Welcome to Dr. Joseph F. Chiang's Homepage

Curriculum Vitae 
Chairman and Professor of Chemistry/Biochemistry
State University of New York College at Oneonta
Oneonta, NY 13820

Phone:  607-436-3181 (Desk)
607-436-3193 (Office)
607-436-3230 (Lab)
Fax: 607-436-2652
607-436-2654
E-mail: chiangjf@oneonta.edu

Education: BS in Chemistry, Tunghai University, 1956-1960
MS in Chemistry, Cornell University, 1962-1964
Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, Cornell University, 1965-1967
Experience:
1960-1962 Instructor, Tunghai University
1962-1964 Research Assistant, Cornell University
1965-1967 Teaching Assistant, Cornell University
1967-1968  NSF Postdoctoral Fellow
1968-1974 Assistant Professor, SUNY at Oneonta
1974-1979 Associate Professor, SUNY at Oneonta
1979-present Professor, SUNY at Oneonta
1975-1976 Visiting Investigator and NIH Fellow at Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research
1978, 1979 and 1981 summer Research Fellow, Harvard University
1980, 1986 summer National Academy of Science Exchange Scholar at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
1983 Spring
1985 summer
Visiting professor at the James Franck Institute of The University of Chicago 
1987 Summer 
1991 Spring
Faculty Research fellow, Argonne National Lab.
1991 Spring     Invited Lecturers of Peking and Tsinghua Universities
1988, 1990, 1992
1993 Summer 
Visiting Scientist, DMSE- MIT
1992 - present     Distinguished Visiting Professor, Shanghai University
1999 Winter   Distinguished Alumni Lectureship, Tunghai University
2000 Winter Invited Lecturers at Peking and Tsinghua Universities
2001 - present Chairman, Chemistry Department, SUNY at Oneonta
Member of Honor & Professional Societies:
  • American Physical Society
  • American Chemical Society
  • Materials Research Society
  • Society of Sigma XiChinese American Chemical Society
  • Distinguished Alumni Lectureship of Tunghai University.
Summary of Research:
  1. Gas Phase Electron diffraction, X-ray Crystallography
  2. Laser Spectroscopy Studies of Molecular Structures
  3. Corrosion Studies of Metal Matrix Composite/alloy at Low And High Temperature
  4. Studies of Ceramic Glass from Fly Ash
  5. Waste Utilization and Treatment
  6. Carbon Dioxide Laser Studies of Gas Phase Kinetics
Courses Taught:  

Graduate:

Chemical Kinetics, Chemical Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics,

Quantum Mechanics

Undergraduate:

General Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Advanced Physical Chemistry, Heat Transfer, Material/Energy Balances, Introduction to Microprocessors

Publications:    
  1. Joseph F. Chiang and S.H. Bauer, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 88, 420 (1966).
  2. Joseph F. Chiang, C.F. Wilcox, Jr., and S.H. Bauer, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 90,
    3149 (1968).
  3. Joseph F. Chiang, C.F. Wilcox, Jr., and S.H. Bauer, Bull. Am. Phys. Soc.,
    13, 832 (1968).
  4. Joseph F. Chiang and S. H. Bauer, Trans. Faraday Soc., 64, 224 (1968).
  5. Joseph F. Chiang, C.F. Wilcox, Jr., and S. H. Bauer, Tetrahedron, 25, 369
    (1969).
  6. Joseph F. Chiang and S.H. Bauer, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 91, 1898 (1969).
  7. Joseph F. Chiang and S.H. Bauer, Studies of Conjugated Hydrocarbon I: The Structure of Dimethylfulvene, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 92, 261 (1970).
  8. Joseph F. Chiang and S.H. Bauer, The Structure of Bicyclo[1,1,1]pentane,
    J. Am. Chem. Soc., 92, 1614 (1970).
  9. Joseph F. Chiang and D.R. Whitman, LCAO-MO-SCF Calculation of B2O3,
    Theoret. Chim. Acta, 17, 155 (1970).
  10. Joseph F. Chiang, The Molecular Structure of Cyclopropene, J.
    Chin. Chem. Soc., 17, 65 (1970).
  11. Joseph F. Chiang and W.A. Bernett, The Molecular Structure of Perfluorocyclopropane as Determined by Electron Diffractions, Tetrahedron, 27, 975 (1971).
  12. Joseph F. Chiang, The Molecular Structure of Bicyclo[2,1,1]hexane, J. Am.
    Chem. Soc., 93, 5044 (1971).
  13. Joseph F. Chiang and D.R. Whitman, The Electronic Structures of Bicyclo[1,1,1]pentene and Bicyclo[1,1,0]butane, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 94, 1126 (1972).
  14. Joseph F. Chiang, D.L. Zebelman, and S.H. Bauer, Structure of Strained Polycyclics: Bond Distances and Angles in Tricyclo[3,3,0,02,6]oct-3-ene and in Bicyclo[2,1,1]hexene-2. Tetrahedron, 28, 2727 (1972).
  15. Joseph F. Chiang, Martin T. Kratus, A.L. Andreassen, and S.H. Bauer, Structure of Bicyclo[2,1,1]pentene Determined by Electron Diffraction, J. Chem. Soc., Faraday Transaction II, 68, 1274 (1972).
  16. Joseph F. Chiang and Martin T. Kratus, Acta Cryst., A28, S306, (1972).
  17. Joseph F. Chiang, The Molecular Structure of ZnCl4 and HfCl4, Tunghai
    University Bulletin, April 1973.
  18. Joseph F. Chiang and C.F. Wilcox, Jr., Studies of Conjugated Ring Hydrocarbons II: The Structure of Spiro[2,4]-hepta4,6-diene, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 95, 2885 (1973).
  19. Joseph F. Chiang, The Molecular Structure of Pyridine-N-Oxide, J. of
    Chem. Phys., 61, 1280 (1974).
  20. Joseph F. Chiang and Raymond L. Chiang, The Average Structure of 2.3-Diazabicyclo[2.2,1]hepta-2-ene and 2,3-Diazabicyclo[2.2,2]oct-2-ene, J. Mol Structure, 26, 175 (1978).
  21. Joseph F. Chiang, R. Chiang, K.C. Lu, Chung-Mei Sung and M.D. Harmony, The Molecular Structure of Norbornene as Determined by Electron Diffraction and Microwave Spectroscopy, J. Mol. Struct., 41, 67 (1977).
  22. Joseph F. Chiang and Martin T. Kratus, The Structure of Formamide as Determined by Electron Diffraction, Taiwan Science, 31, 1 (1977).
  23. Joseph F. Chiang and K.C. Lu, The Molecular Structure of Tetra-fluoro-1.3-dithietane as Determined by Electron Diffraction, J. Phys. Chem., 81, 1682 (1977).
  24. Joseph F. Chiang and K.C.Lu, Molecular Structure of 1,2,4-triazole, J. Mol.
    Struct., 41, 223 (1977).
  25. Joseph F. Chiang and K.C. Lu, A Revised Structure of
    Bicyclo-[2.1,1]Hexene-2, Tetrahedron, 34, 867 (1978).
  26. K.C.Lu, Raymond Chiang and Joseph F. Chiang,The Molecular Structures of Monosubstituted Cl-cyclohexenes by Gas Phase Electron Diffraction, J. Mol. Struct., 64, 229 (1980).
  27. Joseph F. Chiang, Jung-Mei Song, S.H. Bauer and Stephen Ocken, The Molecular Structure of p-cyanophenol, to be submitted to J. Phys. Chem.
  28. Joseph F. Chiang and J.M. Song, Structures of 4-methyl-, 4-chloro-and 4-nitro-pyridine-N-oxides, J. Mol. Struct., 96, 151 (1982).
  29. J.F. Chiang, Molecular Structure of 3-Bromothietane-1,1-Dioxide, Acta
    Cryst., C39, 737 (1983).
  30. A. Brossi, P.N. Sharma, K. Takahasi, J.F. Chiang, I.L. Karle and G. Seibert, Tetramethoprim and Pentamethoprim: Synthesis, Antibacterial Properties and X-ray Structure, Helvetica Chimica Acta. 60, 795 7 (1983).
  31. I.L. Karle, J.L. Flippen-Anderson, J.F. Chiang and A.L. Lowrey, The Conformation of Five, Tetra-and Pentamethoxylated phenyl Derivatives: Weberine Analogs and Polymethoprims, Acta Cryst., B40, 500-506 (1984).
  32. J.F. Chiang and R.L. Chiang, The Structure of Pyrrole and Imidazole, to be
    submitted to J. Mol. Struct.
  33. J. Burnvoll, J.F. Chiang and I. Hargittai, Acta Cryst., C42, 94- (1986).
  34. Joseph F. Chiang,, Anodic Oxidation of Metallic Super-conducting Precursor in The Proceedings of the Third Annual Conference on Superconductivity and Applications, November, 1989, Plenum Publishing Co. (New York).
  35. Joseph F. Chiang, Superconductors in Collected Essays (1988-1989) of the Oneonta Faculty Convivium, 1989 (Oneonta, New York).
  36. M.A. Buonnano, R.M. Latanision, L.H. Hihara and J.F. Chiang, Corrosion of Graphite Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites, Environmental Effects on Advanced Materials, Edited by R.H. Jones and R.E. Ricker, Pp. 267-282(1991).
  37. Joseph F. Chiang, You-Wu Xu and P.C. Chen, A New Ceramic Glass: Conversion of Fly Ash to a High Density and Anti-Corrosive Ceramic. 211th National ACS Meeting, March 24, 1996. Paper # 631, Inorganic Chemistry Division.
  38. Joseph F. Chiang, You-Wu Xu and P. C. Chen, Process for Producing Ceramic Glass Composition: US Patent #: 5,369,062, November 29, 1994.
  39. Joseph F. Chiang, You-Wu Xu and P. C. Chen, Ceramic Glass
    Composition: US Patent #: 5,508,236, April 15, 1996.
  40. Joseph F. Chiang, Ceramic Glass from Fly Ash, International Conference on Materials for Advanced Technology, Paper #I3-03, July 2, 2001, Singapore.
  41. Joseph F. Chiang, Vitrification of Phosphogypsum, International Conference on Materials for Advanced Technology, Paper #I8-04, July 3, 2001, Singapore.
Research Activity:
  1. Investigation of Chemical Reactions by Carbon Dioxide Laser
    The carbon dioxide laser Model 570 by Appolo Lasers, Inc. in Chatsworth, CA. with an output power of 50 watts will be used for the research activity. The power supply is of current-regulated type to insure uniform plasma tube excitation current. The power supply may be operated in the continuous wave(CW), chopped or pulsed modes. The pulse width and repetition rate are adjustable which suits our research purpose.
    CO2 laser action takes place in free molecule. The energy levels involved in laser action are rotation-vibration levels and the emission occurs at much longer wavelength well into the infra-red region. The lasing medium consists of CO2, N2 and He gases in various proportions. For our instrument, a mixture of 6% CO2, 18% N2, and 76% He will be needed in order to have an optimum output for our research project. Unimolecular laser induced reactions: Laser-induced photo-isomerization can be applied to isomerization process to modify relative proportions of different isomers in a mixture. In general, organic syntheses produce more than one isomer. The equilibrium constant is related to temperature. If the temperature required for reaction is very high, decomposition may occur. In order to produce one isomer in a high proportion, selection of an appropriate wavelength for such isomer to absorb is an important process. This will result in high yield of such isomer. This type of process can not be carried out with conventional photochemical process. For example, in 1,2- dichloroethane, the cis isomer is more stable than the trans-isomer by a calculated value of approximately 2 KJ/mol. Pulsed irradiation of a mixture containing an excess of trans-compound at a frequency of 980.9 cm-1 results in conversion a mixture in which the cis-isomer predominates. Another example is the 949.5 cm-1 irradiation of hexafluorocyclobutane to form a high yield of hexafluoro-1,3-dibutene which is less stable thermodynamically. These two reactions will be studied by the newly acquisition of the Appolo CO2 laser.
  2. The production of Ceramic Powder:
    We have been working on ceramic glass from fly ash for the past twelve years. Two US patents have been awarded for the process and composition of ceramic glass from fly ash. The process involved a thermal treatment with high temperature furnace for the conversion of fly ash to ceramic glass. For raw material other than fly ash, the particle size is the most important factor determining the quality of the end product, the ceramics. Such factor can not be handled with a furnace or thermal treatment. Thus by using the radiation from carbon dioxide laser, one can produce a vibrationally enhanced bimolecular reaction. An example is the syntheses of Si3N4 from silane(SiH4) and ammonia(NH3). Both silane and ammonia have absorption at 10.6 _m wavelength region, and can undergo vibrational excitation. The yield is high and the reaction time is short. It resulted in a high purity Si3N4 with a narrow distribution of particle size, less than a micron.

    There are numerous applications of carbon dioxide laser in chemistry. The above-mention two processes are just few of these cases.

    Once our CO2 laser is in operation, it can be used for many chemical and physical applications. If time permits, many new and original chemical reactions can be chosen for study. The results will be reported at the meetings of American Chemical Society and American Physical Society. External funding will be seeking to continue my research. We do have plan to apply for grants from National Science Foundation, ACS Petroleum Fund, DOE, and other sources
    .
  3. Utilization and Disposal of Fly Ash from Coal-fired Power Plants.
    The purpose of this research is to address to the minimization and utilization of wastes from coal-fired power plants. The uncombustible materials in coal-firing electric power plant can be classified as fly ash, bottom ash(if ash particles have never completely melted), or boiler slag(if ash particles have melted), and flue gas desulfurization(FGD) . EPA has set restriction to remove sulfur from FGD, but no restrictions are imposed on the disposition of the first three types of wastes due to the non-hazardous nature. The Utility Solid Waste Activities Group(USWAG), formed by the Edison Electric Institute, the American Public Power Association, and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association has submitted a Comprehensive Report to EPA for the disposal and utilization of wastes from combustion of coal by electric utility power plant. USWAG also recommended Congress to encourage and endorse the utilization of ash . It was estimated that electric utility will generate 120 million tons of ash in 2000. Fly ash is about 20-50% of all ash generated. The percentage generated depends on the boiler process. The bottom ash with a higher density has been studied and utilized in airport runway and highway constructions. The light and low density fly-ash was usually treated by the ordinary method to store in some empty space along hillside. Disposal and minimization of the storage space for fly-ash have caused many environmental concerns It is usually bulky due to the size of the ash and its disposal is also very expensive. This project is aimed at the conversion of the low density waste to a much higher density solid at a very high temperature by heat treatment4. Heating process will play a very important role in the conversion. A high temperature furnace with temperatures up to 1600°C along with a programmable heating control system will be needed 5. This laboratory equipment is available at the College at Oneonta, State University of New York. Other instruments such a diamond wheel saw, and grinder/polisher are available for the research project. Some infrequently used instruments will not be purchased. The project director has arrangement for the use of such instruments with institutions such as RPI, MIT, Princeton and SUNY-Buffalo, etc.

    Fly ash contains many oxides, such as SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, MgO, Fe2O3/FeO. The mixture will be heated to 1500°C or higher for a given period at previously determined heating rate. Sintering processes also needed with the programmable heat control software of the high temperature furnace. Removal of some oxides or addition of other oxides will be carried out in order to obtain a useful product. Our main purpose is to produce a high density new product which is durable, easy to mold, oxidation resistant, thermal shock resistant, high impact resistant, and high compressive strength. The project director has been working in this field for many years. He has received US patents for a ceramic glass product (U. S. Patent No. 5,369,062, and US Patent No. 5,508236).

    In this project, our major task is to search for a new thermal process. Collection of fly ash from New York State Electric & Gas Company and other power plants will be a simple process.

    Once the product is formed, we will study the following properties:

    Physical and Mechanical Properties:
    a) Density measurement,
    b) Compressive strength test,
    c) Hardness measurement,
    d) Impact Resistance test,
    e) Thermal Shock Resistance measurement,
    f) Thermal Expansion Coefficient measurement.

    Chemical Properties:
    a) Acid Resistance test,
    b) Alkaline Resistance test.

  4. Another part of my research activity is to study the utilization of waste from phosphoric
    acid fertilizer manufacture, the phospogypsum. The purpose is to produce a new product which
    will be described later, the vitrified roof tile and sidewalk brick/block. Conducting nickel wire
    or other metal will be incorporated in the this type of new products. By passing electric current
    to the tile or brick/block, ice or snow can be melted. This can serve as a very useful structural
    material in the northeast.

    Phosphogypsum is referred as the by-product of wet acid production of phosphoric acid
    from phosphate rock deposits, the hydrofluoric acid and FGD(flue gas desulfurization). For a
    production of one ton of phosphoric acid, there are 4-5 tons of phosphogypsum produced.
    Approximately 150 million metric tons phosphogypsum are produced worldwide annually. 15%
    of the annual production has been reprocessed and used for new products. 60% has been
    stockpiled and 25% was dumped. In United States, a relatively small amount of phosphogypsum
    has been utilized and most are stockpiled. About 70% of the utilized phosphogypsum is for
    manufacture of gypsum board and partition panels, 20% as additive to cement, 7% for
    agricultural application. The rest are used for recovery of sulfur and other elements.
    The composition of phosphgypsum based on the manufacture processes of phosphoric
    acid are listed below:

    Type
    CaO
    SO3
    P2O5
    F
    SiO2
    Fe2O2
    Al2O3
    Cryst. H20
    DH
    32.5
    44.0
    0.15
    1.2
    0.5
    0.1
    0.1
    19.0
    HH
    36.9
    50.3
    1.5
    0.8
    0.7
    0.1
    0.3
    9.0
    HDH
    32.2
    46.5
    0.25
    0.5
    0.4
    0.05
    0.3
    20.0

    DH: Di-hydrate process,
    HH: Hemi-hydrate process,
    HDH: Hemi-di-hydrate process.

    For brick and block, a static compacting process is used . For brick with a dimension
    of 2x3 3/4x8", a static compaction of 12,000 psi will applied. Ahmadi reported the following
    tests on the brick: compaction strength, modulus of rupture, density, water absorption, and
    abrasion resistance. The properties are determined mainly by the process for brick manufacture.
    There are three different curing conditions for the brick:

    1. Two days oven dried and five days air dried; two days oven dried and five days air
    dried followed by two days submerged in water(soaked). The compressive strength varies from
    2000 psi to 5000 psi.
    2. If the brick is soaked in water for seven days, the compressive strength will be 3000 psi (2% cement content), it increases to 4250 psi with 8% cement content.
    3. Brick with 60% DH phosphogypsum, 2-8% portland cement and sand, soaked in water for 28 days
    of curing in a plastic membrane has a compressive strength of 4000 psi(with 2% cement content)
    and 5500 psi(with 8% cement content). The modulus of rupture is in the range from 100 psi to
    1100 psi. water absorption is in the range of 6.005% to 7.440%. Densities of brick varies from
    1.87 g/mL to 2.07 g/mL(117 lb/ft3 to 129 lb/ft3) For 60% phospogypsum and 2-10% cement
    content brick, the abrasive depth of abrasion falls into the range of 5 to 50 mils. The higher the
    cement content, the higher the abrasive resistance.

    Presently, one of my research programs on ceramic glass from coal-ash are supported
    by New York State Electric & Gas Company (NYSER&G) and the Graduate Research Initiative
    Program. Several research grant proposals have been submitted to the Department of Energy and
    National Science Foundation to seek fund for research in ceramic glass study.