CAMP Professor Yuzhuo Li Investigates Methods for the Preparation and Application of Biosensor Liposomes

CAMP Professor Yuzhuo Li and his research group are investigating methods for the preparation and application of novel liposome systems using triblock copolymers. The new liposome systems are designed to incorporate functionalities that can be used for rapid enzyme and receptor assays for biosensor technology. The biosensor can detect molecular recognition events with minute concentration. This device is potentially useful for the monitoring of the change of biological species in an environment and as a tool to screen drug candidates such as enzyme and receptor binding inhibitors

For more information about Professor Li and his research, you may call him at 315-268-2355 or send email to yuzhuoli@clarkson.edu.

Professor Vladimir Privman Studies Quantum Information Relevant to Secure Information Transmission

CAMP Professor Vladimir Privman, of Clarkson University's Departments of Physics and Electrical and Computer Engineering, has National Security Agency funding from the US Army Research Office to study quantum information relevant to cryptography and secure information transmission. Professor Privman is the Director of the Center for Quantum Device Technology at Clarkson University.

For more information about Professor Privman and his research, you may call him at 315-268-3891 or send email to privman @clarkson.edu.

CAMP Professor Dan Goia Prepares Metallic Particles for Potential Use in Defense Related Applications

CAMP Professor Dan Goia is preparing metallic particles for potential use in defense related applications such as obscurant smokes, electromagnetic interference shielding, bio-medical applications, and in energy generation devices. These areas are briefly described.

1. Obscurant smokes. Smoke clouds consisting of fine particles are known to be capable of preventing the detection of military equipment by a combination of radiation scattering or absorption. While in the visible spectrum both metallic and dielectric particles can act as very effective screens. In the very important range of near and infrared wavelengths, the highly conductive metallic particles are the ideal materials. Theoretical work by the Army scientists indicates that a high aspect ratio, highly conductive metallic particles (fibers, flakes) having at least one nanoscale dimension are desired. Consequently, Au, Ag, Cu, and other highly conductive metals in form of flakes or fibers can be especially effective for such purposes - either in a pure state or deposited as coatings on non-conductive substrates, which already possess the desired morphology.

2. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Shielding. The importance of the capability to effectively protect defense related channels of communication, especially in the light of the recent terrorist attacks, couldn't be understated. Fine metallic particles of highly conductive elements or alloys (Ag, Au) are already used in the telecommunication industry to provide very effective EMI shielding by serving as precursors for continuous, dense, and electrically conductive metallic barriers and it is likely that they will find similar applications in the area of defense.

3. Bio-medical applications. Metallic particles can also be used in many applications, which can be adapted to ensure the protection of the personnel involved in combat situations. For example, micron size spherical Au particles can be used for trans-dermal vaccination ('powder vaccine method') while nanosize Au particles can act as a vector to deliver drugs or antidotes against chemical and bacteriologic agents. Both situations could be highly useful in developing individual kits to administer drugs simply and safely in remote or isolated locations. Nanosize silver particles are known to be an excellent antibacterial agent and, consequently, can be used to ensure personnel hygiene (equipment, food and water supply) as well as safe emergency medical operations (mobile hospitals, emergency surgical kits, etc.) in infested environments.

4. Energy generation. Nanosize metallic particles (Pt, Pt/Ru alloys) are the materials of choice for manufacturing the electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cells that can be used to provide the necessary energy for the mobile devices (communication, heat supply) carried by soldiers in order to stay operational yet undetected in hostile environments.