Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Commons^™

Polymeric Nanocarriers For The Regional And Systemic Delivery Of Therapeutics To And Through The Lungs, Balaji Bharatwaj

Wayne State University Dissertations

The lungs are considered as one of the fastest portals of entry to the bloodstream and oral inhalation (OI) has long been accepted as the preferred mode of administration of therapeutics to the respiratory tract. However, despite its advantages, the lungs have been largely underutilized to target ailments not only of systemic relevance but also several other grave conditions including lung cancer and tuberculosis. Polymeric nanocarriers (PNCs) have several advantages over other drug delivery vehicles including sustained release of moieties, ease of cellular internalization and improved targeting, and hence hold the promise to greatly augment the potential of OI therapies. …

Metal Chalcogenide Nanoparticle Gel Networks: Their Formation Mechanism And Application For Novel Material Generation And Heavy Metal Remediation Via Cation Exchange Reactions, Irina Ramona Pala

Wayne State University Dissertations

METAL CHALCOGENIDE NANOPARTICLE GEL NETWORKS: THEIR FROMATION MECHANISM AND APPLICATION FOR NOVEL MATERIAL GENERATION AND HEAVY METAL REMEDIATION VIA CATION EXCHANGE REACTIONS

by

IRINA R. PALA

February 2012

Advisor: Dr. Stephanie L. Brock

Major: Chemistry

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

The dissertation research is focused on (1) uncovering the mechanism of metal chalcogenide nanoparticle gel formation; (2) extending the cation exchange reaction protocol to zinc sulfide gel networks, with the goal of accessing new aerogel chemistries and understanding the factors that drive the process; and (3) conducting a quantitative analysis of the ability of ZnS aerogels to remove heavy metal ions …