Nanotechnology

Dr. Anna Klinkova's current research focuses on understanding the formation mechanisms and the structural behavior of inorganic nanoparticles with geometric complexity in various applications ranging from catalysis to quantum optics. This research is highly interdisciplinary and involves synthetic materials chemistry, molecular and surface chemistry, a broad range of analytical and material characterization techniques, and, depending on a project, may involve electrochemistry, catalysis, self-assembly techniques, and computational methods (e.g., multiphysics simulations or ab initio calculations).

Dr. Juewen Liu's research group applies the fundamental principles of chemistry, physics, and biology to produce nanoscale materials, devices, and systems to understand basic sciences, advance technology, and impact medicine. In particular, they are interested in using DNA and lipids as functional polymers and building blocks to interface with metal nanoparticles, nanoclusters, carbon-based materials and hydrogels. Liu and his group employ a wide range of synthetic, analytical, physical and biochemical techniques.

Dr. Vivek Maheshwari's research focus is on synthesis and assembly of nano-materials. The aim is to develop materials with properties that present applications in development of new electronic devices, sensors and integration of cells with an electronic interface. This presents a threefold challenge: synthesis and assembly of nano material, interfacing of the material to build devices and cellular electronics and finally testing and analysis of the devices for further research and applications.

Dr. Pavle Radovanovic's research investigates the synthesis, fundamental physical and chemical properties, and applications of rationally designed nanostructured materials that combine tunable optical, electrical and magnetic properties. His group applies a variety of synthetic, crystallographic, microscopic, spectroscopic, magnetic and transport techniques, and perform the measurements of novel nanomaterials at both ensemble and single nanostructure level. His approach is to achieve multifunctionality by using complex nanocrystalline alloys and compounds that contain multiple selected transition-metal or rare-earth-metal sites.

Dr. Shirley Tang's research interests encompass nanomaterials and nanodevices for biology and medicine, bio-molecule assisted nanomaterial self-assembly, and the health and environmental effects of engineered nanomaterials. Her lab is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments tailored for nanocarbon-based synthesis and characterization and a biosafety II cell culture lab dedicated to the investigation of nanocarbon-biosystem interactions.

Dr. Xiaosong Wang develops innovative synthetic techniques for high value-added nanomaterials. He conducts the research via fundamental exploration into newly emerged supramolecular chemistry. His research takes advantage of well developed organometallic and polymer chemistry in an attempt to incorporate the properties of metal elements (catalytic, magnetic, electronic, etc.) and macromolecules (mechanical, processible) into functional nanomaterials.