Message from Division Chair
The Applied Physics/Engineering Division has long been the premier gathering place for the global community of device physicists and engineers, material scientists, and surface analysts. The division provides a forum for research in nanotechnology, optoelectronics, magneto-optics, renewable energy generation and storage, and thin film electronic devices. The research includes material synthesis, device engineering, and thin film surface characterization and interfaces. Furthermore, 2D materials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides and their application in optoelectronic devices, sensing, energy storage, quantum computing, etc., are discussed. In addition, the session will include bio-medical devices and applications related to high-frequency communication in consumer electronics, EVs, and aviation. The division broadly consists of the following topics:
- Solar cells, batteries, thermoelectric devices, and supercapacitors
- Catalysis, fuel cell,s and water splitting
- Bio-batteries, bio-solar cell,s and microbial fuel cells
- Nanomaterial synthesis, 2D material,s and corresponding devices
- Light emitting diodes and transistors
- Materials for Quantum Information Science
- Biomedical devices and wearables
- Antenna, amplifiers, passive devices, etc. for high-speed communication
Important Links
View Presentation Schedule
Submit Research for Publication (After Conference)
Conference Timeline
Invited Speaker
AFM metrology to measure liquid slip length in natural nanoporous structures
Pore diameter in shale nanoporous structures ranges from a few to hundreds of nanometers. In spite of the small size of the pores—which would be expected to cause very low intrinsic permeability—field reports document unusually high flow rates. Liquid flow in nanopores is different from the flow in large pores. To compensate for this difference, the traditional liquid flow model needs a correction parameter called liquid slip length. We measured slip length of brine and pore walls in shale by using an atomic force microscope (AFM). The measured force spectroscopy data then used in Navier-Stokes equation with slip boundary conditions to determine liquid slip length of different liquid types and pore materials, e.g., organic pores and inorganic mineral types. Our measurements suggest a slip length of 250 nm in organic pores. Such a large slip length relative to the nanopore size (10s-100s nm), suggests significant effects on liquid flow in shale nanoporous structures. We used measured slip length in a stochastic permeability model to calculate apparent liquid permeability (ALP) in the shale matrix. When corrected for the slip length, the ALP in shale can be much greater than intrinsic Darcy permeability.
Division Schedule
Please look below for detailed schedule.
|
Date/Time: |
Abstract Number: ANPA2025-N00028 Presenting Author: Rabina Thapa Magar Co-Authors: Bo Sun Presenter's Affiliation: Oregon State University Title: Collective Chemo-sensing by Neuron Spheroids Location: Virtual Presentation Show/Hide Abstract We work with KTAR-1 cells, which are immortalized kisspeptin (Kiss-1) neurons derived from the arcuate nucleus of an adult female mouse. In this study, we employed microfluidic devices to investigate information transfer between neuronal spheroids, focusing on dynamic inter-spheroid communication. In order to give spheroids a defined path to link with one another, we developed micropatterned channels. Calcium dynamics were tracked by inducing a calcium-sensitive dye in the spheroids, with periodic exposure to ATP solutions administered via a flow-switch mechanism. The spheroids' response was observed under fluorescence microscopy, and changes in light intensity were recorded to assess communication between them. Our study so far indicates that ATP-mediated signaling induces significant fluctuations in light intensity, suggesting active information transfer between spheroids. This research provides insights into the mechanisms of neuronal communication and enhances understanding of network interactions and signaling pathways within neural systems.
|
||||||
|
Date/Time: |
Abstract Number: ANPA2025-N00029 Presenting Author: Nawal K. Khadka Co-Authors: Preston Hazen; Laxman Mainlai Presenter's Affiliation: Boise State University Title: Impact of Lipid and Cholesterol Peroxidation on α-Crystallin Binding to Lens Membrane Location: Virtual Presentation Show/Hide Abstract The significant lens chaperone protein α-crystallin (αABc), comprising αA-crystallin (αAc) and αB-crystallin (αBc) subunits, is found to form membrane-bound aggregates with age and cataract formation. However, the molecular basis for such aggregate formation is still unclear. Our research aims to elucidate the effect of lipids (phospholipids and sphingolipids) and cholesterol (Chol) peroxidation on the aggregation of αAc, αBc, and αABc to bovine lens nuclear membrane (NM). The supported NM and supported oxidized-NM (Ox-NM) were prepared by the fusion of small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) on a flat, freshly cleaved mica surface. Topographical images of NM and Ox-NM with and without incubation with αAc, αBc, or αABc were obtained using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Defects induced by the oxidation of lipids and Chol on the NM were quantified as the percentage of membrane area occupied (PMAO). The PMAO on NM by aggregation of αAc, αBc, or αABc with NM was significantly smaller without lipid and Chol peroxidation in NM. However, with lipid and Chol peroxidation in NM, the PMAO on Ox-NM by aggregation of αAc, αBc, or αABc with Ox-NM was significantly more extensive, and PMAO increases with an increase in lipid and Chol peroxidation. Large-size aggregates of αAc, αBc, or αABc on Ox-NM with the depressed central region for αAc and αABc aggregates on Ox-NM were observed at a greater extent of lipid and Chol peroxidation. Large membrane aggregates of αAc, αBc, or αABc likely promote increased light scattering and cataract formation.
|
||||||
|
Date/Time: |
Abstract Number: ANPA2025-N00030 Presenting Author: Preston Hazen Co-Authors: Nawal K. Khadka; Laxman Mainali Presenter's Affiliation: Boise State University Title: Q147E Deamidation Modulates the Membrane Binding of αA-Crystallin and Reduces the Inhibitory Effects of Cholesterol on Such Binding Location: Virtual Presentation Show/Hide Abstract α-Crystallin is the primary molecular chaperone found in the eye lens and is an essential component in maintaining the solubility of the eye lens proteins. However, with age and cataract formation, the α-crystallin subunits (αA- and αB-crystallin) accumulate various mutations and post-translational modifications that impair α-crystallin function and promote the formation of membrane-bound high molecular weight crystallin complexes that can scatter light entering the eye and impair vision. Amongst these PTMs, deamidation is the most prevalent modification detected at increasing rates in cataractous lenses; however, the effect of deamidation on the membrane binding of α-crystallin remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the role of Q147E deamidation, lens lipids (phospholipids and sphingolipids), and cholesterol (Chol) on the membrane binding of αA-crystallin (αAc). We have used the electron paramagnetic resonance spin-labeling method to probe the membrane interactions of wild-type (WT) and Q147E-αAc with Chol/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) and Chol/ sphingomyelin (SM) membranes. Without Chol, Q147E increases the POPC membrane binding of αAc but decreases SM membrane binding. The addition of 33 mol% Chol reduced WT- and Q147E-αAc membrane binding, but Q147E made αAc resistant to the inhibitory effects of Chol. However, Q147E-αAc membrane binding was inhibited at 60 mol% Chol. WT- and Q147E-αAc membrane binding decreased membrane mobility while increasing order and hydrophobicity near the headgroup. However, Chol diminished this increase in membrane hydrophobicity and lowered membrane hydrophobicity, indicating WT- and Q147E-αAc membrane binding is likely done through hydrophobic interactions, and Chol impairs these interactions. Our results suggest that the high phosphatidylcholine content of young lenses might prevent WT-αAc binding. In contrast, the increasing sphingolipids and Chol content with age may be needed to prevent the binding of Q147E αAc as it becomes increasingly deamidated with age, which protects against cataract formation.
|
||||||
|
Date/Time: |
Abstract Number: ANPA2025-N00031 Presenting Author: Bipin Lamichhane Co-Authors: nan Presenter's Affiliation: Tuskegee University Title: Single-atom catalysts supported on transition metal carbides for aqueous phase methanol reforming: a first-principles study. Location: Virtual Presentation Show/Hide Abstract Alcohol reforming is widely recognized as a sustainable approach to hydrogen production. Among simple alcohols, methanol stands out due to its low cost and high hydrogen content when reform with water. Precious metals, in the form of nanoparticles on supports like oxides or carbon, are widely studied and have been found to be the most effective catalysts for reforming methanol. Studies have shown that increasing metal dispersion and reducing particle size can significantly enhance catalytic performance. In this regard, single-atom catalysts (SACs), which possess the combined advantages of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, are an emerging class of materials that offer opportunities to maximize the active metal utilization and manipulate binding energies (BEs) of reaction intermediates beyond traditional linear scaling relations observed on transition metal-heterogeneous catalysis. In this work, we used first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations to investigate methanol reforming reaction on Pt-based SACs supported on the low-index surfaces of transition metal carbides (TMCs). Our results reveal strong interaction between the Pt single atom and TMC support, leading to stable Pt SAC configurations. Detailed reaction pathway analyses, including activation energy calculations, show that Pt SACs on the WC surface are effective for facilitating methanol reforming and hydrogen production.
|
||||||
|
Date/Time: |
Abstract Number: ANPA2025-N00038 Presenting Author: Sachini Herath Ekanayake Co-Authors: Supriya Dhakal; Mehmood Pirzada; Mathes. K. Dayananda; Hemendra Ghimire; A. G. Unil Perera Presenter's Affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA 30302 Title: Monitoring of Blood Serum Spectral Biomarkers Associated with Colitis Progression in Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Mouse Models Location: Virtual Presentation Show/Hide Abstract Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis, are chronic gastrointestinal disorders characterized by recurring inflammation and complex biochemical changes. Reliable and minimally invasive tools for monitoring disease progression remain a clinical challenge. Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy has emerged as a promising technique for detecting molecular-level alterations in biological samples due to its rapid and label-free nature. This study investigated the potential of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to identify serum-based spectral biomarkers (SBMs) associated with the progression of colitis in a mouse model. Colitis was induced in mice by administering 3% Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS) in drinking water for seven consecutive days, and blood serum samples were collected on Day 0 (control), Day 3 (mild colitis), and Day 7 (severe colitis). Through curve-fitting analysis of the absorbance spectra, changes within sample constituents reflected in spectral data were detected as early as Day 3, becoming more pronounced by Day 7. Notably, a progressive and statistically significant (SS) (p < 0.05) decrease was observed in the α-helix/β-sheet integral ratio within the Amide I region, indicating protein conformational changes. Concurrently, the β-sheet/tyrosine integral ratio in the Amide II region exhibited an SS increase, particularly from Day 3 to Day 7. In addition to protein alterations, SS increase in the integral areas of the ester carbonyl (C=O) stretching in lipids and the whole carbohydrate region were observed at the severe stage. In total, fourteen SBMs showed SS variation from Day 0 to Day 7. These findings highlight the ATR-FTIR spectroscopy technique as a reliable and minimally invasive method for monitoring the progression of colitis. The study also demonstrates its potential value in preclinical research and the development of future diagnostic strategies for inflammatory bowel diseases.
Keywords: ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, Colitis progression, DSS, Mice serum, Secondary structure analysis, Spectral Biomarkers
|
||||||
|
Date/Time: |
Abstract Number: ANPA2025-N00039 Presenting Author: Farzam Javadpour (Invited) Co-Authors: nan Presenter's Affiliation: Tokyo Electron America LLc Title: Imaging Technologies: Application to Wound Care Innovation Location: Virtual Presentation Show/Hide Abstract Pore diameter in shale nanoporous structures ranges from a few to hundreds of nanometers. In spite of the small size of the pores—which would be expected to cause very low intrinsic permeability—field reports document unusually high flow rates. Liquid flow in nanopores is different from the flow in large pores. To compensate for this difference, the traditional liquid flow model needs a correction parameter called liquid slip length. We measured slip length of brine and pore walls in shale by using an atomic force microscope (AFM). The measured force spectroscopy data then used in Navier-Stokes equation with slip boundary conditions to determine liquid slip length of different liquid types and pore materials, e.g., organic pores and inorganic mineral types. Our measurements suggest a slip length of 250 nm in organic pores. Such a large slip length relative to the nanopore size (10s-100s nm), suggests significant effects on liquid flow in shale nanoporous structures. We used measured slip length in a stochastic permeability model to calculate apparent liquid permeability (ALP) in the shale matrix. When corrected for the slip length, the ALP in shale can be much greater than intrinsic Darcy permeability.
|
||||||
|
Date/Time: |
Abstract Number: ANPA2025-N00036 Presenting Author: Dharma Raj Paudel Co-Authors: nan Presenter's Affiliation: Central Department of Physics, T.U. Title: In Silico Identification of Natural Product Inhibitors Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Mpro Location: In-Person Presentation, CDP Show/Hide Abstract In Silico Identification of Natural Product Inhibitors Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Mpro
Dharma Raj Paudel1, Aashish Pokhrel2, Pooja Shrestha2, Saran Lamichhane1, Rajendra Prasad Koirala1, Indra Dev Sahu3, Pramod Aryal2, Narayan Prasad Adhikari1
1Central Department of Physics , Tribhuvan University
2Central Department of Biotechnology, Tribhuvan University
3Campbellsville University, United States of America
The COVID-19 pandemic, triggered by the highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 virus, has had a profound and unparalleled effect on modern society, disrupting public health systems, economies, education, and cultural life. A single drug or vaccine may not be sufficient to counter emerging variants of the virus. Additionally, the complexity and side effects linked to earlier vaccines have contributed to ongoing hesitancy among certain groups. Mpro is a vital coronavirus enzyme responsible for viral replication and transcription, making it a prime target for SARS-CoV-2 drug development. In this study, the crystal structure of Mpro (PDB id: 6LU7) was utilized, and ligands from the ZINC database, identified as natural products, were screened for drugability using Lipinski rule of 5. Subsequent screenings involved targeting h-MAT1A and CYP3a4 proteins. Further screening was carried out as target protein docking and phase-1 drug clearances. The best ligands according to the docking score were selected. The selected ligands were further examined using density functional theory and molecular dynamics simulations for validation as potential drug candidates. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that the selected ligands exhibit considerable stability and establish numerous hydrogen bonds with the protein. Both DFT analysis and MD simulations indicate that the proposed ligands are promising as Mpro inhibitors and warrant further evaluation, including clinical trials.
Key Words : Virtual screening , Natural products, Mpro protein inhibitors, h-MAT1A , density functional theory, Molecular dynamics simulation
|
||||||
|
Date/Time: |
Abstract Number: ANPA2025-N00027 Presenting Author: Surya Gnyawali (Invited) Co-Authors: nan Presenter's Affiliation: McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, USA Title: Imaging Technologies: Application to Wound Care Innovation Location: In-Person Presentation, Fairmont Show/Hide Abstract My laboratory has published magnetic resonance imaging (11.7 T) studies demonstrating secondary myocyte death after ischemia/reperfusion (IR) of the murine heart and stroke. This work provides the first evidence from 11.7-T magnet-assisted pixel-level analysis of the post-IR murine myocardial infarct patches. Changes in the function of the remodeling heart were examined in tandem, IR compromised cardiac function and induced LV hypertrophy. During recovery, the IR-induced increase in LV mass was partly offset. IR-induced wall thinning was noted in the anterior aspect of LV and at the diametrically opposite end. Infarct size was observed to be largest on post-IR days 3 and 7. With time (day 28), however, the infarct size was significantly reduced. IR-induced absolute signal-intensity enhancement was highest on post-IR days 3 and 7. As a function of post-IR time, signal intensity enhancement was attenuated. The threshold of hyper-enhanced tissue delineated contours that identified necrotic and reversibly injured infarct patches. The study of infarct transmurality indicated that while the permanently injured tissue volume remained unchanged, part of the reversibly injured infarct patch recovered in 4 weeks after IR. The approach validated in the current study is powerful in noninvasively monitoring the remodeling of the post-IR murine myocardium. Besides cardiac study, we study acute ischemic strokes in murine and canine models. Some of the recently published studies will be discussed.
|
||||||
|
Date/Time: |
Abstract Number: ANPA2025-N00032 Presenting Author: Arjun Ghimire Co-Authors: nan Presenter's Affiliation: Kent State University Title: Director-layer dynamics in the smectic-ZA phase of a ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal Location: In-Person Presentation, Fairmont Show/Hide Abstract Abstract
A dynamic light scattering study of director-layer fluctuations in the antiferroelectric smectic-ZA phase of the ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal DIO is reported. The dynamics are consistent with the distictive feature of the ZA phase that the smectic layers form parallel to the axis of molecular orientational order (director). A model is developed to describe quantitatively the dispersion of the fluctuation relaxation rates. The model is based on a specialization of the elastic free energy density of smectic -C phase to the case of 90° director tilt ,a “first-order approximation of the viscous stresses by their form for an incompressible uniaxial fluid, and a treatment of the effect of chevron layer structure that develops in planar cells due to temperature-dependent layer shrinkage, as documented in previous studies on DIO. From the modeling, the layer compression elastic constant is estimated to be ~100 times lower in the smectic-ZA phase than in an ordinary smectic-A liquid crystal. Possible effects of the antiferroelectric layer polarization on the director splay elasticity and viscosity are described. The temperature dependancies of the splay, twist and bend elastic constants and associated viscosities in the higher temperature nematic phase are also presented.
|
||||||
|
Date/Time: |
Abstract Number: ANPA2025-N00033 Presenting Author: Ganga Sharma Co-Authors: nan Presenter's Affiliation: Fairmont State University Title: Deep Learning for Personalized Dose Prediction and Optimization in Radiation Therapy for Cancer Treatment Location: In-Person Presentation, Fairmont Show/Hide Abstract Radiation therapy is a cornerstone in the treatment of various cancers. Achieving the optimal therapeutic dose while minimizing damage to healthy tissues remains a significant clinical challenge. This work explores integrating deep learning techniques into personalized dose prediction and optimization workflows for radiation therapy. Deep neural networks can model complex spatial dose distributions with high precision. We demonstrate how convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can be trained to predict optimal dose maps tailored to individual patients. Furthermore, we explore how reinforcement learning and optimization algorithms can refine treatment plans in real time, ensuring compliance with clinical constraints and maximizing tumor control probability.
|
||||||
|
Date/Time: |
Abstract Number: ANPA2025-N00034 Presenting Author: Manisha Badu Co-Authors: nan Presenter's Affiliation: Kent State University Title: Thiophene containing ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals with one third of molecular length layering Location: In-Person Presentation, Fairmont Show/Hide Abstract A group of highly polar rod like molecules each consisting of three rings and ending with thiophene group has been synthesized and their physical behavior has been throughly examined for selected few. On cooling from the isotropic fluid they directly transition to ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal showing strong spatial correlation corresponding to 1/3 of molecular length. Compound with thiophene ring exhibit polarization values that are roughly 20% higher than those of typical ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals . The enhanced polarization is linked to their denser molecular structure.
|
||||||
|
Date/Time: |
Abstract Number: ANPA2025-N00035 Presenting Author: Kamal Rai Co-Authors: Qian Wang Presenter's Affiliation: West Virginia University Title: Proton Transfer via Arginine with Suppressed pKa Mediates Catalysis by Gentisate and Salicylate Dioxygenase Location: In-Person Presentation, Fairmont Show/Hide Abstract Gentisate and salicylate 1,2-dioxygenases (GDO and SDO) facilitate aerobic degradation of aromatic rings by inserting both atoms of dioxygen into their substrates, thereby participating in global carbon cycling. The role of acid–base catalysts in the reaction cycles of these enzymes is debatable. We present evidence of the participation of a proton shuffler during catalysis by GDO and SDO. The pH dependence of Michaelis–Menten parameters demonstrates that a single proton transfer is mandatory for the catalysis. Measurements at variable temperatures and pHs were used to determine the standard enthalpy of ionization (ΔHion°) of 51 kJ/mol for the proton transfer event. Although the observed apparent pKa in the range of 6.0–7.0 for substrates of both enzymes is highly suggestive of a histidine residue, ΔHion° establishes an arginine residue as the likely proton source, providing phylogenetic relevance for this strictly conserved residue in the GDO family. We propose that the atypical 3-histidine ferrous binding scaffold of GDOs contributes to the suppression of arginine pKa and provides support for this argument by employing a 2-histidine-1-carboxylate variant of the enzyme that exhibits elevated pKa. A reaction mechanism considering the role of the proton source in stabilizing key reaction intermediates is proposed.
|
||||||
|
Date/Time: |
Abstract Number: ANPA2025-N00037 Presenting Author: Emmanuel Cortez Ruiz Co-Authors: Ganga P. Sharma Presenter's Affiliation: Fairmont State University Title: Integrating Artificial Intelligence to Quantify and Exploit the Oxygen Effect in Radiation Therapy for Cancer Treatment Location: In-Person Presentation, Fairmont Show/Hide Abstract The efficacy of radiation therapy in cancer treatment is significantly influenced by the oxygenation status of tumor tissues, a phenomenon known as the "oxygen effect," where well-oxygenated cells exhibit greater radiosensitivity compared to hypoxic cells. This spatial and temporal heterogeneity in tumor oxygenation poses a major challenge to treatment optimization. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) offer promising tools to analyze complex biological data and improve precision in radiotherapy planning. This presentation explores the integration of AI-based models with functional imaging and clinical datasets to dynamically assess tumor oxygenation and predict treatment response. By leveraging deep learning algorithms and radiomics, AI can identify hypoxic regions, adapt dose distributions accordingly, and personalize treatment protocols to enhance therapeutic outcomes. The convergence of AI and oxygen biology opens a new frontier in radiation oncology, potentially overcoming radioresistance and improving prognosis for patients with solid tumors.
|
||||||