Assist other undergraduate students in understanding fluid dynamics. I also help to facilitate group collaboration in studio periods as well as lead office hours to further provide support for students.

Determination of Design of Experiment (DOE) Parameters for Optimization of Hydrogel Bead Production Using a Coaxial Air ApparatusWith the intention of high-throughput hydrogel bead production for use in groundwater aquifer well reactors, a coaxial air apparatus is being developed to increase production rates while maintaining optimal hydrogel bead characteristics. These hydrogel beads should be consistently spherical to promote diffusion in well reactors. Work is being done to determine the feasibility of DOE input parameter ranges.

NSF funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). Designed and conducted experiments relating to the derivatization of heparin/heparan sulfate disaccharides with novel amine reducing end tags for increased electrospray ionization detection using a Vanquish UHPLC system with in-line UV-vis detection and elution into a Thermo Scientific Q Exactive mass spectrometer. Data analysis resulted in the identification of a novel tag that outperforms the standardly used tag in both ionization efficiency and derivatization efficiency. These attributes will aid in future characterization, identification, and quantification of complicated heparin/heparin sulfate glycosaminoglycans.

Conducted Design of Experiments (DOE) on formulations of pharmaceutical ingredients to be used in direct compression tablet formation on a rotary tablet press. Industry standard experiments were used to characterize the flow of combinations of pharmaceutical ingredients. Analyzed DOE response factors on JMP Statistical Software to create a mathematical model to predict the optimal formulation based on a given drug load concentration. The model will be further built upon in the future to expand its usage in tablet formulation at the site.

Optimization of Poly(vinyl) Alcohol-Alginate Hydrogel Bead Formulation for the Immobilization of Microbes Using DOEDesign of Experiments was used to systematically optimize hydrogel formulation by analyzing multiple response variables. By varying polymer concentration and crosslinking duration, hydrogel bead strength and contaminant degradation rates were determined over a thirty-day period. Data was analyzed and validated to determine the optimal formulation. Trained new undergraduate researchers on lab procedures and instrumentation followed by supervising their sub-projects. These sub-projects included: polymer characterization using rheological intrinsic viscosity measurements, method development for hydrogel strength quantification, and exploration of the use of a coaxial air apparatus for upscaling bead production.

Determining the Efficacy of Differing Hydrogel Bead Formulations for the Immobilization of Microbes and Slow-Release CompoundsMy work on this project was funded through the Pete and Rosalie Johnson Internship program. With the goal of making durable, habitable hydrogel beads to immobilize microbes, polymer combinations and chemical crosslinking methods were explored. Microbes and slow-release compounds were immobilized with multiple polymer combinations and crosslinked into beads. Batch reactors were spiked with oxygen and a contaminant that was measured over time using gas chromatography. Uptake rates were determined using zero-order kinetic models. Successful characterization and identification of polymer combination for use in further studies.

Upgrading Wildfire-Resistant Shelters with a Superabsorbent Polymer LayerMy contributions to this project were funded by the URSA Engage program. Modified wildfire shelters by adding a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) layer to greatly increase its effectiveness. Experiments to determine the absorption capacity of SAP in relation to its quantity. Burn tests were conducted to determine the effectiveness of the layer. Experiments found that SAP could absorb high quantities of water (20x its own weight) and reduced heat influx by 97%.