Answers Glow in the Dark in Daniel Ki's Chemistry Lab
By Susan Allen '09, '14
By Susan Allen '09, '14
Andrew Wu 鈥23 arrived at a point in his college journey where he didn鈥檛 know what his major was going to be, and then he took Nanotechnology in our Society with鈥顿补苍颈别濒鈥疜颈, associate professor of Chemistry.
One general studies class introduced him to science on an atomic scale, but more importantly, it gave him the clarity he was searching for in his own life and sparked his already curious mind.鈥
Tiny molecules (on the scale of a billionth of a meter) can be engineered to solve big problems鈥攍ike detecting chemicals in our water supply.鈥
Wu decided right then and there, he was going to be a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major.
鈥淪ome of the synthesis methods were mind boggling to me. I鈥檓 still so curious about chemical vapor deposition and atomic layer deposition. It sounds like something that should be science fiction. Atomic layering deposition is literally just layering atoms, but it鈥檚 not something you would think about intuitively. It鈥檚 a whole other world that people aren鈥檛 exposed to even though every day the technology we use is founded on these ideas and principles. To be behind the scenes learning how it works is something I find fulfilling,鈥 he said.
Wu joined Ki鈥檚 research lab to work on a solution to detect high concentrations of fluoride in drinking water.鈥
In some regions of the world, the water supply is not regulated. 鈥淲hile fluoride in small doses is actually beneficial to us, excessive doses can be detrimental to our health,鈥 said Wu.鈥
How can fluoride ions be detected? The solution they discovered is clearly visible, but only in the dark.
A chemical sensor is a device that can transform a chemical signal into a device signal to detect a chemical species.鈥疜i and Wu developed a chemical sensor to detect fluoride ions.鈥
Four test tubes containing鈥痓lue-green solutions of鈥痓romide, iodide, chloride, and fluoride ions鈥痑ll looked identical on the lab counter until Ki shut off the lights and shined an鈥痷ltraviolet light鈥痑t the tubes.鈥
The one test tube containing fluoride changed colors. A bright yellow glow signaled the presence of the fluoride ion that was not present in the three other tubes.鈥
Their work was 鈥痠n a鈥痟igh-impact, peer-reviewed journal,鈥疍alton Transactions,鈥痓y the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Ki鈥檚 lab is poised to explore an intriguing challenge: detecting per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, because they can鈥檛 break down.
Mistakes can sometimes turn into miracles."Daniel Ki, associate professor of Chemistry
In April, the EPA issued the first-ever national drinking water standard to regulate exposure to toxic forever chemicals.
Wu was drawn to chemistry for the opportunity to create solutions to real-world problems. He will continue studying Chemistry as a Ph.D. student at the University of Delaware this fall, and he hopes to become a professor.鈥
Wu believes that science works best when curiosity is embraced.鈥
Ki added, 鈥淢istakes can sometimes turn into miracles,鈥 which is exactly what happened to his former student Kathleen Ngo, who is now a Ph.D. candidate at Northwestern University.鈥
Ngo, a 2020 Chemistry and Biochemistry graduate, discovered a bright idea for a new type of light source after using an unexpected chemical during her鈥research鈥痺ith Ki. They were creating鈥痶in chloride鈥痯hosphors, a鈥痥nown compound鈥痶hat glows a dull yellow, until Ngo鈥痶ried something slightly different - she used one different chemical鈥痓y mistake鈥- that resulted in a鈥痶in fluoride鈥痯hosphor that glows brighter and green.鈥
Ngo is studying how structure impacts the function of materials on a nanoscale in Northwestern鈥檚 Mirkin Lab.鈥
Her work is focused on cancer vaccines that utilize the body鈥檚 own immune system to minimize the harsh side effects that accompany chemotherapy treatment.鈥
She鈥檚 specifically looking at how the components of a vaccine are structured because certain structures of the same components can fight cancer more effectively.鈥
She made an analogy using Legos. You can use the same pieces to build a house or a castle. The castle is going to be better at protecting intruders.鈥
Like Wu, she, too, wants to become a professor. 鈥淭o help shape future scientists would be so rewarding. I want teaching to be a part of my life,鈥 she said.鈥
Her 淫性视频 experience pushed her to think critically like a scientist, and the classes showed her how chemistry works in the real world.鈥
Her advice to students: 鈥淜eep an open mind. The classes are hard, but the payoff comes later,鈥 she said.
鈥淧rofessor Ki鈥檚 enthusiasm was the reason I joined his lab. He was interactive, had good energy, made me want to learn, motivated me and inspired me,鈥 she said.