32. Reactions of Methylene with Hexamethyl(Dewar Benzene), S. D. Reilly and C. C. Wamser, J. Org. Chem. 1991, 56, 5232-5234.

33. Contact Angle Titrations Detect Surface Functional Group Asymmetry in Interfacially-Polymerized Films, C. C. Wamser and M. I. Gilbert, Langmuir 1992, 8, 1608-1614.

34. Substituent, Solvent, and Ionization Effects on the Redox Potentials of Free-Base Tetraphenylporphyrins, R. A. Ransdell and C. C. Wamser, J. Phys Chem. 1992, 96, 10572-10575.

35. Syntheses of a Series of Electron Donor and Electron Acceptor Derivatives, C. Hoefler, N. A. Kizilbash, and C. C. Wamser, Synth. Comm. 1993, 23, 1339-1349.

36. Synthesis and Characterization of Interfacially Polymerized Films of Tetraphenylporphyrin Derivatives, W. Li and C. C. Wamser, Langmuir 1995, 11, 4061-4071.

37. Lejaren A. Hiller, Jr.: A Memorial Tribute to a Modern Chemist-Composer, C. A. Wamser and C. C. Wamser, J. Chem. Educ. 1996, 601-607.

38. Thin Films of Polymeric Porphyrins: Interfacial and Electropolymerizations, C. C. Wamser, J. Lebzelter, and C.-H. Ryu, Polym. Prepr.(Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Polym. Chem.), 1996, 37(2), 384-385.

39. o-Phthalaldehyde Modifies the Ca+2 Release Mechanism of Skeletal Muscle Sarcoplasmic Reticulum, J. J. Abramson, S. Koehler, S. B. Gopman, C. C. Wamser, and T. G. Favero, Biophys. J., 1996, 70, A256.

40. Respecting Diverse Scholarly Work: The Key to Advancing the Multiple Missions of the Urban University, R. N. Johnson and C. C. Wamser, Metr. Univ., 1997, 7(4), 43-59.

41. Computers, Chemistry, Cellos, and Chance: A Celebration of Lejaren A. Hiller, Jr., C. C. Wamser and C. A. Wamser, Chem. Heritage, 1997, 15(1), 8-9, 34-35.

42. Organic Reaction Mechanisms, Reactive Intermediates, and Rearrangement Reactions, C. C. Wamser, in Encyclopedia of Science and Technology , 8th ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1998.

43. Directional Photoinduced Charge Transfer in Thin Polymeric Porphyrin Films, C. C. Wamser, The Spectrum, 1998, 11(3), 1-5.

44. Adsorption and Photoactivity of Tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (TCPP) on Nanoparticulate TiO2, S. Cherian and C. C. Wamser, J. Phys. Chem. B, 2000, 104(15), 3624-9.

45. Chemistry ConcepTests: A Pathway to Interactive Classrooms, C. E. Landis, A. B. Ellis, G. C. Lisensky, J. K. Lorenz, K. Meeker, C. C. Wamser, Prentice-Hall, New York, 2001, 112 pages.

46. Synthesis, Separation, and Characterization of Tetraphenylporphyrin Derivatives for Solar Energy Conversion, in Chemical Communication: 2000 Partners in Science Conference Summary, J. Ruwitch and C. C. Wamser, pp 45-47, Research Corporation, 2001.

47. Uncensored and Uncut - Student Reviews of Six Mainstream Organic Texts, R. P. Lutz and C. C. Wamser, J. Chem. Educ., 2001, 78 (10), 1350-1354.

48. o-Phthalaldehyde Activates the Ca+2 Release Mechanism from Skeletal Muscle Sarcoplasmic Reticulum, J. J. Abramson, S. P. Mullen, S. Koehler, D. Mansoor, P. Anderson, C. C. Wamser, T. J. Swan, and T. G. Favero, Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 2001, 391(2), 235-244.

49. Polymer Research at Portland State University, M. Yan, G. L. Gard, J. Mohtasham, R. W. Winter, J. Lin, and C. C. Wamser, Polymer News, 2001, 26, 288-293.

50. Aqueous Complexation Equilibria of Tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin with Viologens: Evidence for 1:1 and 1:2 Complexes and Induced Porphyrin Dimerization, S. E. Clarke, C. C. Wamser, and H. E. Bell, J. Phys. Chem. A, 2002, 106(13), 3235-3242.

51. Solar Cells with Porphyrin Sensitization, C. C. Wamser, H.-S. Kim, and J.-K. Lee, Opt. Mat., 2003, 21 (1-3), 221-224. Corrigendum: 2004, 25, 445.

52. Substituent and Solvent Effects on the Hyperporphyrin Spectra of Diprotonated Tetraphenylporphyrins, J. Weinkauf, A. Schweiger, S. Cooper, and C. C. Wamser, J. Phys. Chem. A, 2003, 107(18), 3486-3496.

53. E-Mail Molecules - Individualizing the Large Lecture Class, C. C. Wamser, J. Chem. Educ., 2003, 80(11), 1267 - 1270.

54. Materials Science for the Non-Science Major, K. L. Miller and C. C. Wamser, J. Mater. Educ., 2003, 25(4-6), 189-208.

55. Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL): Organic Chemistry, 2nd ed., J. A. Kampmeier, P. Varma-Nelson, D. K. Wedegaertner, and C. C. Wamser, Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2005, 287 pages.

56. Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) in Organic Chemistry: Student Performance, Success, and Persistence in the Course, C. C. Wamser, J. Chem. Educ., 2006, 83(10), 1562-1566.

57. Photoelectropolymerization of Aniline in a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell, H.-S. Kim and C. C. Wamser, Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2006, 5(10), 955-960.

58. Syntheses and Optoelectronic Properties of Amino/carboxyphenylporphyrins for Potential use in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, M. G. Walter, C. C. Wamser, J. Ruwitch, Y. Zhao, D. Braden, M. Stevens, A. Denman, R. Pi, A. Rudine, and P. J. Pessiki, J. Porph. Phthalo., 2007, 11 (8), 601-612.

59. The Synthesis, Separation, and Characterization of Unique Amino/carboxyphenylporphyrins Via a Modified Lossen Rearrangement, A. Rudine and C. C. Wamser, Proc. Natl. Conf. Undergrad. Res., 2007.

60. Synthesis and Characterization of Electropolymerized Porphyrin Nanofibers, M. G. Walter and C. C. Wamser, Matl. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc, 2007, 1013, Z04-07.

61. Method of Using and Producing Tropoelastin and Tropoelastin Biomaterials, K. W. Gregory, R. Glanville, H.-S. Kim, R.-Q. Qian, and C. C. Wamser, Int’l Patent Application WO2007048115.

62. Biocompatible Composites of Polyaniline Nanofibers and Collagen, H.-S. Kim, H. L. Hobbs, L. Wang, M. Rutten, and C. C. Wamser, Synth. Metals, 2009, 159, 1313-1318.

63. Synthesis and Characterization of Electropolymerized Nanostructured Aminophenylporphyrin Films, M. G. Walter and C. C. Wamser, J. Phys. Chem. C, 2010, 114, 7563-7574.

64. Reaction of Dichloromethane with Pyridine Derivatives under Ambient Conditions, A. B. Rudine, M. G. Walter, and C. C. Wamser, J. Org. Chem., 2010, 75, 4292-4295. 

65. Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines in Solar Photovoltaic Cells, M. G. Walter, A. B. Rudine, and C. C. Wamser,  J. Porphyrins Phthalocyanines, 2010, 14, 759-792. (invited review, cover article)

66. Clean Electrons and Molecules Will Save the World, C. C. Wamser, in “Letters to a Young Chemist”, A. Ghosh, ed., John Wiley, New York, 2011, Chapter 16, pages 253-269.

67. Modeling impacts of roof reflectivity, integrated photovoltaic panels and green roof systems on sensible heat flux into the urban environment,  A. Scherba, D. J. Sailor, T. N. Rosenstiel, and C. C. Wamser, Building and Environment, 2011, 46, 2542-2551.

68. Porphyrin- and Phthalocyanine-Based Solar Cells, H. Imahori, K. Kurotobi, M. G. Walter, A. B. Rudine, and C. C. Wamser, in “Handbook of Porphyrin Science”, K. M. Kadish, K. M. Smith, and R. Guilard, eds., World Scientific, Singapore, 2012, Vol. 18, Chapter 80, pages 58-123.

69. Effects of Natural and Manual Cleaning on Photovoltaic Output, M. K. Smith, C. C. Wamser, K. E. James, S. S. Moody, D. J. Sailor, and T. N. Rosenstiel, Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 2013, 135 (3), 034505 (4 pages).

70. Spectroscopy of Protonated Tetraphenylporphyrins with Amino/Carbomethoxy Substituents: Hyperporphyrin Effects and Evidence for a Monoprotonated Porphyrin, A. B. Rudine, B. D. DelFatti, and C. C. Wamser, J. Org. Chem., 2013, 78, 6040-6049.

71. Water Cooling Method to Improve the Performance of Field-Mounted, Insulated, and Concentrating Photovoltaic Modules, M. K. Smith, H. Selbak, C. C. Wamser, N. U. Day, M. Krieske, D. J. Sailor, and T. N. Rosenstiel, Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 2014, 136 (3), 034503-034503-4.

72. Hyperporphyrin Effects in the Spectroscopy of Protonated Porphyrins with 4-Aminophenyl and 4-Pyridyl Meso Substituents, C. Wang and C. C. Wamser, J. Phys. Chem. A, 2014, 118 (20), 3605-3615.

73. Porphyrin Polymers and Organic Frameworks, N. U. Day, M. G. Walter, and C. C. Wamser, Polymer Intl., 2015, 64, 833-857 (invited review).

74. Preparations and Electrochemical Characterizations of Conductive Porphyrin Polymers, N. U. Day, M. G. Walter, and C. C. Wamser, J. Phys. Chem. C, 2015, 119, 17378-17388.

75. NMR Study of Hyperporphyrin Effects in the Protonations of Porphyrins with 4-Aminophenyl and 4-Pyridyl Meso Substituents, C. Wang and C. C. Wamser, J. Org. Chem., 2015, 80, 7351-7359.

76. Thermal Effects of Microinverter Placement on the Performance of Silicon Photovoltaics, N. U. Day, C. Reinhart, S. DeBow, M. K. Smith, D. J. Sailor, E. Johansson, and C. C. Wamser, Solar Energy, 2016, 125, 444-452.

77. Amino/carboxyphenylporphyrins as Sensitizers for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, A. B. Rudine, N. U. Day, X. Tian, C. Lee, K. E. James, and C. C. Wamser, J. Porphyrins Phthalocyanines, 2016, 8 (11,) 1217-1223.

78. Gold Tris(carboxyphenyl)corroles as Multifunctional Materials: Room Temperature Near-IR Phosphorescence and Applications to Photodynamic Therapy and Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, A. B. Alemayehu, N. U. Day, T. Mani, A. B. Rudine, K. E. Thomas, O. A. Gederaas, S. A. Vinogradov, C. C. Wamser, and A. Ghosh, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2016, 8 (29), 18935-18942.

79. Influence of b-octabromination on free-base triarylcorroles: Electrochemistry and protonation-deprotonation reactions in nonaqueous media, Y. Song, Y. Fang, Z. Ou, J. Capar, C. Wang, J. Conradie, K. E. Thomas, C. C. Wamser, A. Ghosh, and K. M. Kadish, J. Porphyrins Phthalocyanines, 2017, 10, 1-13.

80. Poly-Tetrakis-5,10,15,20-(4-aminophenyl)porphyrin Films as Two-electron Oxygen Reduction Photocatalysts for the Production of H2O2 , N. U. Day and C. C. Wamser, J. Phys. Chem. C, 2017, 121, 11076-11082.