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Highlights

May 15, 2008
Northwestern University

Detection of Single Gold Atoms in Silicon Nanowires

Jonathan E. Allen, Eric R. Hemesath, Daniel E. Perea, Jessica L. Lensch-Falk, and Lincoln J. Lauhon Northwestern University Materials Research Science & Engineering Center DMR-0520513

Semiconductor nanowires grown with metal nanocatalysts are new materials that provide a basis for transformative improvements in diverse technologies including thermoelectrics and photovoltaics. Nanowire electronic properties depend strongly on incorporated impurity atoms, which have not been previously observed.
May 2, 2008
University of Massachusetts Amherst

Chip Breakthrough Technology

A collaboration between researcher supported by the DOE and NSF-MRSEC's at UC Santa Barbara and UMASS Amherst, and IBM has led to a revolutionary chip breakthrough that promises to be used in every future microelectronic device.
Apr 21, 2008
University of California, Santa Barbara

Squid Beaks use Novel Materials Trick to keep from Tearing Off

Craig Hawker

Researchers have figured out how a jumbo squid's hard, razor-sharp beak can slice through the soft tissue of its prey--without tearing off from the stress. The work solves a longstanding mystery over a problem akin to anchoring a knife blade in Jell-O, according to the authors of the new study. using Seed support from the MRL at UCSB, Herb Waite and Frank Zok were able to show that the beak exhibited an overall stiffness gradient that differs a hundredfold from beak tip to base.
Apr 21, 2008
University of California, Santa Barbara

Traveling Display Booth for Promotion of the Materials Research Facilities Network

Craig Hawker

For the first time, a traveling exhibit promoting the MRSEC program and the Materials Research Facilities Network was presented at the 2008 NOBCChE (National Organization of Chemists and Chemical Engineers) meeting in Philadelphia.
Apr 7, 2008
University of Chicago

Self-Assembled Nanocrystal Membranes

Close-packed nanocrystal monolayers can be self-assembled by simple drop casting into ultra-thin free-standing membranes. Researchers at the University of Chicago MRSEC have shown that these membranes are remarkably strong, with a Young's modulus on the order of several GPa, yet highly flexible. The arrays remain intact and able to withstand tensile stresses up to temperatures around 370K.
Apr 7, 2008
University of Chicago

Generating well-defined gradients of adhesion molecules for the attachment of cells

The Ismagilov and Mrksich groups at the University of Chicago MRSEC have recently established that a microfluidic system utilized in conjunction with surface immobilization chemistries can be used to pattern surfaces with well-defined gradients of adhesion molecules for the attachment of cells.
Apr 7, 2008
University of California, Santa Barbara

Materials Research Outreach Program (MROP)

Craig Hawker

The annual 3-day program is held in late January to showcase the materials research capabilities of UCSB. The MROP has evolved from a polymer-focused program to a broad materials-themed event over the past 6 years, and features a combination of "latest and greatest" research presentations by UCSB senior students, post-docs, and faculty as well as featured guest speakers from Industry and National Laboratories.