Virginia A. Davis
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View article: From Plants to Plants: Plant-Derived Biological Polymers as Sustainable and Safe Nanocarriers for Direct Delivery of DNA to Plant Cells
From Plants to Plants: Plant-Derived Biological Polymers as Sustainable and Safe Nanocarriers for Direct Delivery of DNA to Plant Cells Open
Sustainable plant-derived biopolymers cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and Zein protein were used to deliver plasmid DNA with a reporter GFP gene (pDNA) to plant cells. CNC and Zein were modified with the cationic agent 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethy…
View article: The combined effects of electrolyte addition and mechanical shearing on cellulose nanocrystal alignment
The combined effects of electrolyte addition and mechanical shearing on cellulose nanocrystal alignment Open
This research explored the impact of four different electrolytes on the orientation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in shear-cast films prepared from aqueous CNC gels. Changes in the aqueous CNC gels’ rheological properties with electroly…
View article: Three‐Dimensional (3D) Printing of MXenes
Three‐Dimensional (3D) Printing of MXenes Open
This chapter provides a review of the advancements in the preparation and application of MXene inks for three-dimensional (3D) printing by direct ink writing (DIW). MXenes, two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carb…
View article: The combined effects of electrolyte addition and mechanical shearing on cellulose nanocrystal alignment
The combined effects of electrolyte addition and mechanical shearing on cellulose nanocrystal alignment Open
This research investigated the combined effects of electrolyte addition and mechanical shearing on the alignment, optical properties, and rheological characteristics of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) films. Changes in aqueous CNC gels’ rheolo…
View article: Properties of APTES-Modified CNC Films
Properties of APTES-Modified CNC Films Open
Sulfated cellulose nanocrystals' (CNCs') facile aqueous dispersibility enables producing films, fibers, and other materials using only water as a solvent but prevents using sulfated CNCs in applications that require water immersion. We rep…
View article: Effects of NaOH Addition on Cellulose Nanocrystal Functionalization with 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid
Effects of NaOH Addition on Cellulose Nanocrystal Functionalization with 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Open
This article investigates the necessity of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) addition for the amine functionalization of sulfated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and its effect on nanocrystal reactivity with the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic aci…
View article: Framing Engineering as Community Activism for Values-Driven Engineering (RFE Design and Development - Year 2)
Framing Engineering as Community Activism for Values-Driven Engineering (RFE Design and Development - Year 2) Open
Researchers theorize that identification with a career field is achieved when there is alignment between student values and their perceptions of the values a career field meets.Stereotypically, engineering is perceived to align with status…
View article: Water Purification and Ocean Salinity: The Colligative Properties and Engineering Naval Solutions
Water Purification and Ocean Salinity: The Colligative Properties and Engineering Naval Solutions Open
The National Academy of Engineering's (NAE) Grand Challenges of Engineering (NAE, 2008) are a list of 14 critical challenges that society faces and that can be addressed by engineers. The Grand Challenges highlight the many ways that engin…
View article: Rapid production of <i>Plasmodium</i> sporozoite detection paper dipstick assays using cellulose nanocrystals: Proof‐of‐concept for bio‐based, locally developed, point‐of‐care devices
Rapid production of <i>Plasmodium</i> sporozoite detection paper dipstick assays using cellulose nanocrystals: Proof‐of‐concept for bio‐based, locally developed, point‐of‐care devices Open
Enhanced and rapid surveillance for diseases is critical to public health and meeting United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal for Good Health and Well‐being by allowing for targeted and accelerated prevention and control response stra…
View article: Additive Manufacturing of Viscoelastic Polyacrylamide Substrates for Mechanosensing Studies
Additive Manufacturing of Viscoelastic Polyacrylamide Substrates for Mechanosensing Studies Open
Polymerized polyacrylamide (PAA) substrates are linearly elastic hydrogels that are widely used in mechanosensing studies due to their biocompatibility, wide range of functionalization capability, and tunable mechanical properties. However…
View article: Dispersant Effects on Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Antibacterial Activity
Dispersant Effects on Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Antibacterial Activity Open
There is significant interest in understanding whether nanomaterials with outstanding mechanical or electrical properties also possess antibacterial properties. However, assessment of antibacterial activity is a complex problem at the inte…
View article: Correlations between rheological behavior and intrinsic properties of nanofibrillated cellulose from wood and soybean hulls with varying lignin content
Correlations between rheological behavior and intrinsic properties of nanofibrillated cellulose from wood and soybean hulls with varying lignin content Open
Effects of raw material and chemical composition were considered relative to the intrinsic properties and the rheological behavior of nanofibrillated cellulose aqueous suspensions (CNFs). Atomic force microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared…
View article: Effects of Non-covalent Functionalization and Initial Mixing Methods on SWNT/PP and SWNT/EVOH Composites
Effects of Non-covalent Functionalization and Initial Mixing Methods on SWNT/PP and SWNT/EVOH Composites Open
We report that a simple, low-cost type of spray-freeze drying (SFD) significantly improves the dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in thermoplastic polymers. Conventional SFD requires costly specialized equipment and large…
View article: Microstructure and electrochemical properties of high performance graphene/manganese oxide hybrid electrodes
Microstructure and electrochemical properties of high performance graphene/manganese oxide hybrid electrodes Open
Tuning the microstructure of ultra-large reduced graphene oxide (RGO) 2D sheets and manganese oxide (MnO 2 ) 1D nanowires to produce a hybrid material enabled achieving excellent electrochemical capacitive behavior for energy storage.
View article: The Effects of Size and Shape Dispersity on the Phase Behavior of Nanomesogen Lyotropic Liquid Crystals
The Effects of Size and Shape Dispersity on the Phase Behavior of Nanomesogen Lyotropic Liquid Crystals Open
Self-assembly of anisotropic nanomaterials into fluids is a key step in producing bulk, solid materials with controlled architecture and properties. In particular, the ordering of anisotropic nanomaterials in lyotropic liquid crystalline p…
View article: Comparison of Attachment and Antibacterial Activity of Covalent and Noncovalent Lysozyme-Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Comparison of Attachment and Antibacterial Activity of Covalent and Noncovalent Lysozyme-Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Open
Carbon nanotube-lysozyme (LSZ) conjugates provide an attractive combination of high strength and antimicrobial activity. However, there has not been a direct comparison of the covalent and noncovalent methods for creating them. In this wor…
View article: Transparent and Homogenous Cellulose Nanocrystal/Lignin UV-Protection Films
Transparent and Homogenous Cellulose Nanocrystal/Lignin UV-Protection Films Open
In the context of valorization of lignin produced from the pulp and paper industries, biodegradable UV-protection films were prepared using lignin and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Initially, CNC films were optimized for improving their t…
View article: Natural Nanotechnology: Examples of Creating a Culture of Outreach with Accessible and Adaptable Modules
Natural Nanotechnology: Examples of Creating a Culture of Outreach with Accessible and Adaptable Modules Open
Many engineering faculty and students may have good intentions for conducting outreach. However, enthusiastic intentions are easily thwarted by difficulty coming up with an idea lack of preparation time, difficulty procuring materials and …
View article: Challenges and Benefits of Introducing a Science and Engineering Fair in High-Needs Schools (Work in Progress)
Challenges and Benefits of Introducing a Science and Engineering Fair in High-Needs Schools (Work in Progress) Open
Science and Engineering (S&E) Fairs are a valuable educational activity that are believed to increase students’ engagement and learning in science and engineering by emphasizing creativity and inquiry-focused learning. However, S&E Fairs p…
View article: NUE: The Freshman Experience and Nanotechnology Solutions to Engineering Grand Challenges
NUE: The Freshman Experience and Nanotechnology Solutions to Engineering Grand Challenges Open
The objective of this grant is to develop six education modules that utilize Engineering Grand Challenges as a framework for teaching nanotechnology to freshmen engineering students. The goals of these modules are to 1) increase nanotechno…
View article: Nanotechnology Solutions to Engineering Grand Challenges
Nanotechnology Solutions to Engineering Grand Challenges Open
This research paper describes the results of a teaching approach that utilizes educational modules focusing on nanotechnology and the NAE Grand Challenges. The purpose of these modules is to address two issues in undergraduate engineering …
View article: Promoting Engineering Persistence Among Women through Alignment of Occupational Values and Perceptions of the Field
Promoting Engineering Persistence Among Women through Alignment of Occupational Values and Perceptions of the Field Open
This paper explores the relationship between students' occupational values and their perceptions of engineering as a career field and how this relationship impacts major commitment.Research has documented substantial sex differences in occ…
View article: Heat Treatment of Buckypaper for Use in Volatile Organic Compounds Sampling
Heat Treatment of Buckypaper for Use in Volatile Organic Compounds Sampling Open
Three types of buckypapers (BPs), two of them fabricated with arc discharge (AD) single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) (acetone-cleaned AD BP and methanol-cleaned AD BP) and one with high-pressure carbon monoxide (HiPco) SWNTs (HiPco BP),…