1. Magnetic - Fluorescent Bifunctional Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications Yuping Bao, University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, DMR
The objective of this project is to create metallic nanocluster decorated iron oxide nanoparticles, which will have both magnetic and fluorescent properties. We have developed an effective method to create biocompatible and functional surfaces for Au and Ag nanocluster formation (top).
The approach of generating functional surfaces was recently highlighted in Nature magazine (
The Au decorated iron oxide nanoparticles (middle) are red fluorescent, as shown in the fluorescent emission scan (bottom).
BSA
Iron oxide nanoparticles
Gold nanoclusters
α-lipoid acid
Additional Notes for DMR staff would be very helpful here. They might include important technical details, further elaborations of the results, the abstract and reference of the paper where these are published, explanations of acronyms and abbreviations, or whatever else you consider useful.

2. Magnetic - Fluorescent Bifunctional Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications Yuping Bao, University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, DMR
Various interesting education outreach activities have been performed by the PI and her group members.
“Science Party for Kids” program
Fishing iron particles out of grinded cereals using magnets.
Presenting the role of iron in human body by decorating a toy car with balloons.
c. A demonstration of nanoparticle synthesis at the PI35th SECME Summer.
d. A poster presentation by the African-American REU student from the PI’s group.
Figure “Science Party for Kids” activities: (a) students are grinding the cereals and fishing magnetic iron particles, and (b) a student is explaining the role of iron in human body, where the car represents iron and balloons represent oxygen, and (insert) car race.
Figure 11. Nanoparticle synthesis demonstration
SECME: Southeast Consortium for Minorities in Engineering
REU: Research experiences for undergraduates c d

3. Yuping Bao, University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, DMR 0907204
Publications Supported or Partially Supported by This Grant
Wei An, Lauren Wintzinger, C. Heath Turner, Yuping Bao, “A combined Computational/experimental study of fluorescent gold nanocluster complexes” Nano-Life 1, 133 (2010).
Soubantika Palchoudhury, Yaolin Xu, Wei An, C. Heath, Turner, Yuping Bao, “Platinum attachment onto Iron oxide nanoparticle surfaces” J. Appl. Phys. 107, 09B311 (2010).
Sahar Keshavarz, Yaolin Xu, Spencer Hrdy, Clay Lemley, Tim Mewes, Yuping Bao, “Relaxation of polymer coated Fe3O4 Magnetic nanoparticles in aqueous solution”, IEEE on Magnetics 46, (2010).
Soubantika Palchoudhury, Yaolin Xu, Johnny Goodwin, Yuping Bao, “Synthesis of multiple platinum-attached iron oxide nanoparticles”, J. Mater. Chem. 21, 3966 (2011).
Soubantika Palchoudhury, Wei An, Yaolin Xu, Ying Qin, Zhongtao Zhang, Nitin Chopra, Robert A. Holler, C. Heath Turner, Yuping Bao, “Synthesis and Growth Mechanism of Iron Oxide Nanowhiskers”, Nano Lett., 11, 1141 (2011).
Yaolin Xu, Ying Qin, Soubantika Palchoudhury, Yuping Bao, “Water-Soluble Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with High Stability and Selective Surface Functionality”, Langmuir 27, 8990 (2011).