"Advancement and Application of a Novel Basal Ganglia Thalamocortical Circuitry Model in Dystonia Rats"
This grant is related to investigation of dystonia mechanism in basal ganglia-thalamic-M1 subcircuit that is distinct from a
parkinsonian circuit. Determine the role of GPe, GPi and STN neuron firing patterns and how they influence the motor pathway model.
“Acquisition of a Physical Properties Measurement System with 9 Tesla Magnetometer (Dynacool) for Research and Teaching at VCU.”
This MRI award will help us to acquire a Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS) with autorotation, supplementary electrical
measurements and low and high temperature capabilities coupled with a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) VCU.
Additionally, the cryogen-free PPMS/VSM would enable making robust low temperature measurements without requiring liquid helium to extremely sensitive
magnetic measurements. The equipment will help enhance research at VCU and nearby Universities.
Intellectual Merits: This project has started less than six months ago. The PI, Hadimani has recruited a graduate student on the project and has started working on tuning the particle size of the Gd5Si4 nanoparticles for use in neuronal growth acceleration. Particle size selection using supercritical condition of liquid has been achieved. This process enables tuning the Curie temperature of the room temperature magnetic nanoparticles of Gd5Si4 to be close to human body temperature. However, the particles sizes needed to accelerate the growth of neurons are below 50nm which is not currently not possible to obtain with large quantity using the current techniques.
Intellectual Merits: This proposal was funded to give international research experience for students. Students have worked on several magnetics projects including on Magnetic nanoparticles, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Magnetic Hysteresis modelling. From the batch of 2015 students, there were 6 journal and conference papers published. From the batch of 2016 students, 1 conference paper has been published and 1 has been accepted.
“Phantom Head for Standardization and Testing of Transcranial Magnetic and Direct Current Stimulation Therapies”
“Optimization of thermal spray coating using sensors: magnetic”, Center for Commonwealth Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM)
“Bio-Mechatronic Devices for Teaching Mechatronics, Skintronics, and Robotics Labs”, State of Virginia
“Acquisition of heat capacity and electrical transport options for Versalab magnetometer”, State of Virginia
"Hosting 2019 IEEE Magnetics Society Summer School at VCU"