Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Arsenoplatins Vs. Combination Of Platinum Drugs And Arsenic Trioxide, Denana Miodragovic

Faculty Research and Creative Activities Symposium

No abstract provided.

Structural Characterization Of Bacterial Red Light Photoreceptors By Atomic Force Microscopy, Kenneth T. Nicholson

Faculty Research and Creative Activities Symposium

No abstract provided.

Molecular Origami For Biochemistry: Paper Models Of Proteins, Carbohydrates, And Nucleic Acids, Charles Abrams

Faculty Research and Creative Activities Symposium

No abstract provided.

Elevated Calcium Levels In Kentucky Lake: A Possible Emerging Problem With An Invasive Species, Adam T. Martin

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are an exotic and invasive mollusk that have spread extensively through various rivers and lakes in the United States. These mussels are notorious for their “biofouling” capabilities costing billions of dollars in their removal from industrial, public, and power plant water supply lines. While having been present in the Tennessee River drainage with occasional small reproducing populations since the early 1990s, zebra mussels were never abundant or widespread. In 2017, high densities were found on structures and solid substrates throughout the lower portion of Kentucky Lake. Calcium is one of the essential elements that contributes …

Consumption Profiles Of Illicit And Neuropsychiatric Drugs In Urban And Rural Communities In Kentucky Using Sewage Epidemiology, Tara Croft, Katelyn Foppe, Rhiannon Huffines, Bikram Subedi

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The drug overdose deaths in the USA increased by ~20% from 2015 to 2016 to the total >63,600 drug overdose deaths in 2016. Kentucky is among the highest rate of drug overdose death states in the USA. The current estimates of the prevalence of substance abuse are based on the self-reported surveys, overdose/toxicological reports, and drug-related crime statistics. Survey-based conventional approaches are not only cost and time-intensive but also underestimate the actual consumption of drugs. As “wastewater never lie,” the drug residues in raw wastewater collected from the centralized wastewater treatment plants were utilized to determine the consumption rate of …

Are The Oxygen Isotope Values Of The Late Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway Different From The Open Ocean?, Camille H. Dwyer, Corinne Myers, Viorel Atudorei

Shared Knowledge Conference

The Western Interior Seaway (WIS) was a North American epicontinental sea that was connected to the open ocean through the passage of the northern Boreal Sea and the southern Tethys Sea from the early Albian (~113 million years ago) to the early Paleogene (~65 million years ago). The WIS began to recced and lost its connection to the southern Tethys Sea in the late Campanian (~72 million years ago). In the early Paleogene, the WIS dried up completely. The oxygen isotopic composition (δ18O) of benthic bivalves was measured from the upper Campanian and lower Maastrichtian (75 million years ago to …

Catalytic Deoxygenation Of Model And Realistic Feeds To Fuel-Like Hydrocarbons Over Supported Nickel-Copper Catalysts, Deyshon Ward, Kazi Javed

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The goal was to make a renewable fuel by using catalysts to remove oxygen molecules from fats. This is a current issue that society faces today because nonrenewable fossil fuels hurt the environment more than they help it. There are two components that make up a heterogeneous catalyst, a support and a reduced metal active phase. The active metal phases Nickel, Palladium, Platinum have been studied in the past on an alumina and carbon supports. We were investigating other supports using Nickel as the active phase component to determine the effect the support has on the catalyst removing oxygen of …

An In Vitro Study On Skin Protection Across The Uv Spectra, Cheyenne Boone

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Skin cancer is the number one cancer in the United States. Lack of awareness of how harmful UV radiation is could be the cause of the over two million cases reported since 2012. It appears that there is not a lot information on the active ingredients used in sunscreens. Some of the compounds have been linked to birth defects, hormone disruptions, and the bleaching of coral reefs. Samples of commonly used sunscreens (both sprays and creams), cosmetic foundation, essential oils, lotions, and three pure organic actives were tested at specific concentrations and ran through a UV spectrometer. The results have …

Reactive Iron Mineral Coatings In Redox Transition Zones And Their Impact On Natural Attenuation, Lisa Axe

Sustainability Seminar Series

Reactive Fe mineral coatings play an important role in contaminant attenuation in redox transition zones at sites with subsurface contamination. An anaerobic 60 foot core was collected from the Chambers Works Site in Deepwater, NJ. Working in a glovebox, two-inch subsamples were used to evaluate redox transition zones using bulk composition, redox potential, pH, VOCs in the headspace, as well as abundant bacteria. A number of redox transition zones were identified and further studied with a suite of complementary analyses to characterize the surface chemistry. Analyses have included sequential extraction (phases and speciation), x-ray diffraction (mineralogy), x-ray fluorescence (composition), fieldemission …

Thienoisatin Oligomers As N-Type Molecular Semiconductors, Natalie M. Kadlubowski, Xuyi Luo, Jianguo Mei

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Organic field effect transistors (OFETs) offer many advantages compared to traditional inorganic transistors, such as flexibility and solution processability. In this study we design and synthesize two thienoisatin-based organic semiconducting small molecules, then investigate their electronic properties in n-type OFETs. To introduce n-type charge transport, electron-withdrawing dicarbonitrile moieties were installed on thienoisoindigo and bis-thienoisatin molecules, which led to a quinoidal conjugation on thienoisoindigo, while maintaining an aromatic conjugation on the bis-thienoisatin. Following the syntheses, the molecules were characterized to determine highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels via cyclic voltammetry, as well as any potential …

Electronic Effect Of Platinum Alloy Catalysts On Olefin Hydrogenation Kinetics, Colin Reedy, Jeff Miller, Stephen Purdy

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Dehydrogenation of alkanes is the first step in transforming light hydrocarbons into liquid fuels and chemicals. This process has traditionally used platinum alloys as catalysts. Alloys are used industrially because they have a greater selectivity than monometallic platinum. Alloying platinum with an inactive promoter modifies the crystalline structure of the surface (geometric effect), and the 5d electrons in platinum responsible for chemistry (electronic effect); both have been suggested to be primarily responsible for dehydrogenation selectivity in platinum alloys. Alloy catalysts have been synthesized using early 3d transition metal promoters with the same Pt₃M crystal structure. X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy …

Examining The Effects Of Amino And Thiolate Ligands On The Reactivity And Selectivity Of Palladium On Carbon In Hydrogenation Reactions, Eric Liu, Christina Li

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Heterogeneous catalysts are used widely by chemical and energy industries because they show high reactivity but often suffer from lack of selectivity. On the other hand, ligands are commonly used in homogeneous catalysts to control the reactivity and selectivity; however, the effects of the ligands on the steric and electronic properties of heterogeneous catalysts are less understood. We examine the effects of four different ligands: 1-adamantanethiol, 1-adamantylamine, 1-dodecanethiol, and 1-dodecylamine, for the commercial hydrogenation catalyst palladium on carbon. Hydrogenation reactions are used as a screening tool to see the behavior that the different catalysts exhibit in the presence of unsaturated …

Study Of The Visual Adaptation Mechanism In Marine Species With The Change Of Habitation Depth., Demid Osipov, Daniil Moshnikov

The International Student Science Fair 2018

The goal of our work was to determine the principal mechanisms that provide the difference in visual perception of two marine species that live on different depths: T. Pacificus and O. Vulgaris. In nature, visual perception of species that live deeper is shifted towards the blue region. This is related to the fact that red, orange and yellow light is absorbed more strongly by water than the blue light. On the other hand, the visual perception spectrum of an animal is determined by the absorption spectrum of the "light sensor" located in rods and cones of its eye retina. These …

Rearrangements Of Fluorinated Cyclopropylamines As A Novel Approach Toward Fluoroalkene-Based Peptidomimetics, Igor Mezentsev, Vera Zaborova

The International Student Science Fair 2018

"Organofluorine molecules have been widely applied in various research fields because of the unique properties of fluorine atoms. One type of fluorinated compounds is fluoroalkene-based peptidomimetics which are structurally similar to amide-containing compounds. They have been prepared to improve the pharmaceutical properties such as bioactivity, target specificity, and metabolic stability of the bioactive amides.

We suggested a new way of synthesizing fluoroalkene-based peptidomimetics through 2-fluoro-2-halocyclopropylamines, which provides an effective way toward fluoroalkene-based peptidomimetics with increased functional group tolerance and possibility of convergent synthesis."

The Effect Of Semiconductor Materials On Solar Cell Efficiency, Shivam Vohra

The International Student Science Fair 2018

The purpose of this project was to increase the efficiency of solar cells through the use of quantum dots and nanoparticles. These substances would increase the efficiency of the semiconductor. The research hypothesis stated that if lead iodide was applied to the semiconductor, then the average voltage, amperage, power, and efficiency of the solar cells would increase. The procedure for this project involved creating a lead iodide and titanium dioxide mixture with dimethylformamide, ethanol, acetylacetone, and Triton X-100 in an autoclave. Then, two milliliters of each solution were applied to cadmium selenide quantum dots to make four different solutions. Each …

Feco2o4 As An Anode Material For Lithium Ion Batteries, Chelsea Wong

The International Student Science Fair 2018

Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are commonly found in many portable electronic appliances due to their ability to be rechargeable. Currently, commercial anodes in Li-ion batteries (graphite) have a theoretical capacity of around 372 mAh/g, while FeCo2O4 that will be investigated as the anode material has a theoretical capacity of 901.985mAh/g, more than double of the current commercial anode’s capacity. Earlier work done by Sharma et al also showed that FeCo2O4 has a very promising initial capacity of 827mAh/g. As such, the engineering goal is to produce a battery that will have a higher capacity than the current commercial Li-ion batteries …

Conversion Of Photostable Zn-Ma Crystals To Photoreactive, Yu Jing Siong

The International Student Science Fair 2018

Skin cancer is an issue that is increasingly plaguing the world. At least 100,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year, and the disease kills over 2,500 people each year in the United Kingdom(UK). 86% died of melanoma, a particular type of skin cancer, cases in the UK are preventable. In addition, around 99% of non-melanoma skin cancers and 95% of melanoma is caused by overexposure to UV radiation. We feel that the key to reducing the number of skin cancer cases would be to raise the awareness of people’s exposure to UV rays. A feasible way to …

Reduction Of Nitro-Compounds By Iron Pentacarbonyl - New Approach To Drug Precursors, Alexander Sharipov, Maria Vladimirovna Galkina

The International Student Science Fair 2018

Reduction of nitro compounds lies at the center of most of the major areas of modern chemical industry, such as pharmacy and dye manufacturing. The precursors in these industrial processes predominantly possess multiple functional groups, including those highly susceptible to reduction by most of the currently used reducing agents. Therefore, the non-selective methods of reduction of precursors result in the loss of such functional groups. Furthermore, common reducing agents can potentially trigger the undesired intramolecular interactions between the substrate molecules and in turn make it impossible to obtain the end product. The rising demand for a cheap and efficient approach …

An Entirely New Molecular Glue For Mof Using Unusual Structural Transformation Of A Coordination Polymer, Sukwoo Jung, Hangyeol Kim, Junseok Ahn

The International Student Science Fair 2018

In this research, an entirely new molecular glue is reported. This ‘coordination polymer glue’ is synthesized from zinc metal and BDC-NPE(2,5-bis{4-[1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylamino]butoxy}terephthalic acid). Molecular glue transforms from 1D coordination polymer to a 3D cross-linked framework, resulting in a phase change of solution to solid. The carboxylate group of this glue makes the preformed MOF bind to its framework. Therefore, when the solution of molecular glue is mixed with preformed MOF powder and heated, homogeneous and thin MOF film – MOF/ZnNPE film – is fabricated. The film is irrelevant to the kind of its substrate, and its thermal stability was enhanced in …

Utilization Of Papaya’S Sap (Carica Papaya L.) And Water Lettuce (Pistia Stratiotes) To Reduce Protein Amount On Liquid Tofu Waste, Muhammad Dzulfikar Farkhan, Naila Aliyahandra Anzani, Nabila Fikria Santoso

The International Student Science Fair 2018

Liquid waste from tofu production is one of the causes of environmental pollution. This condition happens because liquid tofu waste contain protein. Protein is metabolized by bacteria formed ammonia which emits foul odor. On this research, the protein amount in liquid tofu waste is reduced by the application of papaya’s sap and water lettuce. This research is divided into several steps. First, collecting the liquid tofu waste. second, tapping the papaya’s sap. Third, poured the papaya’s sap into the tofu waste. the next step is keep the mixture between tofu waste and papaya’s sap rest for 6, 18, and 24 …

Rearrangements Of Fluorinated Cyclopropylamines As A Novel Approach Toward Fluoroalkene-Based Peptidomimetics, Igor Mezentsev, Vera Zaborova

The International Student Science Fair 2018

Organofluorine molecules have been widely applied in various research fields because of the unique properties of fluorine atoms. One type of fluorinated compounds is fluoroalkene-based peptidomimetics which are structurally similar to amide-containing compounds. They have been prepared to improve the pharmaceutical properties such as bioactivity, target specificity, and metabolic stability of the bioactive amides.

We suggested a new way of synthesizing fluoroalkene-based peptidomimetics through 2-fluoro-2-halocyclopropylamines, which provides an effective way toward fluoroalkene-based peptidomimetics with increased functional group tolerance and possibility of convergent synthesis.

Feco2o4 As An Anode Material For Lithium Ion Batteries, Chelsea Wong

The International Student Science Fair 2018

Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are commonly found in many portable electronic appliances due to their ability to be rechargeable. Currently, commercial anodes in Li-ion batteries (graphite) have a theoretical capacity of around 372 mAh/g, while FeCo2O4 that will be investigated as the anode material has a theoretical capacity of 901.985mAh/g, more than double of the current commercial anode’s capacity. Earlier work done by Sharma et al also showed that FeCo2O4 has a very promising initial capacity of 827mAh/g. As such, the engineering goal is to produce a battery that will have a higher capacity than the current commercial Li-ion batteries …

Removal Of Pb2+ Ions From Consuming Water Using A Fabricated Water Filter For Home Use, Pantaree Sodkhoksoong, Papidchaya Chanpong, Thunyarus Rodsawatchuchoke

The International Student Science Fair 2018

Lead contamination in water is one of the worldwide concerned environmental problems. For example, lead leaking from pipe corrosion and solder has been found contaminated in consuming water in many U.S. areas. The uncontrolled release of effluents containing lead from various industries has also caused lead-contaminated water in Thailand. Exposing to lead-contaminated water can lead to serious symptoms (e.g. fatigue, headaches, abdominal pain, irritability, depression, and seizures) or even death. Therefore, the elimination of lead ions (Pb²⁺) from consuming water or from effluents before releasing into the environment is necessary. The selection of adsorbents and the fabrication of …

Glucosamine From Hydrolysis Of 3d Printing Chitosan For Osteoarthritis Treatment, Ruj Dansriboon, Laphon Premcharoen

The International Student Science Fair 2018

This project aims to introduce a new way for osteoarthritis treatment which is expected to increase in the future. Glucosamine is the main subject for a treatment, which can be derived by hydrolyzing chitosan. This project also includes extraction of chitosan from shrimp waste to make a worthy use of food waste from industry. In this project, 3D printer is applied to print chitosan gel since 3D printing is adjustable to form various shapes of the gel.

The research process begins with the extraction of chitosan from shrimp shells. For the next step, the percent of deacetylation of chitosan was …

An Entirely New Molecular Glue For Mof Using Unusual Structural Transformation Of A Coordination Polymer, Sukwoo Jung, Hangyeol Kim, Junseok Ahn

The International Student Science Fair 2018

In this research, an entirely new molecular glue is reported. This ‘coordination polymer glue’ is synthesized from zinc metal and BDC-NPE(2,5-bis{4-[1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylamino]butoxy}terephthalic acid). Molecular glue transforms from 1D coordination polymer to a 3D cross-linked framework, resulting in a phase change of solution to solid. The carboxylate group of this glue makes the preformed MOF bind to its framework. Therefore, when the solution of molecular glue is mixed with preformed MOF powder and heated, homogeneous and thin MOF film – MOF/ZnNPE film – is fabricated. The film is irrelevant to the kind of its substrate, and its thermal stability was enhanced in …

The Effect Of Semiconductor Materials On Solar Cell Efficiency, Shivam Vohra

The International Student Science Fair 2018

The purpose of this project was to increase the efficiency of solar cells through the use of quantum dots and nanoparticles. These substances would increase the efficiency of the semiconductor. The research hypothesis stated that if lead iodide was applied to the semiconductor, then the average voltage, amperage, power, and efficiency of the solar cells would increase. The procedure for this project involved creating a lead iodide and titanium dioxide mixture with dimethylformamide, ethanol, acetylacetone, and Triton X-100 in an autoclave. Then, two milliliters of each solution were applied to cadmium selenide quantum dots to make four different solutions. Each …

Archaeometric Approaches To The Roman Near East, Gayatri Nandwani

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

The purpose of my research this summer has been to participate in a full suite of archaeometric and geoarchaeological analyses, particularly as they are applied to sedimentology. The first section of my research has focused on an introduction to these procedures at ARL including laboratory safety procedures, proper sample collection and processing methods, and introduction to methods and purposes for a variety of laboratory analyses including grain size distribution analysis using a state of the art Malvern Mastersizer 3000 laser diffraction particle size analyzer, organic matter and inorganic carbon analysis, and microartifact analysis. During the field collection phase I worked …

Modeling Adsorption And Diffusion Of Atomic Oxygen On The Ag(111) Surface Using Kinetic Monte Carlo Simulations, Seth Spencer Street, Sharani Roy, Sara Isbill

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Oxidized silver surfaces are widely used as industrial heterogeneous catalysts to oxidize small organic compounds, such as ethylene. While surface-adsorbed oxygen is known to participate in catalysis, it has been suggested that ‘subsurface’ oxygen adsorbed in the near-surface region of silver also plays important roles in surface reconstruction and reactivity. However, the formation, motion, and chemical behavior of subsurface oxygen in silver are not well understood. In the present work, a kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulation has been developed using the Python programming language to computationally model the diffusion kinetics of atomic oxygen (AO) at the Ag(111) surface. This simulation …

New Reactions Of Strained Allyl Silacycles, Elizabeth Cummins

Graduate Student Symposium

Ring-strained allylsilanes exhibit both electrophilic and nucleophilic characteristics, allowing for simultaneous activation and allylation of carbonyl compounds. Results are presented describing an optimized synthesis of certain allylsilacyclobutanes and their use in several selective carbon-carbon bond forming reactions.

Diagnostic Platform For Current Health Status Monitoring, Albert S. Benight, Megan M. Koslen, Matthew W. Eskew

Student Research Symposium

Our approach is based on physical measurements of blood plasma and exploits the plethora of information contained in the human plasma proteome, as a reporter of human health status. The assay involves collection and analysis ofthermograms of plasma from human blood measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Plasma thermograms arise from the temperature-induced denaturation profile of proteins within blood plasma measured by DSC. This insightful measurement thereby provides a snapshot of the current state of the human plasma proteome which directly informs on overall systemic health. Such measurements have been shown to be highly accurate and sensitive indicators of health …