Rodward Hewlin

Education

• Pursuing BS, North Carolina A&T State University

REU Project

This summer, Rodward's project dealt with the innovative advances in the usage and manipulation of magnetic nanoparticles in microfluidics. In this project we are studying magnetic nanoparticles using a magnetophoresis-based method to estimate the magnetic susceptibility of the particles and its standard deviation, however this technique is different than the typical magnetophoresis. Fabricated micro-electromagnetic devices for controlling magnetic particles on a chip have been developed which consists of multiple lithographically patterned layered substrates and contains cobalt magnets of size less than 100 nanometers. A field is produced upon which the magnetic particles are guided. The magnetic nanoparticles are being controlled as well as the individual group motion of these particles and are being studied as the field is turned on. Its applications include the study and control of magnetic particles as well as control and manipulation of biological organisms. These are novelty ways to enhance study of magnetic particles in Medicine.

Final Abstract

Micro-magnets are commonly used in information storage, medicine and nanotechnology. For example, patterned magnets are commonly used to store information in the computer hard disk drives. Magnetic nanoparticles are used as contrast agents for MRI, as drug delivery vehicles, as tools for separation and purification in biology and in waste management, and as carriers in a variety of micro-systems. The goal of this 9-week summer project is for the undergraduate student to gain experience in the synthesis, and characterization of electrochemically deposited micro-magnets on Chromium coated Silicon substrates. The student's responsibilities will include performing electrochemical synthesis steps to formulate micro magnets from iron and nickel salt precursors. The student will use photolithography to define micro-patterns on electrically conductive substrates. Then student will then electroplate iron/nickel alloy onto the substrate to form lithographically defined micro-magnets with feature size on the order of 10-microns. The student will characterize the size and shape of the micro-magnets using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), and its magnetic properties using an AGM (alternating gradient magnetometer). A chemistry or chemical engineering background is preferred.

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