Jules J. Magda
Associate Professor
Email: jj.magda@m.cc.utah.edu
B.S., Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, 1979
Ph.D., Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, 1986
Research Interests:
• “Smart” polymer hydrogels used in biosensors
• Biopolymers used in medicine, especially hyaluronic acid
• Rheology of polymers, suspensions, and waxy crude oils
• Surfactants, emulsions, and interfacial tension measurements
• Implantable sensors for continuous monitoring of blood glucose concentrations
“Smart” Polymer Hydrogels
A “smart” hydrogel is a hydrophilic polymer network with some property (e.g. volume or permeability) that is designed to automatically change in response to changes in the environment, such as changes in pH, temperature, or analyte concentration. For example, in our research program, we have designed novel glucose-responsive hydrogels that swell with water in proportion to increases in environmental glucose concentration. Such a gel could be combined with a MEMS device capable of measuring degree of gel swelling and implanted in the body for continuous monitoring of the blood glucose levels of diabetic patients.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a high-molecular weight polysaccharide that is virtually invisible to the body’s immune system due to its natural abundance in connective tissues. HA has outstanding viscoelastic and osmotic properties that enable it to cushion and lubricate cartilage in articular joints such as the knee. In our research, we are modifying the chemical structure of HA in order to optimize its rheological properties and resistance to enzymatic degradation. This research may lead to more potent and long-lasting formulations for alleviating the pain associated with arthritis, or allow certain types of surgery to be performed with less scarring.
Waxy Crude Oil Gelled Pipeline Restart
When ambient temperatures are low, crude oils being transported in pipelines from production facilities to refineries sometimes form gels composed of wax crystals. These gels may stop the pipe flow, and make it difficult or even impossible to restart the flow without breaking the pipe. In order to help avoid these problems, we are using rheological techniques to measure the strength of waxy crude oil gels prepared under various conditions. The results of such measurements are used as inputs to computer models that predict the fluid mechanics of flow restart in gelled pipelines. In our research group, computer model predictions can be checked via flow visualization experiments in model pipelines, with refinements made to the model if necessary.
Selected Publications
TIME-DEPENDENT RHEOLOGY OF A MODEL WAXY CRUDE OIL WITH RELEVANCE TO GELLED PIPELINE RESTART”, J.J. Magda, H. El-Gendy, K. Oh, M.D. Deo, A. Montesi, R. Venkatesan, Energy & Fuels 23, 1311-1315 (2009).
Constant-Volume Hydrogel Osmometer: a New Device Concept for Miniature Biosensors”, I.S. Han, M-H Han, J. Kim, S. Lew, Y.J. Lee, F. Horkay, J.J. Magda, Biomacromolecules, 3, 1271-1275 (2002).
RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF CROSS-LINKED HYALURONAN-GELATIN HYDROGELS FOR TISSUE ENGINEERING”, J.L. Vanderhooft, M. Alcoutlabi, J.J. Magda, G.D. Prestwich, Macromol. Bioscience 9, 20-28 (2009).
FREE SWELLING AND CONFINED SMART HYDROGELS FOR APPLICATIONS IN CHEMOMECHANICAL SENSORS FOR PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITORING”, G. Lin, S. Chang, C.-H. Kuo, J. Magda, F. Solzbacher, Sensors & Actuators B, Chem. 136, 186-195 (2009).
Interfacial Tension of a Nematic Liquid Crystal/Water Interface with Homeotropic Surface Alignment”, J.-W. Kim, H. Kim, M. Lee, J.J. Magda, Langmuir, 20, 8110-8113 (2004).
