Separation of proteins using metal ligand complexes is a well-established practice in the field of bioengineering and biochemistry.  electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) can be used to identify bio and organic molecules. Previous studies have detected chelated metal ions using ESI-MS, this project focuses on the identification of a metal ligand complex comprised of a tridentate chelating agent Iminodiacetic acid (IDA) and a bidentate ligand, Histidine. By coordinating copper with IDA a binary complex is formed, this allows for the detection of copper by proxy of the IDA. By selecting a unique fragment related to IDA we can target in tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for greater sensitivity; the complex can be selected for analysis out of solution. We will use this novel approach to build a parent-ion scanning technique to monitor metal-ligand complexes extracted from environmental matrices. first the ideal solution parameters are determined to maximize the complex formation and detection of the Cu-IDA complex. So far, a high ratio of copper to IDA coupled with a basic buffer have yielded the best data. Creating a ternary complex comprised of copper IDA and an imidazole ring containing compound, histidine. Selectively tuning to the peaks associated with the copper IDA complex, the ternary complexes can be selected for in depth analysis of its structure and bonding properties. Future work could focus on identification of metal ligand complexes from soil samples with other compounds containing imidazole rings such as the neonicotinoid imidacloprid which has been indicated in bee colony collapse. By chelating solid with IDA complex formed from pentacoordinate copper ions could be detected despite the low relative concentration.

Martian regolith is very different from Earth soil. In order to colonize, or have an extended stay on Mars, agriculture must be established. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate growing plants in Martian regolith in a manner that would be fuel-efficient, by using the existing soil of Mars with minimal interference and minimal materials brought from Earth. The regolith used was Mojave Mars Simulant-2 (MMS-2), developed by The Martian Garden. MMS-2 is more than a 90% match to the chemical composition of the regolith on Mars. Plant growth was compared between Earth soil (control), 50% Martian regolith MMS-2/50% Earth soil mixture (Mars Mix A), and 50% Mars regolith MMS-2/25% coffee grounds/12.5% Earth soil/12.5% vermiculite mixture (Mars Mix B). Plants were grown in all three mixtures and growth was measured during three month cycles. Although several plant species were planted, only kale produced any significant measurable data. Plant growth decreased with decreased percentages of Earth compost additive as measured by plant length and robustness. Efforts to reduce the mass of additives required to support plant growth include an exploration of acidifying Martian regolith MMS-2 prior to planting. Acids have been chosen for their ability to add critical nutrients of nitrogen and phosphorus. Nitric acid and phosphoric acid have both effectively lowered the pH to 6, similar to the optimal pH range for plant growth. The implications of this study indicate that Martian regolith and Earth soils on their own will not be sufficient to begin agriculture on Mars. Further research on chemical soil amendments will be needed for sustainable agricultural development on Mars.

In 2007, David Vokoun et al. derived a formula for the force of interaction between magnets. The formula is called the Gilbert's Model. According to the Gilbert’s Model, the force between two ferromagnets is given by a constant factor proportional to the saturation magnetization of each magnet multiplied by a function of the separation distance and geometry of the magnets. We show that the assumed constant is better described as a function of hyperbolic tangent of the separation distance due to the effects of magnetic field interactions on the magnetizations of each magnet, and we demonstrate that the inclusion of a simple toy 1D Ising model acting as a perturbation on the background magnetizations better predicts magnetic coupling of cylindrical magnets over small distances.