Category: Chemistry and Physics
-
Novel Microfluidic Device Y-Junction for the Temporal Analysis of Apoptosis
By Addison Norden Faculty Mentor: Dr. Randall Reif Abstract Apoptosis is the tightly regulated process of programmed cell death that eliminates excess, damaged, or infected cells from the body. It plays a critical role in tissue homeostasis, and mutations affecting this process can result in tumor development, where the damaged cell is unable to trigger…
-
Calculating the Amount of Caffeine in different flavors of an energy drink, Celsius, using Fluorescence
By Willow Candage, Rowan Neall, Megan Rinald, and Talia Tanner Faculty Mentor: Sarah Smith Abstract Quantification of concentration of caffeine in wild berry flavor celsius energy drinks obtained from UMW campus and Giant will be determined to observe if the actual concentration of caffeine is within ±5 mg of the reported concentration of 0.0029M. Caffeine…
-
Determination of Pyridoxine and Riboflavin Concentrations in Energy Drinks
By Adrian Coello, Charlea Kimbleton, and Emma Najdzionek Faculty Mentor: Sarah Smith Abstract Energy drink consumption has grown dramatically on college campuses in the past few years. While the main ingredient in these drinks is caffeine; they also contain high amounts of B vitamins pyridoxine and riboflavin. The effects of the caffeine in these drinks…
-
Design of 3D Printed Packed Bed Columns for the Removal of Methylene Blue from Water in Flow
By Docia Atanda Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sarah Smith Abstract Packed bed columns used in flow chemistry commonly exhibit bed inhomogeneity, low reproducibility, and do not provide optimal mixing and contact between the stationary phase and mobile phase leading to low column efficiency. Additive manufacturing (3D printing) can be used to create columns with intricate internal…
-
Gravity on a paper thin Earth
By Daniel Paluh Faculty Mentor: Desmond Villalba Abstract In science, we learn that the Earth is a sphere and the gravitational value for Earth is 9.81 m/s^-2. But where does the gravitational value come from? Furthermore, how does it differ as Earth’s shape changes? Over the past year, we have explored how the acceleration of…
-
Analysis of Glyphosate Through Various Spectroscopic Methods
By Madison Minvielle Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sarah Smith Abstract Herbicides are an important component in the growth and care of sod and agricultural fields. Glyphosate is the main ingredient in many herbicides. However, it is toxic to wildlife, specifically aquatic species, when the herbicide is present in run-off that leads to ponds. In order to…
-
Quantification of Capsaicin and Dihydrocapsaicin in Beer using High Performance Liquid Chromatography
By Sierra Hunter Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sarah Smith Abstract The Maltese Brewing Company developed the Signal One 2.0 Beer, which is infused with Carolina reaper chilies during the brewing process, in an attempt to make the world’s hottest beer. To be considered for a Guinness World Record, the beer requires a numerical value in the…
-
Apoptosis Induction in Jurkat T Lymphocytes by Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
By Shreya Murali Faculty Mentor: Dr. Randall Reif Abstract Apoptosis, commonly known as programmed cell death, constantly occurs in humans. In healthy cells, proton pump proteins allow for H+ ions to permeate cellular membranes, regulating pH levels. However, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole, prevent proton movement, resulting in pH regulation limitations. As the…
-
Fluorescence Spectroscopic Analysis of Proton Pump Inhibitors
By Emma Jones Faculty Mentor: Janet Asper, Randall Reif Abstract Fluorescence microscopy is commonly used to visualize the process of apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in living cells. Previous studies have shown that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole, have the ability to induce apoptosis in cells due to the buildup of H+ ions…
-
Rotational Dynamics Of Asymmetric Molecules
By Madeline Killian Faculty Mentor: Dr. Varun Makhija Abstract Light interacts with molecules constantly in nature. Understanding these interactions gives us more insight into what our world is made up of. When light hits a molecule it is absorbed by the electrons in the molecule. The goal of the overarching research is to make a…
