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Highlights

Aug 24, 2010
Brandeis University

Active Emulsion droplet arrays

Irv Epstein, Seth Fraden, Bing Xu

Stabilized emulsions containing the oscillating Belousov - Zhabotinsky chemical reaction (BZ) show interesting dynamics. Each drop acts as an independent chemical clock. However, they chemically communicate and exhibit collective behavior. In (a) six BZ drops are contained in a  capillary tube. The  white bars are light, which set the oscillators in the reduced state. Drops 1 & 6 are always exposed to light, setting the boundary conditions. Drops 3 & 4 are
Aug 23, 2010
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

How the weak becomes strong: spider silk reveals a paradox of super-strength

Markus Buehler (MIT)

Since its development in China thousands of years ago, silk from silkworms, spiders and other insects has been used for high-end, luxury fabrics as well as for parachutes and medical sutures. Now, MRSEC supported researchers are untangling some of its most closely guarded secrets, and explaining why silk is so strong, a question that has remained unresolved. Buehler and co-workers of the MIT MRSEC IRG-II have
Aug 18, 2010
University of Oklahoma

Aharonov-Bohm Effect in Neutral Excitons

Greg Salamo, Physics, University of Arkansas

  We have made the first experimental observation of the Aharonov-Bohm effect in neutral excitons. In classical mechanics the motion of an electrical charged particle is only affected if the particle enters a region of space with a magnetic or electric field.
Aug 16, 2010
University of Oklahoma

Portable SEM for K-12 Schools

Greg Salamo, UA; Matthew Johnson, OU

Expanding outreach with portable SEM for K-12 math/science. Last year MRSEC graduate students at the University of Arkansas brought cutting edge microscopy to local middle-school students and allow them to explore the world of nanoscience in real-time.   This year our focus expanded to regional high-school students. The microscope is a portable scanning electron microscope (SEM).   The SEM allows the students to explore the world of the “nano”.
Aug 13, 2010
University of Washington

Biofabrication of ZnS-binding immuno-quantum dots

A designer protein combining ZnS mineralizing activity with IgG adaptor capability was built and used for easy and rapid aqueous synthesis of immuno-QDs. The particles consist of a ≈ 4 nm ZnS wurtzite core, can be derivatized with a wide variety of unmodified antibodies, and have ultrasmall (14 nm) diameters.
Jul 12, 2010
University of Colorado at Boulder

Undergraduate Partnership with Cal Poly Pomona

The LCMRCconducts collaborative research with Cal Poly Pomona, a Hispanic Serving Institution. Cal Poly Chemistry Juniors work in the Department’s research laboratory for two quarters during the AY, then continue their research full time at the LCMRC labs in Boulder during the summer. Cal Poly students are able able to take advantage of the dynamic atmosphere and interdisciplinary expertise of the LCMRC and use
Jul 12, 2010
University of Colorado at Boulder

Light and Energy

A new Materials Science From CU program, Light and Energy, enables students to compare the amount of energy needed to illuminate different types light bulbs.  Seen in this photo during the annual STEMapaloozza event held in Denver, Center graduate student Chenhui Zhu encourages a middle student to generate the power to light an array of incandescent light bulbs.
Jul 12, 2010
University of Colorado at Boulder

Cool and Creative Chemistry

Cool and Creative Chemistry is one of the interactive classes  of the LCMRC Materials Science from CU  K-12 outreach program. MSFCU presentations, designed by Center faculty and students, have been presented to 65,000 Colorado children over the past 10 years. The photo was taken during a presentation at Super Science Saturday at the Steelworks Museum of Industry & Culture in Pueblo, Colorado.  Photo: John Jaques/Pueblo