Villanova University


Conductive and Redox-Active Molecularly Imprinted Polymer for Direct Quantification of Perfluoroalkyl Substances

Background and Unmet Need Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS), also known as ‘Forever Chemicals,’ this class of chemicals has been a growing contaminant of concern throughout the last decade. PFAS present a significant human health risk, including an increased risk of cancer and reproductive defects.  Because these chemicals are extremely hydrophobic and do not naturally break […]

Optimal Modulation Design for MIMO Communication

Precoding and modulation are important modules in wireless transmissions. Precoding designs improve the spectral efficiency and system performance in multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems. Modulation is the process of varying one or more properties (amplitude, phase, and/or frequency) of a carrier signal, with information, e.g., bits, to be transmitted. Existing modulation methods for wireless communication primarily […]

Carbonaceous Materials for Facilitating Hydrolysis of Munitions

Background and Unmet Need Legacy and insensitive high explosives (IHEs), such as 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) and 2-methyl-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TN)T, are commonly found in soil at Department of Defense (DoD) testing and training ranges. These ranges maintain very high concentrations of DNAN, which poses a substantial safety concern for personnel as DNAN has been found to possess significant […]

Test Apparatus for Examining Brain Injury

Background and Unmet Need   Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive degenerative disease resulting from head trauma, particularly a history of repeated head trauma. Athletes who play contact sports and military personnel who incur repeated head traumas, including concussive or sub-concussive traumas, are at the greatest risk of developing CTE. Many athletes may experience […]

Novel Alkyl Quaternary Phosphonium Compounds (Alkyl QPCs) as Antimicrobial Agents

Background and Unmet Need For nearly 100 years, quaternary ammonium cations (QACs) have been the standard antimicrobial agents in the disinfectant market. Within this class of disinfectants, Benzalkonium Chloride (BAC) is the most commercially visible product. After decades of dependence on QACs, the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant strains of bacteria such as A. baumannii and P. […]