This dissertation seeks to explore how physical forces, notably through the use of magnetic nanoparticles and applied fields, can influence the structural outcomes of colloidal crystals engineered with DNA. Chapter 1 describes how both DNA and magnetic fields can direct the assembly of nanoparticles into periodic and sometimes crystalline materials....
Human biologists remain invested in the prospect of developing a ‘biocultural synthesis.’ The primary concerns identified in major touchstones of this effort include the presentation of biological function in terms of social relations, understanding the role that humans play in constructing their own environments for development and evolution, and linking...
Providing quality transit service to travelers is a constant challenge for transit agencies. The advent of fully-autonomous vehicles (AVs) and their inclusion in mobility service fleets may allow transit agencies to offer better service or reduce their own capital and operational costs. This study focuses on the problem of allocating...
The role of mesoscale structure on the properties of functional materials is poorly understood as the influence of mesoscale structure is both complicated and material specific. Thus there is not only a lack of a general understanding of how structure influences emergent properties but also a lack of a general...
Advanced wireless soft electronics integrate a wireless power transfer circuit and a small battery. It is skin-compliant, and lightweight accommodating the complex motion of the body. These unique features of the device provide a continuous physiological measurement without discomfort and spatial constraints. Using the device, we can observe and track...
As the pursuit for higher performance and lower cost photovoltaics, and for new applications of optoelectronic devices moves beyond crystalline silicon, there are many unique opportunities for materials research into hybrid organic-inorganic, and organic semiconductors. This dissertation focuses on both hybrid organic-inorganic materials and organic materials for optoelectronic applications. In...
We often criticize people for having beliefs that are not sufficiently supported by the total available evidence. We do this even if those beliefs are instrumental to satisfying their desires. This leads to a question: why should people care about following the evidence, especially when doing so is not instrumental...
Epigenetics, the study of heritable changes in organisms not caused by mutations to DNA,holds tremendous promise for future medical applications. Although still in its infancy, feature selection in statistics plays an important role in correlating epigenetic changes with
diseases and various health issues. Feature selection may also be used in...
Although electrostatics interactions in fluids have been studied for many decades, new results in this field are still challenging our classical understanding of electrolytes. The combination of electrostatics and self-assembly yields many interesting yet challenging problems that are of fundamental scientific interest and show promise for industrial applications. In this...
Global energy demands are expected to increase by about one-third between 2014 and 2040 and will surely be met from a combination of wind, solar, and among other renewable sources. The shift away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energies will ensure a clean and sustainable future. The main issue...