Alumina Templates

Student: Cory Fantasia
Department: Physics
Advisor: Sri Sridhar

Abstract

Anodized aluminum is formed by using a piece of aluminum metal as the positive electrode in a circuit. In this process, aluminum oxide (alumina) is formed on top of the aluminum. This layer contains an array of pores that grow perpendicular to the aluminum oxide surface. The pores naturally form disorganized but can be guided into a well-ordered hexagonal structure. It is this order that we sought. We fine-tuned the processing conditions to achieve the results we wanted. By knowing the physical characteristics of the template (the density of pores in the aluminum, their diameter and depth) we could make very good approximations of the total volume these pores could hold. The templates could then be used as a storage or delivery method for medication. We would be able to study the rate at which the drugs diffuse out of the templates enabling precise control of the amount of drugs received by the patient. The advantage to using the templates would be the highly controlled level of drugs released when and how we want them to be delivered.