66th Annual STS (2006-2007)
Finalists
Daniel Scott Katz

NEW YORK
Daniel Scott Katz, 18, of Lawrence, developed a novel way to produce folate-coated platinum nanoparticles and studied how they destroyed cancerous cells while sparing healthy cells for his materials science Intel Science Talent Search project. Daniel used a single-step room temperature synthesis procedure to create the nanoparticles. In his nanotherapy approach, cancerous cells, which require high concentrations of folic acid, are "tricked" into absorbing the toxic platinum-particles and then shrink and die. Daniel also demonstrated that these same particles are capable of absorbing hydrogen, and could be used to increase the efficiency and safety of mobile Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells. As part of his research, presented at the 2006 meeting of the American Physical Society, Daniel became certified on the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Lab. At Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway in Cedarhurst, Daniel is president and founder of the nanotechnology club. He enjoys swimming and designing and building mechanical devices and aspires to be an inventor. Daniel is the son of Dr. Michael and Sherry Katz and hopes to enroll at Cornell.