Description
- Abstract:
- Nanoparticles are ubiquitous in a variety of fields, including pharmaceuticals, energy materials, composite materials, etc. As new nanoparticles are developed it becomes vital to understand their properties in order to utilize them for application; their properties are heavily dependent on morphology. Here we develop a new sample preparation technique and platform for cryo-transmission electron microscopy; the mechanism of thinning based on capillary action leads to reduced shear exposure and the improved ability to image native sample morphologies. Capillary action also improves temporal resolution, which allows for the capture of transient structures that cannot be imaged with conventional blotting sample preparation. Achieving desired material properties often requires the assembly of particular nanoparticle ensembles and morphologies within the material matrix that they are suspended. These assemblies must be formed through the control of material structures, which can be done through understanding and manipulating interparticle interactions. Here we investigate the interparticle interactions between carbon nanoparticles (graphene oxide and carbon black) in aqueous suspensions, the morphologies that result as a function of those interactions and the manipulation of those structures through the introduction of influences such as shear or oil/water interfaces. Using rheology, electron microscopy and particle analysis, we describe interesting phase behavior in these systems and the ability to direct the assembly of new phases. Naturally-occurring, hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria inhabit the marine environment and explode in population around oil spills. They are ultimately relied upon to degrade oil and remove it from the environment. Here we describe the interactions of a marine bacterium, Alcanivorax borkumensis, with bulk properties of aqueous systems and the effect on bacterial growth. Furthermore, we investigate the effect of aqueous conditions and the resulting ability of the bacterium to adhere to oil/water interfaces. We show that pre-treatment with oil as an energy source is vital for bacterial adhesion to the interface, and thus hydrocarbon utilization. Finally, we developed a continuous flow platform to explore the ability of the bacterium to adhere to oil/water interfaces decorated with a variety of nanomaterials. These studies are conducted with newly developed droplet-based platforms and offer insight the mechanisms of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria oil utilization.
- Notes:
- Thesis (Ph.D. -- Brown University (2016)
Access Conditions
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- In Copyright
- Restrictions on Use
- Collection is open for research.
Citation
Godfrin, Michael Philip,
"Behavior of Nanomaterials and Bacteria and their Interactions at Interfaces"
(2016).
Biomedical Engineering Theses and Dissertations.
Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library.
https://doi.org/10.7301/Z05H7DPC
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Biomedical Engineering Theses and Dissertations
Theses and Dissertations for the Biomedical Engineering department....