UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Grant: $350,001 - National Science Foundation - Jun. 23, 2009
No votes have been cast for this award yet
Join the conversation: Post a comment about this award
Award Description: The main objective of this project is to develop stable, high-purity, SWNT-dispersions based on large-scale processes that minimize risks to the environment and human health
Project Description: This research is conducted in different steps starting with the preparation of high purity and highly dispersed nanomaterials , followed by the determination of potential toxicity and toxicity mechanisms of such suspensions on selected model aquatic organisms - and if necessary - fine-tuning of the suspension prepartion methods to eliminate any associated toxicity. For this first quarter of project, laboratory studies have been initiated to establish the cultures of different model organisms to be used in toxicity studies. Preliminary tests using model organisms from different trophic levels (i.e., bacteria, algae, invertebrates) are ongoing. The interfacial trapping process developed by the PI has now been extended to work with SWNTs coated with sodium cholate. This anionic surfactant provides better dispersion stability to SWNTs than gum Arabic and has low toxicity.
Jobs Summary: The hire of a graduate student to assist with the experimental aspects of the research and in developing/teaching a course on nanomaterials in the environment (Total jobs reported: 1)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Jun. 23, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
No comments have been added for this project.