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School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Seminar Series

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Author: Davis, Mark E. ×

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    New Heterogeneous Catalysts for Converting Sugars in Aqueous Media
    (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011-03-10) Davis, Mark E.
    The isomerization of glucose into fructose is a large-scale reaction for the production of high-fructose corn syrup and recently is being considered as an intermediate step in the possible route of biomass to fuels and chemicals. Here, it is shown that a large-pore zeolite that contains tin (Sn-Beta) is able to isomerize glucose to fructose in aqueous media with high activity and selectivity. Specifically, a 10 wt% glucose solution containing a catalytic amount of Sn-Beta (1:50 Sn:glucose molar ratio) gives product yields of approximately 46% (w/w) glucose, 31% (w/w) fructose, and 9% (w/w) mannose after 30 and 12 minutes of reaction at 383 K and 413 K, respectively. This reactivity is also achieved when a 45 wt% glucose solution is converted. The Sn-Beta catalyst can be used for multiple cycles, and the reaction stops when the solid is removed, clearly indicating that the catalysis is occurring heterogeneously. With isotopically labeled glucose, it is demonstrated (1H and 13C MAS NMR spectroscopy) that the isomerization reaction catalyzed by Sn-Beta in water proceeds by way of an intramolecular hydride shift, confirming that framework tin centers in Sn-Beta act as Lewis acids in aqueous media. Most importantly, the Sn-Beta catalyst is able to perform the isomerization reaction in highly acidic, aqueous environments with equivalent activity and product distribution as in media without added acid. This enables Sn-Beta to couple isomerizations with other acid-catalyzed reactions, including hydrolysis/isomerization or isomerization/dehydration reaction sequences, including starch to fructose and glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF).
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    Fighting Cancer with Nanoparticle Medicines
    (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011-03-09) Davis, Mark E.
    For centuries, cancer has been one of the most devastating diseases. Papyrus writings from 1600-1500 BC describe cancer and attempts at its treatment. Today, the molecular basis of cancer is being unraveled, and new therapeutics are being developed to take advantage of this new knowledge. One class of experimental therapeutics involves the use of nanoparticles. Given the long history of difficulties in developing cancer therapies, why is there excitement about nanoparticle medicine (nanomedicines) for fighting cancer? Is it warranted or is it hype? In this lecture, I will present the current understandings of why nanoparticle medicines have the potential to provide “game-changing” ways to treat cancer. I will illustrate the various features and potentials of nanoparticle medicines using two different nanoparticles that we have translated from laboratory curiosities to experimental therapeutics in human clinical trials.