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The article "From A PhD in Chemical Engineering to a Career in Science Policy" discusses the transition of one engineer into the field of science policy. It highlights the importance of communication skills in translating scientific knowledge into governmental policies. The author shares their personal journey from chemical engineering to leading communication efforts in critical infrastructure security agencies. The article also provides insights on self-reflection, internships, and volunteer opportunities for those considering a career in science policy. [Extracted from the article]

Mesoporous copper–titanium dioxide (Cu/TiO2) composite aerogels with <5-nm-diameter copper (Cu) nanoparticles hydrolyze the chemical warfare (CW) simulant dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. After Cu/TiO2 is exposed to DMMP in an in situ diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) reaction chamber, hydrolysis products (i.e., methoxy groups) are bound to the surface, while no intact DMMP is observed. In contrast, DMMP degradation is not observed under our DRIFTS reactor conditions at native TiO2 aerogels, CuO, or Cu2O nanoparticles. We attribute the hydrolytic activity of Cu/TiO2 aerogels to a high surface concentration of OH species that form at Cu||TiO2 junctions. Neither hydrolysis of DMMP nor excess surface OH is observed on Au/TiO2 aerogels. The poor ability of the Au||TiO2 interface to activate water relative to that of the Cu||TiO2 interface suggests that a readily reducible supporting oxide is insufficient to promote an excess population of surface OH speciesthe supported nanoparticle must be sufficiently redox-active as well. Under aerobic conditions, DMMP hydrolysis is accelerated on Cu/TiO2, suggesting that O2 promotes the formation and turnover of surface OH sites. The general materials design demonstrated here of a Cu nanoparticle/reducing oxide aerogel is a promising route to CW decontamination as well other surface-mediated chemistries requiring the activation of water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-concussive symptoms are frequently reported by individuals who sustain mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) and subconcussive head impacts, even when evidence of intracranial pathology is lacking. Current strategies used to evaluate head injuries, which primarily rely on self-report, have a limited ability to predict the incidence, severity, and duration of post-concussive symptoms that will develop in an individual patient. In addition, these self-report measures have little association with the underlying mechanisms of pathology that may contribute to persisting symptoms, impeding advancement in precision treatment for TBI. Emerging evidence suggests that biofluid, imaging, physiological, and functional biomarkers associated with mTBI and subconcussive head impacts may address these shortcomings by providing more objective measures of injury severity and underlying pathology. Interest in the use of biomarker data has rapidly accelerated, which is reflected by the recent efforts of organizations such as the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to prioritize the collection of biomarker data during TBI characterization in acute-care settings. Thus, this review aims to describe recent progress in the identification and development of biomarkers of mTBI and subconcussive head impacts and to discuss important considerations for the implementation of these biomarkers in clinical practice.

Multifunctional composites that couple high-capacity adsorbents with catalytic nanoparticles (NPs) offer a promising route toward the degradation of organophosphorus pollutants or chemical warfare agents (CWAs). We couple mesoporous TiO 2 aerogels with plasmonic Cu nanoparticles (Cu/TiO 2 ) and characterize the degradation of the organophosphorus CWA sarin under both dark and illuminated conditions. Cu/TiO 2 aerogels combine high dark degradation rates, which are facilitated by hydrolytically active sites at the Cu||TiO 2 interface, with photoenhanced degradation courtesy of semiconducting TiO 2 and the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of the Cu nanoparticles. The TiO 2 aerogel provides a high surface area for sarin binding (155 m 2 g -1 ), while the addition of Cu NPs increases the abundance of hydrolytically active OH sites. Degradation is accelerated on TiO 2 and Cu/TiO 2 aerogels with O 2 . Under broadband illumination, which excites the TiO 2 bandgap and the Cu SPR, sarin degradation accelerates, and the products are more fully mineralized compared to those of the dark reaction. With O 2 and broadband illumination, oxidation products are observed on the Cu/TiO 2 aerogels as the hydrolysis products subsequently oxidize. In contrast, the photodegradation of sarin on TiO 2 is limited by its slow initial hydrolysis, which limits the subsequent photooxidation. Accelerated hydrolysis occurs on Cu/TiO 2 aerogels under visible illumination (>480 nm) that excites the Cu SPR but not the TiO 2 bandgap, confirming that the Cu SPR excitation contributes to the broadband-driven activity. The high hydrolytic activity of the Cu/TiO 2 aerogels combined with the photoactivity upon TiO 2 bandgap excitation and Cu SPR excitation is a potent combination of hydrolysis and oxidation that enables the substantial chemical degradation of organophorphorus compounds.