Optogenetics combines optics and biology to control living tissues by light-sensitive proteins and radiative energy. Typically optogenetics is studied using invasive optical fibers, consequently, the conventional method has negative side effects such as localized heating and surgical scars. In this presentation, a radioluminescent rare earth oxyorthosilciate nanoparticle is proposed as a noninvasive approach to study optogenetics. The material of interest requires temperatures above 1000<sup>o</sup>C and thus particle-particle contact and sintering is detrimental to the final size. Polymerization and crystal growth are coupled together to expand the possible chemistry for nanoparticle synthesis. A base catalyzed core-shell approach is used to develop the nanoparticle template for a chemical reaction and is sterically protected with poly(divinylbenzene) (pDVB). The inorganic core-shell particulate was modified with 3-(Trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate followed by precipitation polymerization of divinylbenzene to pDVB. The carbonization of pDVB to amorphous carbon, in an inert environment, prevents particle-particle contact of the core-shell sub 100 nm inorganic particulates at extreme temperatures thus acts as a nano reaction vessel. The work presented here suggests that carbonized pDVB can expand the current chemistry for nanoparticles and provide greater control on the structural-radioluminescent properties that can be used to study optogenetics

pDVB old polymer new tricks: Coupling of organic and inorganic chemistry for nanoparticle synthesis and noninvasive optogenetics applications

2019 Spring National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.