- 173 views
- 151 downloads
Towards a Better Understanding of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Microgel-Based Etalons and their Continued Development in Diagnostics
-
- Author / Creator
- Heppner, Ian N
-
Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAm) microgel-based etalons are photonic materials that exhibit color based on temperature or other environmental stimuli. These materials provide a new and unique method for biosensing and other applications. Therefore it is important to understand these materials and to continue developing the materials in order to realise their full potential. This work examines the development of these materials in point-of-care (POC) diagnostics by exploring new and less expensive materials for etalon fabrication as well as examining the volume phase transition temperature of pNIPAm microgels and how it’s affected by confinement in the etalon. It was found that the metal used in fabricating the device did not have a significant impact on the optical properties of the device. Additionally it was determined that the volume phase transition temperature (VPTT) of the microgels was not affected by their confinement in the device, and a VPTT was measured at methanol concentrations where no transition was previously observed.
-
- Graduation date
- Fall 2013
-
- Type of Item
- Thesis
-
- Degree
- Master of Science
-
- License
- This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.