Brandon Winters
Email: b-winters@bethel.edu
Job Title
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Professor of Chemistry
Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences
Highlight
Dr. Winters' research is currently focused on the chemistry of carbon. Carbon has more known allotropes than any other material with a new one having been discovered as recently as 2015. While many of these allotropes have existed naturally for thousands of years, it was not until 2004 that one particularly fascinating one, graphene, was discovered and characterized. This form of carbon is the first 2D material ever discovered and is made up of a single atomic-thin layer of carbons bonded together in rings of six. This structure gives graphene some remarkable properties including very low electrical resistance and fast electron transport (near the speed of light), incredible flexibility, and great puncture resistance. While it has been very difficult and expensive to produce graphene films, there are other similar materials that have the potential to demonstrate reduced, but still impressive properties, including partially oxidized graphene: graphene oxide. While the oxygen included in the structure of graphene oxide does change its properties relative to pure graphene, it is much easier and cheaper to make. Dr. Winters has focused his research on designing and fabricating a deposition chamber capable of growing graphene oxide thin-films under controlled conditions with the hopes of optimizing production of these materials and others for desired film characteristics. Ultimately the materials made in the Winters lab could be used for novel electronic devices and novel manufacturing methods, but the full extent of these applications remains to be seen. Current work is focussed on optimization of growth parameters and characterization of new films and their properties. In addition to independent work on carbon materials, Dr Winters has been involved as an independent consultant to several companies seeking help understanding the complex properties and behaviors of chemical sorbent materials including activated carbon. This work has focused on development of new manufacturing processes, investigation of specific adsorbate capture efficiencies, and studies of the fundamental properties of sorbent materials. This work has served as a means to get student researchers involved in current, cutting-edge, research activities, which are most often paid research internships. One final area of ongoing interest for Dr. Winters is the design and use of chemical instrumentation. His passion for instrumentation comes out in the course Analytical Chemistry II: Instrumental Analysis along with his continued work to bring new and interesting instruments to Bethel University. Dr. Winters can be seen outside of his natural habitat in the Chemistry department using instruments at the University of Minnesota's Characterization Facility on a semi-routine basis and enjoys sharing these experiences with students.
Started at Bethel
2011
Education
- University of Minnesota - B.A. in Chemistry, 2004
- University of Minnesota - M.S. in Chemistry, 2008
- University of Minnesota - Ph.D. in Chemistry, 2011
Biography
Winters grew up in central Minnesota on a small farm and enjoyed the benefit of a great background in math and science. He enjoyed participating in all manner of extra curricular activities including cross country, theatre, math league, and FFA. These experiences prepared him to attend college at the University of Minnesota - Morris where Winters began growing in his faith apart from the significant guidance he received from his parents. After completing all of the required chemistry courses for his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry degree in three years, Winters enrolled in a small private Bible college in La Merced, Ecuador for his fourth year of college as a first step in discerning God's call on his life. He was blessed to have his then fiance, Katie, join him in Ecuador for several months and they were married the following summer. Since college, Winters has worked as a Senior Lab Technician for EcoLab, a residential construction job-site supervisor, and attended graduate school at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. In addition to completing his Ph.D. in Chemistry, his wife and he have been blessed with three wonderful children and currently live in Stillwater, MN where they attend and are involved in their church, CrossWinds Community Church.
Courses Taught
- Modern Alchemy
- General Chemistry I and II
- Quantitative Chemical Analysis
- Instrumental Analysis
- Ecology in the Tropics
- Junior Seminar: Ethics and Professional Development
Publications
Winters, B.J., N. Banfield, C. Dixon, A. Swensen, D. Holman, B. Fillbrown 3D-Printable and open-source modular smartphone visible spectrophotometer. HardwareX, 2021. 10: p. e00232
Winters, B.J. and D. Shepler, 3D printable optomechanical cage system with enclosure. HardwareX, 2018. 3: p. 62-81.
Winters, B.J., Holm, J. & Roberts, J.T. Thermal processing and native oxidation of silicon nanoparticles. J Nanopart Res 13, 5473 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-011-0535-4
Presentations
Winters, B.J.; Ecuador and the Galapagos islands: Evidence of speciation. Presented at St. Cloud Christian School, St. Cloud, MN, 2021.
Winters, B.J.; 3D printable open source optical cage assembly for undergraduate instrument design. Presented at 257th ACS National Meeting and Exposition, Orlando, FL, 2019.
Winters, B.J.; Ecuador and the Galapagos islands: Evidence of speciation. Presented at Stillwater Middle School, Stillwater, MN, 2019.
Winters, B.J.; Parables and Parabolas. Presented at Living the Questions, Bethel University, Arden Hills, MN, 2018.
Winters, B.J.; A mid Winters’ night dream: The sum of many vectors. Presented for Bethel University Sigma Zeta, Arden Hills, MN, 2017.
Winters, B.J.; 3D Printing, active learning, and undergraduate instrumental analysis. Presented at 253rd ACS National Meeting and Exposition, San Francisco, CA, 2017.
Winters, B.J.; Digital text design and student-centered instruction. Presented at 251st ACS National Meeting and Exposition, San Diego, CA, 2016.
Winters, B.J.; Digital text design and student-centered instruction. Presented at 44th ACS Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting, Riverdale, NY, 2016
Winters, B.J.; Integrating Connect Technologies. Presented online at 2015 Fall Implementation Virtual Summit for Physical and Life Sciences for McGraw- Hill Publishing, 2015.
Winters, B.J.; Extending Learning Beyond the Classroom. Presented online for McGraw-Hill Publishing, 2015.
Winters, B.J.; Evaluation of Biochar in Three Soil Types for Nutrient and Water Retention Toward Increased Crop Yield. Presented at 249th ACS National Meeting and Exposition, Denver, CO, 2015.
Winters, B.J.; Active Learning Strategies and Technology Integration in Analytical Chemistry. Presented at 2014 Minnesota Analytical Professors Society Meeting, Bethel University, St. Paul, MN, 2014.
Winters, B.J.; Roberts, J.T. Aerosol Phase Thermal Treatment of Flame Soot. Presented at 29th Annual American Association of Aerosol Researchers Conference, Portland, OR, 2010.
Winters, B.J.; Roberts, J.T. Thermal Processing and Native Oxidation of Silicon Nanoparticles. Invited talk at monthly Materials Research Science and Engineering Center Meeting, Department of Material Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 2009.
Winters, B.J.; Roberts, J.T. Thermal Processing and Native Oxidation of Silicon Nanoparticles. Presented at 28th Annual American Association of Aerosol Researchers Conference, Minneapolis, MN, 2009.
Winters, B.J. The Effect of Surface Hydrogen on In-Air Oxidation of Silicon Nanoparticles. Presented at University of Minnesota Department of Chemistry Research Symposium, Minneapolis, MN, 2009.
Winters, B.J. Modern Methods for Reaching Absolute Zero. Presented at Senior Research Seminar Series, University of Minnesota, Morris, MN, 2003.
Student Presentations:
Oral Presentation. Makayla Nelson and Brandon J. Winters; 3D-Printed model gold foil experiment. Presented for Spring 2021 Chemistry Research Symposium, Arden Hills, MN, 2021.
Oral Presentation. Hannah Wallenta and Brandon J. Winters; Open source 3-D printed modular optical rail for secondary education. Accepted for presentation at the 259th ACS National Meeting and Exposition, Philadelphia, PA, 2020
Poster Presentation. Phil Eldridge and Brandon J. Winters; Atmospheric Pressure Thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition of Graphene Oxide. Accepted for presentation at the 259th ACS National Meeting and Exposition, Philadelphia, PA, 2020
Poster Presentation. Logan Serbus and Brandon J. Winters; Optimization of an open-source 3D printable optical cage assembly for Raman Spectroscopy. Presented at the 257th ACS National Meeting and Exposition, Orlando, FL, 2019.
Poster Presentation. Graham Virtue on 3D printing, Presented for Spring 2021 Chemistry Research Symposium, Arden Hills, MN, 2019.
Poster Presentation. Logan Eickhoff and Brandon J. Winters; Design of Activated Carbon for Urea Adsorption. Presented at the 255th ACS National Meeting and Exposition, New Orleans, LA, 2018
Poster Presentation. Luke Veenstra and Brandon J. Winters; Investigation of Mesoporous Silica for Urea Adsorption. Presented at the 255th ACS National Meeting and Exposition, New Orleans, LA, 2018
Oral Presentation. David Shepler and Brandon J. Winters; 3D Printing and Open-Space Spectroscopy. Presented at the 84th Annual Meetingng and 30th Winchell Undergraduate Research Symposium, Macalaster College, St. Paul, MN, 2017
Poster Presentation. Mackenzie Lindell, Zandaroski, O., Winters, B.J.; Design and production of an open-source neutral density filter mount. Presented for Spring 2017 Chemistry Research Symposium, Arden Hills, MN, 2017.
Poster Presentation. Jesse Mojeske, Nesenson, B., Winters, B.J.; Design and production of an open-source optomechanical equipment. Presented for Spring 2017 Chemistry Research Symposium, Arden Hills, MN, 2017.
Oral Presentation. Aeli Olson and Brandon J. Winters; Deposition and characterization of thin carbon films. Presented at the 253rd ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 2017.
Poster Presentation. Dan Michelson, Berens, M., Rohly, K., Winters, B. J.; Supression of Phosphate Bleed from Zirconium Phosphate. Presented at 2016 ACTC Summer Chemistry Symposium, St. Paul, MN, 2016.
Oral Presentation. Katlyn Humrichouse and Brandon J. Winters; Thermal and chemical modification of activated carbon for increased urea adsorbtivity. Presented at 251st ACS National Meeting and Exposition, San Diego, CA, 2016.
Poster Presentation. Matt Berens and Brandon J. Winters; A New Method for the Production of Carbon Thin Films. Presented at Minnesota Academy of Science, 27th Winchell Undergraduate Research Symposium; University of Northwestern, St. Paul, MN, 2015.
Poster Presentation. Peyton Nosbusch and Brandon J. Winters; Development of a Spectrophotometric Method to Determine the Iodine Number of Carbon Sorbents. Presented at 247th ACS National Meeting and Exposition, Dallas, TX, 2014.
Poster Presentation. Cassie Slinger and Brandon J. Winters; Bio-Renewable Carbon Substrates as Mercury Sorbents. Presented at 245th ACS National Meeting and Exposition, New Orleans, LA, 2013.
Poster Presentation. James Tomaszewski and Brandon J. Winters; FTIR Analysis of Mercapto Capturing Halogens. Presented at 245th ACS National Meeting and Exposition, New Orleans, LA, 2013.
Oral presentation. Natasha Coons and Brandon J. Winters; Production and Analysis of Soot Particles. Presented at Minnesota Academy of Science, 24th Winchell Undergraduate Research Symposium, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, 2012.
Oral presentation. Carter Eiden and Brandon J. Winters; Construction of a Raman Spectrometer and Application to Soot Study. Presented at Minnesota Academy of Science, 24th Winchell Undergraduate Research Symposium, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, 2012.
Quote
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)