Physics Commons^™

Spectroscopic Analysis Of Neurotransmitters: A Theoretical And Experimental Raman Study, Matthew Alonzo

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was applied to investigate the feasibility in the detection and monitoring of the dopamine (DA) neurotransmitter adsorbed onto silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) at 10-11 molar, a concentration far below physiological levels. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were obtained with the Gaussian-09 analytical suite software to generate the theoretical molecular configuration of DA in its neutral, cationic, anionic, and dopaminequinone states for the conversion of computer-simulated Raman spectra. Comparison of theoretical and experimental results show good agreement and imply the presence of dopamine in all of its molecular forms in the experimental setting. The dominant …

Spectroscopic And Microscopic Analysis Of Graphene For Sensor Applications, Tamanna Tasneem Khan

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

As a two-dimensional material, graphene shows very good thermal and electrical conductivities, which, with its unique optical properties, makes it suitable for a variety of applications. In this study, we present detailed investigations by confocal Raman and Drude model analysis of the material's changes and improvements, as it transitioned from 3D graphite to 2D graphene. Besides Raman spectral recording, which can detect single, a few, and multi-layers of graphene, confocal Raman mapping allows distinction of such domains and direct visualization of material inhomogeneity. Moreover, far-infrared transmittance measurements, which are related to electrical conductivity, demonstrate a distinct increase of conductivity with …

Label-Free Raman Imaging To Monitor Breast Tumor Signatures, John Ciubuc

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Methods built on Raman spectroscopy have shown major potential in describing and discriminating between malignant and benign specimens. Accurate, real-time medical diagnosis benefits in substantial improvements through this vibrational optical method. Not only is acquisition of data possible in milliseconds and analysis in minutes, Raman allows concurrent detection and monitoring of all biological components. Besides validating a significant Raman signature distinction between non-tumorigenic (MCF-10A) and tumorigenic (MCF-7) breast epithelial cells, this study reveals a label-free method to assess overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) in tumor cells. EGFR overexpression sires Raman features associated with phosphorylated threonine and serine, and …

Microscopic And Spectroscopic Analysis Of Cadmium Telluride, Jessica Goretty Salazar

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Cadmium telluride (CdTe) remains one of the materials of interest in the fabrication of photovoltaic cells and infrared devices, mainly because of its suitable crystal structure as well as of its small, direct bandgap of 1.5 eV. Since development of such devices requires a high quality and low defect material, the goal of this study is to microscopically and spectroscopically examine not only crystallinity, but also the induced stress in the material due to the effect of substrate orientation. This information is valuable if optimization of sample growth conditions is envisioned. Prior to CdTe deposition by close-spaced sublimation (CSS), Si …

Raman And Infrared Study Of Electrospun Plla/Pcl Nanofiber Blends For Use In Tissue Engineering, Jose Luis Enriquez Carrejo

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Recently, the biomedical engineering field has developed at a very fast pace as improved techniques and materials become available to promote its growth. Consequently, the research in polymeric biomaterials has been highly stimulated by this trend. The goal of the current research is to demonstrate the usefulness of the Raman scattering, Raman mapping, and infrared absorption spectroscopies to tissue engineering, by spectroscopically characterizing blends of PLLA and PCL polymers, which were prepared by electrospinning with and without cell addition. The proposed use of these blends is as primary biomaterials in biodegradable scaffolds used in tissue engineering. Both Raman and infrared …

Spectroscopic Analysis Of Tungsten Oxide Thin Films For Sensor Applications, Jose Luis Enriquez Carrejo

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The objective of this study is targeted toward improving the quality of pure tungsten oxide (WO3) for application to the detection of poisoning gases, especially of H2S. While pure WO3 is a recognized candidate for gas sensing, its characteristics are strongly dependent on the conditions and methods used in its deposition.

Samples of WO3 thin films analyzed in this work were grown on silicon and sapphire substrates using RF magnetron sputtering at a number of different substrate temperatures and Ar:O2 pressure ratios. The properties of the samples were investigated spectroscopically with the goal of determining how variations in the above …

Spectroscopic Study Of The Inhibition Of Calcium Oxalate Calculi By Larrea Tridentata, Luis Alonso Pinales

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The causes of urolithiasis include such influences as diet, metabolic disorders, and genetic factors which have been documented as sources that aggravate urinary calculi depositions and aggregations, and, implicitly, as causes of urolithiasis. This study endeavors to detail the scientific mechanisms involved in calcium oxalate calculi formation, and, more importantly, their inhibition under growth conditions imposed by the traditional medicinal approach using the herbal extract, Larrea tridentata. The calculi were synthesized without and with Larrea tridentata infusion by employing the single diffusion gel technique. A visible decrease in calcium oxalate crystal growth with increasing amounts of Larrea tridentata herbal infusion …