What did the Scientists Discover?

The study showed that polymers and biological macromolecules can be combined and form highly regular structures as known for simple block copolymers. Potential applications lie in biotechnology and medicine for separation of specific targets for purification or medical diagnosis as well as concentration of analytes via dialysis.

While Elke has only been at CHESS for one week, we asked her a few questions about her previous career at the Advanced Light Source and her hopes for the future at CHESS. 

Could you share a bit about your background and interests?

"Many processed foods in the United States – like fruit jams, candy, snacks and beverages – contain red dyes,” said senior author Alireza Abbaspourrad, the Yongkeun Joh Assistant Professor of Food Chemistry and Ingredient Technology. “Through other scientific studies, some artificial dyes are implicated in health problems, such as attention deficits and allergies in children.”

CHESS serves as a model to other national research facilities, providing programs for community college students, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities to participate in cutting-edge science research and engineering activities at synchrotron light source. As part of its initiative to advance representation of underserved populations, CHESS recently sponsored Ellen Leibowitz, 2017 AAAS Entry Point!

This group forms an educational and innovative collaborative materials research effort to bring together a diverse and talented scientific community with experience and expertise in electro-chemistry, solid-state and inorganic chemistry, and synchrotron-based techniques to character energy materials in operando conditions at CHESS.  

What did the Scientists Discover?

Future electronic and optical materials based on colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals will depend upon the stability of these materials under large thermodynamic driving forces for their dissolution, coalescence, or intermixing.