Sugunan, Abhilash creator Dutta, Joydeep Chairperson Sharma, A.B. Examination Committee Chanchana Thanachayanont Examination committee Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship Scholarship donor text series technical report th Pathum Thani, Thailand Asian Institute of Technology 2005 continuing eng 47 p. : ill. Formation of stable colloids of gold nanoparticles in aqueous systems has been studied leading to the development of a phenomenological explanation for the process. To this end, a size selective synthesis of stable gold nanoparticles dispersed in water has been reported with a novel reducing agent, monosodium glutamate. The effect of concentration of cations in the medium on the shape and uniformity of the final particles has been demonstrated. A novel strategy for a colorimetric sensor for quantitative analysis of heavy metal ions in water has been developed, by surface modification of the nanoparticles synthesized by the proposed method. Colloids containing polymer-protected nanoparticles are shown to strongly absorb wavelengths in the near infrared range, suggesting possible applications as optical filters. Self-assembly of colloidal gold nanoparticles into micro-wires have been achieved employing biological templates. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2005 Nanoparticles Colloidal gold Colloids Asian Institute of Technology. http://203.159.5.9/ait-thesis/detail.php?q=B09815 http://203.159.5.9/ait-thesis/detail.php?q=B09815 060223 20260818114333.0