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W. E. Vaughan

Awards | Publications

Emeritus Professor, Born 1936

A.B. 1957, Oberlin College

M.A. 1959, Princeton University

Ph.D. 1960, Princeton University

Room: 5209
Phone:
Email: vaughan@chem.wisc.edu
Position: Emeritus Professor

Selected Publications

  • Vaughan, W.E. "Potential of Interaction of a counterion with a two-dimensional array of fixed charges," J. Chem. Phys., 112, 1 (2000)

  • Breitung, E.M., Vaughan, W.E. and McMahon, R.J. "Measurement of solute dipole moments in dilute solution: A simple three-terminal cell," Rev. Sci. Instrum., 71, 224 (2000)

  • Sonnen, W.E., Wesenberg, G.E. and Vaughan, W.E. "Dielectric Behavior of Polyelectroytes, VI. Dynamic Response of Cylindrical Biopolymers To Electric Fields," Biophys. Chem., 32, 283 (1988)

  • Vaughan, W.E. "Dielectric Behavior of Polyelectrolytes. V. Dynamics Resonances of Spherical Biopolymers To Electric Fields" The Kerr Effect of Disk Membrane Vesicles," J. Mol. Liq., 36, 1 (1987)

  • Altig, J.A., Wesenberg, G.E. and Vaughan, W. E. "Dielectric Behavior of Polyelectrolytes. IV. Electric Polarizability of Rigid Biopolymers in Electric Fields," Biophys. Chem., 24, 221 (1986)

  • Wesenberg, G.E. and Vaughan, W.E. "Dielectric Behavior of Polyelectrolytes. III. The Role of Counterion Interactions," Biophys. Chem., 18, 381 (1983)

  • Meyer, P.I., Wesenberg, G.E. and Vaughan, W.E. "Dielectric Behavior of Polyelectrolytes. II. The Cylinder," Biophsy. Chem., 13, 265 (1981)

  • Meyer, P.I. and Vaughan, W.E. "Dielectric Behavior of Linear Polyelectrolytes," Biophys. Chem., 12, 329 (1980)

  • Hill, N.E., Vaughan, W.E., Price A. and Davies, M. "Dielectric Properties and Molecular Behavior," London: Van Nostrand Reinhold (1969)

Research Description


Our research interests are in the area of the response of condensed matter to time varying electric fields. Microscopic models of the dynamics including intermolecular forces are analyzed via statistical mechanics to provide predictions for the measured macroscopic response (especially the dielectric behavior). We have characterized the influence of the long range dipole-dipole forces on the reorientational motion of molecules in liquids and the role of barriers to internal rotation on the dynamics of conformational change. Automated apparatus has been constructed to measure the dielectric response. We are currently using our apparatus and formalism to study counterion dynamics on and near the surface of DNA restriction fragments. The results will help elucidate the dynamics of protein binding to DNA and contribute to an understanding of the role of DNA in gene expression.

Last Updated: October 9, 2003

 

Awards

  • Awarded (but did not use) NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship, 1961
  • NSF Graduate Fellow, 1957-1960
  • Phi Beta Kappa