James Whitten

James Whitten is a Professor in the Chemistry Department at the Kennedy College of Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, and serves as Transfer Coordinator. He leads the Whitten Research Group and is a member of the Center for Advanced Materials.

His research focuses on physical chemistry at surfaces and interfaces, with three major thrusts:

• Polymer/metal interfaces for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic photovoltaic devices
• Optical studies of surface diffusion for heteroepitaxy applications
• Electron-induced polymerization of condensed conjugated molecules

Current projects emphasize nanomaterials characterization, particularly zinc oxide and zirconium hydroxide nanoparticles for sensor applications, thiol-based surface functionalization, and photoluminescence phenomena. His publication record shows consistent output in surface science and nanomaterials journals, with recent emphasis on sensor development.

Professor Whitten has secured continuous research funding since 1999 from prestigious sources including:

• National Science Foundation (multiple grants)
• Air Force Office of Scientific Research
• U.S. Army Research Office
• Petroleum Research Fund
• Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation

His group develops instrumentation including fiber-optic UV-LED fluorometers and compact Raman converters. Current research focuses on hybrid sensor systems for detecting toxic gases, organic vapors, and airborne nanoparticles using metal oxide nanomaterials.