Stephen FitzGerald

  • Professor of Physics

Areas of Study

Education

  • BA Mod, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, 1987
  • MS, Cornell University, 1990
  • PhD, Cornell University, 1994

Biography

Stephen FitzGerald started his physics training in Ireland, obtaining a bachelor’s degree at Trinity College Dublin. He received a PhD at Cornell University and caught the teaching bug during a one-year position at Colgate University. His preparation for Oberlin was rounded out by a postdoctorate at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

FitzGerald was one of six faculty members to receive the college’s prestigious Excellence in Teaching Award for 2015–16.


Student Coauthors
Honors Students

  • Infrared spectroscopy of trapped hydrogen molecules
  • Inelastic spectroscopy of Fullerenes (Buckyballs)

Oberlin Papers

Professor of Physics Stephen FitzGerald in spring 2017 was awarded a three-year, $310,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to support his project entitled "RUI: Probing adsorbate interactions in metal-organic frameworks using site selective spectroscopy."

This research examines hydrogen storage for fuel-cell applications and isotope separation for chemical labeling, medical tracing, and heavy water moderators. The grant provides funds for ongoing student participation and the acquisition of a specialized mass-spectrometer.

Fall 2023

Special Problems in Physics and Astronomy — PHYS 451

Spring 2024

Special Problems in Physics and Astronomy — PHYS 451

Notes

Stephen FitzGerald Coauthors Paper

December 6, 2021

Professor of Physics Stephen FitzGerald coauthored a paper along with Didier Banyeretse ’20 and Tyler Hartman ’20 that was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. The paper looks at the binding of molecular hydrogen as an energy storage mechanism with applications for fuel cell powered cars.

Stephen FitzGerald Serves on Panel

February 12, 2019

Professor of Physics Stephen FitzGerald served on an international panel in Leipzig, Germany to review hydrogen isotope initiative.

Stephen FitzGerald Awarded Grant

March 2, 2017

Professor of Physics Stephen FitzGerald was awarded a three-year, $310,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to support his project entitled "RUI: Probing adsorbate interactions in metal-organic frameworks using site selective spectroscopy."  This research examines hydrogen storage for fuel-cell applications and isotope separation for chemical labeling, medical tracing, and heavy water moderators.  The grant provides funds for on-going student participation and the acquisition of a specialized mass-spectrometer.  

Stephen FitzGerald Publishes

November 11, 2015

Professor of Physics Stephen FitzGerald published the paper "Orientational ortho-H2 pair interactions in the microporous framework MOF-5” in the international journal Physical Review B. The paper was co-authored by Christopher Eckdahl '17, Cooper McDonald '15, Jocienne Nelson '14, Kai Shinbrough '17, Holden Lai '15, and the late Assistant Professor of Chemistry Jesse Rowsell.

News

A Conversation with Stephen FitzGerald

November 10, 2017

Professor of Physics Stephen FitzGerald on teaching, being supported by the National Science Foundation, and searching for the Goldilocks level of "stickiness" in hydrogen fuel-cell applications.