Adam E. Smith
Education
Ph.D. Polymer Science and Engineering The University of Southern Mississippi	May 2009 (Projected Date) Hattiesburg, MS
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering The University of Mississippi Thesis topic: Thermodynamic studies of the micellization and adsorption for three alkyltrimethylamminium bromides using isothermal titration calorimetry	May 2004 Oxford, MS
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering The University of Mississippi McDonnell-Barksdale Honors College Thesis: Prediction of naphthalene solubility in supercritical carbon dioxide via equations of state	May 2002 Oxford, MS
Research Interests
· Nanoparticle stabilization using RAFT polymers · Catalysis using polymer-stabilized transition metal nanoparticles · Application of polymer-stabilized semiconductor quantum dots in biodiagnostics
Current Research Activities
My current research involves the stabilization of nanoparticles using homopolymers and copolymers synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. I am studying the both the “grafting to” and “grafting from” techniques for stabilizing the nanoparticles. The “grafting to” technique involves the in situ reduction of a chain transfer agent (CTA)-terminated polymer chain in the presence of a transition metal precursor to produce stabilized transition metal nanoparticles (TMNPs). Quantum dots (QDs) are stabilized through a ligand exchange procedure of a thiol-capped polymer for the trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) on the surface from the synthesis of the QDs. The “grafting from” stabilization is achieved by replacing TOPO with a CTA that can effectively stabilize the QD. RAFT polymerizations are then run from the surface of the QD. The chemical, photochemical, and thermal stability of the QDs are assessed at physiological conditions.
Publications
Invited Paper/Presentation
· Smith, Adam E.; Chen, Wei-Yin. “Prediction of naphthalene solubility in supercritical carbon dioxide via equations of state”, AIChE Student Poster Presentation, November 2002.
Refereed Publications
· Thomas, David B.; Convertine, Anthony J.; Myrick, Leslie J.; Scales, Charles W.; Smith, Adam E.; Lowe, Andrew B.; Vasilieva, Yulia A.; Ayres, Neil; McCormick, Charles L. “Kinetics and Molecular Weight Control of the Polymerization of Acrylamide via RAFT.” Macromolecules (2004), 37(24), 8941-8950. · Stodghill, Steven P.; Smith, Adam E.; O'Haver, John H. “Thermodynamics of Micellization and Adsorption of Three Alkyltrimethylammonium Bromides Using Isothermal Titration Calorimetry.” Langmuir (2004), 20(26), 11387-11392.
Previous Research Experience
The University of Mississippi	Oxford, MS	August 2003-May 2004
Conducted fundamental studies of the heats of micellization, adsorption, and adsolubilization for a homologous series of cationic surfactants using isothermal titration calorimetry.
The University of Mississippi	Oxford, MS	August 2002-August 2003
Set up a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer for in situ analysis of combustion products in the flame environment.
The University of Mississippi	Oxford, MS	August 2001-May 2002
Performed thermodynamic modeling of data obtained for the supercritical fluid extraction of naphthalene with carbon dioxide as a model study for drug extraction.