Novel Bioactive Inorganic Materials Challa V. Kumar, University of Connecticut, DMR 0300631

1. A B C Novel Bioactive Inorganic MaterialsChalla V. Kumar, University of Connecticut, DMR 0300631 a-Zr(HPO4)2H2O • Novel, benign, and general method was developed to intercalate enzymes in inorganic layered a-Zr(HPO4)2H2O (A-D) • These materials show strong promise for the economic production of biofuels. • Novel, DNA-based hybrid nanobiocatalysts were synthesized for the first time (E). • DNA made significant improvements in enzyme structure and activity. This is a significant progress for biocatalytic function. • These materials show high promise for improving the function of biosensors. E D Exfoliation Intercalated Enzyme Enzyme/DNA/a-ZrP

2. Novel Bioactive Inorganic MaterialsChalla V. Kumar, University of Connecticut, DMR 0300631 • Education - Several graduate and undergraduate students were trained • Undergraduate Research - numerous Chemistry Interns and summer REU students were trained in Inorganic Materials Research • High School outreach- Under the Mentor Connection Program at UCONN, each summer two to four high school students spent three weeks in our laboratory synthesizing novel Inorganic Materials • Organized Odyssey 2006 Chemistry Fair for Middle School students • Participated each year in ‘Kids are Scientists Too’ summer program for elementary school children. Mentor Connection Participant From Putnam High School 2005.