Research Highlights
Synthesis of well-defined polypeptoid mimics of poly(glutamic acid)
N-(3-tert-butoxy-3-oxopropyl) glycine derived N-carboxyanhydride was successfully synthesized and polymerized by ring-opening polymerization using primary amine initiators. The polymerization was found to proceed in a controlled manner over a wide range of molecular weights while maintaining a narrow molecular weight distribution. Mild acidic conditions readily unveil the carboxyl functionality to yield the pH-responsive, structural mimic of the biologically relevant peptide, poly(glutamic acid).
Electrochemical Reductions of Chromium(VI) in Water
Reducing toxic hexavalent chromium to benign Cr(III) using electrochemistry is a promising way to purify contaminated water. To improve current methods and develop new ones, it is paramount to understand the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the reactions involved.
Size changes of spherical bottlebrushes in linear melt
Spherical bottlebrushes change the size depending on the molecular weight of the linear host matrix. Small-angle neutron scattering allowed to detect these changes, resulting in decreasing bottlebrush radii with increasing molecular weight of the linear host matrix. Additionally, aggregation can be observed in the largest host matrix at the highest concentration.
News and Events
McCarley Awarded Patent
Professor Robin McCarley is a co-inventor on a recently issued U.S. Patent for a biomolecular processing platform and methods suitable for nucleic acid sequencing and protein/polypeptide identification.
New Patent to Improve Detection of Breast Cancer
Professor Les Butler is a co-inventor on a recently awarded U.S. Patent for Phase-Contrast X-Ray Interferometry.
Tom W. Dutton Award
Graduate Studies Program
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