CBE undergraduate student Zirun Liang has been named a recipient of the Future Leaders in Chemical Engineering, a national award symposium for undergraduate researchers sponsored by North Carolina State University. Zirun was honored for his research with Professor Markita Landry, entitled 'Single-Molecule Modification of Carbon Nanotubes Through Stochastic Deposition of ssDNA'. Zirun, along with the other recipients, will receive an all-expense paid trip to NC State, and will present his research on Oct 9-10 in Raleigh, NC.
Zirun is in his senior year at the college, and is a member of the Landry Lab.
About the Research
Researchers developed a novel method for precisely attaching a single molecule to a carbon nanotube, using DNA as a smart guide. To achieve this high level of control, they first created a probability model to predict how the DNA guides would bind, ensuring accuracy. They then introduced a bio-inspired, magnetic separation system to perfectly sort the nanotubes: they used magnetic beads that strongly attach to the modified nanotubes, allowing them to pull out a very pure population where almost every nanotube was modified exactly as intended. This breakthrough provides a practical, large-scale way to precisely engineer these tiny materials. The resulting high purity is critical for future applications in fields like quantum electronics, and resulting in faster smartphone processors, more accurate medical diagnostic sensors, and highly efficient solar panels.
About the Award
Future Leaders in Chemical Engineering is a national award symposium. This is "A highly selective research symposium that's organized by the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at NC State University. The symposium is a platform for the finest and brightest undergraduate researchers in the U.S. to present their work and be recognized for their achievements and potential as future leaders in chemical and biomolecular engineering."
For more information visit: https://www.cbe.ncsu.edu/research/future-leaders-in-chemical-engineering/