Carnegie Mellon student uses iPhone camera to track nanoparticle formation
Nivedita Shyamsundar, a senior chemistry student at Carnegie Mellon University, used an iPhone camera to record and analyze the rapid formation of metal nanoparticles in her lab.
Standard equipment failed to capture speed
Typical laboratory technologies could not capture the final stages of nanoparticle formation because the reaction happened too quickly. Shyamsundar noted that the solution changed color as the particles formed, providing a visual cue for timing.
Video analysis revealed kinetic details
She recorded the reaction with her phone and analyzed the video frame by frame to track color changes. Comparing these observations with existing lab data allowed her to determine the timing of the formation process.
New program monitors particle creation
Building on this insight, Shyamsundar created a program that lets researchers monitor nanoparticle formation using cameras they already have. This approach offers a more accessible way to study kinetics without needing specialized high-speed equipment.
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