Nanotechnology Project

Get the findNano iPhone application

Inventories

Environment, Health and Safety Research

The Role of Nano-Scale Colloids in Particle Aggregation and Trace Metal Scavenging in Aquatic Systems

Project Information

Principal InvestigatorAnne Lazarides
InstitutionDuke University
Project URLView
Relevance to ImplicationsHigh
Class of NanomaterialNatural Nanomaterials
Impact SectorEnvironment
Broad Research Categories Generation, Dispersion, Transformation etc.
NNI identifier

Funding Information

CountryUSA
Anticipated Total Funding$274,658.00
Annual Funding$68,664.50
Funding SourceNSF
Funding MechanismExtramural
Funding SectorGovernment
Start Year2002
Anticipated End Year2006

Abstract/Summary

The proposal addresses the role that nano-scale colloids play in the transport of trace metals and pollutants in natural environmental and engineered systems. The combination of experimental studies encompassing microscopic methods (AFM and EM), synchrotron-based methods (SAXS, XAS), and multi-scale modeling will aid in elucidating the significance of particulate material in aquatic systems. This project is collaborative and multi-disciplinary, combining expertise from chemistry, biology, and modeling to investigate the role of fibrils and macromolecules in inorganic colloid aggregation. Results of this work should help in the understanding the self-cleansing capacity of fresh, estuarine and marine waters through transport and sedimentation. Of special interest is the understanding of the similarities and differences between freshwater and seawater. This proposal was received in response to the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Initiative, SF 01-157, category NIRT.