Department
of Chemistry Schmitt Hall, Ateneo de Manila University
Seminar/Thesis
Topics for Juniors and Seniors Mentor:
E.
P. Enriquez 17 Nov
2006 (web site at http://www.angelfire.com/pe/epephychem)
NOTE:
Students enrolled in the Junior Seminar class can choose a topic to
his/her liking, write a term paper based on recent advances in the
field and deliver a seminar presentation. The actual research
project is generally formulated by writing a proposal upon discussion
with the mentor or advisor on a specific problem in a particular
field after the student has become familiar with the field (after the
seminar class). For the topics below, 2-4 students can work on
sub-topic, each student will have his/her individual contribution to
the 'overall' goal.
EPE
can accept up to 6-8 students for thesis in a given year under any of
the topical areas below.
NANO-CHEMISTRY:
1. Investigations of
Quantum-sized Particles and applications in biological diagnostics.
Q-size particles have interesting properties that deviate from the
usual bulk properties. One is a tunable electronic band gap and
unique interfacial properties. They may be incorporated in polymers
or multilayer assemblies for use in developing fiber-optic sensor
devices. They may also be used as bioconjugates for biomedical
diagnostic applications.
2. Fabrication
and characterization of ultrathin films for various applications.
There are now numerous protocols for the preparation of ultrathin
organic films (< 1 micron): self-assembled systems,
polyelectrolyte assemblies, and others. They have found many
applications in designing micro-sensors, microfluidic systems, in the
MEMS (microelectromechanical systems), and many others. Here we
want to explore the different methods available and use this in
preparing our own films for target applications: in analytical
methodology development or for modifying surface properties for
target applications. The tools that will be used include
metal-deposition techniques (in collaboration with Mr. Ivan Culaba of
Physics), ultrathin film fabrication techniques using SAMs and
related techniques, surface characterization methods using
microscopy--optical and scanned probe, surface wettability
measurements, and spectroscopy.
3. Investigations of
Polyelectrolyte Interactions and Assemblies. Polyelectrolytes are
multiple-charged polymers which have unique properties in solutions.
Complexation of polyanionic and polycationic molecules may be used to
develop supramolecular assemblies which can be used as scaffold for
molecules with interesting properties, either for biomimetic
crystallization, trapping chromophores or electroactive compounds,
etc. Polylectrolyte properties may be investigated by a variety of
techniques such as absorption spectroscopy, thermal lensing
experiments, scanned probe microscopy, ion-chromatography, and
others.
6. Rational
Materials design by computer molecular modeling. Here
we want to explore the potential of computer molecular modeling in
the rational design of a materials for a specific application or
purpose. This is akin to drug design that is directed by
modeling results. The goal is to be able to predict candidates
for the synthesis and screen out bad ones even before they are tried
in the lab.
