Nanotechnology Commons^™

Nanopore Sequencing For The Detection And Preliminary Identification Of Viruses In Amblyomma Americanum L. (Acari: Ixodidae), Mary Katherine Humphrey, Lorenza Beati, Ella Zierdt, Saviour Dralabu

Honors College Theses

Hard-bodied ticks are known to carry a wide range of viruses, some of which can cause human diseases. In the U.S., the tick Amblyomma americanum is an important disease vector. The tick has recently expanded its distribution range and its abundance is rising in many areas of the U.S. Its virome is, however, largely underexplored. In this preliminary study, we used a Nanopore MinION sequencer to detect and identify the viral fauna in nymphal ticks (n=43) collected in Statesboro, GA. Extracted DNA and RNA were analyzed separately. Nucleic acids were pooled into 6 groups according to their collection dates and …

Enhancing Topical Drug Delivery Of Apremilast Through Niosomal Gel Formulation: Ex Vivo Skin Permeation And In Vivo Evaluation For Psoriasis, Megha Shyam Matlapudi, Anka Rao Areti, Yukti Jaiswal, Veeresh Bantal, Raghavender Medishetti

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Psoriasis is a dynamic and chronic disease characterized by inflammatory changes and an increased rate of keratinocyte proliferation leading to the formation of erythematous scleroderma plaques with a silvery sheen. The existing therapies come with shortcomings in terms of effectiveness and leave behind a trail of side effects. Hence, there is a need of alternative therapeutic measures. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the therapeutic potential of Apremilast Niosomal Gel (APR Nio Gel) in treating psoriasis, comparing its effectiveness with conventional gel (APR Gel) and oral suspension (APR Oral) formulations. Materials and Methods: Apremilast niosomes were prepared by thin …

Smart Hydrogels For Infection Control, Varaprasad Kokkarachedu, Matías Araneda Cistemas, Nicolás Nicolás Valdés Gangas

Research Symposium

Background: Infection control is a critical area of concern in healthcare, mainly owing to the rising incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Traditional antibacterial agents often face challenges, such as limited efficacy, toxicity, and the potential for resistance development. This necessitates innovative approaches to combat infections. Hydrogels are biocompatible hydrophilic polymeric materials that can deliver nanomedicines with complications. They have emerged as promising candidates for infection control applications. Incorporating nanotoxicity nanomaterials, especially curcumin-layered silver nanoparticles, significantly enhances the antibacterial properties of hydrogels, making them promising candidates for infection control applications.

Methods: The smart antimicrobial hydrogels were synthesised from Poluronic and curcumin-layered polyvinylpyrrolidone/silver …

Reconstitution Of Mirna-205 In Docetaxel Resistant Prostate Cancer Cells: A Nanotherapeutic Approach, Neeraj Chauhan, Eswara Naga Hanuma Kumar Ghali, Rahul Tiwari, Iris Enriquez, Rajasekhar Baru, Subhash C. Chauhan, Murali M. Yallapu

Research Symposium

Background: Prostate cancer (PrCa) is the second most diagnosed cancer and cause of death in men globally. Docetaxel (Dtxl) based first line chemotherapy is the main available therapeutic choice for PrCa patients. However, most (almost all) patients develop resistance to Dtxl treatment, making it difficult to treat such patients with no effective adjuvant therapy. Although cabazitaxel may be used to treat these patients, it is associated with many severe side effects including low white blood cells and allergic reactions. Therefore, finding an alternative strategy to reduce Dtxl resistance is of high importance for treating PrCa. miR-205 is a widely studied …

Stabilization Of Argan Oil Nanoemulsions Using Chitosan Extracted From Pink Shrimp Shells, Yousra Mdarhri, Ikram Bouziane, Ilyace Korodowou, Narjisse Mokhtari, Lama Rissouli, Fakhita Touhami, Mohamed Chabbi, Ahmed Touhami

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

This study investigates the use of chitosan, extracted from pink shrimp shells, as a stabilizer for argan oil nanoemulsions. Chitosan was obtained through demineralization, deproteination, bleaching, deacetylation, and purification, then characterized through potentiometric titration, viscometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and purity assessments. The resulting chitosan was used to stabilize nanoemulsions formulated with extra-virgin argan oil and a nonionic surfactant using the phase inversion composition (PIC) method. The stability of the nanoemulsion was assessed through light scattering, zeta potential, viscosity, and pH measurements. The extracted chitosan exhibited high purity, a deacetylation degree of 88.34%, a molecular weight of …

Evaluating Lidar Technology In Iphone Mobiles For 2d Mapping Applications, Nasr Mohammady Saba, Salem Salama Saleh

Journal of Engineering Research

Abstract- LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology has revolutionized mapping applications, offering enhanced precision and accuracy in spatial data collection. The integration of LiDAR technology in the latest iPhone models, beginning with the iPhone 12 Pro, has introduced new capabilities for 2D data measurement and plan creation directly on the mobile device. The iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max models support LiDAR techniques within their mobile phone cameras, enhancing the performance of various applications such as Measurements and Photos. LiDAR operates by emitting pulsed light waves into the surrounding space, which bounce off nearby objects and return to the …

Experimental And Numerical Investigation For Optimum Design Of Hydraulic Steel Gates, Basma Hassan Mohamed Eng, Ahmed Mohamed Anwer Dr, Hanan Eltobgy Prof., Gamal Helmy El-Saeed Prof

Journal of Engineering Research

Conventionally, steel gates are widely used in hydraulic structures for their superior mechanical properties in sustaining hydrostatic pressure. Maintenance and operational costs should be considered while studying the feasibility of these gates. In the current research, three prototype steel gates with different configurations were prepared and examined experimentally. The three gates have the same surface dimensions of (width x height) equal to (1.0 x 1.25 m). The first steel gate represents a typical traditional gate made of skin plate and stiffened laterally using standard steel channels and will be kept for comparison. The second gate represents a standard thicker plate …

Performance And Emissions Characteristics Of Multi-Cylinder Direct Injection Diesel Engine Fuelled With Diesel/Biodiesel And Toluene Additives, Hagar Alm-Eldin Bastawissi, Medhat Elkelawy Prof. Dr. Eng., Mohammed Osama Elsamadony Dr. Eng., Moustafa Ghazaly Eng.

Journal of Engineering Research

This study explores the impact of using a diesel, biodiesel, and toluene additive fuel blend in a multi-cylinder direct injection diesel engine, focusing on both performance and emissions characteristics. Biodiesel, made from renewable sources like vegetable oils, is often added to diesel to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and improve combustion due to its higher oxygen content. In this work, a 45% biodiesel blend (B45) led to significant reductions in particulate matter (PM) emissions by up to 40% compared to conventional diesel. Additionally, carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions decreased by up to 30% and 25%, respectively, due to …

Effect Of Dual-Fuelled Cng And Gasoline On Spark Ignition Engine Performance And Emissions Behaviors At Different Loads, Medhat Elkelawy Prof. Dr, Eng., M.M. Bassuoni Prof. Dr., Hagar Alm-Eldin Bastawissi, Saied I. Haiba Eng.

Journal of Engineering Research

Engine emissions are one of numerous factors that have detrimentally affected the environment, such as global warming, which is the result of growing exhaust gases, practically carbon dioxide (CO2). These emissions have substantially influenced researchers to develop strategic initiatives to minimize the carbon contents of fuels. The purpose of this research is to investigate the characteristics of internal combustion (SI) engines fueled by gasoline and compressed natural gas (CNG) blends. The experiments are performed using a HONDA 4-stroke, single-cylinder, and air-cooled SI engine. Five CNG concentrations are evaluated, the concentrations range from 0.5 to 2.5 L/min with a 0.5 L/min …

A Quantitative Analysis Of The Commercial-Additive Effects On Diesel Engine Combustion And Emissions Characteristics, Medhat Elkelawy Prof. Dr. Eng., Hagar Alm-Eldin Bastawissi Prof. Dr. Eng., E. A. El Shenawy Prof. Dr., Mahmoud Mohamed Soliman Mahmoud Mohamed Mahmoud Soliman

Journal of Engineering Research

Petroleum fuel prices fluctuate in response to global political and economic issues. Government regulations should be followed when it comes to engine emissions, as these dangerous pollutants have a negative impact on the environment. One such effect is global warming, which raises global temperatures. The purpose of this study is to develop the additives for use as a fuel mix with diesel fuel, which will be used to feed the diesel engine of a single cylinder, four strokes. The engine will be tested experimentally with varying loads at fixed speed of 1500 rpm, using blends of [(5% PRETSONE additive + …

Design And Implementation Of A Low-Cost Educa-Tional Robot For Engineering Curriculums, Diana Refaat Henry Jacob, Ashraf Mohamed Hafez, Mohamed Tarek Elawa

Journal of Engineering Research

The role of educational robots is becoming increasingly important. Many commercial educational robots differ in their abilities and price. In general, the cost of these robots presents the main cause of their limited use in the teaching process, especially in countries with limited financial resources. This work attempts to solve this problem by designing and implementing an educational robot with a limited budget. The robot was initially intended to serve higher education students' needs, especially in engineering curriculums but can be extended to other application areas. This work presents robot hardware functional blocks, mechanical struc-ture design, and 3D printing implementation. …

A Greening The Diesel: Vegetable Oil Biodiesel Blends For Cleaner Emissions And Improved Direct Injection Diesel Engine Performance, Medhat Elkelawy Prof. Dr, Eng., Hagar Alm-Eldin Bastawissi, E. A. El Shenawy Prof. Dr., Mustafa Mohamed Ouda

Journal of Engineering Research

In this study, we conducted comprehensive experiments to assess and compare the performance of pure diesel fuel against biodiesel produced from corn oil in various blend ratios (15/85, 30/70, 45/55, and 60/40) in a conventional four-stroke, direct-injection diesel engine, fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber at the end of the compression stroke, allowing for efficient combustion and power generation over four distinct phases: intake, compression, power, and exhaust. Each fuel blend was tested at an engine speed of 16,000 rpm across different load conditions (low, medium, and high). Key performance metrics, including volumetric fuel consumption, exhaust smoke, and …

In Vivo Evaluation Of Novel Nanoparticles And Repurposed Pharmaceuticals To Combat Antimicrobial Resistance, Sarah E. Evans

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In a 2019 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infections resistant to antibiotic treatment amount to about three million infections and 48,000 deaths. Antimicrobial resistance is an escalating global threat as existing antibiotics lose efficacy over time. The project described is focused on partnering with pharmaceutical researchers and producers to test new nanoparticle-based or repurposed compounds. The central hypothesis of this thesis is that pharmaceutical formulations such as nanoparticles may provide a cost-effective means of combating the emerging antimicrobial resistance. The nanoparticle compounds allowed for a wide range of customization for the pharmaceutical design, since the …

Explorations Of Dna-Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Interactions To Develop Multiplexed Molecularly Specific Biosensors For Inflammation, Amelia K. Ryan

Dissertations and Theses

Inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) are central regulators of immune signaling and key biomarkers of disease, yet existing assays for their detection remain slow, invasive, and lack multiplexing ability. This dissertation advances the development of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) optical nanosensors capable of real-time, multiplexed, and molecularly specific cytokine detection through innovative use of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) interfaces.

First, an IL-6-specific DNA aptamer was employed as both a dispersing agent and recognition probe for SWCNT fluorescence sensing. Sequence modifications, including anchor domains, truncations, and thermally induced refolding, were systematically tested to optimize sensitivity and selectivity. The …

Metallic Nanoparticles And Cosmetics: The Role Of Mitochondria And Premature Aging, Veronica Montesinos-Cruz, Justin Olmanson

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

The cosmetic industry has developed and commercialized numerous products using new technologies, making them increasingly appealing to the public. The use of metallic nanoparticles (MtNPs) as key ingredients in cosmetics has become more widespread due to their demonstrated benefits. However, the use of these products remains controversial, as some studies have shown that MtNPs can penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and disrupt homeostatic balance. It has also been demonstrated that the interaction between MtNPs and keratinocytes increases the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can lead to oxidative stress, a condition associated with premature aging. Mitochondria, as …

Public Perceptions Of Neurotechnologies Used To Target Mood, Memory, And Motor Symptoms, Rémy A. Furrer, Amanda R. Merner, Ian Stevens, Peter Zuk, Theresa Williamson, Francis X. Shen, Gabriel Lázaro-Muñoz

Articles

Public attitudes toward four neurotechnologies for treating three types of brain disorders (mood, motor, and memory) vary on a range of metrics, such as perceived risk, invasiveness, and likelihood of use. In a survey of 1,052 US participants, deep brain stimulation (DBS) was seen as the most invasive and risky among the surveyed methods, involving the greatest perceived change to the person and the least likely to be used personally. Non-surgical options like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and pills were viewed as more acceptable. Devices targeting motor symptoms were rated as more beneficial and acceptable than those for mood or …

Hafnium Oxide-Based Nanoheterostructures For Catalytic Radiosensitization And Enhanced X-Ray Radiotherapy, Marlen Dariela Calix Quezada

Theses and Dissertations

Orthovoltage X-ray beams are attractive for surface and intra-operative radiotherapy. Yet, their clinical utility is constrained by rapid attenuation and the limited dose that can be delivered without harming healthy tissue. High-Z hafnium oxide (HfO₂) nanoparticles can boost local energy deposition through the photoelectric effect, while catalytic surface defects accelerate water radiolysis. Harnessing both mechanisms in a single nano-heterostructure could enable potent radiosensitization at diagnostic-range energies.

This thesis develops and evaluates HfO₂-based nanoheterostructures, both bare and Au-decorated, as catalytic radiosensitizers.

Two types of HfO₂ were evaluated, one was synthesized following a specific route and the …

Magnetic And Ph-Sensitive Dual Actuation Of Biohybrid Microswimmer Of Targeted Drug Release Suitable For Cancer Cell Microenvironment, Richa Chaturvedi, Yumin Kang, Yunji Eom, Sri Ramulu Torati, Cheolgi Kim

Center for Bioelectronics Publications

The chemotherapeutic agents most frequently used in cancer treatment often have limited effectiveness because of their low specificity for tumors and poor therapeutic performance. In addition to the aforementioned therapeutic challenges the drug delivery carriers conjugated with the drug encounter early detection and elimination from the immune system before arriving at the affected area continues to be a significant research focus among researchers. To address this prevalent issue, an effective approach has been developed that leverages the physiological differences between normal and tumor tissue to enhance the efficacy of anticancer drugs. This drug delivery system is designed based on pH-sensitive …

Electrochemical And Nanomaterial Based Strategies For Nonenzymatic Glucose Detection: A Review, Reagan Aviha, Gymama Slaughter

Center for Bioelectronics Publications

Electrochemical glucose sensing technologies have undergone significant evolution, with continual advancements aimed at improving sensitivity, selectivity, and user convenience. This review systematically explores the development of emerging nonenzymatic glucose sensor designs. Nonenzymatic sensors are critically evaluated for their ability to overcome enzymatic limitations, leveraging novel materials and catalytic mechanisms. Additionally, the emergence of smartphone-integrated glucose monitoring systems is highlighted as the fifth generation, representing a paradigm shift toward personalized, real-time healthcare management. Emphasis is placed on the strategies employed to reduce the working electrode potential and enhance analytical performance. Key analytical metrics and real-sample applicability are evaluated, and persistent challenges …

Magnetic Heating Efficiency Of Magnetite Nanoparticles: Dependence On Size And Alternating Magnetic Field, Sarah E. Kubican

Theses and Dissertations--Biomedical Engineering

Magnetic heating mediated by magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MION) has several clinical applications including cancer thermal therapy, tissue thawing for organ preservation, and magnetogenetics. However, current models of magnetic heating, including the widely used linear response theory, inadequately predict MION heating efficiency. An experimental study covering alternating magnetic field (AMF) strengths and frequencies ranging from 3.98 – 27.85 kA/m and 103.6 – 984.1 kHz, respectively, with a range of MION core diameters 9.5- 30.3 nm was conducted to elucidate the relationships between these AMF parameters and MION sizes and the resulting heating efficiencies. Heating efficiency was found to increase approximately …