Research interests

Sarah Matt’s research interests are focused around understanding the aging behaviors of materials. Her materials characterization research enables the prediction of the functional lifetime of a material under different environmental conditions. To accomplish this materials characterization work, a number of analytical and physical chemistry experimental techniques are employed including spectroscopy (DRIFT), gravimetic analysis (TGA), mass spectrometry (MS), home-built custom vacuum reaction chambers (UHV), among other techniques. In addition, these experimental results are coupled with fundamental physics and chemistry reaction and diffusion equations to model the underlying reaction kinetics and predict future behavior.

Current topics of interest include spectroscopy, corrosion, outgassing, UHV vacuum hardware, and diffusion and reaction kinetics modeling.

Current positions

Sarah is currently principal investigator or work package manager on three projects characterizing material aging and compatibility properties.

Ph.D., Analytical/Physical Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 2018

B.A., Chemistry, Wartburg College, Waverly, IA, 2012

Selected publications

Matt, S. M.; Maxwell, R. S.; McLean, W., II; Dinh, L. N., Hydrogen Uptake Kinetics of 1,4-Bis(phenylethynyl)benzene Rubberized O-Rings: Measurements, Modeling, and Comparison with Additional Forms of Organic Getters. J. Phys. Chem. C 2022, 126 (41), 17712-17719.

 

Dinh, L. N.; Sharma, H. N.; Matt, S. M.; McLean, W.; Maxwell, R. S., Phase Change-Driven Negative Activation Energies in Pd/Carbon-Based/Organic Getter Hydrogenation Reactions. J. Phys. Chem. A 2020, 124 (41), 8390-8397.

 

Matt, S. M.; Haschke, J. M.; McLean, W.; Dinh, L. N., Moisture Corrosion of LiH: A Kinetic Investigation by DRIFT Spectroscopy. J. Phys. Chem. A 2020, 124 (2), 283-287.

 

For a full list, see: Google Scholar| ORCID