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Disruptive technologies
powered by nanoscale materials and devices will define our future
life in the same way that microtechnology
has done over the past several decades. Our current
research centers on the discovery of new chemistry, physics,
and materials science associated with nanocrystals--a
novel class of materials with feature sizes smaller than
100 nm, as well as the development of innovative
technologies enabled by nanocrystals.
1.
The Chemistry, Physics, and Materials Science of
Nanocrystals
This
research thrust focuses on a long-standing problem in chemistry
and physics--understanding and control of the
nucleation and growth involved in a
synthesis of nanocrystals with controlled size, shape,
and other properties. We aim to bring
revolutionary advances to this field by developing
new tools capable of capturing, identifying, and
quantifying the nuclei (small clusters) and seeds that bridge
atomic species and nanocrystals. This research
requires the integration of chemical synthesis,
theoretical modeling, cluster speciation using mass
spectrometry and electron microscopic analysis. It will
provide an atomistic picture of the evolution pathway
from atoms to clusters and nanocrystals, as well as
the design rules for synthesizing metal and
semiconductor nanocrystals with controlled
electronic, magnetic, catalytic, and optical properties.
The ultimate goal of this work is to build a scientific
base for the large-scale production of nanocrystals with
the specific properties sought for applications in areas
such as electronics, photonics, catalysis, information
storage, optical sensing, biomedical research.
2.
Putting
Nanocrystals to Work for Biomedical Research
Because of their small sizes and unique properties,
nanocrystals are
finding widespread use in studying complex biological
systems.
This work aims to advance biomedical research by
developing new tools and methods based on functional
nanocrystals. Our current efforts include development
of gold nanocages as contrast agents for optical imaging
modalities (e.g., optical coherence tomography, photoacoustic
tomography, and multi-photon luminescence), and as photothermal agents for therapeutic treatment.
We are exploring the use of gold nanocages and other
metal nanocrystals as
substrates for SERS- and LSPR-based detection.
We are developing nanoscale capsules by integrating gold
nanocages with smart polymers and/or phase-change
materials for targeted delivery and
controlled release with superb spatial/temporal
resolutions.
We
are applying electrospun nanofibers to neural
tissue engineering, drug release, stem cell, and
tendon-to-bone insertion site repair. We
are also designing new colloidal particles with superparamagnetic features for separation, detection,
manipulation, and tracking of biological species
and cellular events.
All these research activities will contribute to the
emerging fields of nanomedicine
and regenerative medicine.
3. Nanocrystals and Environmental
Research
Nanocrystals
also hold the key to the continuous progress towards a
cleaner environment and sustainability.
We
aim to demonstrate the fabrication of functional
nanocrystals with optimized properties for
a range of related applications.
For example, we are exploring the use of nanocrystals
for improving the performance of solar cells, fuel
cells, catalytic converters, and water-splitting
devices. This research requires a superb understanding
of structure-property relationships that
guide the design and synthesis of novel nanocrystals with
well-controlled sizes and shapes for specific
applications.
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