Abstract : Recent applications of experimental techniques such as second-harmonic generation and x-ray reflectivity provide new information about the structure of water at interfaces and about the behavior of ions at aqueous interfaces. The picture emerging is consistent with previous and more recent molecular dynamics simulations. I will review this progress and show how it helps understand our recent theoretical work on vibrational and rotational energy relaxation of solute molecules adsorbed at the surface and discuss implications to chemical reactions at water surfaces.

The seminar will be held at 3:00 in 238 . UIC Physics Dept/SES. is located at 845 W Taylor St., Chicago, IL, 60607