Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 4 of 4

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Analysis Of The Light Responsive Azobenzene Peptide Nucleic Acid Duplexes, Kat Nguyen May 2022

Analysis Of The Light Responsive Azobenzene Peptide Nucleic Acid Duplexes, Kat Nguyen

Honors College Theses

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are oligonucleotide analogues in which the sugar-phosphate backbone has been replaced by a pseudopeptide skeleton. Since PNAs use the natural nucleobases (Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Uracil, and Guanine) found in either DNA and/or RNA, they are able to hybridize according to Watson-Crick base-pairing to form duplexes. PNA is a promising therapeutic agent because they can function as antigene or antisense chemical agents. To further enhance their utility, we aim to incorporate a photoswitchable moiety using azobenzene. Here, we report the results of the synthesis and purification of a photoswitchable 11 mer PNA along with initial characterization efforts.


Investigating Ionic Current Rectification As A Means Of Controllable Drug Delivery Using Silica Nanoparticles And Nano Porous Membranes, Katie L. Nolan Apr 2022

Investigating Ionic Current Rectification As A Means Of Controllable Drug Delivery Using Silica Nanoparticles And Nano Porous Membranes, Katie L. Nolan

Honors College Theses

This project investigates a novel ionic current rectification (ICR) phenomenon created by the opening and closing of nanopores by charged silica nanoparticles (SNPs) under electrophoretic flow. This voltage-controlled opening and closing of the pores can be exploited to allow delivery of nicotine through the pores at programmable intervals. The ICR phenomenon was thoroughly investigated by varying pH, buffer concentration, SNP concentration, and applied voltage range. The mechanism was also verified by testing with a 2-, 3-, and 5-electrode system. Potential cake layer formation was demonstrated in a longer ICR test, and the implications of this on the drug delivery mechanism …


Assessment Of Catalytic Function Of Gold Nanorod-Bound Tempo Under Nir Irradiation, Kristi L. St. Clair Apr 2018

Assessment Of Catalytic Function Of Gold Nanorod-Bound Tempo Under Nir Irradiation, Kristi L. St. Clair

Honors College Theses

Gold nanoparticles are of interest to a number of fields due to their size-dependent optical properties, high stability, and large surface area. The combination of these properties allows for a variety of uses including photothermal therapy, drug delivery and catalysis. Gold nanorods (GNR) absorb light of a given wavelength which stimulates the oscillation of electrons on the surface and is known as the surface plasmon resonance effect. The localized heating of rods via irradiation may cause enhanced effectiveness of an attached organic catalyst which allows the oxidation of alcohols to occur at room temperature. Previously, similar catalytic systems required high …


Carinata Fame Production Process And Biofuel Oxidation, Benoit Kindo Jan 2016

Carinata Fame Production Process And Biofuel Oxidation, Benoit Kindo

Honors College Theses

In this experiment, the contribution of a standard production method for biofuels on their oxidative stability was investigated. Peroxide values were measured at different steps of the production process of Brassica carinata and peanut-based biofuels. The washing and drying steps in this production method showed significant increases in peroxide values for both biofuels and was identified as a major contributor of biofuel oxidation. Further analyses of the physical and thermal properties showed a more pronounced affect in the biofuel from Bassica carinata, and indicated an unusual composition much higher in saturated fatty acids much longer than those found in peanut. …