![\"Physics](\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/greatminds\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/06\/Physics_HP-1024x413.jpg\")
Their nanoparticle experiment, which has been in the works for close to a year, uses a specific laser light to test whether nanoparticles could enter the human body at certain temperatures without damaging the body itself. Research using the type of laser light, measuring a wavelength of 915 nanometers, has begun only as recently as 2011 in the scientific community, according to Zhang.<\/p>\n
Results have yet to be documented of this laser\u2019s effects on nanoparticles or how it could act in the body, particularly as some nanoparticles may have been found to attach to cancer cells.<\/p>\n
Zhang and Nguyen, who meet a few hours a week to work on the project, aim to be among the first to document these results.<\/p>\n
Though their experiment is no small feat, the particles they work with might be better seen under a microscope. According to Nguyen, fellow UMW physics assistant professor Josephus Ferguson and collaborators from Virginia Commonwealth University, their collection of nanoparticles measure approximately 32.5 nanometers. These particles are so small that if you lay them in your hand, they could slide through your skin into your body.<\/p>\n
Working to challenge his students and give them a meaningful experience with potential real-world change, Nguyen kick-starts projects that also challenge and inspire him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I want from my students is to have true ownership of what they do,\u201d Nguyen said. \u201cThey take on [this project] and say that it\u2019s theirs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Their goal is to record and publish their results in the hope that researchers who specialize in cancer treatment can pick up the experiment where they left off.<\/p>\n
So far, the experiment and specialized equipment have cost $30,000 with funding and equipment from organizations like the University of Paris, Kansas State University and financial support from UMW\u2019s Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences. Even still, Zhang has looked to offset the costs of the project by making tools at UMW they could not get anywhere else. Using a 3D printer and his skills in mathematics to create the exact dimensions, he designed an optical fiber adaptor.<\/p>\n
Zhang has spent weekends and summers on the project, rushing from math classes across campus to reach the lab. He also presented the experiment for UMW\u2019s Student Research and Creativity Symposium this year and last year and is doing two additional independent studies with the physics and math departments.<\/p>\n
The possible real-world impact of the nanoparticle experiment has driven him to keep researching.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis could be something that is very personal to everyone,\u201d Zhang said of the experiment that has sparked interest across the chemistry and biology departments.<\/p>\n
Physics has given him the chance to set down the textbook and take on projects that are both potentially risky and potentially rewarding.<\/p>\n
\u201cPhysics is not as scary as you might think,\u201d Zhang said, who plans to pursue a graduate program in mathematical physics. \u201cIt requires a logical mind and some persistence, but nothing more. Physics give you more curiosity, but more importantly, it gives you the ability to explore your curiosity.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Professor and student\u2019s experiment a potential step to cancer research<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":88,"featured_media":19290,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"umw_cb_additional_links":[[]],"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_advisory_expires_time":"","_advisory_meta_include":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[4,81],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-19289","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-show","8":"category-umw-home","9":"entry"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n