無紫外光下的抑菌－可見光奈米光觸媒研發
In this experiment, we hope to produce appropriate-sized nano particles of by using the chitin. By mixing the particles with the metal of Ti, Fe and Zn of proper proportions and therefore narrow their band gaps. Thus, the Bacteriostasis of LightPhotocatalysts could appear under the environment where the energy is lower than ultraviolet ray. We use de-acetylated chitin in three ways -- chelating agent, surfactant and protecter. Then we put a thin layer of the mixture of chitin and metal nano particles on a piece of glass, and afterwards, sintering the mixture on the glass. Next, we scan the surface of the glass with AFM(Atomic Force Microscopy) to measure its particle size. The result we got showed that the surface-roughness of the Ti-Fe nano particles was 30.642nm, the best solution of all the samples. Yet, in this experiment, Fe was not suitable. Therefore we should choose the sample of Ti-Zn mixture, which is slightly smaller in roughness. According to the result we got from the experiment, we found that, under the yellow light, the survivable strain-number ratio of the sintered Ti-Fe-Zn mixture on the glass and empty glass was 0.09±0.06. This was much better than the survivable strain-number ratio of 0.17±0.06, the result we got out from the glass of pure Ti and empty glass. From the measurement, we found that the proportion of mixture could lower the excitation energy Ti needs. Through this experiment, we hope to create a layer of film containing nano particles, and by applying it to daily-use products, we could prevent harmful bacteria. 本實驗的目的，就是希望可以利用幾丁質製作出適當粒徑大小的金屬奈米顆粒，混合適當比例的鈦、鐵、鋅金屬，使其能隙變窄，讓我們能在低於紫外光能量的光譜下，產生奈米光觸媒的抑菌效果。筆者在實驗中利用去乙醯化之幾丁質在本實驗中扮演三種角色:螯合劑、介面活性劑及保護劑，以將幾丁質與金屬奈米顆粒均勻塗抹於玻璃上，並以燒結玻璃的方式進行實驗。並且利用AFM掃描玻璃表面，確認其表面尺度，驗證的結果Ti-Fe混合比例的奈米顆粒之表面粗糙度為30.642nm，為最佳狀態，但在本實驗中Fe並不適用，故應以粗糙度僅次於Ti-Fe的Ti-Zn混合比例為主。根據實驗的結果，在綠光下，混合比例的Ti-Fe-Zn玻璃與空白玻璃的菌落數比，菌落存活率為0.09±0.06，相較於純Ti的0.17±0.06來的低，代表混合比例可降低Ti所需之激發能量。經過此實驗未來筆者希望可以以幾丁質製作出一層含奈米顆粒的薄膜，應用到各種生活用品防止細菌的危害。
探討以最經濟的方式偵測低濃度溶液之金屬離子
A novel technology for detection of trace concentration of ions at ppb level was developed. The detection limit of this method can be reached to 1ppb. The Wheatstone bridge usually be used for determination the concentration of metal ion, the major disadvantage of this technique is the precision too low. Atom absorption spectroscopy is better for monitoring trace metal ion, but the cost of instrument is too expensive. In this study, the oscilloscope was used to modify the Wheatstone bridge Circuit. The difference between the voltages of two connection points of Wheatstone bridge was used to estimate the concentration of ions. The amplification system was used in this method to improve the limit to detect ion from 10 ppm to 10ppb. The parameters of measurement including types of probe, match of Wheatstone bridge resistances, parameters of input signal and electrolysis in solution were also being studied. 本研究主要是發展一個富有創新且經濟的ppb ( parts per billion ; 10-9)級，微濃度金屬離子量策技術，目前本實驗設計已可以達到 ppb的偵測極限，尤其本方法不僅能夠應用於定量，尚可做定性偵測。簡易的溶液濃度技術常使用惠司通電橋的方法，但這個方法的缺點在於精確度較低，而另外常用的儀器是原子吸收光譜儀，卻價格高昂。因此，我們回頭對惠司通電橋的技術作改良和創新技術。首先，最重要的新技術是對示波器的改良。示波器被用來量測惠司通電橋的電位，我們比較電橋上兩特定點的電位來判斷濃度，當兩個點的電位相同時代表溶液電阻和控制電阻相同。但當輸入信號的電壓太強時，示波器上並無法判別細微的電位變化，因此造成量測的精度不高。本組設計新的電路用以放大在高強度訊號的波形細微變化，成功將測量極限由 10 ppm推進到 ppb。另外關於此設計中的各種參數，包括探針類型、惠司通電路的電阻匹配、輸入訊號之強度頻率、電極間電容效應及溶液中可能發生的電解效應等，都有精確的探討。最後的設計結果將是創新且有別於以往的設計概念。
Bio-Conversion of Agricultural Waste to Ethanol
a. Purpose of the research: Find a potential way to reduce the global warming, and develop a process for the lignocellulosic ethanol production using rice straw, which is an agricultural waste. b. Procedures: One of the greatest challenges for society in the 21st century is to meet the growing energy demand for transportation, heating and industrial processes. This significantly contributes to “Greenhouse Effect.” Rice straw is one of the lignocellulosic biomasses which are renewable organic substance and alternative source of energy. For the first time, rice straw was pretreated using autoclaving or a hypochlorite-hydrogen peroxide (Ox-B) solution, which is broadly used in potable water treatment. The pretreated rice straw was hydrolyzed with two kinds of enzymes: Cellulase and Spezyme. Following hydrolysis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia stipitis were inoculated for ethanol production. c. Data: With the 5% Ox-B sample (initial sugar concentration was 5%), the final ethanol concentration was about 1.1%, is 87.3 % of stoichiometric and fermentation efficiency yield. Currently, we’re developing a new mutant, which can use glucose and xylose simultaneously, by using soft X-Ray. In conclusion, for the first time, rice straw was pretreated by using autoclaving or hypochlorite-hydrogen peroxide (Ox-B), solution which is broadly used in potable water treatment. The Ox-B solution treatment was an essential step for efficient hemicelluloase hydrolysis. Using 5% rice straw sugar, 1.1% ethanol was obtained. d. Conclusion: Further optimization study of fermentation process and strain improvement researches are in progress. We hope to see future cultivators to move through the energy of ethanol produced by rice straw. This project has a great emphasis towards understanding the importance of bio-energy and its nature.
金奈米粒子的合成與其光譜特性
當世界各國正全力朝奈米科技發展，而奈米微粒對環境及人類健康影響與否未明朗之際，有關奈米微粒對人類健康影響之探討是刻不容緩之事。本研究的近程目標是合成金奈米粒子，遠程目標是擬探討金奈米粒子的生物毒性。此份研究主要是描述金奈米粒子的最大表面電漿吸收光譜特性及其最大吸收波長，而金奈米粒子的合成是利用四氯金酸( HAuCl4 )與還原劑—硼氫化鈉( NaBH4 )、聯胺水合物( N2H5OH )或檸檬酸鈉在陽離子界面活性劑的溶液( CH 3(CH2)15N+(CH3)3Br– ，溴化十六烷基三甲基銨，CTAB ) 當保護劑中，利用氧化還原方法直接生成金奈米粒子，並探討四氯金酸的濃度、還原劑的濃度、界面活性劑的濃度及反應溫度，對金奈米粒子生成之影響，另外也探討金奈米粒子的穩定性。有關金奈米粒子的光譜特性則利用UV/Vis 光譜儀測試。研究結果發現在相同的條件下，利用冰浴，以NaBH4 當還原劑所合成出的金奈米粒子之平均粒徑為11.70 nm ，而以N2H5OH 當還原劑所合成出的金奈米粒子之平均粒徑為20.25 nm， 有關金奈米粒子之結構及大小藉由穿透式電子顯微鏡( TEM ) 拍攝出的影像得以驗證。;This study mainly focused on the properties of the maximum surface plasmon absorption of gold nanoparticles and their wavelengths. The synthesis of gold nanoparticles made use of HAuCl4 aqueous solution and reducing agent, through the oxidation reduction method, with reductant, sodium borohydride ( NaBH4 ), hydrazine ( N2H5OH ) or sodium citrate solution in the presence of the cetytrimethylammonium bomide ( C19H42BrN,CTAB ) aqueous solution as protecting agent. The influence of concentration of HAuCl4, reductant, surfactant, and temperature on the synthesis of gold nanoparticles were explored. In addition, the stability of the gold nanoparticles was also explored. Measurements of spectral properties of gold nanoparticles were done by UV/Vis spectrometer.When NaBH4 was used as a reductant, the average diameter of gold nanoparticles was 11.70 nm. When N2H5OH was used as a reductant, the average diameter of the synthesized gold nanoparticles was 20.25 nm. The structures and sizes could be identified by the transmission of electron micrograph (TEM) images.
Biodiesel:does it make cents?
My project explores the practicality of biodiesel. It researches the argument of food versus fuel, compares the energy efficiencies of petroleum diesel and biodiesel and studies the effect of temperature on biodiesel. To study the effect of temperature on biodiesel, I blended biodiesel with petroleum diesel. Biodiesel blends are represented by the letter B, and the percentage of biodiesel. I used B5, B10, B20, and B50 blends, as well as pure biodiesel. I then observed the reaction of the biodiesel blends with cold weather. My pure biodiesel and B50 blends gelled to an unusable point within 15 minutes outside at -20oC. The B20 blends didn’t gel until about a temperature of -20oC. I have concluded that the B20 blend would be best for the summer, and the B10 or B5 blends would be the best for winter in northern climates, where I live. Although the B10 blends gelled slightly around -30oC, this would only be a problem for northern climates. As I predicted, more energy is produced by biodiesel than is consumed in the production process. The process of making biodiesel uses 0.31 units of energy to get 1 unit of energy out. More energy (1.2 units) is used to produce petroleum diesel than is yielded (1 unit). Although B20 isn’t as energy efficient as B100, the energy factor is still only 0.98 units of energy in for every 1 unit of energy out. When I started this project I thought that Canada would have enough farmland to produce the canola needed to run the country on biodiesel. This is only partly true. Canada would have enough farmland, but only a fraction of that land is actually used to plant canola. By my calculations, Canada has enough canola to generate enough B20 for a year. This may seem like a drawback but realistically, a higher blend would be impractical due to the gelling factor. Also, if a B20 blend was used, land would be available to grow canola for other markets. If B100 was used, there would only be enough diesel for about three months consumption. By using all of the land for biodiesel feedstock, canola would become unavailable for other markets. If canola exports ceased, the countries that depend on our canola will be in a lot of trouble. Canada already produces a lot of canola and vegetable oil. Most of it goes to the fast food industry. The United States produces over three billion gallons of fryer oil yearly. This could provide Canada with a B50 blend for a year. Utilizing used vegetable oil in making biodiesel actually reduces emissions even more. This is accomplished by using a product that would normally go to waste and decompose, producing more carbon dioxide emissions. During this project, I have found that biodiesel is a practical alternative to petroleum diesel, if it is used in a blend. My experiment proves that biodiesel is a fuel alternative that could be implemented immediately, and one that does not require the research needed for other fuel alternatives such as hydrogen or electricity.
環境標籤---地衣與環境污染的探討
隨著工商業發展，環境污染日益嚴重，對多數生長在這塊土地上的人，無疑造成了非常嚴重的影響。但若想要監控目前環境中的空氣品質，則必須具備專業的訓練，及昂貴的實驗設備，對一般民眾而言，根本就做不到。\r 藉由指標植物對所生長環境的高度敏感性，可以發展出一套純天然且免費的環境污染偵測器，不但方便、免攜帶、無須高級儀器協助、更不需要專業的分析技術。為此，我們以對二氧化硫等空氣污染物極為敏感的地衣作為指標植物，對其進行生態與環境污染關係的一系列觀察，並設計相關的實驗，找出環境污染物對地衣的實際影響，使其能夠實際的應用於日常生活，並可加以推廣，讓人人都可以利用地衣來了解自己所處的環境是否遭受污染，為自己家園的環境優劣把關。\r \r 文摘要 :\r With the development of industry and business , environmental pollutions become more and more serious . Undoubtedly , those pollutions have a great effect on us.\r However , by the means of the indicator plant which is highly sensitive to its environment , we can develop a set of natural and free environmental pollution detectors . In this project , we use lichenes,which are very sensitive to air pollution , to do a series of observations and to find out the influence the pollutants have on lichenes . If we can apply this to our regular lives , everyone can use lichenes to see if their environment is polluted or not .