SEED Grants 2001
High-Resolution Characterization of the Effect of C and Si Additions in TiAl-Based Structural Alloys
Pelagia Gouma
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, SBU
Yimei Zhu
Department of Applied Science, BNL
The purpose of this work is to understand the effects of light element additions, particularly carbon and silicon, to the microstructural development and the deformation behavior of the latest generation of TiAl-based alloys for high temperature structural applications. The results of this work will guide the design of optimized alloy compositions and processing techniques for the development of structural intermetallics having the desired properties.
Solid State NMR and Magnetic Susceptibility Measurements of Nanocomposites used as Anode and Cathode Materials in Lithium-Ion Batteries
Clare Grey
Department of Chemistry, SBU
Laura Henderson Lewis
Department of Environmental Science and Technology, BNL
This project is composed of two separate proposals. Both are related to the development of new battery materials which meet both environmental and cost criteria. The first project will examine the magnetic properties of nanoparticles formed in anode materials. The second will explore the use of magnetic susceptibility measurements to characterize the extent of discharge in electrolytic manganese oxide and other cathode materials.
Quantitative MRI Contrast Reagent Bolus-Tracking Studies of Breast Cancer
Wei Huang
Department of Radiology, SBU
Jing-Huei Lee
Department of Chemistry, BNL
The latest developments in the detection of breast cancer are in the area of so-called "bolus-tracking" or "dynamic-contrast-enhanced" studies. While this approach has shown promise in the discrimination of benign versus malignant lesions, there have been significant problems with reproducibility of results from one MRI acquisition pulse sequence to another. This aim of this project is the collection of preliminary data on processed that look promising in the improvement in breast cancer detection.
High Pressure Synthesis and Characterization with Synchrotron X-Rays of BiMnO3
John Parise
Department of Geosciences, SBU
Laura Henderson Lewis
Department of Environmental Science and Technology, BNL
This project is part of a wider program in Meta Materials (nanocomposites). High dielectrics and other materials with unusual properties for high frequency and high power applications. This work is a pilot project concentrating on the synthesis and characterization of a specific class of hybrid materials, "multiferroics", which are materials that are simultaneously ferromagnetic and ferroelectric.
Inhibitors of Human Fatty Acid Biosynthesis as Putative Anticancer Drugs
Peter Tonge
Department of Chemistry, SBU
John Shanklin
Department of Biology, BNL
The central hypothesis of this proposal is that human fatty acid synthase is a target for anticancer drug development. The long-term goal of this work is the development of selective inhibitors of this enzyme complex for use in the treatment of cancer in humans.