Enzymes play an important role in the environment, they breakdown natural-occurring and anthropogenic molecules so that they can be transported into cells and utilized. Enzyme assays are routinely used in soil science and oceanography to measure the activities of specific processes and to serve as general indicators of microbial activity....
Novel synthetic strategies are developed to prepare new intercalation compounds and nanocomposites with several layered hosts (NiPS₃, Na-montmorillonite, MoS₂ and MoO₃). In these products, alkali metals are ionic intercalates and linear polymers, dendrimers or amines act as co-intercalates. In addition to new synthetic approaches, new structures are identified and characterized....
One post-transcriptional mechanism that regulates the progression of cancer and other diseases involves small 22-23 nucleotide sequences called microRNA (miR). Early detection of small changes in concentration of these biomarkers holds potential to diagnose diseases at their earliest stages. Use of current nucleic-acid based biosensors, like molecular beacons, for in...
Eight layered gabbro samples from two layered complexes, two
xenoliths, one basalt from a hot brine area and a standard basalt rock
(BCR-1) were analyzed by RNAA (radiochemical neutron activation
analysis) for 14 trace elements, Au, Ni, Co, Ag, Sb, Se, Zn, In, T1,
Rb, Cs, U, Ba and Sr....
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of contaminants of great concern due to their toxicity and ubiquity in the environment. Remediation efforts historically have focused on granular activated carbon (GAC) because of its low maintenance and relatively low cost. However, GAC is not PFAS selective and is especially...
The aqueous chemistries of two transition metal cations, Zr⁴⁺ and Nb⁵⁺, are examined and then used to develop inorganic precursor solutions. The oxides of these cations (ZrO₂ and Nb₂O₅) are deposited and characterized, and their morphological and optical properties discussed. Due to the obstacles created by niobium's aqueous chemistry, an...
This dissertation outlines two approaches for improving the efficiency and reducing the cost of photovoltaic energy generation. First, the structures of known binary copper and iron compounds are used to choose the promising compositions Fe₂XS₄ (X = Si, Ge), Cu₃TaQ₄ (Q = Se, Te), and BaCuQ'F (Q' = S, Se,...
New transparent p- and n-type semiconductors and luminescent materials have been prepared and characterized. Synthesis, structures, optical and electrical properties of new chalcogenide fluoride p-type transparent semiconductors MCuQF (M=Ba, Sr; Q=S, Se, Te) are described. Band-gap tuning and improvement in conductivity through p-type doping are demonstrated in the family. The...
The general emphasis of this work has been synthesis, characterization, and applications of n- and p-type inorganic oxide thin films that are deposited from solutions. In particular, a study of n-type transparent semiconductor films of tin (IV) oxide and zinc-doped tin (IV) oxide has been performed by spin coating. Solution...