Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Photodynamic Killing Of Human Cancer Cells With Smart Photosensitizer Materials And An Endoscopic Implement For Singlet Oxygen Delivery, Mihaela N. Minnis

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The thesis describes progress on probe tips for a microoptic device for the precise delivery of the components necessary for photodynamic therapy (PDT) in a highly localized and controllable fashion. The thesis also summarizes results of a photosensitized oxidation study. The work focused on i) developing a photoactive fluoropolymer surface that will release sensitizer drug molecule for use in PDT, ii) designing new probe tips surfaces for use as sensitizer support for a microoptic PDT device, iii) exploring strategies for covalent attachment of sensitizers and model compounds to Teflon/PVA surfaces with the aim of being coupled with our microoptic device, …

Sustainable Molecular Gelators: Beta-D-Glucoside Derived Structuring Agents And Their Material Application, Julian R. Silverman

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Though molecular gelators may by synthesized and formulated into gels following a variety of methods, it should serve that the most valued methods may utilize renewable and waste resources and follow sustainable procedures. Molecular gelators are systems capable of structuring liquids into solid-like materials and they represent a class of surfactant and amphiphilic materials which posses the capability to be not only useful in their ability to form gels, but multifunctional in the ability to respond smartly to a variety of stimuli. Thus there is an interest in the development of sustainable molecular gelators capable of being applied to applications, …

Probing The Structure And Photophysics Of Porphyrinoid Systems For Functional Materials, Christopher D. Farley

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Porphyrins (Pors) and their many cousins, including phthalocyanines (Pcs), corroles (Cors), subphthalocyanines (SubPcs), porphyrazines (Pzs), and naphthalocyanines (NPcs), play amazingly diverse roles in biological and non-biological systems because of their unique and tunable physical and chemical properties. These compounds, collectively known as porphyrinoids, can be employed in any number of functional devices that have the potential to address the challenges of modern society. Their incorporation into such devices, however, depends on many structural factors that must be well understood and carefully controlled in order to achieve the desired behavior. Self-assembly and self-organization are key processes for developing these new technologies, …

Development Of New Radiolabeling Methods And Insights On Ionizing Radiation Interactions With Nanoparticles, Travis Shaffer

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Nanoparticles are often combined with radionuclides for various applications, ranging from waste remediation to imaging and therapy in the medical field. The overarching aim of this body of work is two-fold. The first aim is development of new radiolabeling methods for various nanoparticles that allow stable attachment of a variety of imaging and therapeutic radionuclides. The second portion more fully describes mechanisms of interaction between ionizing radiation and nanoparticles.

The following advancements will be presented in this dissertation: i) a new radiolabeling method for silica and silica-based nanoparticles that does not require the use of specific chelators, with both radiochemical …

Electrochemical Properties Of Melting Gel Coatings, Lisa C. Klein, Ahmad Dengah, Kutaiba Al-Marzoki, Gabriela Rodriguez, Andrei Jitianu, Jadra Mosa, Mario Amapricio

Publications and Research

Organic-inorganic melting gel coatings were applied to titanium alloy substrates to decrease their corrosion and extend their lifetime in an electrochemical application. Melting gels containing phenyl substitutions were coated onto the substrates. The ratio of diphenyl dimethoxysilane (DPhDMS) to methanol was varied to change the thickness of the coatings. The coatings were inspected visually to see that there is good adhesion between the coating and the substrate. Nanoindenter tests were performed to determine hardness

Design Rules For The Nucleation, Growth, And Encapsulation Of Gold Nanoparticles With Applications To Cancer Imaging, Matthew A. Wall

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanoparticles are exciting candidates for high-precision cancer imaging due to their highly specific spectral signature (Raman “fingerprint”) and propensity for passive targeting of cancerous tissues. However, the signal intensity of currently available SERS nanoparticles is insufficient for cancer imaging via passive targeting in most solid tumors. The overarching aim of this body of work is to develop a new generation of SERS nanoparticles with sufficiently low limits of detection to enable robust detection of various solid tumors in vivo.

The complexity of SERS nanoparticles requires significant advances to the theoretical and experimental understanding of metal …

Ultrafast Spectroscopy And Energy Transfer In An Organic/Inorganic Composite Of Zinc Oxide And Graphite Oxide, Jeff A. Secor

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The energy transfers and nature of defect levels of an organic/inorganic composite of Zinc Oxide and Graphite are studied with multidimensional spectroscopy. The edge and surface states of each composite are uncovered using excitation emission experiments showing which defect states are mediating the energy transfer from the metal oxide to the graphite oxide. Multidimensional time resolved spectroscopy further describes the effect of the carbon phase on the energy transfer pathways in the material.