Issak M. Proano
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716
Email: iproano@udel.edu │ Phone: (917) 690-6081
Education:
Graduate Research Assistant – Ph.D. Program in Chemistry and Biochemistry
Concentration: Analytical Chemistry
B.S. in Chemistry
Research Experience:
Research aims/topics to be determined.
Department of Chemistry and the Molecular Design Institute at New York University
Advisor: Prof. Stefano Sacanna
At New York University, we investigated the effects of gravity on the crystallization
tendencies of colloidal superballs (also known as pseudocubes) based on previous work
performed on STS-73 onboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. The gravitational forces that
all colloidal particles experience on the surface of the Earth have the ability to mask some
of the most basic interactions between colloids when crystallizing, and understanding the
mechanisms through which these particles take their crystalline morphologies (which are
akin to atoms/molecules on the atomic scale) are integral to solving problems in condensed
matter science. Once these mechanisms are well understood, tailor-made colloidal systems
can be built to yield structures for applications ranging from optics and information
transfer, to self-assembling materials for space exploration. This research was performed
in conjunction with the Department of Physics at New York University, the Center for Soft
Matter Research (CSMR) at New York University, the NASA John H. Glenn Research
Center in Cleveland, Ohio, ZIN Technologies in Cleveland, Ohio, and the crew onboard
the International Space Station.
Department of Chemical Engineering
Advisor(s): Profs. Sang M. Han and Sang Eon Han
At the University of New Mexico, we investigated the effects of periodicity in coatings of
colloidal silica spheres on their ability to perform radiative cooling upon their substrates.
In the United States, a massive expenditure on the energy budget is dedicated to providing
cooling for many applications, from refrigeration to air conditioning. Radiative cooling is
a viable alternative that is able to use incoming solar radiation to thermally cool the
substrates they are upon, and colloidal coatings designed for this purpose provide a cost-
efficient method to make this technology available to the public. This research was
performed in conjunction with the United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
in Dayton, Ohio, and Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Teaching Experience:
Tutor of General Chemistry (08/2014 – 05/2016)
Activities and Memberships:
Student Member (06/2017 – Present)
We hosted 3rd– 5th grade students from various New York City high schools to introduce
engage them to what science and research entails, while performing simple experiments.