This work exploits the use of noble metal
nanoparticles to achieve sensitive and
selective detection of chemical and
biological analytes. The localized surface
plasmon resonance (LSPR) of these metal
nanoparticles is known to be sensitive to
shape, size, and the local environment.
Ag nanoparticles fabricated using the
nanosphere lithography (NSL)...
In this experiment, the optical properties
of several spherical nanoparticles were
observed. Particles were modeled using
Mie theory, a set of equations that calculate
the extinction coefficient of virtually any
spherical particle. Initially this theory was
used to model solid particles made of noble
metals. As time passed, its scope...
Weak interactions in ligand-receptor
pairs are important in biological systems.
However, the energetics of these interactions
are often difficult to quantify for ligandreceptor
pairs. Weak interactions are a part
of reorganization energy, which plays a role
in electron transfer reactions. Under certain
conditions the rate of electron transfer
can be...
The bio-barcode assay is a nanotechnology-based
method for capturing and
detecting proteins. It shows extraordinary
sensitivity in detecting certain antigens at
extremely low concentrations, now without
the use of the polymerase chain reaction
(PCR). This assay uses disease identification
biomarkers that cannot be used in the
conventional assays of today....
This report describes the development of
bioorganic small-molecule complexes for the
directed assembly of functional nanomaterials.
In particular, it examines the synthesis of
small acetylene-based organic precursors for
attaching DNA to form DNA/organic hybrids.
This work continues previous studies
demonstrating how DNA/polymer hybrid
composites have sharper melting points than
DNA...
The intention of this research was to investigate
the ink diffusion that takes place in
dip-pen nanolithography in order to better
understand how to enhance the possibilities
of nano fountain probes. Varying concentrations
of 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid in
ethanol were used as ink in dip-pen nanolithography,
and the relationships between
contact...
Monolayers on H-Si(111) were formed thermally
using decene and 10-bromodecene.
Samples were subjected to 100 percent
humidity in order to induce oxidation for
upwards of three weeks. The ability of
bromine to bind to the Si(111) and inhibit
oxidation through steric hindrance was
intended to be analyzed. Atomic force
microscopy...
In this study liquid-phase nanolithography
(LPN) techniques using conductive atomic
force microscopy are investigated in order
to study properties of nano-patterned
organic molecules covalently bound to a
silicon substrate. Previous work has shown
that LPN in the inert organic solvent hexadecane
forms patterned features on
hydrogen-passivated Si(111). Due to hexadecane’s...
The purpose of this study was to select an
alloy with a low driving force for nucleation
for a more in-depth study of the nucleation
of γ’-precipitates. To do this, three Ni-Cr-Al
alloys were chosen close to the solvus line
of a Ni-Cr-Al phase diagram, ensuring low
supersaturation and therefore...
In this study attention was focused on a
templated fabrication of Au nanotubular
structures that could carry a highly magnetic
entity such as cobalt. In brief, experimentation
was performed to create Co@Au
core-shell nanorods of different lengths. The
preliminary core-shell structures were first
characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD),
scanning electron...