IRGs

The primary goal of IRG #2 is to develop and produce materials with superior mechanical properties using polymer-based processing strategies that include polymers, ceramics, metals, and structured composite materials.
Polymers and gels are versatile materials with useful mechanical, electrical and biological functions. Center scientists are developing methods for controlling the properties of these materials by tuning […]

Coronary artery and peripheral vascular disease are the largest causes of mortality in the United States [1]. To treat the consequences of this disease, clinicians rely on donor veins, arteries, or synthetic vascular grafts. Unfortunately, synthetic vascular grafts have had limited success as they occlude and fail within 5 years when used to replace small-diameter […]

This Seed project on Methanol Generation and its Efficient Use in Fuel Cells focuses on catalytic materials for chemical storage of hydrogen via methanol production, and methanol use in nonpolymer fuel cells based on ’superprotonic’ solid acids.

The mission of IRG-2 is to pioneer the fabrication and in situ observation of dynamic interfaces. Although inspiration often comes from biomolecular systems such as phospholipid membranes or DNA assemblies, the applications are broad and include lubrication, emulsion stability, and polymer processing. We wish to build on the strong materials and interface engineering […]

The next generation of polymer-based materials will rely on the incorporation of multiple components to achieve superior and tunable properties; this, in turn, will require control over chemical connectivity and morphology from the nanometer scale up to microns. The thermodynamic incompatibility of most polymer pairs demands a flexible strategy for designing hybrid materials in both […]

The IRG research projects are augmented by seed projects in materials science research. At present there are three seed projects in the CCMR funded through a combination of NSF and Cornell University resources.

IRG-3 at MRL examines in detail the unique opportunities afforded bulk materials through the addition of nanoparticles. We have shown that the increasing availability of organic and inorganic nanoparticles and structured colloids creates exciting opportunities for new soft cellular materials with unique property combinations at low cost. These include improved electrical or ionic conductivity […]

SEED Leader: Sang Bok Lee
We are interested in synthesis of multifunctional nanotubes and nanowires with various materials such as conductive polymers, metal oxides, metals, and their composites materials, based on well-controlled template synthesis method. Using these nanotube/nanowire structures, we are exploring new chemical, physical, electrochemical, and biological properties and their applications in fast electrochemical […]

IRG2 seeks to understand the science, technology, and fabrication of large-scale ordered structures with features on the nanometer to micrometer scale. Substrates of square centimeters in area covered with trillions of organic or inorganic structures could be employed in nanofilters, sensors, catalytic supports, quantum dots, optical devices, and ultradense memories. Current foci of research include […]

Senior Investigators:
Michael F. Rubner (group leader)
Robert E. Cohen
Paula T. Hammond
Anne M. Mayes
Caroline A. Ross
Edwin L. Thomas

Research Goals: Polymers and polymer nanocomposites with functional electronic, optical and bio-interface properties are becoming increasing more important in many new technologies that exploit nanoscale related properties and effects. This IRG seeks to gain a fundamental understanding of the […]

IRG 2 designs and implements strategies for Hierarchically Assembled Molecular Materials, composed of molecular assemblies on surfaces that express novel function. Three synergistic themes develop functional organic and inorganic elements as well as general routes for their proximal assembly, leading to the creation of novel hierarchical materials with tailored chemical activity or, for more physical objectives, enhanced electronic, optical, or magnetic response. A new direction explores the self-assembly and electronic properties of self-assembled nanocrystal superlattices.

Senior Investigators: Dennis E. Discher & Andrea Liu
IRG Leaders; Paul A. Heiney, Randall D. Kamien, Michael L. Klein, Virgil Percec, Shu Yang
IRG-2 will collaborate to synthesize sstrongi-flexible, functional cylinders composed of dendrimer-based polymers & self-assstrongbling block copolymers. The goal is to understand the interplay between soft structure & function and thereby develop cylinders whose meso-conformations […]