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Our research centers on
the development of new chemistry, physics, and
technological applications of nanomaterials -- a novel
class of materials with sizes <100 nm. Innovative technologies
are emerging
from nanomaterials and nanodevices that will improve the way we live just as microtechnology
has done over past several decades.
1.
Putting Chemistry to Work for
Nanomaterial
Synthesis
This
research focuses on a long-standing problem in chemistry
and physics -- understanding and control of the
nucleation/growth steps involved in the chemical
synthesis of nanomaterials. We aim to bring
revolutionary advances to this field by developing
new tools capable of capturing, identifying, and
quantifying the clusters that serve as a bridge between
atomic species and nanostructures. 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 nanostructures, as well as
the design rules for synthesizing metal and
semiconductor nanomaterials with well-controlled
electronic, magnetic, catalytic and optical properties.
The ultimate goal of this work is to build a scientific
base for large-scale production of nanomaterials with
the specific properties sought for applications in areas
such as electronics, photonics, catalysis, information
storage, optical sensing, biomedical research.
2.
Putting
Nanomaterials to Work for Biomedical Research
Because of their small sizes and unique properties,
nanomaterials 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
nanomaterials. Our current efforts include development
of gold nanocages as contrast agents for optical imaging
(e.g., optical coherence tomography, photoacoustic
tomography, and two-photon luminescence), and as
photothermal agents for therapeutic treatment.
We are exploring the use of gold nanocages and other
metal nanostructures as
substrates for SERS- and LSPR-based detection.
We are developing nanoscale capsules by integrating gold
nanocages with smart polymers for targeted delivery and
controlled release with superb spatial and temporal
resolutions.
We
are applying electrospun nanofibers to neural
tissue engineering, drug release, and surface modification. 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 field known as nanomedicine.
3. Putting Nanomaterials to Work for Environmental
Research
Nanomaterials
also hold the key to the continuous progress toward a
cleaner environment and sustainability.
We
aim to demonstrate the fabrication of functional
nanomaterials with optimized properties for
a range of related applications.
For example, we are exploring the use of nanomaterials
for improving the performance of solar cells, fuel
cells, catalytic converters, and water-splitting
devices. This research requires a superb understanding of
the structure-property relationship that
guides the design and synthesis of nanomaterials with
well-controlled sizes and shapes for specific
applications.
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