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Articles 1 - 30 of 1552

Full-Text Articles in Chemistry

Reduced Mediators Released By Cyanobacteria During Exoelectrogenesis Detected Using Differential Pulse Voltammetry, Laura T. Wey, Monica Brachi, Yagut Allahverdiyeva, Shelley D. Minteer Dec 2026

Reduced Mediators Released By Cyanobacteria During Exoelectrogenesis Detected Using Differential Pulse Voltammetry, Laura T. Wey, Monica Brachi, Yagut Allahverdiyeva, Shelley D. Minteer

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Cyanobacteria generate electrical current through exoelectrogenesis (extracellular electron transfer) downstream of photosynthesis, yet the identity of the endogenous redox mediator(s) responsible remains unresolved. Here, we apply differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) to detect and characterise redox-active species released by Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 under illumination. To enable sensitive detection, we developed an electrolyte intermediate between BG11 (Blue-Green-11) growth medium and MOPS (3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid) buffer that minimises background electrochemical interference while maintaining short-term cellular functionality. DPV revealed multiple light-enhanced oxidation peaks (0.1–0.65 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE)) that were not resolvable using cyclic voltammetry, providing evidence that cyanobacteria release reduced compounds …

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A Review Of Gallium And Germanium Recovery From Industrial Solid Residues, Ernest V. Oteng, Marthias Silwamba, Lana Alagha, Alex Luyima Nov 2026

A Review Of Gallium And Germanium Recovery From Industrial Solid Residues, Ernest V. Oteng, Marthias Silwamba, Lana Alagha, Alex Luyima

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The global demand for critical elements such as gallium (Ga) and germanium (Ge), and the shift toward circular mining has accelerated the development of new extraction and recovery processing these metals from industrial solid residues. This transition is driven by a substantial surge in demand for advanced technologies and the depletion of primary ore. Consequently, industrial solid residues, particularly zinc processing residues, smelter slags, flue dusts, and coal fly ash, are emerging as viable alternative sources. These residues incorporate Ga and Ge through isomorphic substitution in phases such as ferrites, silicates, and glassy aluminosilicates, and are enriched by industrial processes, …

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Microwave Spectrum And Iodine Nuclear Quadrupole Coupling Constants Of Difluorodiiodomethane, Cf2i2, Michael J. Carrillo, Michael J. Tubergen, Garry S. Grubbs, S. A. Cooke, Stewart E. Novick Oct 2026

Microwave Spectrum And Iodine Nuclear Quadrupole Coupling Constants Of Difluorodiiodomethane, Cf2i2, Michael J. Carrillo, Michael J. Tubergen, Garry S. Grubbs, S. A. Cooke, Stewart E. Novick

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

The high-resolution rotational spectrum of difluoro diiodomethane is reported for the first time. A molecular-beam broadband Fourier transform microwave spectrometer recorded the spectrum over the frequency range of 5.9–18.1 GHz. The rotational constants, centrifugal distortion constants, nuclear quadrupole coupling constants, and nuclear spin-rotation constants for the two equivalent iodine nuclei were determined from fitting 1378 hyperfine transitions of 163 rotational transitions: A = 2743.79691(18)MHz, B = 587.83103(5) MHz, C = 528.72470(5) MHz, χaa = −1213.287(6) MHz, χbb – χcc = −885.210(5) MHz, and χab = 1437.721(5) MHz. 31 dipole-forbidden/quadrupole-allowed transitions, arising from the large nuclear quadrupole coupling effect of iodine, …

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Ph-Compensated Hydrogen Peroxide Quantification Using A Dual-Modal Fiber-Optic Probe, Homayoon Soleimani Dinani, Bohong Zhang, Maryam Karimi, Rex E. Gerald, Shelley D. Minteer, Jie Huang Oct 2026

Ph-Compensated Hydrogen Peroxide Quantification Using A Dual-Modal Fiber-Optic Probe, Homayoon Soleimani Dinani, Bohong Zhang, Maryam Karimi, Rex E. Gerald, Shelley D. Minteer, Jie Huang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We report a dual-modal fiber-optic probe that integrates electrochemical quantification of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) with co-localized fluorescent pH sensing for pH-indexed interpretation of the H₂O₂ response. H₂O₂ is a reactive oxygen species involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular signaling, and local pH modulates both its production and electrochemical response. Many electrochemical H₂O₂ sensors exhibit pH-dependent sensitivity, creating ambiguity unless pH is measured and used for compensation, which is difficult in small, heterogeneous, or rapidly changing microenvironments. A three-electrode configuration—working (WE), counter (CE), and Ag/AgCl pseudo-reference (pRE) electrodes—is fabricated directly on the cylindrical surface of a 710-µm-diameter optical fiber using …

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Percolation-Induced Thermo-Rheological Transitions In Biobased Graphene Nanoplatelet Nanofluids, Abiodun A. Saka, Tobechukwu K. Abor, Anthony C. Okafor, Monday U. Okoronkwo Aug 2026

Percolation-Induced Thermo-Rheological Transitions In Biobased Graphene Nanoplatelet Nanofluids, Abiodun A. Saka, Tobechukwu K. Abor, Anthony C. Okafor, Monday U. Okoronkwo

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Biobased lubricants with thermally responsive rheology are increasingly needed for high-efficiency mechanical systems. Graphene nanoplatelet (GnP) nanofluids in vegetable oils are promising candidates, yet their percolation-driven thermo-rheological transitions remain insufficiently understood. In particular, the coupled concentration–temperature landscape controlling network-mediated flow transitions has not previously been established. Here, surfactant-free GnP nanofluids were prepared in high-oleic soybean oil (HOSO) at concentrations of 0.025–2.15% v/v (ϕ), and their rheological response was mapped between 25°C and 80 °C under steady-shear and oscillatory conditions. Below the percolation threshold (ɸ ≤ 0.1% v/v), the nanofluids exhibit near-Newtonian behavior, moderate reversible viscosity enhancement, and classical Arrhenius-type temperature …

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“Innocent” Electrolytes Can Influence Organic Electrosynthetic Selectivity, Zachary A. Nguyen, Nhu H. Quach, Mayank Tanwar, Joshua A. Beeler, Kevin Mcfadden, Dylan G. Boucher, Matthew Neurock, Shelley D. Minteer Jul 2026

“Innocent” Electrolytes Can Influence Organic Electrosynthetic Selectivity, Zachary A. Nguyen, Nhu H. Quach, Mayank Tanwar, Joshua A. Beeler, Kevin Mcfadden, Dylan G. Boucher, Matthew Neurock, Shelley D. Minteer

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Organic electrosynthesis has emerged as a powerful strategy for leveraging electricity in organic synthesis. Despite its growing popularity, the fundamental molecular interactions governing electrochemical systems remain poorly understood. Many electrosynthetic reactions show strong dependence on the identity of the allegedly inert supporting electrolyte, which can significantly impact yields and selectivity, yet the physical origins of these effects are largely unexplored. A mechanistic understanding of electrolyte effects would enable more rational reaction design for applications. Here, we use cyclic voltammetry to investigate cobalt-based metal–carbon bond homolysis and elucidate how common supporting electrolytes influence reaction rates. Bulk electrolysis experiments further reveal how …

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An Automated Electrochemistry Platform For Accelerating The Characterization Of Enzymatic Electrochemistry, Michael A. Pence, Zachary A. Nguyen, Luke G. Kays, Dylan G. Boucher, Joaquín Rodríguez-López, Shelley D. Minteer Jul 2026

An Automated Electrochemistry Platform For Accelerating The Characterization Of Enzymatic Electrochemistry, Michael A. Pence, Zachary A. Nguyen, Luke G. Kays, Dylan G. Boucher, Joaquín Rodríguez-López, Shelley D. Minteer

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Enzymatic electrochemistry harnesses the selectivity of enzymes to enable electrochemical applications spanning sensing, synthesis, and energy conversion. However, the sequential nature of electroanalytical experiments limits throughput, restricting the scale at which enzyme-electrode systems can be screened. Here we demonstrate the capabilities of an automated electrochemistry platform, eLab, to increase the throughput of enzymatic electrochemistry investigations. We used the eLab to collect over 10,000 cyclic voltammograms across a large parameter space consisting of two enzyme variants (promiscuous and wild-type glucose oxidase), 20 saccharide substrates, 21 concentrations, and four scan rates, with measurements being made all in triplicate. The expansive dataset enabled …

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Rheological Protocol To Assess And Optimize Latex Coagulation Dynamics For The Thin Glove Coagulant Dipping Process, Monday U. Okoronkwo, Kok Kong Ng, Wolfram Franke, Gaurav Sant Jun 2026

Rheological Protocol To Assess And Optimize Latex Coagulation Dynamics For The Thin Glove Coagulant Dipping Process, Monday U. Okoronkwo, Kok Kong Ng, Wolfram Franke, Gaurav Sant

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Many products that directly impact the quality of human life today — gloves, catheters, condoms, and baby bottle teats — are made through the latex-dipping technology. While a variety of methods have been developed – e.g., particle counting, turbidimetry, microscopy, and light scattering – which are suitable for studying the coagulation of latex at very low concentrations, much less work has focused on methods suitable for in-situ characterization of latex coagulation in concentrated solutions (e.g., as relevant to the dipping process). This paper presents a process-relevant rheological protocol for assessing and optimizing latex coagulation dynamics for the thin glove coagulant …

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High-Throughput Optical Analysis To Inform Design Of Electrochemical Biosensors, Nathan J. Ricks, Michael A. Pence, Monica Brachi, Shelley D. Minteer Jun 2026

High-Throughput Optical Analysis To Inform Design Of Electrochemical Biosensors, Nathan J. Ricks, Michael A. Pence, Monica Brachi, Shelley D. Minteer

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Electrochemical biosensors are central to wearable diagnostics, point-of-care testing, and continuous health monitoring due to their low power requirements, compatibility with miniaturized electronics, and proven clinical impact. Despite these advantages, the development of new electrochemical biosensors remains slow, constrained by limited throughput, complex electrode–biomolecule interfaces, and challenges associated with selectivity and performance in chemically complex environments. This perspective outlines how the next generation of electrochemical biosensors can be enabled by decoupling high-throughput front-end discovery and optimization from electrochemical readouts using nonelectrochemical surrogate assays. Optical, affinity, and cell-sorting platforms, including SELEX, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and chemically coupled fluorescence assays, allow orders-of-magnitude …

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Data-Driven Electrochemistry Reveals The Impact Of Hydrophobicity On Aptamer Cross-Reactivity, Emily Carroll, Michael A. Pence, Elizabeth Winterholler, Taylor D. Sparks, Shelley D. Minteer Jun 2026

Data-Driven Electrochemistry Reveals The Impact Of Hydrophobicity On Aptamer Cross-Reactivity, Emily Carroll, Michael A. Pence, Elizabeth Winterholler, Taylor D. Sparks, Shelley D. Minteer

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) biosensors offer a promising platform for reagentless detection of molecular targets, yet aptamer recognition can be limited by cross-reactivity, particularly for hydrophobic analytes such as steroid hormones. To investigate how cross-reactivity influences E-AB sensor performance, we use automation and machine learning to screen a library of possible interferent molecules against a steroid-binding aptamer, with progesterone serving as a physiologically relevant test case. Here, we develop a label-free E-AB sensor for progesterone detection using a methylene blue-modified aptamer anchored with a hexanethiol linker. We then used an automated electrochemistry platform to perform reproducible and high-throughput characterization of our …

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Employing Ac And Dc Electrolysis To Modulate Electroenzymatic Pathways For Efficient And Stereoselective H-D Exchange, Wassim El Housseini, Rokas Gerulskis, Nibedita Behera, Huaijun Guan, Rohit G. Jadhav, Zachary A. Nguyen, Egor Baiarashov, Michael A. Pence, Vamshi Krishna Kamaja, Trevor Larkin, Long Luo, Shelley D. Minteer Jun 2026

Employing Ac And Dc Electrolysis To Modulate Electroenzymatic Pathways For Efficient And Stereoselective H-D Exchange, Wassim El Housseini, Rokas Gerulskis, Nibedita Behera, Huaijun Guan, Rohit G. Jadhav, Zachary A. Nguyen, Egor Baiarashov, Michael A. Pence, Vamshi Krishna Kamaja, Trevor Larkin, Long Luo, Shelley D. Minteer

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Stereoselective hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) at chiral centers is an increasingly important strategy for preparing labeled molecules, yet its practical implementation depends on reliable control of nicotinamide cofactor regeneration. Here we introduce a redox-programmable electroenzymatic platform for stereoselective HIE based on electrode-controlled manipulation of the nicotinamide cofactor state. A wired ferredoxin–NADP+ reductase (FNR) electrode enables reversible electrochemical interconversion of NADP+ and its deuterated reduced form (NADPD) directly from D2O. Coupling this cofactor cycling with enantioselective alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) establishes a reversible alcohol–ketone redox manifold that drives efficient and stereoselective H-D exchange at chiral alcohols. Stereochemical outcomes are programmed …

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Investigation Of Portland Limestone Cement Blended With Biochar From Downdraft Gasification: Hydration Kinetics, Microstructure, Rheology, And Performance Mechanisms, Ugochukwu Ewuzie, Paul C. Ani, Abdulkareem O. Yusuf, Joseph D. Smith, Monday Uchenna Okoronkwo Jun 2026

Investigation Of Portland Limestone Cement Blended With Biochar From Downdraft Gasification: Hydration Kinetics, Microstructure, Rheology, And Performance Mechanisms, Ugochukwu Ewuzie, Paul C. Ani, Abdulkareem O. Yusuf, Joseph D. Smith, Monday Uchenna Okoronkwo

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The widespread adoption of Portland Limestone Cement (PLC) in U.S. concrete production has necessitated research into commercially available supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) for formulating high-performance, low-carbon blended binders with PLC. This study investigated the influence of biochar (BC) in biochar-PLC composites (CBCs), focusing on hydration kinetics, microstructure, rheology, pore-solution chemistry, compressive strength, and the underlying mechanisms. Biochar was produced via downdraft gasification at 850 °C and incorporated into PLC at 5, 7, and 10% substitution by mass. Isothermal calorimetry and hydration data modeled using the Knudsen equation revealed that BC retarded early hydration but improved hydration degree and later-age heat …

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Explicit Hydration Of The Beryllium Trifluoride Anion With One To Three Water Molecules: Bef3–(H2o)N=1–3, Kayleigh R. Autry, Gregory S. Tschumper May 2026

Explicit Hydration Of The Beryllium Trifluoride Anion With One To Three Water Molecules: Bef3–(H2o)N=1–3, Kayleigh R. Autry, Gregory S. Tschumper

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

This work investigates the micro hydration of the beryllium trifluoride anion (BeF3–) with up to three water molecules (BeF3–(H2O)n where n = 1–3). Full geometry optimizations and harmonic vibrational frequencies were computed on various BeF3–(H2O)n stationary points using density functional theory methods (B3LYP-D3BJ, B3LYP, ωB97XD, and M06-2X) as well as the CCSD(T) and MP2 ab initio methods with a triple-ζ correlation-consistent basis set augmented with diffuse functions on all non-hydrogen atoms (haTZ). One BeF3–(H2O)1, five BeF3– …

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Probing Composition Effects On The Intrinsic Energetics Of Proton Transfer In Binary (Hcl)M(H2o)N Clusters, Max R. Tucker, Sarah N. Arradondo, Olivia M. Longsworth, George C. Shields, Gregory S. Tschumper Apr 2026

Probing Composition Effects On The Intrinsic Energetics Of Proton Transfer In Binary (Hcl)M(H2o)N Clusters, Max R. Tucker, Sarah N. Arradondo, Olivia M. Longsworth, George C. Shields, Gregory S. Tschumper

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

This work examines the effects on intrinsic energetics as the composition of finite (HCl)m(H2O)n cluster families containing at least one water molecule is changed at the molecular level, where m ≥ 2 and m + n = 4 − 6, and the associated (Cl−)x(H3O+)x(HCl)m−x(H2O)n−x clusters resulting from the dissociation of x HCl fragments via proton transfer (PT). They are collectively labeled m:n, and xPT indicates the degree of dissociation, from 0PT (no dissociation) up to 3PT. More than 1000 unique minima …

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Uptake And Fate Of Silver And Zinc Engineered Nanoparticles In Maize Under Single And Binary Dosing Soil Ecosystems, Lei Xu, Qingbo Yang, Xingmao Ma, Honglan Shi, John Yang, Hu Yang, Samira Mahdi, Ying Wang, Young Shin Jun Apr 2026

Uptake And Fate Of Silver And Zinc Engineered Nanoparticles In Maize Under Single And Binary Dosing Soil Ecosystems, Lei Xu, Qingbo Yang, Xingmao Ma, Honglan Shi, John Yang, Hu Yang, Samira Mahdi, Ying Wang, Young Shin Jun

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Recent agricultural applications of engineered metallic nanoparticles (ENPs) have raised concerns about their uptake and fate in plants. To understand this critical issue, this study investigated the fate and uptake of silver (Ag) and zinc oxide (ZnO) ENPs in maize (Zea mays L.) after single or binary ENP exposure in soil. Results indicated that both Zn and Ag elemental concentrations in roots increased with increasing ENP dosage. Ag NPs in the tissues were detected, but not Zn NPs. Ag NP concentration was 3 times higher in the roots than in the shoots at low Ag NP dosing, while Ag NP …

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Quantum Scattering Of Hc5n And Para-H2 On A New Potential Energy Surface, Shan Gao, François Lique, Ernesto Quintas-Sánchez, Richard Dawes, Jérôme Loreau Apr 2026

Quantum Scattering Of Hc5n And Para-H2 On A New Potential Energy Surface, Shan Gao, François Lique, Ernesto Quintas-Sánchez, Richard Dawes, Jérôme Loreau

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

In the interstellar medium (ISM), non-local thermodynamic equilibrium situations are common due to low density, and one needs to consider the effect of molecular collisions in order to interpret the observations. Among the species detected in the ISM, cyanopolyynes, with the general molecular formula HC2n+1N (n = 1, 2, …), are characterized by large dipole moments and small rotational constants and constitute an indispensable class of candidates for the sensitive tracers of local density and temperature. We present a study of the collisional (de-) excitation of HC5N by para-H2 (p-H2) in its ground …

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Electroenzymatic Cascades For Nitrogen Upgrading: Beyond Ammonia Towards Value-Added Nitrogen Chemicals, Rohit G. Jadhav, Vamshi Krishna Kamaja, Wassim El Housseini, Monica Brachi, Shelley D. Minteer Apr 2026

Electroenzymatic Cascades For Nitrogen Upgrading: Beyond Ammonia Towards Value-Added Nitrogen Chemicals, Rohit G. Jadhav, Vamshi Krishna Kamaja, Wassim El Housseini, Monica Brachi, Shelley D. Minteer

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

The global transition toward sustainable chemical manufacturing demands technologies that leverage natural carbon and nitrogen cycles while minimizing reliance on sacrificial reagents and fossil resources. These biogeochemical cycles are fundamental to life, and enzymes catalyze many of their key transformations. Bio electrochemical, specifically electroenzymatic, systems offer a promising route to sustainable synthesis by enabling selective redox transformations powered by electricity. However, whereas carbon-cycle enzymes are now well established in bio electrochemical synthesis, enzymes from the nitrogen cycle remain comparatively underexplored. Moreover, the nitrogen cycle alone does not access many value-added nitrogen-containing products, which require additional C-N bond formation and organic …

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Synthesis And Hydrothermal Evaluation Of Poly(Styrene Phosphonate) For Conformance Control In Geothermal Reservoirs, Sara Mccauley Apr 2026

Synthesis And Hydrothermal Evaluation Of Poly(Styrene Phosphonate) For Conformance Control In Geothermal Reservoirs, Sara Mccauley

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

As atmospheric carbon dioxide levels continue to rise, geothermal energy has emerged as a promising energy alternative to fossil fuels. A barrier to widespread implementation and energy production efficiency is macro-heterogeneity of the rock matrix. Cracks, void spaces, and flow conduits divert fluid flow away from unswept portions of the geothermal reservoir and can cause cooling of the reservoir. Flow heterogeneity has been treated in oil reservoirs by injecting hydrogel particles that travel preferentially to ultra-high permeability zones and selectively block fluid flow in these regions. We are applying polymer hydrogels that withstand hydrothermal conditions of 225 up to 275°C …

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Transition Metal Chalcogenide As Multifunctional Biosenser To Detect Neurochemicals, Amitav Sen Apr 2026

Transition Metal Chalcogenide As Multifunctional Biosenser To Detect Neurochemicals, Amitav Sen

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

The development of highly sensitive real-time sensing platforms for selectively detecting dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) is of significant clinical importance since these are closely associated with several neurodegenerative disorders. Herein, we report copper telluride (Cu₂Te) nanostructure as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for the simultaneous detection of dopamine and norepinephrine. Cu₂Te exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity toward both DA and NE oxidation, as demonstrated by detailed electrochemical measurements. High sensitivities of 24 and 40 µA cm⁻² µM⁻¹ for DA and NE, respectively, were obtained with a wide linear detection range of 10–200 nM and low limit of detection (LOD), 31 nM for …

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Cytokinesis And Dbf2, Katharine Gray Apr 2026

Cytokinesis And Dbf2, Katharine Gray

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

The Mitotic Exit Network (MEN) is a signaling pathway that allows a dividing cell to exit cytokinesis. Dbf2 is a MEN protein kinase in yeast, which provides a simplified model for studying this pathway. By altering Dbf2’s activity through phosphorylation mutants, its effect on cytokinesis can be studied. Transformed cells with a mutant and degron Dbf2 allele are prompted to destroy the degron Dbf2 protein, leaving only mutated Dbf2 behind. This allows for clear analysis of the effect of the phosphorylation mutant on division. Fluorescence microscopy can be used to visualise this degradation, and the impact on actin ring formation …

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The Stability Study Of Dna-Polymer Hybrids For Nanotechnology Applications, Ethan Kuehn, Milan Jebaraj Apr 2026

The Stability Study Of Dna-Polymer Hybrids For Nanotechnology Applications, Ethan Kuehn, Milan Jebaraj

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

DNA nanostructures have garnered increasing interest in their application as drug delivery vehicles. However, DNA is susceptible to degradation under physiological conditions. To remedy this, we have devised a novel method to coat DNA nanostructures with the polysaccharide chitosan (a natural derivative of chitin). Chitosan binds to DNA electrostatically and inhibits nuclease activity that would normally degrade DNA in a physiological environment. We used both agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to determine the stability of DNA before and after immersion in a simulated biological environment. Physiological conditions were mimicked by incubating the DNA in cell culture …

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The Effects Of Preventing Dephosphorylation Of Lqg1 On Cytokinesis, Jenna Mueller Apr 2026

The Effects Of Preventing Dephosphorylation Of Lqg1 On Cytokinesis, Jenna Mueller

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

Iqg1 plays crucial roles in cytokinesis, including the assembly, contraction, and disassembly of the actomyosin ring, as well as the coordination of contraction and septation. Given that cytokinesis must occur post-mitosis, Iqg1 is regulated by the cell cycle. This study explores hypotheses regarding Iqg1 regulation: it’s binding to action is negatively influenced by the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) Cdc28 and positively influenced by dephosphorylation via Cdc14. Newly developed yeast degron tagged strains allow for rapid depletion of specific proteins. Iqg1 mutations that alter serine to threonine, which allows phosphorylation but not dephosphorylation, in the degron strain allow testing of mutant phenotypes. …

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Asphalt Pavement Rejuvenation Investigated By Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Relaxometry, Catherine Skaggs Apr 2026

Asphalt Pavement Rejuvenation Investigated By Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Relaxometry, Catherine Skaggs

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

Asphalt is a relatively inexpensive material commonly used for road pavements; however, asphalt ages from exposure to oxygen and UV radiation, leading to loss of elasticity, which leads to cracks and potholes. To slow or reverse asphalt aging, pavement preservation treatments are in use. It’s unclear whether these treatments truly rejuvenate the pavement structure or merely offer a short-term benefit. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxometry is an analytical technique that uses the recovery of excited nuclear magnetization as a parameter to gain insights into molecular environments. Recovery-time distributions gathered from asphalt materials show differences between regular and rejuvenated asphalt samples, …

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Dendrimer Nanogels With Built-In Free Radical Scavenging Enable Efficient Topical Delivery Of A Hydrophilic Antioxidant To Restore Lens Redox Balance For Cataract Treatment, Lin Qi, Huari Kou, Anna Chernatynskaya, Da Huang, Vimalin Jeyalatha Mani, Humeyra Karacal, Nuran Ercal, Hu Yang Apr 2026

Dendrimer Nanogels With Built-In Free Radical Scavenging Enable Efficient Topical Delivery Of A Hydrophilic Antioxidant To Restore Lens Redox Balance For Cataract Treatment, Lin Qi, Huari Kou, Anna Chernatynskaya, Da Huang, Vimalin Jeyalatha Mani, Humeyra Karacal, Nuran Ercal, Hu Yang

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Cataract is a leading cause of vision impairment worldwide and are primarily caused by oxidative stress that damages and aggregates lens proteins, leading to lens opacification. However, the eye's anatomical barriers limit the penetration and bioavailability of antioxidant therapies. To address this challenge, a dendrimer-based nanogel with a built-in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging capability developed by us was employed to deliver the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to the lens. NAC was loaded into a generation-5 PEGylated poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (G5-PEG-TK, termed the GPT) nanogel. The resulting NAC-GPT was characterized for its ROS-scavenging activity, bioavailability, and corneal permeability. The efficacy of NAC-GPT was …

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Fluorescent Biosensor-Guided Engineering Of Enzyme Cascades For Electrochemical Applications, Nathan J. Ricks, Monica Brachi, Fnu Arun, Egor Baiarashov, Shelley D. Minteer, Ming C. Hammond Mar 2026

Fluorescent Biosensor-Guided Engineering Of Enzyme Cascades For Electrochemical Applications, Nathan J. Ricks, Monica Brachi, Fnu Arun, Egor Baiarashov, Shelley D. Minteer, Ming C. Hammond

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Substrate channeling is a strategy for enhancing flux and yield in enzymatic cascades and is increasingly relevant for applications in biocatalysis, biotechnology, and bioelectrochemical systems. However, efforts to engineer channeling are limited by the lack of high-throughput methods to evaluate and optimize channeling efficiency. Here, we present a fluorescence-based screening assay to rapidly assess substrate channeling in a model system involving fumarase and malate dehydrogenase, two sequential enzymes from the Krebs cycle. By expressing genetic fusions in Escherichia coli, quantifying intermediate (malate) and product (NADH) formation in lysate using orthogonal fluorescent readouts, and comparing product-to-intermediate ratios, we screened a library …

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Microstructural Evolution Of Zirconium Diboride Irradiated With 5–10 Mev Au Ions At Room Temperature And 570 °C, Narrie Loftus, José Olivares, Miguel Crespillo, Esther Enríquez Pérez, Jeremy Watts, Eric W. Bohannan, Gregory Hilmas, William Fahrenholtz, Joseph Graham Mar 2026

Microstructural Evolution Of Zirconium Diboride Irradiated With 5–10 Mev Au Ions At Room Temperature And 570 °C, Narrie Loftus, José Olivares, Miguel Crespillo, Esther Enríquez Pérez, Jeremy Watts, Eric W. Bohannan, Gregory Hilmas, William Fahrenholtz, Joseph Graham

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Zirconium diboride was irradiated with 5 MeV Au2 + , 7 MeV Au4+ and 10 MeV Au3+ ions at room temperature and 570 °C to doses from 1 to 8 displacements per atom (dpa). Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) analysis revealed no secondary phase formation. Rietveld analysis of the GIXRD data indicated an accumulation of microstrain at low dpa and room temperature. Dislocations observed in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) cross-sections are likely the main contributor to the microstrain. High dpa and high-temperature samples exhibit lower lattice distortion than lower dpa samples, suggesting the presence of enhanced defect …

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Intramolecular Nonbonding Interactions And Geared Phenyl Twisting In Para-Disubstituted 1,4-Diphenylazines: Electron Correlation Effects On Molecular Conformations And Enantiomerization, Kaidi Yang, Harmeet Bhoday, Rainer Glaser Mar 2026

Intramolecular Nonbonding Interactions And Geared Phenyl Twisting In Para-Disubstituted 1,4-Diphenylazines: Electron Correlation Effects On Molecular Conformations And Enantiomerization, Kaidi Yang, Harmeet Bhoday, Rainer Glaser

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

The results are reported of potential energy surface (PES) analyses of six symmetrical azines Yp − Ph − RC=N − N=CR − Ph − Yp, namely, the benzaldehyde azines 1H, 2H, and 8H with R = H and the acetophenone azines 1M, 2M, and 8M with R = Me. The Y substituents Cl (1), Br (2), and Me (8) were studied because sets of polymorphs I (C2-symmetry, azine twist τ ≈ 135 ± 10°, disrotatory phenyl twists ϕi ≠ 0°) and II (Ci-symmetry, τ = 180°, conrotatory ϕi ≠ 0°) were crystallized for these three azines. The …

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A Photosynthetic–Respiratory Electron Transport Chain Chimera Based On Photosystem I And Cytochrome C Oxidase On Graphene Oxide, Xiaoping Zhu, Matthew J. Kummer, Carolyn E. Lubner, Vasily Kurashov, William Carr, John H. Golbeck, Robert A. Niederman, Lev G. Mourokh, Shelley D. Minteer, Paul G. Falkowski, Michele Vittadello Feb 2026

A Photosynthetic–Respiratory Electron Transport Chain Chimera Based On Photosystem I And Cytochrome C Oxidase On Graphene Oxide, Xiaoping Zhu, Matthew J. Kummer, Carolyn E. Lubner, Vasily Kurashov, William Carr, John H. Golbeck, Robert A. Niederman, Lev G. Mourokh, Shelley D. Minteer, Paul G. Falkowski, Michele Vittadello

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Te self-assembly of enzyme proteins on 2D nanomaterials has enabled the construction and functional control of viable biochemical pathways. However, enzymatic cascades, which combine essential components of the photosynthetic and respiratory electron transport chains in tandem, have thus-far remained elusive. Herein, we have investigated a galvanic biohybrid nano system coupling photosystem I and cytochrome c oxidase on the surface of graphene oxide nanosheets in colloidal suspension. Te oriented immobilization of the enzymes was facilitated by Ni-coordination sites tethered to the carbon basal plane, with negligible parasitic O2 consumption. Transient absorption and electrochemical measurements provided evidence of electron transfer between donors …

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Long-Range Fit: A Software Package For The Representation And Study Of Long-Range Molecular Interactions, Adrian L. Batista-Planas, Ernesto Quintas-Sánchez, Richard Dawes Feb 2026

Long-Range Fit: A Software Package For The Representation And Study Of Long-Range Molecular Interactions, Adrian L. Batista-Planas, Ernesto Quintas-Sánchez, Richard Dawes

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Describing intermolecular forces is fundamental to modeling and predicting the behavior of molecular systems. In particular, long-range molecular interactions with electrostatic, induction, and dispersion as the main components play a critical role, especially for low-temperature and low-density regimes. Long-range interactions are often described through perturbation theory, representing the electronic charge distribution via a multipolar series of the moments and polarizability tensors corresponding to each molecule. However, while the theory is well established, obtaining the resulting analytical expressions (and their practical implementation) constitutes a highly complex and system-dependent task. To address this challenge, we developed long-range-fit (LRF), an interactive and user-friendly …

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Early Detection Of Infectious Diseases: A Review Of Recent Advances In Pathogen Identification, Molecular Tools, And Metabolomics-Driven Biomarker Discovery, Patrica Ivy Agorsor, Michael O. Eze Feb 2026

Early Detection Of Infectious Diseases: A Review Of Recent Advances In Pathogen Identification, Molecular Tools, And Metabolomics-Driven Biomarker Discovery, Patrica Ivy Agorsor, Michael O. Eze

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has heightened public interest in noninvasive methods for early diagnosis of infectious diseases. In addition, various government agencies have implemented "infectious disease preparedness" to mitigate future outbreaks. This review highlights conventional and advanced methods for infectious disease diagnosis with an emphasis on emerging mass spectrometry methods. Conventional methods for pathogen identification, such as culture-based techniques and molecular methods, have limitations with respect to sensitivity, specificity, and turnaround time. Recent advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry have revolutionized the field of infectious disease biomarker discovery. These techniques enable the comprehensive profiling of metabolites in various biological samples, identification …

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