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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
On The Mechanism Of Giant Electromotility In Polyelectrolyte Gels, Kimberly Ann Branshaw '95
On The Mechanism Of Giant Electromotility In Polyelectrolyte Gels, Kimberly Ann Branshaw '95
Honors Projects
Electromotility, i.e. bending in response to an electric field, of polyelectrolyte gels in ionic solutions has recently been investigated at a few leading academic and industrial labs as a potential chemomechanical engine. We have discovered that the underlying physics in these systems is more complex than previously believed. We have found that the bending, which seems to obey a {t power law, is inconsistent with the simple idea of a bending speed, but is consistent with a diffusion mechanism. Evidence of diffusion was independently provided by experiments on gels grown or bent in the presence of dyes. We have explored …
Novel Swelling Structures And Electromotility Response In Polyelectrolyte Gels, Dana Deardorff
Novel Swelling Structures And Electromotility Response In Polyelectrolyte Gels, Dana Deardorff
Honors Projects
Electromotility, the bending in response to an electric field, of polyelectrolyte gels in ionic solutions has been identified as a candidate for a potential chemomechanical engines such as muscles. We discovered that the underlying physics of these systems is more complex than previously believed. We found that the bending as a function of time obeys a square root power law. This points strongly towards a diffusion mechanism for the bending. Kinetic evidence for diffusion was independently corroborated by experiments on gels grown or bent in the presence of dyes. We explored the effects of varying poly-ion concentration in the backbone …
Ignition And Environmental Effects Of Wildfires As Related To Giant Impacts, Gregory S. Kufner
Ignition And Environmental Effects Of Wildfires As Related To Giant Impacts, Gregory S. Kufner
Honors Projects
Soot has been discovered by Wolbach et al. at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary in various geographic locations, supporting the theory that worldwide wildfires were ignited by the impact of a giant meteorite which caused the mass extinction 65 million years ago. This project examines a deep sea core sample from the North Central Pacific Ocean for evidence of soot. Soot discovery at this site, the only deep ocean site to be studied, supports the theory that soot distribution from the fires was worldwide. In another project, samples from the suevite breccia of the Kara Ust-Kara craters in Russia (unrelated to the …
Organochlorine Pesticide Residues In The Neotropical Migratory Passerine Birds, Birthe Borup
Organochlorine Pesticide Residues In The Neotropical Migratory Passerine Birds, Birthe Borup
Honors Projects
In 1874 Othmar Ziedlert a German chemist was working on the synthesis and characterization of substituted aromatic hydrocarbons. In the process of his work he synthesized dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane commonly known as DDT. It was not until 1930 that its use as an insecticide was detected by Paul Muller who found that it was effective against potato beetles (Leptinotarsal declineata) and clothes moths, (Tineola besselliella ) (Dunlap 1981). Pure DDT is a white crystalline solid with a melting point of 109 C, and a vapor pressure of 0.025mPa at 20 C. Technical grade DDT is a white amorphous powder, consisting of a …
Photochemistry Of The Nitrite Ion, Laura J. Wilson '95
Photochemistry Of The Nitrite Ion, Laura J. Wilson '95
Honors Projects
Nitrogen containing compounds contribute to many environmental problems such as acid rain, air pollution, groundwater contamination, and smog formation. For example, when the atmosphere is heavily polluted with nitrites and aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrogen compounds can undergo photochemical reactions to produce harmful compounds that can adversely affect the environment. This project studied the photochemistry of the nitrite ion in aqueous basic solution. Both ·OH and NO· radicals are produced during photolysis, but the two radicals recombine in the presence of pure water causing no net reaction. Aromatic compounds present in the solution being photolyzed can act as scavengers reacting with either …