Ray Dessy, a renowned chemist, has received the Dreyfus Foundation Senior Mentor Award to support undergraduate research in surface plasmon resonance (SPR) use. The award will fund projects with students from various fields, including chemistry, engineering, and computer science.
Researchers study composite materials made from small trees, finding they can be as strong or even stronger than solid wood due to uniform properties and improved durability. The team investigates molecular adhesion and chemistry under simulated conditions to enhance durability.
Researchers at Virginia Tech will develop plant-expressed antigens and adjuvants to create affordable, effective vaccines. The goal is to produce inexpensive, disease-fighting vaccines through plant-based delivery systems.
A portable wastewater treatment unit has been developed to treat wastewater in remote locations, using stainless steel screens and pressure filters with clay beads. The unit can treat 30,000 gallons per day of wastewater, producing partially dried sludge that can be disposed of with regular solid waste.
Researchers have developed a method to save endangered freshwater mussels by collecting and depositing parasitic larvae onto suitable fish hosts. This process allows for the mass production of juvenile mussels, which can then be released into the wild to improve water quality.
A recent study found that 69% of whistleblowers were fired after reporting wrongdoing, even when they only reported it to higher-ups. The study, conducted by Virginia Tech professor Joyce Rothschild, also found that 80% of those who reported misconduct to outside authorities faced severe reprisals.
A multidisciplinary program is underway to create computer software for modeling the genes and proteins that underlie cellular behavior. This research aims to understand molecular mechanisms underlying processes like bacterial contamination, jet lag, and wound healing. By developing accurate mathematical representations of these mechan...
A three-year study using Arabidopsis thaliana aims to define the roles of protein-degrading enzymes important to wood formation. The researchers hope to identify genes that regulate this process, which could have significant implications for forest product development and our understanding of plant development.
Arthur Buikema, a Fulbright fellow, developed two new courses in Environmental Science and Health at the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe. He introduced alternative teaching strategies and integrated technology into education, giving students handouts instead of traditional lecture notes due to limited resources.
Daniel Crawford's research focuses on studying the structure and properties of large chiral molecules, such as amino acids, to predict experimental data. His proposed work aims to speed up the synthesis of natural products with biological importance.
The new sensor can detect specific biological agents even at trace amounts in air or water, enabling quick diagnosis and treatment in remote medicine scenarios. The device's optical-based system improves response time and enables personalized medicine through genotyping.
Huang will teach an MBA course and conduct research to assess the impact of information technology on supply-chain management in Portuguese companies. His previous research explored aggregate production planning models that reflect business practices and culture.
Kingston's work led to a semi-synthetic process for creating Taxol, improving the efficiency of a potent anti-cancer drug. His research also contributed to saving vital tropical forests in South America by preserving traditional herbal remedies.
Glacial geologists and wildlife biologists in Alaska study dendrochronology and Stellar Sea Lion eating patterns using satellite and Internet2 technology. The research is made available to 4th-9th graders in Virginia through a distance learning experiment, enhancing STEM education and making it more accessible for rural students.
A Virginia Tech engineer is developing advanced control systems for unmanned underwater vehicles to perform complex maneuvers, such as evasive actions and tracking El Niño boundaries. His research aims to create protected controls mechanisms for long-duration autonomous operations in the ocean.
Di Ventra's award will support his work in computer simulations and theoretical models to advance the development of molecular electronics. His research aims to understand electron transport properties at the atomic level, enabling the creation of faster and more efficient electronic devices.
Erik Westman aims to reduce fatalities, lower construction costs, and improve environmental protection through a practical method for predicting failures in rock masses. He's adapting tomographic imaging technology for field use, enabling engineers to monitor stress redistribution in rock masses.
Researchers are creating a genetic database for ornamental trees by analyzing the DNA of George Washington's trees. The project, led by Virginia Tech and the USDA Forest Service, aims to understand the genetics of specific tree species.
The collaboration will focus on understanding infectious disease pathogens, host interactions, and environmental factors. Researchers will develop technologies for rapid detection, identification, and remediation of pathogens.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are exploring the development of new sensor approaches using nanotechnology, aiming to detect DNA and other biological compounds. They also aim to improve computational capacity by understanding electronic transport properties in molecular wires.
Researchers will study the functions of beta-glucosidase and beta-galactosidase gene families in Arabidopsis, a small but useful model for understanding genetic processes. The goal is to determine the functions of approximately 25,000 genes, which can be extrapolated to other plants like wheat and soybeans.
A Virginia Tech researcher is working on a project to reduce the use of toxic solvents in polymers processing, replacing them with carbon dioxide. The goal is to decrease environmental contamination by 36 billion pounds of solvents used annually, offering cost and environmental benefits.
John Seiler, a tree physiology specialist, has received the USDA teaching award for his exceptional teaching skills and innovative approaches to educating students about forestry. He is also a recipient of several prestigious awards for his academic achievements in forestry education.
Kilkelly's research explores the historical performances of jazz-tap dancing, considering constructions of gender, race, class, and sexuality. She aims to increase appreciation for tap dancing as a valuable art form revealing American culture.
Researchers are studying ancient plant fossils in the Arctic to understand how plants adapted to harsh climates and survived continental-drift events. By analyzing fossilized leaves, stems, and roots, scientists can infer climate conditions and predict where tropical forests once existed.
A Virginia Tech team has won a grant to develop mathematically rigorous decomposition theories for solving large-scale design problems on massively parallel supercomputers. The project aims to reduce communication bottlenecks and improve concurrency in the design process.
Researchers have made significant discoveries about the San Andreas Fault using a new technique for seismic imaging. The study has provided valuable information on the properties of rocks near the surface and the deep fault line, shedding light on the potential risks and opportunities associated with drilling through the fault.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a wireless broadband communications network for rapid deployment in disaster response and recovery efforts. The system uses the 28 GHz band to connect remote stations and provide GIS access, audio/video conferencing, and collaborative decision-making tools.
Researchers at Virginia Tech found that proteins making up the Golgi apparatus are constantly being renewed, allowing potential new medical applications such as targeted medicine delivery. The discovery also suggests a method to modify cells to produce compounds for pharmaceuticals.
A study by Virginia Tech researchers may lead to more effective methods for cleaning up gasoline spills, which can contaminate groundwater. The research focuses on the role of iron reduction and methanogenesis in bioremediation, aiming to improve modeling and cleanup efficiency.
Researchers are studying Mulinia congesta to determine change in organism shape and size due to environmental changes. The study focuses on a gradual environmental change in Southeastern Virginia over 500,000 years.
A new database using Geographic Information System (GIS) allows geologists to interpret large amounts of data more easily. The system enables scientists to query and analyze data over a large area in various ways, leading to new insights into the tectonic history of regions. This advancement in science helps understand the Earth's regi...
Researchers are using a technique called fluid inclusion micro thermometry to determine the formation temperature of quartz cement in 300-million-year-old sandstones. The study aims to understand the thermal history of these ancient rocks and its implications for understanding oil and gas formation.
The NSF-funded Expresso project develops a computational system for microarray bioinformatics, enabling the automation of tedious methodological aspects. The project will be used for various experimental biology research projects, including Loblolly Pine tree drought resistance and human tissue analysis.
The HCRC combines faculty members, students, facilities, and expertise from several Virginia institutions to develop effective management strategies for horseshoe crabs. Researchers are conducting studies on population changes, biomedical industry impact, and shorebird interactions to inform conservation efforts.
Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) has been awarded a $3 million grant to study driver behavior leading up to crashes and near-crashes in Northern Virginia. The project aims to provide detailed data on events leading up to crashes, bridging gaps in knowledge about pre-crash and conflict behaviors of drivers.
Hochella will analyze samples from acid-mine drainage sites in Germany and the US using advanced equipment to develop better models of metal transport. This work aims to improve understanding of toxic-metal-bearing phases and their distribution in drainage systems.
A four-year project led by Virginia Tech aims to investigate the social and economic effects of agricultural biotechnologies. The study will examine the distributional effects of early adopters versus late adopters, as well as the impact on producers and consumers.
The study, conducted by Virginia Tech researchers, analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III. It found that regular soft drink consumption was not associated with dental cavities among adolescents, young adults, or older adults.
A Virginia Tech student has made significant discoveries about air bubbles in drinking water, which can interfere with treatment processes and lead to pathogen contamination. The research is being used to identify problems at two California water treatment plants and has the potential to prevent water-borne diseases.
Researchers at VBI are developing software to integrate metabolomics data with gene expression and proteomics, enabling scientists to pinpoint the exact function of genes and proteins. The collaboration with Phenomenome aims to create a global understanding of biological systems from a dynamic perspective.
Researchers confirm a high degree of asymmetry between matter and antimatter, consistent with the Standard Model Theory. The finding sheds light on why the universe is made mostly of matter.
Researchers at Virginia Tech use in-situ infrared spectroscopy to observe and control the synthesis of carbon fiber precursors. The study demonstrates the benefits of real-time observation in enhancing reactivity and efficiency in the conversion process.
Virginia Tech researchers have developed new proton exchange membrane (PEM) polymer nanocomposites that can withstand higher temperatures, making them suitable for more efficient fuel cells. The new materials use hetropolyacids to retain water molecules at higher temperatures, providing a mechanism for conductivity.
Virginia Tech researchers have made a breakthrough in creating polymers that can be reversed using heat, opening up new possibilities for thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and novel adhesives. The team synthesized nano-phase separated polystyrene and polyisoprene based materials containing reversible linkages.
Virginia Tech biochemist White identifies 200 genes responsible for coenzyme formation in Methanococcus jannaschi, an ancient Archaea bacteria. The discovery sheds new light on the evolution of metabolic processes in these unique organisms.
Chemists are using statistical design of experiments and parallel reactors to improve the creation of polymers. This approach enables the efficient production of novel elastomers by determining the optimal reaction conditions. By doing so, researchers can generate predictive models and discover new materials.
Scientists have developed a new block copolymer structure that increases the conductive monomer without weakening the polymer strength. This breakthrough enables better proton conductivity and lower water uptake compared to random copolymers of similar composition.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are developing a 'prodrug' to deliver neuroprotective compounds to the brain, overcoming limited solubility issues. The approach aims to inhibit monoamine oxidases and neuronal nitric oxide synthase enzymes involved in Parkinson's disease.
Virginia Tech researchers are developing methodology to relate membrane performance to intrinsic polymer properties of microphase separation, water absorption, and proton conductivity. The goal is to produce PEMS that perform well in a wide range of fuel cell environments.