Dkroper@uark.edu
Nano #: 206
Speciality: Biosensing, solar energy, optoelectronics, microthermalfluidics, spectroscopy, diagnostics and therapeutics
Phone: (479) 575-6691
Industry
Roper’s research integrates electromagnetics and transport in nano/bio-metamaterials for applications in environment, sustainable energy, national security and health. The improvements related to metamaterials make solar light harvesting and recovery of sustainable biofuels more efficient and economical.
Academics
Research studies near- and far-field features of electromagnetically coupled surface waves (e.g. plasmons) and low-frequency modes (e.g. molecular vibrations, optical phonons) on nanoscale structures which are important in biosensing, solar energy, optoelectronics, microthermalfluidics, spectroscopy, diagnostics and therapeutics. He develops novel separation and bioseparation processes and analytical methods for chemical and biologically-derived products. He has developed processes for cell culture, fermentation, biorecovery and analysis of polysaccharide, protein, DNA and adenoviral-vectored antigens at Merck & Co. (West Point, PA), extraction of photodynamic cancer therapeutics at Frontier Scientific, Inc. (Logan, UT), and virus binding methods for Millipore Corp (Billerica, MA).