Lisa M. Bydairk, Dr. Kevin Crawford
Blooms of the marine cyanobacteria, Trichodesmium thiebautii, result in toxin(s) that can be harmful to both humans and wildlife. Trichodesmium is one of the largest nitrogen-fixers in the marine environment and is thought to be a major source of new bioavailable nitrogen in the ocean. The toxins associated with the blooms have been linked to a number of health effects, the most well known being an illness called Tamandare fever. Respiratory irritation, muscular pain, and a rash are common symptoms associated with exposure to the toxin. The appearance of these toxins corresponds with the appearance of Trichodesmium blooms in the area. Recently, we have made significant progress in the isolation and identification of chemicals associated with blooms that cause toxicity to mammalian cell lines. The ability to rapidly determine the presence of Trichodesmium toxins in marine waters can be beneficial to limiting the human health effects. The current processes of determining the presence of the toxins are long and involve numerous instrumental procedures. We are developing a means of identifying the presence of Trichodesmium toxins that can be used by boats at sea using raw samples. We will report on our efforts to develop an efficient and reliable method of detection of the Trichodesmium thiebautii associated toxins.
Tzu-Hung Chu, Dr. Holly Bevsek
Carbon nanotubes are a focus of intense study because of their unique physical
and chemical properties. One of the most intriguing properties of carbon nanotubes
is their electrical conductivity which can be highly sensitive to the presence
of functional groups and adsorbed species. This finding has driven researchers
to focus on understanding the surface chemistry of carbon nanotubes with small
molecules for the development of nanoscale chemical sensors. To further this
understanding, the reaction of carbon nanotubes with NO2 will be investigated
at high and low pressures using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform
spectroscopy (DRIFTS). Possible reaction products and trapped or adsorbed species
will be identified by their absorption frequencies while reaction rates will
be determined by monitoring product growth as a function of time. This information
together with estimates of product binding energies will be used to develop
a mechanism for the NO2-nanotube reaction.
Cody Sandquist and Dr. Michael J. Dorko
Storage of H2 under the surface of metal alloys has potential application in fuel cell systems and in metal hydride batteries. The goals of using metal alloys for generation and storage of H2 gas derived from hydrocarbons are to create a light-weight system with a high H2 storage capacity that is functional at temperatures lower than 100oC. An alloy composed of Pt/Mg can provide a material that meets the desired requirements of generation and H2 storage for use as a fuel. The adsorption and interaction of methane and methanol with alloys of varying ratios of Pt and Mg will be studied using Møller-Plesset Perturbation Theory (MP2) and Density Functional Theory (DFT). The possible overlap of the valence band of the alloy with the LUMO of the adsorbates will be investigated to determine which alloys are best at weakening C-H and O-H bonds to generate subsurface hydrogen atoms.
Aaron T. Shaw, Dr. Suzanne T. Mabrouk
How accurate does a dietary supplement label have to be with respect to the
amount of macro-minerals and trace elements it contains? The purpose of this
project is to determine if the levels of calcium, iron and potassium in the
multi-vitamins are the same as the levels published on the bottles. The analysis
of the aqueous solution of these multi-vitamins will be conducted according
to EPA guidelines as set forth in The Standard Methods for the Examination of
Water and Wastewater. The analyses will be conducted with flame atomic absorption
with ionization suppressors. These results will be compiled to create a junior-level
chemistry major lab for the course CHEM 302, Instrumental Methods.
The National Academy of Sciences has published dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs)
and Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) for the macro-minerals and trace elements
of the vitamins for the different sexes and age groups.
Calcium is needed for muscle contraction, and blood vessel contraction and expansion.
Iron is an essential component of proteins where it is involved in oxygen transport
and for the regulation of cell growth. Potassium is important in the transmission
of nerve impulses, and the synthesis of nucleic acids. As indicated here, macro-minerals
have beneficial health benefits, but there are also negative health effects.
Future research will be conducted on sample preparation to mimic the digestion
of multi-vitamins in the human body. The digestion of the anaylate is important,
because some of the coatings are water insoluble and can affect the introduction
into the analytical instrument.
Richard Terrio and Dr. Michael J. Dorko
Sarin is a highly volatile and deadly nerve agent that has been declared illegal under both the Geneva Conventions and the Chemical Weapons Convention. It poses a continuing threat due to aging stockpiles and its use by terrorist organizations in recent years. Currently there is neither a cost effective nor efficient method of disposal for this chemical warfare agent. Despite its high volatility, sarin has the ability to remain on a surface making any release of the chemical a lasting danger. The adsorption and interaction of sarin on the surface of a-alumina (Al2O3) will be studied using Møller-Plesset Perturbation Theory (MP2) and Density Functional Theory (DFT). From the interaction data obtained, it will be possible to determine the binding energy and geometry of sarin on a-alumina as well as possible decomposition pathways. This knowledge will be useful in developing sensors and coatings used for the detection and destruction of sarin.