Chemistry Seminar: Recent Applications of Metal and Metal Oxides Nanoparticle Technology

Recent Applications of Metal and Metal Oxides Nanoparticle Technology to the fields of Biology, Catalysis and 2D, 3D Printing: “Is there still plenty of Room at the Bottom”

Dr. Kenneth Reed
Visiting Scholar
Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, RIT

Dr. Reed will discuss how the unique physical and chemical properties possessed by 2-5 nm bismuth and, separately, copper metal clusters to transform drug delivery (both targeting and removal) and inexpensive flexible electronics enabled by replacement of silver with copper.

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Abstract:
My post Kodak Research Laboratory and second career (2015) as a Visiting Scholar /Visiting Researcher at RIT has been a fusion of materials science in the realm of ultra-small 5 nm atomic clusters and small business creation-entrepreneurism. This presentation will show how the unique physical and chemical properties possessed by 2-5 nm bismuth and, separately, copper metal clusters to transform drug delivery (both targeting and removal) and inexpensive flexible electronics enabled by replacement of silver with copper. A by-product of the copper cluster work is a COVID-19 face mask that acts as a reactor to kill viruses in 2 hours. On the metal oxide side, 3 nm Maghemite, a super paramagnetic iron oxide (SPION), is being engineered by epitaxial metal doping to enhance the kinetics of diesel soot oxidation. If and when this oxidation catalyst is deployed as a (proposed) diesel fuel additive, the hopeful prospect may be realized of slowing down the melting of the polar ice caps by decreasing the amount and rate of accumulated deposited soot. I do not presume to answer the question posed in the title of my talk but invite audience thoughts on whether this work, largely done at RIT and by RIT undergraduates, has in some meaningful scientific way illuminated the question as to what is the “Room” and where is the “Bottom”.

Speaker Bio:
Ken is a physical chemist volunteering at RIT as a Visiting Scholar in the School of Chemistry and Materials Science (2018 -2020) and jointly in the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Biological Sciences. He currently mentors and financially supports RIT undergraduates (to augment classroom learning with applied research) in three areas; Anti-Cancer Agents, nanometals media for 3D manufacturing and chemical catalysts for soot amelioration. He has failed retirement 101 two times now (once out of Kodak Research Laboratorie, 2005 then Founder of Cerion Nanomaterials in 2007. Cerion was the first business startup to graduate from RITs Venture Creations). Ken is currently, Founder (2016) and CTO of Zero Valent Nanometals Inc. Ken is the American Chemical Society 2017 (inaugural) Entrepreneur of the Year; 2008 RIT Outstanding Alumnus; member RIT Board of Trustees and head of the RIT Alumni Association (2002-2005), 2003 College of Science Distinguished Alumnus and holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry / Chemical Physics from the Leland Stanford Jr. University (1975).

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