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Engaging Students in Early Exploration of Nanoscience Topics Using Hands-On Activities and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Journal of Chemical Education, Jun 1, 2009

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Integrating Computation and Visualization to Enhance Learning IR Spectroscopy in the General Chemistry Laboratory: Computer-Assisted Learning of IR Spectroscopy

Spectroscopy Letters, Oct 25, 2010

ABSTRACT An exercise to compute and visualize the IR spectra of small organic molecules was incor... more ABSTRACT An exercise to compute and visualize the IR spectra of small organic molecules was incorporated into a general chemistry laboratory module on the synthesis of aspirin. The effectiveness of the computation–visualization component was measured by pre- and postquizzes, a survey, and correct interpretation of experimental IR spectra. The assessment results showed that the students&#39; conceptual understanding of IR spectroscopy was enhanced and that their ability to interpret IR spectra improved. Students learned the basics of the Scigress Explorer software package, gained invaluable introductory skills in molecular modeling and computational chemistry, and enjoyed the experience.

Second-Generation Stamps for Nanoscale Soft Lithography Fabricated by Micromolding in Capillaries

Nano communications, Jun 1, 2014

FTIR Analysis of Mouse Urine Urea Using IR Cards

Spectroscopy Letters, Dec 31, 2004

Urea in mouse urine results from the normal breakdown and use of protein. A variation in its cont... more Urea in mouse urine results from the normal breakdown and use of protein. A variation in its content may indicate a change in the way the mouse's metabolism, liver, and kidney are functioning. To demonstrate the feasibility of using FTIR–IR cards for urine urea analysis, urine samples were obtained from two control females and four pregnant mice during their pregnancy.

Chemistry, Poetry, and Artistic Illustration: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Teaching and Promoting Chemistry

Journal of Chemical Education, Oct 1, 2007

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A review of small molecule diffusion in polyolefins

Polymer, 1992

Abstract The transport of small molecules in polyolefins is a subject of both technical and comme... more Abstract The transport of small molecules in polyolefins is a subject of both technical and commercial importance. It is technically important because the factors, such as morphology and molecular interactions, that control diffusion are not well determined. Also, the existing theory of diffusion, based on macroscopic parameters,7 It is commercially important because the use of polyolefins in applications such as wire coatings, barrier layers and structures is extremely widespread. Failure of such applications can impact the lifetime of large amounts of capital investment. Examples such as wire and cable, landfill liners and automotive components all have expected lifetimes. Previous research indicates that loss of stabilizers may be the major factor in failures and that previous estimates of the loss mechanisms have been inaccurate due to a lack of basic knowledge about the transport properties of polyolefins. This review attempts to cover the previous work on transport in polyolefins and to correlate the results where possible.

Hydrogenated polybutadiene morphology and its effects on small molecule diffusion

Macromolecules, Nov 1, 1992

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An Open-Ended Project: Building a High Performance, yet Simple, Household Battery

Journal of Chemical Education, Aug 22, 2013

An open-ended activity for high school students and college students is described. Students const... more An open-ended activity for high school students and college students is described. Students constructed a battery (galvanic cell) from common household materials such as aluminum, copper, table salt, and Drano. The battery yielded voltages ranging from 1.2 to 1.9 V, which are higher than those from a typical Zn–Cu lemon cell or a recently reported aluminum–air battery, and a current density of 33 mA/cm2 that is up to 75 times better than that of the aluminum–air battery and 150 times better than those of the typical lemon batteries. Students carried out various tests on the battery to gain an understanding of the factors affecting the cell performance, such as effect of household materials, NaCl in the electrolyte solution, electrode surface area, and electrode distance. Then, students, working in groups, were tasked to build a high-performance battery using common household materials. The final battery assembly should be able to power the motors of various toy cars. The project allowed students to relate...

Investigating the Oxidation of Biodiesel From Used Vegetable Oil by FTIR Spectroscopy: Used Vegetable Oil Biodiesel Oxidation Study by FTIR

Spectroscopy Letters, Oct 25, 2010

... a * , Palmer Wetzel a , Samuel Johnson a , Jessica Wedin a & Andrew Och a pages 580-585. ... more

Integrating Nanoscience and Technology in Natural Science Associate Degree and Relocation Programs Serving Underrepresented Students

Journal of nano education, Jun 1, 2014

Characterization of Proteins in Mouse Blood by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

Spectroscopy Letters, May 1, 2007

Title: Characterization of Proteins in Mouse Blood by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Au... more

Small molecule diffusion in polyolefins monitored using the infrared evanescent field

Vibrational Spectroscopy, Apr 1, 1992

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An On-Campus Celebration of National Chemistry Week

The Chemical Educator, Dec 1, 2000

This article describes an on-campus celebration program for National Chemistry Week (NCW) at the ... more This article describes an on-campus celebration program for National Chemistry Week (NCW) at the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville (UPT). The program, consisting of a chemistry magic show, hands-on chemistry fun, and a poster display session, was presented free of charge to the public on the Saturday of NCW. Presenting the program on campus avoided the transportation of the necessary materials, allowed the incorporation of many interesting demonstrations, and provided an opportunity for the school to showcase its state-of-the-art facilities. The program reached the public through different media, such as flyers, newspapes, and TV and radio. Over 100 people of all ages from the local community participated in the program. One of the most successful characteristics of the program was the substantial involvement of college students taking chemistry classes. Directly doing or seeing various reactions that involved changes in color or production of sound, heat, or light was stimulating and memorable. Many student participants became chemistry club members right after the events and were excited about more opportunities to explore the world of chemistry. This article also described activities highlighting the theme of NCW 1999, “Celebrating Polymers.”

FTIR�?ATR Study of pH Effects on Egg Albumin Secondary Structure

Spectroscopy Letters, May 1, 2007

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Facile preparation of oxidation resistant magnetite-based nanocomposites for water treatments

Nano research & applications, May 10, 2018

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Templated Mesoporous Silica Outer Shell for Controlled Silver Release of a Magnetically Recoverable and Reusable Nanocomposite for Water Disinfection

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Oct 1, 2021

In this work, we encapsulated Fe3O4@SiO2@Ag (MS-Ag), a bifunctional magnetic silver core-shell st... more In this work, we encapsulated Fe3O4@SiO2@Ag (MS-Ag), a bifunctional magnetic silver core-shell structure, with an outer mesoporous silica (mS) shell to form an Fe3O4@SiO2@Ag@mSiO2 (MS-Ag-mS) nanocomposite using a cationic CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) micelle templating strategy. The mS shell acts as protection to slow down the oxidation and detachment of the AgNPs and incorporates channels to control the release of antimicrobial Ag+ ions. Results of TEM, STEM, HRSEM, EDS, BET, and FTIR showed the successful formation of the mS shells on MS-Ag aggregates 50-400 nm in size with highly uniform pores �?�4 nm in diameter that were separated by silica walls �?�2 nm thick. Additionally, the mS shell thickness was tuned to demonstrate controlled Ag+ release; an increase in shell thickness resulted in an increased path length required for Ag+ ions to travel out of the shell, reducing MS-Ag-mS' ability to inhibit E. coli growth as illustrated by the inhibition zone results. Through a shaking test, the MS-Ag-mS nanocomposite was shown to eradicate 99.99+% of a suspension of E. coli at 1 × 106 CFU/mL with a silver release of less than 0.1 ppb, well under the EPA recommendation of 0.1 ppm. This high biocidal efficiency with minimal silver leach is ascribed to the nanocomposite's mS shell surface characteristics, including having hydroxyl groups and possessing a high degree of structural periodicity at the nanoscale or "smoothness" that encourages association with bacteria and retains high Ag+ concentration on its surface and in its close proximity. Furthermore, the nanocomposite demonstrated consistent antimicrobial performance and silver release levels over multiple repeated uses (after being recovered magnetically because of the oxidation-resistant silica-coated magnetic Fe3O4 core). It also proved effective at killing all microbes from Long Island Sound surface water. The described MS-Ag-mS nanocomposite is highly synergistic, easy to prepare, and readily recoverable and reusable and offers structural tunability affecting the bioavailability of Ag+, making it excellent for water disinfection that will find wide applications.