|
MADE in SC New Faculty Members
|
|
One of the main features of the MADE in SC Project is the number of new faculty hires who will be attracted to South Carolina within the five-year duration of the Project. These professors contribute to the mission of MADE in SC in materials science research and workforce development, and to strengthen the research infrastructure of the State. The following have already been hired and are active in the various project activities. Please see the second article below for information on the latest addition to the team.
|
|
Meet the Newest MADE in SC
Team Member
Dr. Ting Ge, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UofSC
|
|
Computational and Theoretical Polymer Physics
|
|
Dr. Ting Ge is a new assistant professor in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at UofSC. Dr. Ting received his Ph.D. in 2013 from the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Johns Hopkins University. His doctoral research focused on entanglements in large deformation and mechanical failure of glassy polymers. After graduation, Dr. Ting joined the Chemistry Department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill then the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at Duke University as a postdoctoral fellow to conduct theoretical and computational research in polymer physics.
As a new assistant professor Dr. Ting is establishing a research group to conduct computational and theoretical research on soft matter, in particular polymers. One focus of the group is polymer nanocomposites that blend nanoparticles and polymers for enhanced properties with respect to pure polymeric materials. The goal is to systematically examine the effects of various molecular aspects on the dynamics and mechanics of polymer nanocomposites using molecular simulations and microscopic theories. The computational and theoretical work will be integrated with the experimental studies, both chemical synthesis and material characterization, at UofSC.
In general, the Ge group is interested in polymer mechanics and polymer rheology. Mechanical integrity is the foundation of the performance of any polymeric materials. Read more...
|
|
|
Research Focus On:
Dr. Derrick Swinton
Interim Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Professor of Chemistry
at Claflin University
|
|
Gold Nanoparticles-Protein Interaction
|
|
 Dr. Derrick Swinton is the Interim Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Professor of Chemistry at Claflin University. He is also a member of the MADE in SC Senior Leadership Team. The Swinton group at Claflin University uses spectroscopic techniques to understand the adsorption of biomolecules at chemical interfaces, particularly, nanoparticle-protein interactions to assist in the design technologies that can be used in clinical settings. Swinton also uses computational modelling to understand nanoparticle-protein interactions.
Gold nanoparticles are utilized in a variety of sensing and detection technologies because of their unique physiochemical properties. The merits of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) make them a preferred choice in theranostic applications as they have a higher physiochemical stability, are less toxic, and have stronger laser-induced heating (enabling greater thermal expansion into a physiological environment), and their LSPR can be extended further into the visible and near IR regions through manipulation of their size and shape. Encapsulation silica improves their stability in physiological environments Silica is unique in that it offers a stable and inert mesoporous scaffold, is optically transparent on the submicrometer scale, and can be chemically modified with a variety of molecules. The mesoporous structure of silica can also encapsulate dyes, drugs, and other nanoparticles substantiating their application in theranostic applications.
Despite advances in the synthesis and assembly of these engineered hybrid nanoparticles, only a few NPs have been approved by the FDA for use in clinical settings with only one being a SERS-based NP. Nanoparticles that have received FDA approval in clinical settings include liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin and protein-bound paclitaxel nanoparticles. Challenges in employing nanoparticles in theranostic applications include their ability to reach their intended target, penetration across cell and tissue barriers, and cellular uptake and intra-organ distribution. Read more...
|
|
MADE in SC Annual Report Deadline
|
|
 Important Note for MADE in SC Participants, the MADE in SC Annual Report is due to NSF on Tuesday, June 2, 2020. The SC EPSCoR Portal is now open for faculty to enter their Year 3 accomplishments. The deadline for entering this information is Wednesday, May 13th. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
the 
