Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Instrument Development For High Sensitivity Size Characterization Of Lipid Vesicles And Other Biological Macromolecules Via Taylor Dispersion Analysis, Meagan Moser

Doctoral Dissertations

Just as humans communicate with other humans, the cells in our bodies communicate with each other through various, often complex, mechanisms. Cell-to-cell transmission of small molecules, lipids, proteins, peptides, or nucleic acids can be mediated by extracellular lipid vesicles called exosomes. Exosomes have been found to play a role in the delivery of regulatory molecules from one cell to another, serving as a universal communication mechanism. Currently, there is an emerging focus on characterizing exosome communication dynamics. Understanding exosome mechanisms of cell-to-cell communication requires accurate measurements of the spatiotemporal and chemical dynamics of exosome secretion. No current analytical approach offers …

A Method To Control Morphology Of Bhj Opvs Using End-Functionalized Poly(3-Hexylthiophene)(P3ht) Grafted To Sqds, William Michael Kochemba

Doctoral Dissertations

Improving the power conversion efficiency of organic photovoltaic devices based on polymer-nanoparticle bulk heterojunctions remains a significant challenge that limits the commercial production of these technologies. There are a number of factors that contribute to the efficiency of photovoltaic devices including absorption, charge generation and charge separation, which ultimately rely on the morphology of the bulk heterojunction active layer. My work aims to improve these processes by developing a method to prepare end-group functionalized π[pi]- conjugated polymers that will be used to decorate the surface of nanoparticles thereby tailoring the interface between the polymer and the nanoparticle. This work involves …

The Importance Of Chain Connectivity In The Formation Of Non-Covalent Interactions Between Polymers And Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes And Its Impact On Dispersion, Dias Linton

Doctoral Dissertations

Polymer nanocomposites have garnered incredible promise in the field of material science due to the excellent mechanical strength, thermal and electrical conductivities of the nanoparticles and the extension of these properties to the processing flexibility inherent to plastics. However, practical realization of these nanoparticle-based materials has been hindered by the tendency of these nanoparticles to aggregate as a result of strong inter-particle forces. In this dissertation, we investigate the formation of non-covalent charge transfer interactions between polymers and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with the goal of optimizing interfacial adhesion and homogeneity of nanocomposites without modifying the SWNT native surface.

Nanocomposites …