MRI: Acquisition of an accelerated solvent extractor (ASE) for undergraduate research and teaching at Pace University

Information

• NSF Award
• 1828320

Owner

• Pace, Incorporated

• Award Id

  1828320

• Award Effective Date

  8/1/2018 - 6 years ago

• Award Expiration Date

  7/31/2021 - 3 years ago

• Award Amount

  $ 48,388.00

• Award Instrument

  Standard Grant

This award is supported by the Major Research Instrumentation and the Chemistry Research Instrumentation programs. Professor Elmer-Rico Mojica from Pace University and colleagues Zhaohua Dai, Nigel Yarlett, Rita Upmacis and Jaime-Lee Rizzo have acquired an accelerated solvent extractor (ASE). This instrument allows extraction of substance of interest from mixtures of compounds with the aid of high temperatures and high pressures that make the various substances more soluble. Once the materials are dissolved, the mixtures are separated with the use of columns. In the column, there are substances that interact differently with the various components, thus allowing separation. Because of the high temperature and pressures, the system allows (much like a pressure cooker) the use of small volumes of liquids in the separation. This makes these systems environmentally friendly since they produce little waste. Common applications are in extraction of pesticides, herbicides, flame retardants, active ingredients in medicines, vitamins, dietary supplements, detergents and textiles. The instrument is used to train students in research at the host institution and the Navarro Borough Manhattan Community College. The solvent extractor serves many underrepresented students and facilitates retention in STEM fields.<br/><br/>The award of this accelerated solvent extractor is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels. It especially impacts the characterization of natural materials, such as bee propolis, and their use as antimicrobial and antiprotozoal agents, the analyses of organic micropollutants and the presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in various types of sediments from New York City. The instrument is also used for investigating the presence of pollutants and pesticide residues in commercial tea samples, fruits, vegetables, honey and milk and for improving the sample preparation methods in the analysis of illicit drugs. In addition, it benefits the development of molecular imprinted xerogels materials designed by computational methods.<br/><br/>This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

• Program Officer

  Carlos A. Murillo

• Min Amd Letter Date

  6/15/2018 - 6 years ago

• Max Amd Letter Date

  6/15/2018 - 6 years ago

• ARRA Amount

• Name

  Pace University New York Campus

• City

  New York

• State

  NY

• Country

  United States

• Address

  1 Pace Plaza

• Postal Code

  100381502

• Phone Number

  2123461200

• First Name

  Zhaohua

• Last Name

  Dai

• Email Address

  zdai@pace.edu

• Start Date

  6/15/2018 12:00:00 AM

• First Name

  Nigel

• Last Name

  Yarlett

• Email Address

  nyarlett@pace.edu

• Start Date

  6/15/2018 12:00:00 AM

• First Name

  Rita

• Last Name

  Upmacis

• Email Address

  rupmacis@pace.edu

• Start Date

  6/15/2018 12:00:00 AM

• First Name

  Elmer-Rico

• Last Name

  Mojica

• Email Address

  emojica@pace.edu

• Start Date

  6/15/2018 12:00:00 AM

• First Name

  JaimeLee

• Last Name

  Rizzo

• Email Address

  jrizzo@pace.edu

• Start Date

  6/15/2018 12:00:00 AM

• Text

  MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION

• Code

  1189

• Text

  MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION

• Code

  1189