Andrew C. Hillier
Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering and
Associate Professor of Chemistry
3133 Sweeney Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2230
Phone (515) 294-3678
Fax (515) 294-2689
hillier
iastate.edu
Education
B.S., ChE, University of Nebraska (1990)
Ph.D., ChE, University of Minnesota (1995)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas-Austin (1996)
Awards
ISU Engineering Student Council Leadership Award, 2005
Memminger Faculty Fellow, University of Virginia, 2003
Young Investigator Award, Society for Electroanalytical Chemistry, 2002
Office of Naval Research Young Investigator, 2000
NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award, 1999
Young Electrochemical Scanning Probe Microscopist Award, 1997
Camille and Henry Dreyfus New Faculty Award, 1996
Research Interests
Our research activities are focused on studying the solid-liquid interface and include the broader topics of interfacial engineering, materials synthesis and characterization, electrochemistry and combinatorial science. We perform exploratory experimental studies of polymer thin films and membranes, metal electrocatalysis, electro-active macromolecules, and self-assembled monolayers. Our goal is to develop new and improved materials for applications that include electrochemically-driven separations, chemical and biological sensors, chemical barrier and controlled delivery systems, and fuel cells. We also perform fundamental studies of the solid-liquid interface in order to gain a better understanding of interfacial properties such as non-contact forces, adhesion and interfacial friction as well as chemical properties including reactivity detection and combinatorial materials screening, assembly and testing of polymer-sensor arrays, and design of electrochemically-driven separation systems.
Our research laboratory is equipped with a suite of analytical and surface characterization tools. These include in-situ imaging instruments such as scanning electrochemical microscope and two atomic force/scanning tunneling microscopes. We possess several electrochemical workstations and can perform electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, quartz crystal microbalance gravimetry, and in-situ spectro- electrochemistry. Optical microscopy facilities are available with video imaging capabilities. We also have a variety of specimen preparation and characterization facilities including electrode polishing and meal coating and Langmuir-Blodgett film deposition equipment. Other analytical testing equipment in our laboratory include UV/VIS spectrometry, elllipsometry and surface plasmon resonance.
Other Information
Associate Professor (with tenure), University of Virginia, Department of Chemical Engineering,
2002-2003
Assistant Professor, University of Virginia, Department of Chemical Engineering, 1996-2002
Selected Publications
S. Jayaraman, E. L. May, and A. C. Hillier, "Scanning Electrochemical Mapping of Spatially Localized Electrochemical Reactions Induced by Surface Potential Gradients," Langmuir, invited article in special issue on "Electrochemistry," 22, 10322-10328 (2006).
B. Singh and A. C. Hillier, "Grating-coupler Assisted Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy for the Characterization of Organic Thin Films," Anal. Chem. 21, 7335-7340 (2006).
D. Pile, Y. Zhang, and A. C. Hillier, "Electrochemically-modulated Permeability through Poly(aniline) and Composite Poly(aniline)-poly(styrenesulfonate) Membranes," Langmuir 22, 5925-5931 (2006).
B. Singh and A. C. Hillier, "Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging of Biomolecular Interactions on a Grating-based Sensor Array," Anal. Chem., 78(6), 2009-2018 (2006).
E. May and A. C. Hillier, "Rapid and Reversible Generation of a Microscale pH Gradient using Surface Electric Fields," Anal. Chem., 77, 6487-6493 (2005).
K. Mougin, A. S. Ham, M. B. Lawrence, E. J. Fernandez and A. C. Hillier, "Construction of a Tethered Poly(ethylene glycol) Surface Gradient for Studies of Cell Adhesion Kinetics," Langmuir, 20, 4809-4812 (2005).
W. Lu, J. Zhang, F. Kaufman and A. C. Hillier, "Evaluation of the Chemical Mechanical Planarization of Copper with a Tribo-electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance," J. Electrochem. Soc., 152(1), B17-B22 (2005).
S. Jayaraman and A. C. Hillier, "Electrochemical Synthesis and Reactivity Screening of a Ternary Composition Gradient for Combinatorial Discovery of Fuel Cell Catalysts," Meas. Sci. & Tech., 16, 5-13 (2005).
