Environmental Science Faculty

Philip S. Stevens Professor and Director of Ph.D. Programs in Environmental Science Ph.D., Harvard University, 1990

Professor Stevens’ research and teaching interests focus on the characterization of the chemical mechanisms in the atmosphere that influence regional air quality and global climate change. An accurate understanding of this chemistry is essential to assess, control and predict the impact of anthropogenic perturbations on the chemical and radiative properties of the atmosphere.

His research group is currently involved in laboratory and field measurements focusing on the chemistry of tropospheric ozone, the primary component of photochemical smog. Specific research projects include laboratory studies of the chemistry of hydrocarbon emissions from vegetation that play an important role in the local and regional production of ozone, and the development of instruments to measure ambient concentrations of reactive atmospheric oxidants.

These experiments involve atmospheric pressure gas-flow techniques coupled with resonance fluorescence, laser-induced fluorescence, and mass spectrometric detection of reactants, intermediates and products.  The results of these studies are incorporated into ambient air models and compared to field measurements to test and improve our current understanding of atmospheric chemistry.

Professor Stevens received his B.A. with honors in chemistry from Oberlin College, and his Ph.D. in chemistry from Harvard University.  He is a recent recipient of a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the National Science Foundation, and is a member of the Indiana Air Pollution Control Board.

Atmospheric Chemistry Lab

Awards

Recent Publications

M. Baasandorj and P.S. Stevens. (2007). Experimental and theoretical studies of the kinetics of the reactions of OH and OD with 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol between 300 and 415 K at low pressure. Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 111, 640-649.

D. Vimal and P.S. (2006). Stevens. Experimental and theoretical study of the kinetics of the reactions of OH radicals with acetic acid, acetic acid–d3 and acetic acid–d4 at low pressure. Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 110, 11509-11516.

M.E. Davis, W. Drake, D. Vimal, and P.S. Stevens. (2005). Experimental and theoretical studies of the kinetics of the reactions of OH and OD with acetone and acetone-d6 at low pressure. The Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, A: Chemistry, 176, 162-171. Professor R. P. Wayne Special Issue

J.D. Raff, P.S. Stevens, and R.A. Hites. (2005). Relative Rate and Product Studies of the OH-Acetone Reaction. Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 109, 4728-4735.

M.E. Davis, C. Tapscott, and P.S. Stevens. (2005). Measurements of the kinetics of the OH-initiated oxidation of beta-pinene: Radical propagation in the OH + beta-pinene + O2 + NO reaction system. International Journal of Chemical Kinetics.

W. Lee, M. Baasandorj, P.S. Stevens, and R.A. Hites. (2005). Monitoring the OH-Initiated Oxidation Kinetics of Isoprene and its Products using On-line Mass Spectrometry. Environmental Science and Technology, 39, 1030-1036.

M.E. Davis and P.S. Stevens. (2005). Measurements of the kinetics of the OH-initiated oxidation of alpha-pinene: Radical propagation in the OH + alpha-pinene + O2 + NO reaction system. Atmospheric Environment, 39, 1765-1774.

B. Chuong and P.S. Stevens. (2004). Measurements of the kinetics of the OH-initiated oxidation of methy vinyl ketone and methacrolein. International Journal of Chemical Kinetics, 36, 12-25.

W. Lee, P.S. Stevens, and R.A. Hites. (2003). Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of methyl-phenanthrenes with OH as a function of temperature. Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 107, 6603-6608.

B. Chuong and P.S. Stevens. (2003). Kinetics of the OH + methyl vinyl ketone and OH + methacrolein reactions at low pressure. Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 107, 2185-2191.

B. Chuong and P.S. Stevens. (2002). Measurements of the kinetics of the OH-initiated oxidation of isoprene. Journal of Geophysical Research, 107, D13, 4162.

B. Chuong, M. Davis, M. Edwards, and P.S. Stevens. (2002). Measurements of the kinetics of the OH + alpha-pinene and OH + beta-pinene reactions at low pressure. International Journal of Chemical Kinetics, 34, 300-308.

P.S. Stevens, E. Seymour, and Z. Li. (2000). Theoretical and experimental studies of the reaction of OH with isoprene. Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 104, 5989-5997.

B. Chuong and P. S.Stevens. (2000). Kinetic study of the OH + Isoprene and OH + Ethylene reactions between 2 - 6 Torr and over the temperature range 300 - 423 K. Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 104, 5230-5237.