I
became interested in the study of nanoparticles due to the current focus on
nanotechnology. Nanotechnology currently
integrates different types of nanoparticles for medical research, chemical
research and analytical studies to name a few. I have currently conducted two semesters of research with titanium
dioxide, iron(III) oxide and gold nanoparticles. I will continue my work for a third semester
to continue making new discoveries. My
current project focuses on addressing a current lack of information regarding
nanoparticles and their implementation as a method of noninvasive sensing.
Nanotechnology
has become of particular interest to myself and, for future goals, I plan on
integrating my current work when I begin studying for my PhD in chemistry.On a weekly basis, I currently use different
analytical techniques to detect gold nanoparticles, determine the size assuming
spherical shape, study the effects of synthesis in situ, and combine the data
to determine the kinetics of gold nanoparticle synthesis in situ at ambient
conditions. During this term, I
discovered a new method of synthesizing gold nanoparticles with a method with
does not require excessive heating and stirring, as most current methods
require.This has allowed for a simultaneous
study of the gold nanoparticle synthesis by three instruments
simultaneously. OSCAR helped to fund the
later part of my project and allowed me to obtain the materials needed for
future work.
