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  Introducing the new 2D-liquid chromatograph and high-resolution mass spectrometer in the Chemical Advanced Resolution Methods (ChARM) core facility at Michigan Tech

  Lynn Mazzoleni

  A Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Elite Mass Spectrometer (high-resolution Orbitrap Elite MS) and a Dionex UltiMate 3000 two-dimensional liquid chromatographic (2d LC) system were recently acquired. The Orbitrap Elite MS is a hybrid instrument, which includes a dual pressure linear ion trap MS and a compact high-field Orbitrap MS. The instrument design enables high-quality, fast MSn characterization with ultrahigh resolution measurements (R = 240,000 at m/z 400) for mass measurements with less than 1 ppm mass error. Therefore, the instrument has the qualitative capability to identify molecular formulas and structure and, when paired with modern chromatography, provides quantitative assessment of analytes. Quantitative measurements of trace molecules in complex mixtures require advanced chromatography methods, which can be developed with the new high-end 2-D LC. The combination of 2-D LC and Orbitrap Elite MS allows for separation, detection and quantification of a wide range of sample analytes for studies involving metabolomics, environmental and atmospheric samples to proteomic applications.

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  Point-of-Care microfluidic device for blood typing

  Hector Moncada-Hernandez

  There has been increasing efforts to translate laboratory blood tests analysis into portable, reliable, and cheap miniaturized devices. Electrokinetic-based microfluidic devices provide a new approach to blood tests with a simple infrastructure for the manipulation of cells. Previous studies show red blood cells’ (RBC) dielectrophoretic response changes based on the different ABO-Rh antigens present in the cells membrane. In this research, an alternate-current electric signal with a frequency sweep (0.1 – 1 MHz) is applied through an array of electrodes to generate non-uniform electric fields and induce dielectrophoretic forces on RBC from all eight blood types. The RBC’s response to the signal is recorded to perform an intensity analysis and generate a real-time profile describing each blood-type characteristic dielectrophoretic behavior over the frequency sweep. These results demonstrate that RBC with different membrane antigens have distinctive dielectrophoretic profiles, which could be used to rapidly differentiate blood types for point-of-care testing in emergency field applications.

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  Creating a culture of better mental/behavioral health among the American Indians in the Keweenaw

  Selin Philip

  Quality mental and behavioral health care is a key contributor to general health and wellness, and there is an urgent need for such care in the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC). Our project, currently funded by Portage Health Foundation through Michigan Tech, evaluates the effectiveness of a treatment program that has been recently developed to help individuals of the KBIC who struggle with substance use and criminal behaviors. This treatment program is aimed to enhance health and wellness and prevent recidivism. We have measurable goals to promote evidence-based processes of care by monitoring the program’s performance, evaluating treatment outcomes, and thereby improving mental health and behavioral health care, and ultimately, improving community health and wellness. This research can also serve as a conduit to building a trusting relationship with the KBIC and MTU and foster a partnership research approach that would have positive, long lasting impact on the tribal citizens.

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  The forest biomaterials initiative at Michigan Tech and across Michigan

  Mark Rudnicki

  The first statewide effort for a broad, cradle-to-cradle perspective of forest biomaterials originated at the MTU School of Forest Resources in 2012 and held a statewide meeting in Traverse City in 2013. The biomaterials initiative is currently a MTU university wide initiative, and is proceeding with development of educational and research programs that are envisioned to span most schools and colleges at MTU. Because of the work done in Traverse City and subsequent meetings, the Michigan Forest Biomaterials Institute (MiFBI) has evolved into an independent nonprofit with an expansive mission to enhance quality of life in Michigan by fostering sustainable forests, communities, and economies through innovative and responsible production, use, and recycling of forest biomaterials –in short, to lead the State of Michigan into the forest bioeconomy.

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  Emergent frontiers in 2D nanomaterials for biomolecular recognition and self-assembly

  Nabanita Saikia

  2D materials have motivated tremendous interest and exciting research avenues in the next-generation medicine and technological perspectives at nanoscale. Biomolecular recognition of an array of probe molecules starting from therapeutic drugs, organic molecules, amino acids, DNA oligonucleotides to highly complex protein assemblies have been realized, that integrates the electronic and optical properties of nanomaterials for myriad applications. Two challenging research areas in application of 2D materials is highlighted in the talk: (1) functionalization of chemotherapeutic biomolecules pyrazinamide and acetaminophen on silicene, SiC, phosphorene, BN and graphene, and (2) self-assembled DNA nucleobase namely guanine on graphene at the substrate-solvent interface. Atomistic insights on the functionalization, nature of interaction, energetics, and patterned growth and self-assembly of biomolecules is discussed using density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation methods. The open challenging questions in biomolecular recognition of functional molecules on 2D material are discussed which constitutes the basis for rational design of bioconjugated complexes and offers the desired functionality for nanoscale applications.

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  Rapid metal design

  Paul G. Sanders

  Computational material design tools have advanced so that custom materials for specific applications can be designed and manufactured. In the case of metals, my team designs aluminum, iron, nickel, and copper (more to come) alloys using Thermo-Calc with Bayesian optimization. We design microstructures to deliver properties such as strength, conductivity, and corrosion resistance. Custom tailored materials are now practical solutions to engineering challenges, and materials engineers work on multi-disciplinary teams to deliver integrated, enhanced product designs.

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  Wearable electronics, human-centered monitoring

  Ye Sarah Sun

  Non-contact solution in wearable electronics: A conventional clinical system requires the use of wet electrodes that are in contact with skin using conductive gel to acquire physiological signals. Those systems can acquire high quality signals but may not be feasible for a long-term purpose due to the skin irritation and allergic contact dermatitis. The emerging of human-centered monitoring calls for alternative solutions. Recent technological advances enable capacitive measurement that can acquire signals through cloth or even with an air gap in wearable condition. In this TechTalk I will introduce the non-contact solution in wearable electronics.

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  Two-phase transport in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

  Kazuya Tajiri

  In Multiscale Transport Process Laboratory our research is focused on the experimental and computational analysis of transport phenomena in electrochemical devices and propulsion systems. In this talk our research activity on proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) for automotive application will be explained. Water management is one of the most critical issues in PEMFCs. The water generated in catalyst layer as a product of the electrochemical reaction needs to be removed through porous media by diffusion if it’s vapor, or by capillarity in case of liquid. In flow channels, the liquid water is removed primarily by inertial force of the gas flows. Two major projects in our PEMFC research are 1) mass transport through porous media and the effect of land-channel geometry on transport processes, and 2) two-phase flow pressure drop measurement in the PEMFC flow channels and model development.

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  Molecules, surfaces, crystals: A quantum chemical quest from fundamentals to applications

  Loredana Valenzano

  My research focuses on applying fundamental laws governing the behavior of molecules and materials to predict their real-world performance. Using state-of-the-art quantum chemical approaches as my tool set, I computationally model a wide range of molecular and condensed-matter systems: explosives, pharmaceuticals, porous materials, catalysts, nanomaterials, polymers, soft-matter, films, membranes, surfaces, interfaces, layered materials; hybrid systems: molecules interacting with substrates; and, their properties: structural, energetic, vibrational, electronic, mechanical, adsorption, diffusion. Chemical processes such as reactivity and the change of properties after exposure to external agents (e.g. durability) can also be explored. The results of my investigations can contribute to speeding up, decreasing the cost, and increasing the robustness of the development cycle of new materials and materials-dependent products.

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  Numerical methods for partial differential equations

  Yang Yang

  Many physical phenomena can be modeled by partial differential equations, such as Euler equations and Navier–Stokes equations. However, most cases, we cannot find the exact solutions, hence numerical methods are needed to approximate them. In my work, I use discontinuous Galerkin methods (a kind of finite element method) and finite volume methods to solve hyperbolic and parabolic equations—especially for problems with strong singularities, such as delta-functions. Moreover, some of the physical bounds will be preserved, such as the positivity of the density, maximum-principle of the velocity etc. Some of the problems I am working on include compressible gas dynamics, miscible displacement in porous media, combustion, chemotaxis, radiative transfer equations. Some future works include numerical simulations in traffic flow, numerical cosmology, tsunami and hurricane prediction etc.