Advanced Nanomaterials Laboratory

In the Advanced Nanomaterials Laboratory at UD, we work at the rich interface of biomedical devices, drug delivery, next-generation quantum dot light emitting diodes, nano-enabled precision agriculture, and nanotoxicology. We use novel nanochemistry approaches to engineer bio-inspired materials for applications in bioelectronics, point-of-care diagnostics, risk assessment, sustainable energy, and nanoagriculture. We also focus on theoretical investigation of key nanoscale material properties through our computational projects.

The following projects capture a few key research areas of our group:

1. A new library of quantum dots for flexible biomedical devices

Quantum dot light emitting devices (QLEDs) have found application in several emerging electronic gadgets for controlled solution processing and vivid color purity of QLEDs. White light emitting QLEDs (WLEDs) of this class are highly useful for wide area lighting and backlight displays and are more environment-friendly compared to conventional lighting. What if we can realize more sustainable materials for these key devices? We seek to transform the QLED technology both in terms of materials and device performance through a new family of multicomponent Cu-chalcogenide nanocrystal (NC)-based light emitting layer, device fabrication, and practical application in biomedical electronics.

Relevant publications:

2. Understanding nanoparticle transport through a new computational and experimental approach to design enhanced drug delivery systems

Nanodrugs, essentially containing therapeutic and diagnostic nanosized materials are highly promising for future medical solutions in oncology, iron replacement therapy, imaging agents, and vaccines. The key attractions of nanodrugs are their ability to selectively reach the diseased site at sufficient dosage without affecting healthy tissues and their combined diagnostic and therapeutic capability. One severe impediment to the clinical translation of nanodrugs is the lack of preclinical analysis of their transport behavior at physiologically relevant conditions. We focus on answering the fundamental question of how to realistically mimic flow of any new nanodrug within the patient’s body via a new computational fluid dynamic model in combination with novel experimental flow analysis of the nanodrug through newly synthesized biomimetic vascular constructs.

Relevant publications:

3. Engineered nanoparticle fertilizers

Currently, conventional fertilizers used to meet the increasing demand for food and energy crops worldwide have to be added directly to the soil in large quantities due to inefficient absorption by the plants. The excess fertilizer becomes an environmental burden and also significantly increases the capital cost for agricultural products. What if we can engineer a new and sustainable fertilizer technology for effective delivery of nutrients to the plants without addition of the fertilizer to the soil? We explore a new seed pre-soaking strategy with novel nanoformulations to enhance growth and production rate of a variety of plant species.

Novel nanofertilizers for enhanced agricultural production. (a) Schematic of experiments showing increased growth rate of roots and (b) scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) image of the NP-treated roots.

Relevant publications:

Group Members

Sohini Sengupta

Graduate Researcher

MSc. Chemistry, Presidency University,India (2020-2022)

BSc. Chemistry, Bethune College, India (2017-2020)

Contact: senguptas1@udayton.edu

Fajer Almanea

Graduate Researcher

MS: Chemical Engineering, University of Dayton, Spring 2022 - Current

BS: Chemical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University, 2016

Contact: almaneaf1@udayton.edu

Venkateswar Rao

Graduate Researcher

MS: Chemical engineering, University of Dayton, Fall 2021- present

B. Tech.: RGUKT Basar, India (2013-2017)

Contact: lnuv02@udayton.edu

Andrea Garrison

Undergraduate Researcher

Chemical Engineering

Jessica Cobos

REU Student

Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at El Paso

Group Alumni

Collin Cox: Undergraduate Researcher, Chemical & Materials Engineering, University of Dayton, 2022 - 2023

Madison Jones: Undergraduate Researcher, Chemical & Materials Engineering, University of Dayton, 2022 - 2023

Nicholas Saunders: Undergraduate Researcher, Chemical & Materials Engineering, University of Dayton, 2022 - 2023; Current position: Graduate Student at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Sarah Maglosky: Undergraduate Researcher, Chemical & Materials Engineering, University of Dayton, 2022 - 2023, Collaborative project with AFRL