Union College View Institution's Website 4 articles published in JoVE Engineering Aesthetically Enhanced Silica Aerogel Via Incorporation of Laser Etching and Dyes Allison M. Stanec1, Zineb Hajjaj1, Mary K. Carroll2, Ann M. Anderson1 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Union College, 2Department of Chemistry, Union College This protocol describes a method for etching text, patterns, and images onto the surface of silica aerogel monoliths in native and dyed form and assembling the aerogels into mosaic designs. Chemistry Fabrication and Testing of Catalytic Aerogels Prepared Via Rapid Supercritical Extraction Ann M Anderson*1, Bradford A Bruno*1, Elizabeth A Donlon1, Luisa F Posada2, Mary K Carroll*2 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Union College, 2Department of Chemistry, Union College Here we present protocols for preparing and testing catalytic aerogels by incorporating metal species into silica and alumina aerogel platforms. Methods for preparing materials using copper salts and copper-containing nanoparticles are featured. Catalytic testing protocols demonstrate the effectiveness of these aerogels for three-way catalysis applications. Chemistry Preparing Silica Aerogel Monoliths via a Rapid Supercritical Extraction Method Mary K. Carroll*1, Ann M. Anderson*2, Caroline A. Gorka1 1Department of Chemistry, Union College, 2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Union College This article describes a rapid supercritical extraction method for fabricating silica aerogels. By utilizing a confined mold and hydraulic hot press, monolithic aerogels can be made in eight hours or less. Biology RNA In situ Hybridization in Whole Mount Embryos and Cell Histology Adapted for Marine Elasmobranchs Nicole A. Theodosiou1 1Department of Biological Sciences, Union College By combining methods for RNA whole mount in situ hybridization and histology, gene expression can be linked with cell fate decisions in the developing embryo. These methods have been adapted to marine elasmobranchs and facilitate the use of these animals as model organisms for biomedical, toxicology and comparative studies.