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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Adapting Cell-Free Protein Synthesis As A Platform Technology For Education, Grace W. Chu, Max Z. Levine, Nicole E. Gregorio, Javin P. Oza Oct 2018

Adapting Cell-Free Protein Synthesis As A Platform Technology For Education, Grace W. Chu, Max Z. Levine, Nicole E. Gregorio, Javin P. Oza

STAR Program Research Presentations

Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) has emerged as an enabling biotechnology for research and biomanufacturing as it allows for the production of protein without the need for a living cell. Applications of CFPS include the construction of libraries for functional genomics and structural biology, the production of personalized medicine, and the expression of virus-like particles. The absence of a cell wall provides an open platform for direct manipulation of the reaction conditions and biological machinery. This project focuses on adapting the CFPS biotechnology to the classroom, making a hands-on bioengineering approach to learning protein synthesis accessible to students grades K-16 through …


Tof-Sims Analysis Of Plant Seed Interactions With Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria, Tammy Pheuphong, Rachel Komorek, Xiao-Ying Yu Aug 2018

Tof-Sims Analysis Of Plant Seed Interactions With Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria, Tammy Pheuphong, Rachel Komorek, Xiao-Ying Yu

STAR Program Research Presentations

The use of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) in plant biology is a relatively unexplored and quickly developing field. The majority of research in plant SIMS involves the application of ToF-SIMS to study dried wood tissues, and only a handful of studies apply SIMS on plant stems, roots, and/or seeds. Our project provides a brief description and review of previous work using SIMS on plant stems, roots, and/or seeds, along with an emphasis on the sample preparation in each study. Additionally, the use of Brachypodium distachyon (Brachypodium) as a model system for research on grasses has also become more …


Applications Of Diels-Alder Chemistry In Polymer Synthesis, Joshua C. Stambaugh, Philip J. Costanzo, Sierra E. Gosting Aug 2018

Applications Of Diels-Alder Chemistry In Polymer Synthesis, Joshua C. Stambaugh, Philip J. Costanzo, Sierra E. Gosting

STAR Program Research Presentations

Diels-Alder chemistry is utilized for a myriad of commercial applications during polymer synthesis, ranging from self-healing materials to heat responsive materials to emulsion coatings. In particular, the ability to regulate and control the amount and type of functional group linkages is key component for polymer applications. A common strategy that is employed is the use of phenolic maleimide as a dienophile during Diels-Alder synthesis to control the linkages on a polymer, which determines its properties and functionality. This summer was the beginning of a project to prepare a commercial scale, water-based emulsion floor coating/polish. The first step in this project …


Anisotropic Conductive Adhesives For Interdigitated Back Contact (Ibc) Silicon Solar Cells, Katherine M. Lohmuste, Manuel Schnabel, Maikel F.A.M. Van Hest Aug 2018

Anisotropic Conductive Adhesives For Interdigitated Back Contact (Ibc) Silicon Solar Cells, Katherine M. Lohmuste, Manuel Schnabel, Maikel F.A.M. Van Hest

STAR Program Research Presentations

The current manufacturing process for solar panels using interdigitated back contact (IBC) silicon solar cells involves a multi-step metallization and interconnection process in which a substantial amount of silver is used. This work focuses on a new process using conductive adhesives (CA) which would increase efficiency and lower cost through a one-step metallization and interconnection process that combines with encapsulation using little silver and only requiring metal patterning on the back sheet or back glass. It would also not require direct metallization of the silicon, which would result in fewer defects, while increasing voltage and therefore efficiency. Silver-coated Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) …


Pnnl Dark Matter Bubble Chamber, Ryan Robinson Aug 2018

Pnnl Dark Matter Bubble Chamber, Ryan Robinson

STAR Program Research Presentations

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) prototype bubble chamber is intended to address issues encountered with the current PICO dark matter search detectors and improve the functionality of future experimental designs. The PNNL bubble chamber accomplishes this with a simplified interface between the hydraulic pressure controls and the target vessel and altering the standard chamber design such that it can be easily exchanged and replaced with vessels of various sizes and materials for testing purposes. The chamber itself is a glass vessel which houses perfluorobutane and holds the target fluid above room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The target fluid becomes …


X-Ray Spectroscopy Of Nio And Nanodiamond At Ssrl, Jackson Earl Jan 2018

X-Ray Spectroscopy Of Nio And Nanodiamond At Ssrl, Jackson Earl

STAR Program Research Presentations

The first aspect of this research project focuses on investigating the surface chemistry of high pressure high temperature (HPHT) nanodiamond by using X-ray spectroscopy techniques at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL). HPHT nanodiamond is being examined as a biosensing tool for electric field detection based on the fluorescent nitrogen vacancy center hosted within diamond. With use of the transition edge spectrometer (TES), a state-of-the-art X-ray fluorescence detector, we are able to probe the surface and bulk properties of diamond. Preliminary work using density functional theory (DFT) has been done, offering insight into ground state energies and electronic structure. DFT …


Probing The Surface Of Nanodiamonds At Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource And San Jose State University, Jocelyn Valenzuela, Jackson Earl, Cynthia Melendrez, Grace Jeanpierre, Dennis Nordlund, Abraham Wolcott Jan 2018

Probing The Surface Of Nanodiamonds At Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource And San Jose State University, Jocelyn Valenzuela, Jackson Earl, Cynthia Melendrez, Grace Jeanpierre, Dennis Nordlund, Abraham Wolcott

STAR Program Research Presentations

The nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond is a promising tool in oncology, electric field sensing, and quantum cryptography. High-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) nanodiamonds (NDs) are prime contenders for these fields because they host nitrogen-vacancy centers (NVCs) which are applicable towards cancer detection and electric and magnetic field sensing. However, to apply HPHT NDs to these fields, the surface must first be functionalized—a difficult process because of the inert nature of the surface. The project at hand focuses on surface modification of HPHT NDs with amines to allow for further bioconjugation of small molecules and plasmonic shells. This is done via liquid-phase chemistry …