1. CAREER: Magnetic Imaging Guided Composite Materials Development Anna Cristina S. Samia, Case Western Reserve University, DMR 1253358 Background: Every year, 40,000 hip and 43,000 knee replacement revision surgeries are performed in the US due to aseptic loosening that is triggered by polyethylene wear particle formation. Develop a novel class of iron oxide nanoparticle reinforced- ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite materials, which will facilitate the in situ study of wear particle formation in polymer implant materials using magnetic particle imaging (MPI) technologies. Approach: Progress to Date: Bone degradation as a result of prosthetic implant wear debris formation. Goal: Study the wear debris formation mechanisms of polyethylene implant-type materials in various chemical and biological fluid environments. Development of MPI methods for in situ monitoring of wear particle formation in polymer implants. By adapting a liquid-solid compounding approach and by using a high temperature compression molding process, we have fabricated uniform magnetite nanoparticle loaded - UHMWPE composite films with different nanoparticle loading. Using a zero-dimensional magnetic particle spectrometer (MPS) system we were able to systematically investigate the non-linear magnetic signals originating from the magnetic composites for the first time. We have investigated different nanoparticle capping methods to ensure that the embedded iron oxide magnetic particles will not contribute to enhanced polymer oxidation and acid susceptibility. Publication (02/01/13 – present): Pablico-Lansigan, M.; Situ, S.F.; Samia, A.C.S.* Nanoscale (2013), DOI: 10.1039/c3nr00544e. 1 of 2

2. Engaging in K-12 Outreach Activities to Introduce Young Women and Underrepresented Minorities to STEM Fields: To enrich the learning experience of students on the concepts of nanomaterials synthesis and characterization, Dr. Samia has developed a hands-on nanoparticle synthesis and characterization experiment for her undergraduate/graduate students in her Functional Nanomaterials lecture course (Chem 341/441). Development of Experiential Learning Modules in Nanomaterials Research for Undergraduate/Graduate Students: Dr. Samia organized lab demonstrations and hands-on learning experience for middle school students from the school of Citizen’s Leadership Academy as part of the “Introduce a Girl to Science Day” program in CWRU. Dissemination of Scientific Findings at Local Research ShowCASE Event: Graduate students working with Dr. Samia presented posters about their research on the fabrication and magnetic particle imaging characterization of polyethylene-magnetite nanocomposites. Involvement in International Workshops and Conferences: Dr. Samia was part of the program committee for the 2013 International Workshop on Magnetic Particle Imaging (IWMPI), which was organized by Prof. Conolly and his group at UC-Berkeley. Dr. Samia also co-organized a symposium on nanomaterials at the 2013 MRS Spring Metting in CA together with Profs. Yuping Bao (Univ. Albama), Ying Wang (LSU) and Laura Fabris (picture not shown, Rutgers Univ.) 2 of 2 CAREER: Magnetic Imaging Guided Composite Materials Development Anna Cristina S. Samia, Case Western Reserve University, DMR 1253358