Conventional CMOS technology speeds are ultimately limited by heat dissipation. Adiabatic CMOS operations have been implemented to mitigate this dissipation, but it is limited by passive power dissipation caused by unavoidable leakage current. Adiabatic capacitive logic (ACL) utilizes variable capacitors to eliminate leakage current. By switching circuits quasi-adiabatically (by using linear ramps with a raise/drop time that is larger than its intrinsic RC time constant), the active power can be reduced, and less heat is dissipated with energy savings up to 50%. Even greater reduction in power dissipation can be achieved by using reversible computing.

Quasi-adiabatic reversible capacitive logic uses reversible logic and linear ramping to recycle energy. By utilizing this combination, pull-in and pull-out voltages change gradually instead of instantaneously, minimizing heat dissipation as the capacitor charges. From this concept, we researched the design and nanofabrication of adiabatic capacitive logic devices designed with a voltage-controlled MEMs variable capacitor structure. These ACL devices are fundamentally free of passive power dissipation, so there is potential for more definitive output capacitance change in future iterations.

The aim of this project is to decrease computational cost of homomorphic encryption by developing an encryption model to implement improved algorithms. Models for BFV and CKKS encryption schemes were developed and tested. Accelerated algorithms such as Barrett Reduction and the Number Theoretic Transform were implemented, and the respective gains for each were recorded.

Dendrimers are structurally ordered, multifunctional, and highly branched polymeric molecules. Here, we seek to design dynamic-covalent crosslinked hydrogel materials using dendrimer building blocks containing PBA-diol conjugates to sense and respond to high glucose levels to release an accurate amount of encapsulated insulin. Dendrimers are a great candidate for these materials thanks to their high number of functional groups and their controlled, simple, defect-free, cost-effective synthesis.

“Bronzes,” aptly named for their lustrous surfaces resulting from high concentrations of free electrons, are inorganic metal oxides exhibiting high chemical and thermal stability, as well as tunable electronic properties. However, this class of materials often requires energy-intensive synthetic routes and lacks post-synthetic tunability. Conversely, molecular species offer fine synthetic control, while lacking the structural and electronic properties seen in bronzes. Thus, the combination of inorganic metal oxides and organic species allows for the synthesis of a novel material platform, known as “hybrid bronzes,” that combines the advantageous properties of each. This work focuses on the electrochemical analysis of these bronzes and hybrid bronzes to investigate their redox behavior with the intention of informing future implementation efforts in clean-energy technologies.

Gas sensors are extremely relevant for the detection of gas analytes surrounding us. Among different metal oxide semiconductor sensing materials, WO₃ is one of the best choices because of its low-cost, highly stable, sensitive, and acceptable selectivity. By synthesizing heterojunctions between two dissimilar MOS sensing materials and the addition of noble metal dopants to WO₃, it would be possible to enhance the sensitivity of MOS nanofibers toward analytes.

Semiconductor based infrared detectors, bolometers, and traditional thermocouples used for measuring infrared radiation either need to be cooled or their response time is slow. A new alternative is the use of thermoelectrically coupled nanoantennas (TECNAs) that utilize the Seebeck effect to generate a response to a signal that can have directional, polarization, and wavelength selective properties all while being an uncooled, sensitive device. Further testing of these TECNAs will allow for improved measurement devices in areas such as solar research.

NASA infrared sensors are powered by thermocouples which translate a difference in heat into an output voltage. This output voltage is determined by the properties of the metals that make up the thermocouple. This project aims to perform calculations that will provide the thermoelectric properties of different materials. These properties, such as the Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity, will discover which materials create the best thermocouples and improve the sensitivity of the infrared sensors.

This project focuses on synthesizing a glucose responsive material as a preventative strategy for hypoglycemia rescue by incorporating glucose-sensing functionality into glucagon delivery. Zeta potential measurements and turbidity tests suggest resulting approaches have glucose-responsive function. However, further improvements must be made to increase sensitivity and ensure function. Future work thus will seek to improve glucose responsiveness and determine its efficacy in diabetic mice under severe hypoglycemia.

The focus of this project is to explore and quantify the performance improvements of thermoelectrically coupled nanoantennas (TECNAs) while in a vacuum setting. The electrical signal measured on these chips is due to the Seebeck effect, where an open-circuit voltage is generated by a temperature difference between the antenna’s hot center and the “cold” substrate, connected by two dissimilar metal lead lines [6]. Heat losses due to air cause a reduction in signal strength, meaning theoretically the TECNAs will improve in the absence of air.

Stem cells have the capacity to become a range of other cells through various processes. Among those processes is utilizing the capacities of lentiviruses to modify the RNA of host cells. Of the existing lentiviruses, ETS2 and ETV2 have been shown to result in endothelial-like cells, which is shown in expression of particular endothelial cell markers. The particular cell marker which this project sought to express was Prox1, an intercellular marker of LECs, which did appear to be present.

In this work, classical molecular simulations were employed by applying the Gibbs Ensemble Monte Carlo (GEMC) method to compute the phase diagram of pure hydrofluorocarbons. These simulations were performed using model parameters collected from existing literature with the purpose of generating a benchmark of the current available molecular models. The results of this research will contribute to the development of optimized molecular models capable of simulating vapor-liquid equilibrium for a variety of HFCs.

Nanocatalytic membranes have been fabricated that utilize palladium nanoparticles as a catalyst for H₂ and oxidized contaminants in water (e.g., NO₂^-). Previously, the cost of palladium has made the process of creating these types of membranes prohibitively expensive, but by adsorbing the palladium onto the membrane as nanoparticles costs are cut down significantly, making nanocatalytic membranes a competitive option for water treatment to remove contaminants.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasite leishmania spp. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been explored as a drug delivery system to reduce cytotoxicity and improve bioavailability of chemotherapeutics for leishmaniasis. We engineered ~13nm amphiphilic AuNPs and loaded AuNPs with a novel anti-leishmanial chemotherapeutic. Drug-loaded AuNPs were screened for potency against L.donovani promastigotes and cytotoxic effects on THP-1 macrophages. The 50% inhibitory concentration was ~5-10μM and drugloaded AuNPs demonstrated minimal cytotoxicity up to 50μM.

ZnO nanoparticles exhibiting surface phonon polariton (SPhP) modes between 600cm^-1 and 400cm^-1 were synthesized using a solvothermal method to investigate applications for molecular sensing in the mid- and far-IR. Thymine, the analyte-of-interest, was adsorbed onto the nanoparticles’ surface, and the IR spectra of adsorbed samples were measured using FTIR spectroscopy. Thymine adsorbed on ZnO nanoparticles displayed new/enhanced spectral features between 1300cm^-1 to 1100cm^-1, potentially due to interactions with the second harmonic of SPhP modes.

Due to bacteria developing a resistance to antibiotics, medical implant surgeries have an increased rate of infection. This project focused on determining if nanoparticles linked with polycationic polymers have an antibacterial effect when placed on implants while also testing the particles for their biocompatibility.

Electrolytes enable a battery to function by enabling the movement of ions between the electrodes. However, commercially used electrolytes are carbon-based and have high risks of causing fire hazards. My project focuses on reducing such risks by adding perfluoropolyether diacrylate to our electrolytes. Conductivity and potential stability were measured for different weight percent of polymers added to select the optimal composition.

Topological phases feature physical observables being related to topological invariants. The most prominent example is the Chern number, which relates the conductance of the quantum Hall state to the integral of the Berry curvature over the Brillouin zone. There are many other such topological phases, including the newly discovered field of topologic superconductors. I worked to understand theories about the nature of such materials, and how they may be realized.

Creating a nanoscale hole array for infrared sensors can be expensive when conventional e-beam lithography or focused ion-beam milling are used. Therefore, microspheres are exposed to UV light to act as a microlens and, as a result, achieve nanoscale photolithography. This new technique can significantly reduce the cost for nanofabrication and can scale up the process (wider areas can be exposed with a single exposure).

Conventional fabrication methods for integrated sensors involve manufacturing the sensors separately before integrating them into one device, a process which is complex, labor-intensive and time-consuming, making these integrated sensors cost-inefficient. Aerosol jet printing presents a fabrication process that is much more simplified with the ability to print on conformal substrates to produce flexible, micro-scale multifunctional sensors. Indium tin oxide (ITO) and gold’s high thermal stability, conductivity and relatively high Seebeck coefficient when employed in thermocouple temperature sensing make them ideal for the fabrication of an integrated sensor for simultaneous strain and temperature sensing, sensing up to 550℃.

Single electron transistors (SETs) are the most sensitive charge detectors demonstrated to date. Scanning SET methods are intended for use to measure composite fermion and Majorana zero mode states in quantum electron droplets (QEDs), which could be useful for the realization of fault tolerant topological quantum computing. A SET based scanning probe system can be implemented by fabricating SETs on a silicon nitride (SiN) membrane to be used as a probe tip for an atomic force microscope.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) exhibit size-dependent properties that have applications in catalysis and sensing. This is due to the nanogap that is formed when the distance between two AuNPs decreases. The nanogaps were produced using two types of AuNPs, substrate-immobilized and colloidal. It was found that as the size of the colloidal AuNPs grew past 15 nm, it became more difficult to attach them to the substrate-immobilized AuNPs via the linkers used.

Contact angle measurements and surface energy calculations are two ways to characterize the wettability of liquids on a surface. The objective of this project is to adjust the texture of a surface using ultrafast laser techniques and observe how the water contact angle measurements change as a result of the input parameters. An additional aim is to manufacture a surface that shows low wettability and hydrophobicity as a result of the laser texturing.

Reversible computing is an approach that uses virtually adiabatic transitions and reversibility in order to mitigate heat dissipation. This is in a way similar to recycling of home waste – instead of throwing energy into heat adiabatic reversible logic aims at recycling energy. Implementations of reversible computing in modern CMOS circuits proved that there were still limits to the passive power dissipation. Adiabatic Capacitive Logic (ACL) is a possible implementation of reversible computing that uses variable capacitors in pull-up and pull-down networks that isn’t limited to passive power and can recover 99.1% of its energy usage.

The speed at which current logic devices, such as CMOS transistors, operate is limited by heat dissipation. Possible solutions studied include new types of operation, such as adiabatic CMOS, and devices, such as microelectronic mechanical structures (MEMS). Adiabatic capacitive logic combines principles of other solutions into a novel approach for creating ultra-low power electronics, based off variable capacitor networks. This project focused on the fabrication of such devices.

During the production of AA-PSP, anodized aluminum is submerged into a solution containing the luminophore. It is necessary to understand the effect of temperature during the dipping process has on the characteristics of the AA-PSP. The results demonstrated that a change in solution temperature affects pressure sensitivity, temperature sensitivity, and intensity. The amount of variability and possible error throughout the collected data was high. Therefore no clear trend could be established. The findings demonstrate that this area of study is promising though more refinement to testing methodology is required.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become increasingly problematic for health and the environment. This work demonstrates novel capture and detection of various PFAS molecules. We test multiple PFAS under varying pH conditions and model their respective association constants (Ka), showing technologies that capture PFAS with sufficient binding affinity. This shows promise for the applications of non-covalent binding of PFAS, with future sights set on industrial capture technologies for remediation of waste water and streams.

Low temperature non-equilibrium plasmas can be produced by pyroelectric crystals if they are exposed to a significant temperature gradient, what is termed an energy-conversion plasma source. The addition of a triple junction, a feature where a metal, dielectric and air meet, on the surface of the crystal enhances the electric field that produces these plasmas. This project focuses on characterizing thermally-driven plasmas enhanced by triple junctions by analyzing their dependence on distance and angle.

Substrate-bound gold nanostructures provide enhanced chemical and biological sensing, offering increased sensitivity for spectroscopic analysis. The nanostructure morphology can be controlled through an etching solution to exert control on the particles post-synthesis. The etching solution, when applied to seeds, did not destroy the growth potential but encouraged rounded structures when regrown. When the solution was applied to nanoplates, the etch did not remove the gold from a specific side, but evenly across the surface.

Modeling kinetics of the copper (II)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition(CuAAC) reactions using numerical methods and python code combined with experimental data to produce a model capable of reproducing behaviors observed in the laboratory with minimal errors, enabling the computational optimization for the design of reactive inks. ^{[6] [7]}

^[6] E. V. Shtamm, A. P. Purmal, and Y. I. Skurlatov, “Mechanism of catalytic ascorbic acid oxidation system Cu2+–ascorbic acid–O2,” Int. J. Chem. Kinet., vol. 11, no. 5, pp. 461– 494, 1979, doi: 10.1002/kin.550110503.
^[7] C. Intermediate, “Direct Evidence of a Dinuclear,” vol. 340, no. I, pp. 457–461, 2010.

Phenylboronic Acid (PBA) has demonstrated an affinity to bind with 1,2 and 1,3 cis diols, including glucose. This project aims to form a dynamically crosslinked hydrogel between a polymer chain containing a PBA, and a separate diol unit. The properties of this gel are altered in the presence of glucose, leading to the release of insulin that was stored within the mesh of the original gel.

Typically, energy generation and storage are two distinct processes that occur in different entities. In this project, the two processes are coupled together where mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy and then stored as chemical energy to create a self-charging battery. More specifically, a charge will be generated across the piezoelectric separator when a stress is applied, and the polymer electrolyte will enable ion transport, converting the electrical charge generated from the piezoelectric into electrochemically stored energy.

Lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) encapsulated in HA gels portrayed the importance of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and matrix stiffness in controlling lymphangiogenesis. LECs encapsulated in 25%, 50%, or 75% crosslinked hydrogels o showed: the presence of VEGFR-3 and VEGF-C is imperative to lymphangiogenesis; matrix stiffness influences VEGFR-3 expression; and matrix stiffness impacts vessel formation. The results of these experiments catalyze future experimental directions to reach a practical applicable conclusion by aiding in the study of natural lymphangiogenesis mechanisms, which provide a platform to study tumor microenvironment lymphangiogenesis that will aid in the developed of a treatment for lymphedema in cancer patients and survivors.

Plasmas are typically generated using a high voltage power supply, usually confining them to laboratory settings. The voltages induced by the mechanical deformation of piezoelectric crystals can be used to create filamentary spark discharge plasmas. This research focused on the design of a mechanical system to actuate piezoelectric crystals at high frequencies with the goal of creating usable continuous spark discharges.

This project aims to target cancer cells by tuning the magnetic field-induced force exerted by label-free magnetic nanomaterials at the cell membrane to selectively permeabilize the more compliant cancer cell membranes but not the stiff healthy cell membranes.

Nanotechnology has become one of the most important sciences for innovation in material sciences nowadays and mostly in the medicine field. In this research is reported a Gold Nanoparticles with Janus behavior (Janus AuNPs) as a novel method to do drug delivery to cancer cells. The novelty in this Janus nanoparticle is the immiscible nature of two thiol-derived polymers on the gold surface, Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and Polystyrene (PS), which can self-assemble on the gold in a tunable fashion by varying the size, polymer ratio and temperature, among other experimental parameters [1] but at the same time, one of the two polymers used (PEG) acts as a primer and therefore a partial SiO2 coating is added to the gold nanoparticle to create a Janus structure [2]. This means that we could improve the biocompatibility and stability in biological environments, such as the human body. Therefore, Janus AuNPs in the future seems to be a promising noble nanoparticle that improve the drug delivery in cancer cells while incorporating multiple modalities.

To reach environmental sustainability and address climate changes, it is critical to develop new renewable energy sources. Piezoelectric materials have been effective at improving energy harvesting and storage in nanogenerators as they couple mechanical stress and electrical polarization processes. By incorporating strong, but brittle, inorganic piezoelectric materials in flexible, weak piezoelectric polymers, we hope to maximize the synergistic piezoelectric response for nanogenerators.

An increasing amount of attention has been placed on HFC refrigerants due to their ozone depletion potentials and global warming potentials. Addressing this concern, we seek to create a framework to optimize HFC separation processes and develop methods for screening ILs for HFC separations allowing recycling and reuse of HFCs. We utilize experimental data and molecular simulations to model and optimize a process system for the separation of R-410A at scale while remaining economically viable.

The application of gold nanoparticles in breast cancer treatment can be used as a tool for early detection of breast cancer and as a therapeutic treatment by inhibiting mitogenesis. Bisphosphonate pegylated gold nanoparticles (BP-Peg-AuNPs) have a high binding affinity to hydroxyapatite microcalcifications commonly found in breast cancer because of their high retention effect, permeability, and affinity for calcium. My project focused on measuring the cytotoxicity of spherical BP-Peg-AuNPs within the body through in vitro testing using an MTT assay on HS578T cells, which measures cell metabolic activity.

This project aims to design a PhANPs formulation that will release the PhANPs from a resorbable gel at a steady rate for prolonged antimicrobial action. By incorporating the PhANPs into a PLGA derived gel, we can determine the kinetics of release of gel encapsulated PhANPs for a better way to stop the growth of harmful bacteria. Through published literature, PLGA nanoparticles were synthesized and incorporated with fluorescein to determine the dissolution rate of PLGA.

Total internal reflection absorption spectroscopy is one way to observe solvated electrons produced in plasma-liquid systems. Here it will be used to characterize plasmas in nonaqueous solvents and in positive polarity configurations. In nonaqueous solvents, we expect to see different reaction dynamics, in particular, mitigating second order recombination with water. In positive polarity we hope to directly observe solvated electrons produced by incoming ions.

Point-of-use water filters via electrospun nanofibers can enable safe drinking water practices. In this work, MIL-101@ZIF-8, a highly efficient copper adsorbent with a core-shell MOF@MOF design [4], was optimally electrospun into functional nanofibers. MIL-101@ZIF-8 was critical in retaining zinc and thus the structure of ZIF-8, which would keep water pure and create potential for filter reuse. The asspun nanofibers were tested for copper removal efficiency with the goal of meeting standards set by the EPA.

The effect of acidity on the partition coefficients of molecules into coacervates remains an open area of inquiry. This summer project succeeded in setting up a preliminary system that will be appropriate for testing the uptake of a variety of molecules into a coacervate phase consisting of 10-mer polylysine and polyglutamic acid peptides.

The goal of this project is to develop tools and processes that enable the separation of high and low global warming potential HFCs. To achieve this, we conducted molecular simulations to compute the density of four different ionic liquids and compared them to experimental data. Next, we optimized solubility simulations to allow us to simulate the solubility of ionic liquids mixed with HFCs. Finally, we are attempting to predict the vapor-liquid-equilibrium curve of an R-125/R-32 azeotropic mixture.

A fundamental question in developmental biology concerns how groups of interacting molecules and cells give rise to patterned 3D tissues with special form and function. In particular, we are interested in the process by which endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) have different vascular morphogenesis patterns. The patterns of different ECFC types can be influenced by exosomes transferred between normal and disease phenotypes (e.g., preeclampsia). The impact of vascular morphogenesis by exosomes illustrates preeclampsia’s potential causes and impact on angiogenesis and a potential treatment that reverts preeclampsia tube formation to original, typical tube formation. 

In this project we investigated the use of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for frequency domain diffuse optical spectroscopy (fd-DOS) to reduce the size, power consumption, and cost of noninvasive quantitative tissue optical characterization. We conducted experiments that simulate signals received from diffuse optical imaging of breast tissue in order for the device to measure changes in amplitude and phase needed for fd-DOS imaging.

I worked on three different projects with the same overall goal as stated above. All focused on producing a working electrolyte for advanced lithium-ion rechargeable batteries while trying to incorporate a piezoelectric material into the process. Experiments done were in effort to produce an electrolyte with high conductivity and ion flow with crosslinked polymers.

In the midst of an unprecedented global pandemic, there have been numerous issues with improving the accessibility, scalability, and accuracy of COVID-19 screening tests. One large issue is the high percentage of false negatives due to a low abundance of virus particles, analyte lost during dilution/extraction, or noise. The purpose of the project is to use the high-throughput and high-yield Asymmetric Nanopore Membrane (ANM) filtration technology for isolation and enrichment of virus particles in order to provide a rapid, cheap, and accurate POC test.

Beetles are present in a habitat. Each beetle competes with the other members of the beetle species for resources available in the habitat (like food) to survive and produce offspring. However, not all beetles are the same and some are “fitter” than others, implying that they are more likely to defeat other beetles in a competition for a resource. Our research has aimed at creating a virtual ecosystem which mimics these real-world interactions amongst the species members to help us find answers to the evolutionary questions like - How does the average beetle size change over time? Who eventually wins this race of evolution? What happens when mites come into picture and interact with the beetles in the ecosystem? Inclusion of mites into the system makes it even more interesting, since the interactions between the different species varies for every individual. Hence, while there might be positive mutualistic relationships between beetles of some size and mites, there might be parasitic relationship between mites and beetles of another size. This research is, hence, also interested in knowing the relationship between size and the mutual interactions between the two species. 

We utilize hyaluronic acid hydrogels to investigate mechanical and biomechanical cues that regulate lymphangiogenesis. Using different substrate stiffnesses as mechanical stimuli and a supplemental growth factor as biochemical stimuli, lymphatic endothelial cell growth and migration is promoted, causing lymphatic vessel formation. Real-Time PCR analysis suggests several genes, which are associated with matrix remodeling and cell migration, are directly linked to these findings and may be the underlying mechanism of improved lymphatic vessel development.

Recent experiments from the Go Research Group using a batch reactor plasma electrolytic cell observed a significantly lower faradaic efficiency, the ratio of product molecules to incident electrons, than that expected from theoretical predictions. This reduced value is consistent with the intended reaction being limited by reactant depletion at the plasma-liquid interface. To mitigate this effect, the aim of this work is to construct a microfluidic flowing thin-film plasma system to examine the effects liquid film thickness, on the order of the size of the depletion region, has on faradaic efficiency, using flow to refresh processed liquid and inhibit evaporation.

In this study, a lithium tantalate pyroelectric crystal was thermally cycled with a resistance heater to produce an atmospheric pressure gas discharge. A copper plate parallel to the crystal and a picoammeter were used to determine the current of the plasma. By coating the crystal with silver paint, “triple points” were created that significantly enhanced the current of the discharge. Time-integrated visualization showed the formation of surface discharges on both crystals during the thermal cycling. 

Drug delivery systems control the spatiotemporal characteristics of drugs in the body, increasing drug efficacy while decreasing adverse effects on healthy cells. This project focuses on the synthesis and characterization of anti-inflammatory drug corticosteroid Dexamethasone conjugated via a hydrolysable hydrazone linker to short amphiphilic peptides, designed to form nanofibers by supramolecular self- assembly and provide drug release over time by the slow hydrolysis of the linker. Future work includes modifications to the peptide sequence to incorporate enzyme sensitivity to target inflammation.

The project I worked on over the summer involved research into adiabatic circuits. Initially, it involved developing a method for simulating adiabatic circuits, that had been designed in Cadence, using SystemVerilog. Later stages involved designing adiabatic circuits in Cadence that contained temperature measurement devices, with the purpose of detecting the energy dissipated by these circuits.

Polyethylene (PE) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) are two polymers with very different mechanical properties. A composite of these two materials could incorporate desirable properties of both, creating a material that is both flexible but also has a high ultimate tensile strength. Such a material would be useful to create wearable electronics, especially when electrical components are integrated into the material through aerosol jet printing.

We present a novel method for the solution-based synthesis of substrate-immobilized hexagonal Au nanoplates using the block copolymer Brij® 700 and HAuCl4. The growth mode has been optimized with respect to the copolymer and Au salt concentrations, pH, temperature, and growth time. Planar defects are needed for nanoplates growth, but the high crystallinity of Au seeds limits the number of defects formed. We, therefore, prototyped a device to induce planar defects in single-crystal Au by a manually generated shockwave in water. Preliminary spectroscopic data and simulations show that the shockwaves altered the Au morphology.

A hand-cranked system for piezoelectric actuation was developed to observe plasma-surface interactions with water. The pH of water was measured to decrease drastically from 7 to approximately 2 over an activation time of 5 minutes. Nitrate concentrations were measured to be approximately 1.5-2.5 mg/L. These values were promising when compared to concentrations recorded using other forms of plasma generation. The findings from this study have strong implications in the field of plasma agriculture due to the potential of plasma activated water for enhancing plant growth.

Our goal has been to synthesize pure, defect-free palladium membranes using electroless plating and to test the effects of different preparation methods on membrane composition. Porous stainless steel disks were pretreated, coated with intermediate ceramic layers, then plated with Pd using both EDTA-free and EDTA baths. The EDTA-free bath was found to produce pure, defect-free membranes but was less stable at room temperature, although stability was improved by changing temperature and solution composition.

This project seeks to combine the use of magneto-silica nanoparticles (MagSiNs) conjugated liposomes with a fluorescent payload to mimic selective chemotherapeutics delivery to metastatic cancer cells. Liposomes synthesized with a fluorescent cell-impermeant payload were conjugated with MagSiNs to create a label-free magnetic nanocarrier system. In vitro studies were performed to look at the difference in the efficiency and selectivity of payload delivery in different cancer cells with and without a magnetic force applied at the cell membrane.

The use of light gradient forces to manipulate and organize nanometer-scale matter is a radically new strategy for manufacturing nanosystems. A laser can be split into a 2D array for trapping particles, and by reflecting the beam off a mirror, a standing wave optical trap forms in the third dimension along which particles can stack up, creating a full 3D lattice. In this way thousands of nanoparticles can be manipulated into a complex heterogeneous voxel to form nanosystems of any size, shape and constituency.

Phononic nanoparticles are optical materials that resonate with and absorb light in the mid- and farinfrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The influence of particle size and morphology on a material’s optical properties in this region has not yet been investigated. Commercially-available zinc oxide nanoparticles were used to prepare samples for optical characterization. Later, zinc oxide was synthesized by a variety of methods with the goal of creating monodispersed nanoparticles with tunable physical properties.

The market for membrane-based technology for gas separations is expanding rapidly as membranes achieve higher levels of permeability and selectivity. This project focuses on the design and production of pentiptycene-based ladder polymers, in the hopes to push the known limit for permeability and selectivity. By increasing purity and optimizing polymerization defect free membranes are produced, while changing the functionality of substituent groups creates more selective performance.

Homomorphic encryption has many applications in data mining using private data sets. Current implementations of homomorphic encryption schemes remain slower than insecure computation by factors of several thousand. The aim of this project is to access the performance of popular homomorphic encryption libraries by applying them to evaluate circuits, and determine how their parameters influence performance in practice.

Organic liquid electrolytes are a key component in commercial lithium ion batteries as they permit conduction of lithium ions between the cathode and anode. Electrolytes that have high ionic conductivity are ideal as they allow the lithium-ion battery to charge/discharge efficiently. However, these electrolytes currently raise safety concerns as they are easily flammable and unstable towards high voltage and temperature. We introduce a new set of Solvent in Salt electrolyte that improves ionic conductivity and solvent stability, by utilizing Li+ containing liquid crystals as the salt.

Polarizable materials including ionic polymers and ferroelectrics are used as dielectrics in capacitors, and gate oxides in transistors for analog memory for machine learning. In these applications, the barrier heights presented to electrons in metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) structures are key design parameters. The aim is to configure a measurement system that controls the energy of incident photons on a semiconductor device and records a photoresponse as a function of applied bias and photon energy, providing a direct measurement of the electronic barrier heights in such heterostructures.

Naturally-occurring aquaporin protein channels exhibit a combination of high permeability and selectivity that state-of-the-art desalination membranes do not possess. Fragile aquaporins are not feasibly integrated into a functional and scalable reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. Bio-inspired pillar[5]arene artificial water channels have been synthesized as integrable aquaporin alternatives, and via a “click” synthesis approach can be designed with finely-tuned pore characteristics. Automated spin coating, inherently scalable and repeatable, allows for a simple and straightforward incorporation of these channels into biomimetic membranes.

As the longevity of Moore’s law is in question and limits on heat dissipation force design compromises, new options for computing must be explored. One promising model is molecular-based computing, in which one of the first steps is to measure the movement of a single localized electron within a molecule. To do this, a highly sensitive electrometer, such as a modified single electron transistor, must be designed and tested. To facilitate the development of these electrometers, testing and fabrication systems must be optimized. First, testing time is cut down by converting a manual controlled thermal switch into a computer controlled system through the use of a stepper motor, sensors, microcontroller, and writing a program to interface with this system. Secondly, fabrication time is lessened by developing precise lithography, development, and wet etch steps used to make consistent undercuts needed in the Dolan Bridge Process used to make these electrometers.

Abstract:  Using a plasma cathode, our specific focus has been on understanding the inherent limitations to the Faradaic efficiency in a plasma electrolytic cell using two model systems: the classic ferri/ferrocyanide redox couple as well as the dissociative electron attachment to chloroacetate. Using optical absorption spectroscopy and an ion selective electrode, the respective concentrations of ferricyanide and chloride were measured, and calculated Faradaic efficiencies were compared to theoretical predictions.

Abstract:  We are developing a micro-implantable monitoring system that provides real-time feedback to cancer therapy. The device proposed here will be capable of monitoring deep tissue (> 1 cm) whilst being small enough to fit into a needle to be injected directly into the tumor. The device uses light to assess the molecular properties of the tumor microenvironment, utilizing one or more laser diodes, a photodiode, a radio-frequency power-harvesting circuit, and a Bluetooth microcontroller to do so.

Abstract:  The Phillip lab has developed chemically-patterned membranes like charge mosaic membranes which have patterns of positively and negatively charged domains that traverses the membrane thickness. The membrane with these oppositely charge-functionalized domains are able to separate charged species from neutral molecules of comparable sizes. Pressure driven transport experiments performed using these membranes showed that the concentration of ions was enhanced in the permeate as compared to the retentate. In order to improve the selectivity and increase the density of specific ion interactions on the pore walls of a nanoporous copolymer membrane, the pore wall chemistry was modified. The successful functionalization of pore chemistry using polyethyleneimine and 4-imidazolecarboxylic acid was characterized using FTIR and single solute rejection experiments. 

Abstract:  The possibility of using pressure sensitive paint (PSP) as a stand-alone measurement device in unsteady flow fields is being realized with the development of faster and more sensitive PSP. Unsteady phenomena occur quickly, often on the order of 10 kHz. To effectively apply PSP to such unsteady flow conditions, the response characteristics of the PSP must be understood by exposing PSP to a known controlled pressure field of acoustic waves and examining the response variation from traditional pressure measurement devices. 

Abstract:  Transmission electron microscopy is one of most advanced metrologies in materials science, and the fast and accurate analysis of TEM data is a key for success in delivery of novel results. This research focuses on developing scripts written in MATLAB to process images and analytical data to get the most accurate results in TEM using periodicity vectors and an intensity averaging algorithm.

Abstract:  The use of reversible, non-covalent supramolecular interactions affords routes to materials with tunable function for a variety of applications.¹ Certain host macrocycles afford high affinity binding for complementary small molecule guest motifs.² One such interaction with the N-terminal phenylalanine on insulin was shown to promote enhanced stability, solubility, and efficacy of the protein when a macrocycle was covalently fused to a hydrophilic polymer.³ To determine the utility of this approach as a platform excipient for the stabilization of many different protein drugs, we have worked to devise assays for real-time monitoring of protein aggregation. Leveraging the change in optical density of a protein upon aggregation, we replicated stressed storage conditions and determined the stability of insulin and related proteins under these conditions. Additionally, we developed a novel synthetic route to modify macrocycles, for exploration of its use in conjugation chemistry. These modified macrocycles will expand the use of supramolecular chemistry to facilitate new drug delivery or drug capture technologies. 

1 Webber, M. & Langer, R. (2017). Drug delivery by supramolecular design. Chemical Society Reviews, 46(21), 6600-6620. 
2 Webber, M. & Langer, R. (2017). Drug delivery by supramolecular design. Chemical Society Reviews, 46(21), 6600-6620. 
3 Webber, M., et al. (2016). Supramolecular PEGylation of Biopharmaceuticals. PNAS 113(50), 14189–14194.

Abstract:  In this study the adsorption of DOM- analogue organic acids (mono-carboxylic acids, di-carboxylic acids, tri-carboxylic acids, and phenols) onto the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles (commercial Evonik P90, food-grade E171 and hydrothermally synthesized nanoparticles) with acidic pH and constant ionic strength, is being assessed in order to predict its behavior in natural environments where complex molecules such as humic acid are present. 

Abstract:  This project sought to identify whether chemotherapeutics could be combined and conjugated to magneto-electric silica nanoparticles (MagSiNs) for a more effective and targeted delivery to metastatic cancers. MagSiNs are a drug carrier system, so the chemotherapeutics can be magnetically guided directly to the cancer cells using permanent magnets. The drugs can then be triggered for instantaneous release when exposed to an external electromagnetic field. We compared the effects of this targeted drug delivery to normal free drug addition, as well as the biocompatibility to normal tissue.

Abstract:  Current magnesium-sulfur batteries are not currently commercially viable due to their short lifespan from the polysulfide shuttle effect. One approach to preventing the polysulfide shuttle is coating the cathode with a functional polymer. In this project, a variety of monomers and film compositions are characterized to discover films which are conductive, permeable to the electrolyte, but reject polysulfides.

Abstract:  The reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol by borohydride is a commonly used model reaction for characterizing the efficacy of catalysts. Although this reaction has been intensely studied, the cause of induction time, an initial period where no reaction seemingly occurs, has only recently been imputed to dissolved oxygen. The performed study characterizes the effect of catalyst on induction time. There is a weak correlation between induction time and borohydride concentration and a strong correlation between induction time and amount of catalyst.

Abstract:  Composite films were prepared to have superior strength and ductility by laminating PE fibers between PDMS films. The process includes stretching the PDMS while it is bonding and then relaxing it afterwards in order to produce wrinkles that preserve the PDMS’s ductility in the final composite. The composite displays two distinct behaviors depending on its strain ratio: low strain behaves like PDMS but higher strains behave similar to PE. 

Abstract:  The purpose of this project was to successfully create a highly ductile polymer composite with great tensile strength and toughness, which would be capable of undergoing significant strain without fracture failure. The polymer composite consisted of a matrix of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and reinforcing ribbons of molecularly aligned polyethylene. The results proved successful, whereby the ultimate tensile strength of the final polymer composite was approximately four times that of pure PDMS while maintaining its ductility. 

Abstract:  Microporous polymeric gas separation membranes are sought out for their ability to sieve gases based on their molecular size and interactions with the membrane itself. This project focuses on the bottom-up fabrication of polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs), which contain pentiptycene-based monomeric units with rigid, highly contorted, and robust chemical structures. This allows the polymer to have a tight micropore size distribution, which can yield high permeability and selectivity for challenging gas separation applications.

Abstract:  Phononic nanoparticles (PhNPs) are a new class of materials that interact with light in the mid- and far-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The optical properties of nanoparticles in this region have not yet been investigated. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide were synthesized by a variety of methods with the goal of preparing spherical monodispersed nanoparticles suitable for optical characterization.

Abstract: This study utilized a combination of experimental and computational methods to develop a non-linear finite element model capable of predicting human cortical bone fractures based on the levels of fatigue microdamage, porosity and mineralization. Based on preliminary tests the non-linear model can predict a fracture during simulation based upon the above-mentioned bone characteristics with better than random probability. Additional steps are being taken to ensure the non-linear finite element model and the experimental model are demonstrating bone fracture initiation points in the same region. 

Abstract: My main task during research was to test a thermal diode composed of a junction of two materials, one of which was phase-invariant, and the other underwent phase transition at a known temperature. Using a thermal conductivity testing instrument, it was possible to demonstrate that an appreciable thermal rectification could be obtained when comparing the sample thermal conductivity under forward and reverse temperature bias, where the phase change material was present in one of two phases depending on the direction of heat flow, i.e. which side of the sample (phase-invariant or phase-change material side) was exposed to higher temperature. 

Abstract: Pressure sensitive paint consists of two luminescent dyes: a reference probe and a pressure sensitive probe, solvent, polymer, and porous material. In this study, I elaborated the individual luminescent powders of the PSP by varying parameters such as the concentration of luminescent dye and porous material, solvent and method of drying. The powders were then characterized by its brightness and uniformity. 

Abstract
Catalyst Leach Project
This project consisted of experimenting on different metal catalysts to see if they leach. Thin metal films were used. The atoms of the metal detach from catalyst causing the atoms to form nanoparticles that become catalytic. This causes the reaction to continue even when the initial catalysts is removed. A 3-D drawing was needed to demonstrate how the samples were put in and taken out of cuvette. A spectrometer is used to monitor the solutions reacting time.
 

Sample Holder Design Project
A design to hold a sample in a spectrometer was needed to apply voltage to the sample. This would allow the spectrometer to monitor the sample that has current travelling through it. This had to be small enough to fit into the spectrometer and hold a 7 cm x 7 cm x 0.07 cm sample.
 

Stamping Removal Design Project
A new stamping design for nanoimprint lithography was needed to have a better way to remove the sample from the stamp. Once the sample is heated up and stamped, the removal process took too much time and did not consistently work. The new design must hold the sample and adjust to the sample size. The holder should remove the sample from the stamp when the holder moves up away from stamp.

Abstract: Widespread commercialization of lithium metal battery technology has been prevented for decades by lithium dendrite growth, which is caused by uneven electrodeposition of lithium metal and can lead to short-circuiting. The goal of this project was to determine how various characteristics of the solid polymer electrolyte used in lithium metal batteries affect the timescales of dendrite growth and short-circuiting. The results so far indicate that the timescales of dendrite nucleation are affected by the chemical composition of the polymer electrolyte and not just its mechanical properties as previously thought.

Abstract: The W.A.T.E.R lab has developed charge mosaic membranes that facilitate diffusion of charged solutes over water through oppositely charged regions. These are being fabricated by ink-jet printing polymeric materials onto a structural template. The CMMs are being printed by using the striped pattern which is alternatively printing positively charged and negatively charged polyelectrolytes. To develop an understanding of how these membranes function, we conducted diffusion cell experiments for salts of varying valency, having different concentrations and ionic mobility. Through the experimental water flow and solute throughput tests, we were able to elucidate how the nanoscale structure and chemical functionalities of the membranes impact the observed transport properties.

Abstract: Most cancer drugs fail in clinical studies not because they are ineffective in killing cancer cells, but because they cannot be administered in doses high enough to destroy the tumor without dangerously harming the patient. One potential solution to this problem is to encapsulate anticancer drugs in liposomal nanoparticles that selectively target only cancer cells. The conjugation of ligands to liposomes enables active targeting of the tumor through specific binding to tumor-associated receptors.

Abstract: We demonstrate how crystal vibrations, called phonons, can be leveraged to engineer optical modes in thin layers of polar semiconductors. We characterize coupling to the Berreman mode for four different samples using polarization-, angle- and wavelength-dependent reflection spectroscopy and compare the results to numerical models developed using rigorous coupled wave analysis and finite difference frequency domain techniques; there is good agreement between experiment and simulations. These materials could eventually be used to engineer fundamentally new optoelectronic devices for the mid- and far-IR.

Abstract: Previously, we have established a library of amphiphilic that form nanostructures and gels. Near UV circular dichroism and infrared spectroscopy on the peptide gels show minimal signs of beta sheets. We developed analogous ‘tripeptoids’ to analyze the importance of hydrogen bonding in the peptide hydrogels. Peptoids have a side chain on the nitrogen rather than the carbon. Our peptoids did not form hydrogels however, they formed nanostructures similar to the peptides. 

Abstract: We present the method to produce microdroplets encapsulated by styrene shell by AC electrospray method. We used the noble idea of ohmic heating generated due to applied electric field at the tip of capillary to polymerize the styrene thus forming the shell. We have also fabricated silicon nanopore array by inverted pyramid technique to achieve multi-target quantification of droplets.

Abstract: Membranes are an important aspect of many water filtration systems. However, many membranes produced from conventional methods have one of two functions: filtration of contaminates based on their size or filtration of contaminates based on their chemistry. In order to produce a membrane with both of these function, nanoporous membranes based on self-assembled polymers have been shown to be a promising class of membranes. The research done this summer was to build two spraying techniques of thin-film deposition that utilized electric fields and to optimize the membrane performance based off of the spraying parameters.

Abstract: Optical characterization of phononic nanoparticles is necessary to explore their potential applications in the mid- to far-IR spectrums. A robust dip coating process to develop monolayer thin films was designed. Various parameters were explored to increase the reliability and consistency of the process. These included adsorbed self assembled monolayers on the substrate, concentration of nanoparticles in suspension, and the volume of suspension used in each dip coat.

Abstract: Biological membranes play a very important role especially when it comes to functioning of living cells. They experience fluctuating properties like undulation of surface due to excitation at physiological temperatures which has a serious impact on their functioning. Clearly, being able to monitor their elastic properties holds a lot of significance. For studying these undulations in membranes, like, local protrusions and variable thickness, Helfrich-type continuum model,one of the most reliable method, has been applied using fourier transformation. All the results have been obtained on 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC).The study further includes analysis on multiple mixtures of Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), 1,2-(cis-cis-9,12-octadecadienoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DUPC) and Cholestrol.

Abstract: The molecule under development is a proof of concept for a peptide that recruits antibodies naturally present in humans to a chosen cell receptor, marking the cell for destruction by the immune system. A series of molecules were designed to multivalently target, thus promoting a covalent conjugation to an antibody and, with a second targeting moiety, attach to another antibody or cell receptor. This complex is designed to securely mark the cell for destruction.

Abstract: Polymer electrolytes have been in demand since solid state batteries were discovered. In addition to ease of processing, they have good mechanical properties and high chemical, electrochemical and photochemical stability. It is highly desirable to create high conductivity polymers which can be facilitated by engineering microstructures. This project includes the synthesis and study of small novel electrolytes such as lithium alkyl salts which can be used to study transport and phase transition(s) with an eye towards application in polymer electrolytes. After synthesis, elemental analysis, DSC and dielectric measurements were carried out for characterization. The effect of electrolyte composition on properties like conductivity and thermodynamics was studied. Simultaneously, changes in volume and enthalpy with respect to temperature were examined in atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to validate the phase transitions observed in experiments. Future work on these materials will involve stabilization by polymerization in order to lend mechanical stability to these phases. 

Abstract: Supramolecular self-assembly describes a process of molecular recognition and organization into defined structures using specific, directional, non-covalent interactions. Supramolecular structures can lead to materials with dynamic, responsive and highly tuneable properties that have application in drug delivery, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine among many others. We are specifically interested in illustrating the utility of creating supramolecular biomaterials arising from the 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxamide (BTA) hydrogen bonding motif. Specifically, through appendage of peptides to the BTA core, it is our objective to create hydrogels which may be useful as biomaterials.

Abstract: We sought to target the drug L-Asparaginase to lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Thus, we have explored routes to modify L-Asparaginase through bioconjugation for attachment of minimal supramolecular affinity motifs. Simultaneously, we are modifying tissue-specific labeling moieties with the complementary portion of these affinity motifs. Thus, a cell or tissue of interest could be labeled with one half of the affinity motif, which would subsequently serve to home the modified enzyme to this site through a supramolecular affinity axis.