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Program Highlights

Halon Liquid Crystals

Center researchers have found liquid crystal phases in systems of circular or spherical particles, a surprise since liquid crystals usually appear in molecules shaped like sticks or plates.

Graphitic Carbon Produced at Very Low Temperatures

Graphitic Carbon Produced at Very Low Temperatures during the Synthesis of Iron Oxide NanoparticlesGraphitic carbon - structural forms of the element that are constructed exclusively from carbon atoms having trigonal planar coordination - is ordinarily produced under drastic physical and conditions, typically at temperatures in excess of 500ï‚° C.

Sub-Cellular Nanosurgery in Live Cells

A femtosecond laser is used to perform "nano" surgery on a living cell. The actin filaments in the cell have been fluorescently labeled using green fluorescent protein (GFP).

Children learn about nanotechnology (MNDaily)

On October 20, 2006, the UMN MRSEC hosted 450 participants from the Minnesota FIRST Lego League “Nanoquest” competition. FIRST Lego League is an organization, which “introduces children around the world to the fun and experience of solving real world problems by applying math, science, and technology”*. 

Anisotropic Magnetism in Dilute Magnetic Semiconductors

Magnetocrystalline anisotropy is found in many magnetic materials which means that the energy of a magnet depends on the magnetization direction. This keeps our windshield wipers moving and our toy magnets attached to the fridge. However, on changing the direction of the field that aligns the magnetic moments, the aligned magnetization normally remains nearly unchanged.

Ballistic Anisotropic Magnetoresistance

Anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) is the difference in the resistivity of ferromagnetic materials in external magnetic field when the field is applied along or perpendicular to the current.

Eu-doped Y2O3 phosphor films through a precursor plasma spraying technique

Europium-doped yttrium oxide (Eu-Y2O3) luminescent films have been produced directly from a solution precursor using a radio frequency (RF) plasma spray technique. Highly crystalline and luminescent films were grown on Si (100) and steel substrates by this process.

Interfacial Assembly of Nanoparticles

The fabrication of functional nanostructured materials requires practical approaches to self-assembly on multiple length scales. Here, the directed self-assembly of functionalized, luminescent nanoparticles at oil-water interface, followed by crosslinking of the associated ligands, affords robust membranes.

IRG 2: Formation of Polymeric Nanotubes

In a human body, phospholipids form all kinds of different membranes and self-arrange into different objects.

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