Jared Zia

Jared Zia AKA Jared Gerschler was a student at Hampshire College from 2004 to 2008.

= Division III =

This article is part of the Fall 2008 Climax Div III Issue. Article written by Keith Putnam.

Jared Zia ’s advisor, Dula Amarasiriwardena, was first to propose he work on a Division III related to nanomaterials. Jared’s project specifically looks at the trace element adsorption characteristics of two common nanomaterials. Jared explains, “the nanomaterials, multi–walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and nanoparticle titanium dioxide (n–TiO2), have a wide range of uses in things like semiconductors, stronger plastic composites, and sunscreens, and are being increasingly incorporated into our daily lives.” Nanoparticle research is an area of exciting scientific research at the moment due to a wide variety of possible applications in optical, biomedical, and electronic fields.

Jared goes on to explain that while the use of these two nanomaterials has potential, both are considered toxic under certain circumstances, especially in the form of aerosols. Also, carbon nanotubes can be transported easily into cells, which in the end could prove fatal to a cell. Jared says that most importantly, “scientists have also found that toxic elements adsorbed to the surface of a carbon nanotube can greatly increase its toxicity when transported into a cell.”

The trace elements Jared uses in his research are antimony, lead, and cadmium. All of these elements are potentially toxic to a large number of organisms. “In a typical experiment, I combine a known amount of a nanomaterial with an aqueous solution containing cadmium, lead, and antimony. After giving the solutions a few days to equilibrate, I filter out the nanomaterials, and analyze the remaining solution using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) or inductively coupled plasma– atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP–AES). These instruments tell me the concentration of the toxic elements that remain in the solution. If there is a difference between the initial solution concentration and the concentration after equilibration, I can calculate the amount of cadmium, lead, or antimony that the nanomaterial has adsorbed.”

When questioned about his experience of the Div III process, Jared answered, “The process has been mostly long and arduous. Enlightening at times, but mostly I’ve just realized what I’ve suspected all along: scientific research, while satisfying, can be a real pain. It’s been a long road working my way through Hampshire, but I definitely don’t regret having spent my time working in the School of Natural Science.”

Jared’s project has gained important insight into the potential interactions between toxic trace elements and nanomaterials. “As the nanotechnology industry continues to grow, so will the importance of understanding the interactions between nanomaterials and the environment,” he says.

DSpace Link: Investigating the adsorption characteristics of antimony and trace metals by carbon nanotubes and nano- and microparticle titania

= Web Page =

http://alum.hampshire.edu/~jjg04