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"The utilization of the unique properties of nanomaterials like surface
plasmons and new nanomaterials like quantum dots in chemical and
biological sensors is our focus. The challenge is to incorporate the
selectivity, speed, and reversibility of nanomaterial response while
increasing detection limits."
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Description of Research
Research in this laboratory is divided into four categories: 1)
synthesis and characterization of new nanomaterials; 2) sensors
particularly those that are enabled by nanotechnology systems; 3)
nanotechnology safety; and 4) terahertz spectroscopy.
Synthesis and characterization of new nanomaterials: This group is
interested in new nanomaterials that have impact on sensor systems.
However, our recent focus has been on using microwave to rapidly make
nanomaterials. Besides decreasing synthesis time, the microwave
process allows for tighter control of shape and size. New materials
such as magnetic and fluorescent zeolites, electrostatic multilayers,
and metal oxide nanoparticles are currently under investigation.
Sensors particularly those that are enabled by nanotechnology systems:
As part of the Air Force's "Smart Nozzle Program", we began to study
sensors such as long period gratings that require analytical layers on
the nanometer scale (~80nm). Other sensors that fall it this category
are quartz microbalance, surface acoustic wave, and electrodes. The
advantage of this type of sensor is that the analytical layer is so
thin that response and reversing times are on the order of
submilliseconds. Particular interests are in water disinfection
by-products and biological systems. Nanotechnology safety: In a joint
effort with microbiology, we are investigating nanomaterial safety.
Investigations are complicated by the fact that there are many
different kinds of nanomaterials. This diversity in nanomaterials means
that there's not going to be a single answer for all systems. Although
a quick shotgun screening approach is tempting, we have chosen to
proceed in a systematic investigation using microbial systems that we
know. We expect to expand from these systems to determine the
viability of this approach and evaluate its utility as a predictive
model (with OSC) for other biological systems. Terahertz spectroscopy
(THZ): THz system is used to determine the role of water in the
behavior of nanostructured multilayers, self assembled monolayers, and
sol gels. Understanding this behavior will help produce more efficient
nanoassemblies. THz will be used to observed spectral differences
between healthy and unhealthy tissue. A third project is acquiring THz
spectra of various materials especially those that pose a threat to
homeland security.
Undergraduate researcher's roles in your lab
Undergraduate researchers work on individual projects that will provide
information toward the understanding of the unique phenomena exhibited
by nanomaterials (see Burns paper 101) or devise new ways to synthesize
nanomaterials (see Perfect paper 97). They are expected to attend group
meetings and to present and publish their work.
Graduate student's role in your lab
Graduate researchers will work on several projects and follow the
process of synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of the
nanomaterial. Promising nanomaterials will be applied to a sensor
platform and the sensor evaluated against existing sensors for a
particular analyte. Graduate students will have the opportunity to
mentor undergraduates and summer high school students in their latter
years. It is expected that each student will make several presentations
and have multiple publications upon graduation.
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| Presentations |
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Pisarenko, A, Spendel, W.U., Pacey, G.E., "The Influence of Gold
Nanoparticles on Fluorophore Lifetimes", 2nd Annual Ohio
Nanotechnology Summit, April 2006.
Puckett, S.D., Pacey G.E., "Determination of Water in Jet Fuels Using
Long Period Gratings Modified by Nanocoatings", 2nd Annual Ohio
Nanotechnology Summit, April 2006.
Spendel, W.U., Pacey, G.E, "Microwave Syntheses of Nanomaterials:
Inorganic and Polymer Materials", 2nd Annual Ohio
Nanotechnology Summit, April 2006.
Spendel, W.U., Pacey, G.E., "Nanoncavity Nanofilm Electrode
Modification of Electrodes with a nm-Scale Sol-Gel Film Templated to
Yield a Nanoelectrode Array", 2nd Annual Ohio Nanotechnology Summit,
April 2006.
Heuser, J.A., Spendel, W.U., Pacey G.E., "Microwave Control of Iron
Oxide Particle Syntheses", 2nd Annual Ohio Nanotechnology Summit, April
2006.
Spendel, W.U., Fields, M.A., Actis, L.A., Pacey, G.E., ‘Analysis of
Bacteria-Nanoparticles Interactions", 2nd Annual Ohio Nanotechnology
Summit, April 2006.
Spendel, W.U., Pacey G.E., "Microwave Syntheses of Nanomaterials:
Inorganic and Polymer Materials", 4th International Microwave Chemistry
Conference, Orlando, March 2006.
Heuser, J.A., Spendel, W.U., Pacey G.E., "Microwave Control of Iron
Oxide Synthesis", 4th International Microwave Chemistry Conference,
Orlando, March 2006.
Spendel, W.U., Cox, J.A., Pacey, G.E., "Nanocavity Nanofilm Electrode
Modification of Electrodes with a nm-Scale Sol-Gel Film Templated to
Yield a Nanoelectrode Array", Pittsburg Conference, Orlando, March
2006.
Heuser, J.A., Spendel, W.U., Pacey, G.E., "Terahertz (THz)
Spectroscopic Investigation of Alkyl Halides", Pittsburg Conference,
Orlando, March 2006.
Pisarenko, A., Spendel, W.W., Pacey, G.E., "Thin Film Nanoparticle
Optical Detection", Pittsburg Conference,
Orlando, March 2006.
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| Funding |
$100.000 Grant from the State of Ohio
Nanomaterials in our Environment
$100.000 Grant from the State of Ohio
Nanomaterials in our Environment
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| Publications |
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Keith, J.; Hess, L.C.; Spendel, W. U. Spendel; Cox, J.A.; and Pacey,
G.E., "The Investigation of the Behavior of a Long Period Grating
Sensor with a Copper Sensitive Coating Fabricated by Layer-by-layer
Electrostatic Adsorption", Talanta, 2006, 70, 818-822.
Burns, Carolyn A.; Spendel, Wolgang U.; Pacey, Gilbert E.. "Ionic
Strength Effects on Gold Nanoparticle Surface Plasmon Resonance,"
Talanta, 2006, 69, 873-876.
Puckett, S.D., Heuser, J.A., Keith, J.D., Spendel, W.U., Pacey, G.E.,
"Interaction of Ozone with Gold Nanoparticles" Talanta, 2005,
66, 1242-1246.
Pacey, G.E., Puckett, S, Cheng, L., Khatib-Shahidi, S., Cox, J.A.,
"Detection of DNA damaging agents using layer-by layer assembly", Anal.
Chim. Acta, 2005, 533, 135-139.
Widera, J., Kijak, A.M., Ca, D.V., Pacey, G.E., Taylor, R.T., Perfect,
H., Cox, J.A, "The Influence of the Matrix Structure on the Oxidation
of Aniline in a Silica Sol-Gel Composite", Electrochem. Acta, 2005, 50,
1703-1709.
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