Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Incorporation Of Luminescent Osmium Complexes Into Metal-Organic Frameworks: Optimization Of Osmium Complex Synthesis And Effect Of Mof Structure On Complex Inclusion And Emission, Brandon A. Molina, Lucas Stehle, Jeffrey A. Rood

Summer Scholarship, Creative Arts and Research Projects (SCARP)

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are materials that contain metal centers coordinated by organic molecules that form an extended, porous lattice. These MOFs are of interest in the field of sensing for their unique properties such as high stability, high surface area, high crystallinity, and ability to perform small molecule exchange. Luminescent metal-organic frameworks (LMOFs) are of specific interest since they contain the potential to detect odorless volatile organic compounds (VOCs) via adsorption into the porous framework. Luminescent properties can be imparted to MOFs in several ways. This project focused on the inclusion of a luminescent osmium complex into the MOF scaffold. …

Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain-Transfer Emulsion Polymerization And Its Application To Waterborne Coatings, Andrew Balgeman

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Waterborne acrylic latex makes up a vast majority of the architectural coatings market, including most of the paints sold in retail stores. Most, if not all, of these latex formulations are prepared using radical polymerization of acrylic monomers. Reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization has been researched for over two decades, but to this point has made very little progress finding success in commercial applications. Indeed, a majority of RAFT research has been dedicated to successfully polymerizing different monomers with good degree of polymerization control, and very little research has been directed toward actual coating applications. In this study, we focused …

In Depth Characterisation Of The Biomolecular Coronas Of Polymer Coated Inorganic Nanoparticles With Differential Centrifugal Sedimentation, André Perez-Potti, Hender Lopez, Beatriz Pelaz, Abuelmagd Abdelmonem, Mahmoud G. Soliman, Ingmar Schoen, Philip M. Kelly, Kenneth A. Dawson, Wolfgang J. Parak, Zeljka Krpetic, Marco P. Monopoli

Articles

Advances in nanofabrication methods have enabled the tailoring of new strategies towards the controlled production of nanoparticles with attractive applications in healthcare. In many cases, their characterisation remains a big challenge, particularly for small-sized functional nanoparticles of 5 nm diameter or smaller, where current particle sizing techniques struggle to provide the required sensitivity and accuracy. There is a clear need for the development of new reliable characterisation approaches for the physico-chemical characterisation of nanoparticles with significant accuracy, particularly for the analysis of the particles in the presence of complex biological fluids. Herein, we show that the Differential Centrifugal Sedimentation can …

Investigation Into The Source Of Contamination Of Surface Waters Flowing Through The Wright State University Woods, Nnadozie Kennedy Okeke

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

This investigative research was carried out with the purpose of determining the source of contaminants present in the surface waters flowing through the Wright State University woods. Five sample sites going from upstream to downstream namely; Inflow to Nutter Center Pond (INNCP), Nutter Center Pond (NCP), Outfall 21 (OTF 21), Burley, and Outfall 15 (OTF 15), were sampled over a time period spanning from June 2020 to January 2021. Samples collected were analyzed for Escherichia coli (E. coli) using 3M™ Petrifilm™ E. coli/Coliform Count (EC) plates, select anions (Phosphate PO43-, Nitrate NO3-, Sulfate SO42-, Fluoride F- and Chloride Cl-) using …

Cytoviva Hyperspectral Imaging For Comparing The Uptake And Transformation Of Agnps And Ag+ In Mitochondria, Kristina Steingass

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Nanomaterials have attracted significant attention in the last decade, with applications in everyday products. Amongst all known nanomaterials in use, silver is the leading metal, present in 531 different types of products, owing to their unique optical, electrical, antimicrobial, and thermal properties. Though silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) come in contact regularly with the general population, there is little known about their toxicity mechanism due to limited techniques for thorough analysis. CytoViva Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) shows potential for filling these gaps. In this study, borohydride-capped AgNPs with an approximate diameter of 10 nm were synthesized using the modified Creighton method and characterized …

Benzotriazole And Tolytriazole Analysis In Select Surface Waters Near Wilmington Air Park, Lee A. Raska

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Previous investigations into the presence of benzotriazole (BTZ) and corresponding analogs done in early 2019 found elevated levels near the Wilmington Air Park in Wilmington, Ohio. The analogs detected were 4-methyl-1H-benzotriazole and 5-methyl-1H-benzotriazole: known together as tolytriazole (TTZ). BTZ and TTZ are emerging environmental contaminants of concern that are often found in aircraft de-icing solutions, anti-icing solutions and detergents. The Wilmington Air Park has two facilities used to pre-treat runoff water before its subsequent release into surrounding streams. Three sites were chosen: Lytle Creek, Indian Run, and Cowan Creek. For the 2019 and 2019/2020 investigative projects, Cowan Creek was designated …

The Detection And Identification Of Blood On Interfering Substrates Using Raman Spectroscopy And Hamand For Forensic Purposes, Jalissa M. Thomas

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Body fluids, such as blood and semen, can provide invaluable information to a criminal investigation. As such, it is imperative that body fluid evidence is properly detected and identified. Our laboratory has developed a methodology to universally detect and identify body fluids using Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics. This methodology was developed under ideal conditions, which are rare in the field. Body fluid evidence can be found on substrates that produce a large Raman signal that can hinder detection of body fluid traces, which produce a weak signal. This project proposes the use of a statistical program called HAMAND (Hypothetical Addition …

The Formation Of Prenucleation Clusters For Calcium Fluoride, Taylor M. Muterspaw

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

There have been limited studies on the analysis of the nucleation and precipitation behind calcium fluoride. Earlier studies support a nucleation mechanism in agreement to classical nucleation theory (CNT) in which a surface nucleation mechanism is required for calcium fluoride. This experiment devised using the ISE method to calcium fluoride to find evidence of a nucleation mechanism like that of calcium carbonate (prenucleation cluster pathway). The potential and pH were recorded versus time and the potential data was converted to nCa2+ data of free calcium ions. It was determined that there was evidence of a similar nucleation mechanism for calcium …

Degradation Of Natural And Synthetic Fibers In Various Aqueous Environments, Jaylin Bryant

Honors Scholars Collaborative Projects

Fabrics are one variant of polymers, macromolecules that form the foundation of our society. They consist of small subunits called monomers, which are covalently bonded together and layered over each other through intermolecular attractions. There are natural fabrics, such as cotton and silk, and synthetic fabrics like polyester and rayon. Scientists in forensic taphonomy study postmortem changes made to human remains, which can also include clothes found at the scene. In this study, the degradation rates of four white fabrics (cotton, polyester, rayon, and silk) were observed in various aqueous environments (pure, chlorinated, sea, and lake) in order to observe …

Computational Analysis Beyond The Monomer Frontier Orbitals For Photovoltaic Donor-Polymer Candidates, Mitchell E. Lahm, Megan M. Niblock, John M. Migliore, Kendra M. Mckenzie, Hans P. Lüthi, Rollin A. King

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Scharber et al. proposed an efficiency model for organic photovoltaic cells based on the orbital energies of the monomers of the donor- and acceptor- polymers [Advanced Materials 18 (2006) 789–794]. We report theoretical extensions of this approach. First, the frontier-orbital energies and electronic spectra of n-length oligomers (n = 1 − 5) of 3-butylthiophene have been determined. The results show reasonable convergence with respect to system size at the point of a trimer with alkyl end caps. The HOMO-LUMO gap well matches computed excitation energies. Second, the structures and electronic spectra of dimers formed by three different monomers, with various …

Utilizing Raman Spectroscopy To Determine The Time Since Deposition Of Heated Bloodstains, Alexis Pearl Barber

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The development of novel forensic methods is a rapidly growing area within analytical chemistry. Analytical chemistry is well suited for forensic analyses as a plethora of information can be ascertained from utilizing a wide variety of techniques. At the scene of violent crimes, bloodstain evidence is one of the most frequently found and valuable types of evidence. This is because blood is a complex biological fluid which can provide crucial information during a forensic investigation including DNA evidence. The most informative form of analysis is DNA profiling, which potentially allows for the identification of an individual. However, there is more …

Using Augmented Reality As A Tool For Distance Learning Of Vsepr Theory, Isabelle Lopez

Scripps Senior Theses

Distance learning poses challenges in most academic settings, especially at the undergraduate laboratory level. Improving this mode of learning diminishes the impact of current events on young scientists’ development of foundational laboratory concepts. Our work explores the use of augmented reality (AR) in a laboratory setting. We developed a completely virtual valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory lab activity consistent with the goals of Keck Science Department’s Introduction to Chemistry course’s in-person VSEPR lab activity. We were able to maintain a hands-on learning experience for students while using a tool many students already own: an iPhone as an alternative …

Mass Spectral And Chemometric Analysis For The Detection And Identification Of Forensically Relevant Materials, Meghan Grace Appley

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Forensic science is the application of science to the law which in and of itself covers a substantial number of disciplines. Many of these involve the detection and identification of materials using analytical techniques. Traditional analysis methods include microscopy, spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The materials encountered by forensic practitioners are ever evolving, resulting in the need to develop new methods to complement conventional techniques to enhance the evidentiary value of the samples. The research presented here shows that novel methods including direct analysis in real time–high-resolution mass spectrometry (DART-HRMS), thermal desorption coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS), solid-phase microextraction (SPME) …

Synthesis And Conformational Study Of Triazolylcyclohexanols And Trans-2-(Azaarylsulfanyl)-Cyclohexanols, Mulinde R. Ruyonga

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Amino-cyclohexanol derivatives have been successful models for pH-triggered conformational switches. By changing the groups on the amine nitrogen, these models provide a wide pH-range in which a switch can occur. The pH-induced switch of conformation can be monitored by 1H NMR.In this work, structurally similar trans-2-(azaarylsulfanyl)-cyclohexanol derivatives (Scheme 1) and trans-2-triazolylcyclohexanol derivatives (Scheme 2) have been explored for the first time as compounds with a potential for the analogous pH-induced conformational switch. The azaarylsulfanyl groups showed selective conformational flexibility while the triazolyl group showed a strong preference for the equatorial position. Further, conformational studies were done on a series of …

The Potential For Remote Sensing Measurement Of Dissolved Organic Carbon As A Tool For Metal Risk Assessments, Mickey Nielsen

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The biotic ligand model (BLM) is a tool used to quantitatively evaluate how receiving water chemistry affects the bioavailability of metals. Sensitivity testing can be used to understand how the model outputs vary in response to systematic changes in water chemistry inputs. This will allow users of such models to understand how accurate their input parameters must be for a specified level of confidence in the output. Our focus was on dissolved organic carbon (DOC), which is often the most limiting data for application of BLM approaches to metals risk management. To potentially address DOC data limitations remote sensing can …

Hypervalent Iodine Compounds With Halogen-Containing And Phosphinate Ligands, Yakun Cao

Chemistry Theses and Dissertations

In modern organic chemistry, hypervalent (HV) iodine(III) compounds have been used widely as oxidizing agents but applications of λ³-iodanes in polymer and material chemistry is still underexplored. In the first project, a new series of heterocyclic HV iodine(III) compounds with I–Cl bonds and various substituents at the N atom were synthesized and successfully employed in the synthesis of highly branched polymers when added to mixtures of styrene and 1,4-divinylbenzene containing 10–80 mol% of the divinyl crosslinker, or even pure crosslinker. HV iodine(III) also can be utilized for polymer modification. HV iodine(III) compounds with fluorine-containing ligands (F, CF_{3 …}

Adaptation Of Pt-Dna Binding Experiments Into A Multiweek Upperlevel Biochemistry Laboratory Activity, Keira Naff

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Platinum-based drugs are commonly used as anti-cancer therapeutics due to their abilities to bind to DNA and prohibit proliferation in cells. Although the concept of drug interactions within biomolecules is often introduced in undergraduate courses such as biochemistry and toxicology, there are very few laboratory activities that exist that provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to investigate this topic in the lab. During the Summer 2020 PRISM program, we worked to create a multi-week laboratory activity for upper-level biochemistry students focused on the investigation of the DNA binding abilities of common Pt anticancer therapeutics through biochemical modeling and wet laboratory …

Essays On Environmental And Health Economics., Prachi Singh Dr.

Doctoral Theses

This thesis consists of three empirical essays that investigate issues in environmental and health economics. The main focus of this thesis is to study how environmental degradation or interventions in this domain can affect demographic and health outcomes of the population in developing countries. The first chapter explores the effect of an information campaign about arsenic contamination in Bangladesh on marriage market outcomes. This study finds that providing information about negative effects of arsenic consumption had an unintended consequence in the marriage market. Specifically, information about lower fertility, skin lesions, cancers and higher mortality related to arsenic exposure induced individuals …

Visualizing And Analyzing Structures Of Coordination Polymers Synthesized In Ionic Liquids, Natalie Husby, Akane Inoue, Hilary Eppley

Annual Student Research Poster Session

Synthesis of metal organic frameworks can result in different products based on the solvent that is used. One option is to use ionic liquids (ILs, or room temperature molten salts) to create novel metal organic coordination polymers. Our group analyzed metal organic polymers synthesized in ILs with the goal of cataloging the topology of the structures, the connectivity of the organic ligands, and the roles of the ILs in the syntheses. We used Sci-Finder Scholar to find papers where compounds were synthesized using ILs, and determined whether the IL played the role as the cation, anion, or neither in the …

Iron Speciation In Pm2.5 From Urban, Agriculture, And Mixed Environments In Colorado, Usa, Joseph R. Salazar, David J. Pfotenhauer, Frank Leresche, Fernando L. Rosario-Ortiz, Michael P. Hannigan, Sirine C. Fakra, Brian Majestic

Chemistry and Biochemistry: Faculty Scholarship

Atmospheric iron solubility varies depending on whether the particles are collected in rural or urban areas, with urban areas showing increased iron solubility. In this study, we investigate if the iron species present in different environments affects its ultimate solubility. Field data are presented from the Platte River Air Pollution and Photochemistry Experiment (PRAPPE), aimed at understanding the interactions between organic carbon and trace elements in atmospheric particulate matter (PM). 24-hr PM2.5 samples were collected during the summer and winter (2016–2017), at three different sites on the Eastern Colorado plains: an urban, agricultural, and a mixed site. Downtown Denver had …

A Brief Overview Of Analyzing Testing Procedures In The Quality Control Lab At Elanco Animal Health, Gina Fedrighi

Annual Student Research Poster Session

The study of testing procedures within the quality control lab was conducted at Elanco Animal Health through the summer internship program. The internship program focuses on the development of young professionals as research and manufacturing leaders in the pharmaceutical industry. The purpose of this project was to determine ways in which to save both time and money in the quality control lab through the study of various quality testing procedures. Quality Control plays a vital role in the manufacturing process in order to ensure quality of products and consistency between batches. It is important to improve upon the current testing …

Conceptualizing And Analyzing Metal-Organic Frameworks And The Role Of The Ionic Liquid, Sydney Forbes, Aaron Wills, Hilary Eppley

Annual Student Research Poster Session

The synthesis of Metal-Organic Frameworks, or MOFs, can be easily changed or manipulated simply by changing the solvent medium. The research focused primarily on the role ionic liquids (ILs) had in MOF synthesis. ILs can be defined as salts that are liquid at room temperature. IL ligands were found one of three ways in the final structure; either acting as the anion, cation, or neither and just acting as a medium for a reaction. This research primarily revolved around Cambridge Structural Database (CSD). The purpose of CSD was a way to look more closely at these crystalline structures from previous …

Ultra-High Vibrational And Rotational Motion Of The Hf Molecule Via Infrared (Ir) Laser Excitation, Toria Tucker, Jingwei (Mike) Ling, Bridget Gourley

Annual Student Research Poster Session

Our goals this summer were to build on previous work in our group modeling ultra-high vibrational and rotational excitation in small molecules via unique pulse sequencing of an infrared (IR) laser. The system was modeled both using Fortran and Mathematica as programming languages. We were able to demonstrate that different numerical techniques for propagating coupled differential equations forward in time led to equivalent levels of vibrational excitation and allowed for identical visualization of molecular state probabilities as a function of time. Work including the rotational motion progressed to the point of being able to see both significant excitation when rotations …

Analysis Of Dynamical Systems For Synthesis Of Phenobarbital, Mishal Ali

Annual Student Research Poster Session

The use of mathematical methods for the analysis of chemical reaction systems is one of the useful tools. Phenobarbital (a barbiturate type medication also called phenobarb) is a prescription drug used to control seizures, relieve anxiety, treat epilepsy (in some countries), and prevent withdrawal symptoms in people dependent on other barbiture drugs. We approaches it with matrix analysis and ODE system. It helps us understand the chemical stoichiometry of these synthesis reactions.

Supervisor: Prof. Seonguk Kim, PhD

Synthesis And Design Of Novel Polymer Grafted Nanoparticles Relevant To Drug Delivery Vehicles For Biomedical Applications, Maan Abduldiyem Hassan Al-Ali

Theses and Dissertations

The modification of inorganic nanoparticles with organic polymer chains has become a significant field of study for the engineering of advanced nanocomposite materials. This dissertation presents the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel polymer grafted silica nanoparticles as new strategies to combat bacterial resistance. Described herein is the synthesis of monomers that have been graft polymerized onto silica nanoparticles that can be used as a delivery drug vehicle for biomedical applications. The polymerization of these monomers was performed via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The molecular design of the RAFT agents that are attached to the surfaces of the …

The Statue Of Liberty Laboratory Activity: The Chemistry Of Copper, Jihyun Kim, Marcus D. Allen

Open Educational Resources

In this lab activity we observe chemical changes of copper in acidic conditions, salt water, and a mixture of lemon juice and vinegar and salt, and we discuss whether the Statue of Liberty would hold as much cultural icon today had the Lady Statue remain the original shiny brown color.

Electrostatic Denaturation Of Dna-Cisplatin Adducts, Eddie Madrigal

Master's Theses

In this thesis, electrochemical approaches are used to determine the properties of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by electrostatic denaturation. The electrochemical routine involves an application of a destabilization potential, an equilibration potential, and a square wave voltammogram (SWV) to monitor the extent of melting. Our method uses a monolayer consisting of thiol modified DNA and mercaptohexanol on a gold electrode. These electrodes are then incubated in a complementary sequence tagged with methylene blue. By using our electrostatic denaturation technique, different parameters are explored, such as surface densities, surface coverages, and ionic strengths. As proof of concept, these techniques were applied toward …

Visualization Without Vision – How Blind And Visually Impaired Students And Researchers Engage With Molecular Structures, Croix J. Laconsay, Henry B. Wedler, Dean J. Tantillo

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

This article examines the tools and techniques currently available that enable blind and visually impaired (BVI) individuals to visualize three-dimensional objects used in learning chemistry concepts. How BVI individuals engage with and visualize molecular structure is discussed and recent tactile (or haptic) and auditory methods for visualization of various chemistry concepts are summarized. Remaining challenges for chemistry education researchers are described with the aim of highlighting the potential value of educational research in further enabling BVI students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Dipicolinamide Ligands And Analogs For Lanthanides (Ln), Actinides (An) And Mercury (Hg) For Application To Nuclear Fuel Cycle Separations And Waste Management, Ingrid Lehman-Andino

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Spent nuclear fuel (SNF) – or used nuclear fuel (UNF) – contains long-lived minor actinides such as ²⁴¹Am, ²⁴⁵Cm, and ²³⁷Np, together with fission products that include lanthanides. Minor actinides are responsible for much of the radiotoxicity and heat generation that limits the capacity of geological repositories. Thus, removing minor actinides from UNF can reduce storage time required for decay to natural levels of activity by several orders of magnitude. Actinide(An)/Lanthanide(Ln) separation processes via solvent extraction by selective complexation with organic or aqueous ligands have to overcome difficulties due to similarities in their ionic radii for the …

I. Non-Degradable Polysiloxane Networks For Controlled Release Applications, And Ii. Additive Free, Degradable Silyl-Ether Furyl-Maleimide Networks, Caleb M. Bunton

Chemistry Theses and Dissertations

I. Two different series of non–degradable polysiloxane networks were prepared for the encapsulation and controlled release of a small molecule agent. For the first series, hydrosilylation was utilized to prepare networks of varying crosslink densities, as determined from swelling studies, from vinyl terminated and silylhydride functional poly(dimethyl)siloxanes. For the second series, the thiol-ene reaction was utilized to prepare networks of varying crosslink densities, as determined from swelling studies, from vinyl terminated and mercaptopropyl functional poly(dimethyl)siloxanes. Nile red dye was used as an encapsulated agent and dye release from each series of networks was measured using UV–vis spectroscopy to determine controllability …