Christabel Wireko Arthur
Materials science and engineering
Hometown: Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana
Graduation date: Spring 2022
MORE | Spring 2022
Synthesis of a Janus Particle with Gold Nanoparticles and Vesicle-like Mesoporous Silica
A Janus Particle is a special type of nano or microparticle whose surface has two or more distinct physical and chemical properties. The aim of this research is to explore novel Janus topology by fusing plasmonic nanoparticles with mesoporous structures seeking novel materials functionalities. The exceptional geometric engineered plasmonic responses coupled with distinctive mesostructured technology would make a great impact in both fields of photonics and bio-nanotechnology.
Mentor: Sui Yang
It’s hip to be square.
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Featured project | Spring 2022
Materials science and engineering graduate student Christabel Wireko Arthur is improving the future of health care by synthesizing a new nanoparticle made of gold and mesoporous silica to help advance medical diagnostics and drug delivery applications. She is conducting this research in the MORE program with Assistant Professor Sui Yang.
Why did you choose the project you’re working on in MORE?
What made me choose my project is its application. I am synthesizing a Janus particle — a special type of nanoparticle or microparticle with two faces, each with different physical and chemical characteristics that endow it with unique properties, such as optical, thermal and electrical properties. My Janus particle will consist of a gold nanoparticle and vesicle-shaped (or onion-shaped) mesoporous silica. The material I plan to synthesize is an excellent health care material that can be used to deliver medication and also serve different purposes in the health care industry.
How will your engineering research project impact the world?
Being able to detect biomarkers for cancer, heart diseases and infections agents will help solve numerous problems in diagnostics and drug delivery. The vesicle-like mesoporous silica has distinctive geometries and are expected to display novel physical and chemical characteristics that will give rise to new technologies in the fields of biosensors, drug delivery, catalysis and biological separation. The fusion of the gold nanoparticles with the mesoporous silica to form a Janus particle may produce a new technology that will be a solution to the limitations in current nanoparticle technology, such as accuracy, damage to non-targeted surrounding tissues and invasive needle placement for biosensing and diagnostics.
What has been your most memorable experience as a student researcher?
The most memorable experience was when I had to synthesize a material and had perfect results the first time I tried, and my professor smiled at me and said, “Good job, Christabel!”
How do you see this experience helping with your career goals?
This research experience is actually in line with my career because it gives me the necessary skills I need like being very creative and innovative.
What is the best advice you’ve gotten from your faculty mentor?
Every problem is a research idea.
Why should other students get involved in this program?
Students should get involved in MORE because this is a one-time opportunity that enables you to have hands-on experience in the theories you study in class. It is also an opportunity to learn and impact the world in your own little way.
Sponsored project | Spring 2022
W. L. Gore & Associates is a uniquely creative, product leadership enterprise that has served a variety of global markets for 60 years, and provides innovative solutions that its associates stand behind. Gore established funds to support undergraduate students in the Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative program and graduate students in the Master’s Opportunity for Research in Engineering program, and values student-driven research and developing relationships with students in the programs.