Achievement

Randall Breckon, while working on an IGERT project at Kent State University’s chemistry department, was able to synthesize a room temperature liquid crystal that has the potential to be used in a microcystin sensor. Microcystin is an algal toxin for which, to date, there are little to no in situ sensors available. By making a real time, in situ sensor, more could be understood about this biotoxin. Due to collaboration within the IGERT grant, a group in the Liquid Crystal Institute may now have the means to make this sensor a reality. They needed a chiral, room temperature liquid crystal which Randall was able to synthesize for them. If not for the IGERT, this connection would have gone unnoticed. Through the IGERT grant, Randall’s research was able to benefit another lab group and save them many months and possibly thousands of dollars in research time and funding.