[HAuCl 4 ] (M)

1. NaBH4 24 h HAuCl4 24 h PVOH Gel RUI: Impregnation of Nanoparticles in a Biocompatible Hydrogel MatrixWei Chen, Mount Holyoke College, DMR 0604899 • Diffusion-controlled reduction of HAuCl4 by NaBH4 in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) hydrogels results in micron-scale stripe patterns (shown in the table), which correspond to gold nanoparticles (5±2 nm) - rich and depleted regions. • Kinetics and mechanism of pattern formation are under investigation. 500 µm [HAuCl4] (M)

2. RUI: Impregnation of Nanoparticles in a Biocompatible Hydrogel MatrixWei Chen, Mount Holyoke College, DMR 0604899 Education:Five Mount Holyoke undergraduate students have been supported by the grant during both academic years and summers. The research experience – from understanding the research objectives, surveying relevant literature, designing experiments, interpreting data, asking new questions, to further modifying experimental design – stimulates students’ interests in materials science and equip them with the skills and knowledge that they need for future scientific inquiries. The senior undergraduate student, Chantel Tester, has been accepted by many of the top materials graduate programs for the Fall. The other four students have plans to either enter graduate programs or medical schools after Mount Holyoke College. Publications and Products (Undergraduate co-authors are underlined): Tester, C. C.; DiCiccio, A. M.; Chen, W.* "Diffusive Characteristics of Nanoparticles in a Poly(vinyl alcohol) Hydrogel," Polymer Preprints, American Chemical Society 2006, 47(2), 837. Human Resources/Outreach: - Participated in the “Science Scholar Program” to recruit top miniority students to come to Mount Holyoke. - Introduced polymer chemistry to 16 7th grade students in a NYC public school (shown below) and to 14 middle school girls in the “Young Women in Science” Summer Camp at Great Barrington.