INFORMATION FOR
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Abstract Submission
Abstracts should be submitted as Word documents to biochemurs@wpunj.edu
Abstract deadline Friday, March 27th, 2026
Abstract guidelines:
Include on the top left:
Biology or Chemistry
Preferred category*: Physiology and Behavior, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Ecology and Evolution, Environmental Sciences, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Nanochemistry, General and Physical Chemistry, Materials Chemistry
*We will do our best to honor your preferred category. You can also include first and second choice if applicable.
Font: Times New Roman 12 pt.
Format: Title in bold and all caps, a list of authors and author affiliation, underline presenting author(s)*, and the abstract
*up to two authors can present a single poster
Length: One page
The 2026 William Paterson University Undergraduate Research Symposium will be held in the University Commons Ballrooms (#49 on campus map (link)). Parking is free, and Lot 5 is the closest lot to the ballrooms.
Poster Information: Poster boards can accommodate posters up to 36’ (H) x 48’ (W).
The tentative schedule of the day is below:
8:00 – 9:00 am Check-in (note: Check-in is open all day)
9:00 – 9:30 am Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:30 – 11:30 am Poster Session A
11:30 am – 12:45 pm Lunch Break
1:00 – 2:00 pm Plenary Talk
2:15 – 4:15 pm Poster Session B
4:15 – 5:00 pm Light Refreshments
5:00 – 5:30 pm Awards Ceremony and Closing
Printable Version »
Melting gels are silica-based hybrid gels with an unusual behavior that they are rigid at room temperature, but soften around 110°C. In this study we prepared melting gels into two systems. First was prepared by mixing methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) and dimethyldiethoxysilane (DMDES) in molar percent of 75 MTES:25 DMDES and 65 MTES:35 DMDES. The second one was prepared by mixing methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) and methylphenyldiethoxysilane (MPhDES) in molar percent of 75 MTES:25 MPhDES and 65 MTES:35 MPhDES. The methyl and phenyl groups do not hydrolyze, which limits the network-forming capability. Here we study the influence of the phenyl group upon the melting gel behavior.
To gain insight into the molecular structure of the melting gels, thermogravimetric coupled with differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and rotational rheometry studies were performed on melting gels. According to the TG-DTA the main decomposition peak of the samples into the MTES-DMDES system is placed at ~450°C while for the MTES-MPhDES system this decomposition is happening at ~580°C. The DSC indicated glass transition temperatures at -0.3 and at -18.8°C for the MTES- DMDES system while for the MTES-MPhDES system these were measured at -5.7 and at -23.1°C According to oscillatory rheometry, at room temperature, the gels behave as viscous fluids, with a viscous modulus, G″(t,ω0) that is larger than the elastic modulus, G′(t,ω0). While decreasing of the temperature, the moduli cross over, and this temperature is recorded as the glass transition temperature Tg. The Tg values obtained from both methods are in excellent agreement.
