Anisotropic gold nanoparticles have been shown to possess desirable plasmonic and optical properties at the single particle level, but ensemble averaged measurements are compromised by the as-synthesized polydispersity in nanoparticle size and shape.
Multimetallic nanoparticles are useful in many fields, yet there are no effective strategies for synthesizing libraries of such structures with systematic compositional tunability.
Restacked films of exfoliated 2D nanosheets can function as massive nanofluidic channel arrays. Recent research shows that cutting such membranes into asymmetric shapes leads to ionic current rectification.
Optical properties of layered materials can be controlled manipulating the discrete number of atomically-thin two-dimensional crystal layers. Unique amongst the layered transition metal dichalcogenides, ReS2 has optical emission that is linearly polarized and proportional to layer number.
Northwestern University with the Chicago Children’s Museum in prototyping and formative evaluation of the new permanent exhibit, Tinkering Lab, which focuses on the self-guided exploration of materials for K-8 students.
To increase awareness, promote international collaboration, and broaden participation from traditionally underrepresented groups in the NSF-MRSEC program, an NSF-MRSEC booth was featured at the XXV International Materials Research Congress in Cancun, Mexico.
MRSEC researchers have used newly developed loop counting methods to precisely measure the storage moduli and loop fractions of a range of rubbery gels. A new theory, called Real Elastic Network Theory (RENT) was derived that describes how loop defects affect bulk elasticity.
Nebraska MRSEC researchers have implemented hybrid electronic devices comprising two-dimensional (2D) materials and ferroelectric thin films of barium titanate (BaTiO3) that exhibit polarization-controlled non-volatile modulation of the electronic properties.
Nebraska MRSEC sponsored and organized Science Night Live!, a unique event that created opportunities for Nebraska scientists to engage the general public with science in ways that challenged stereotypes about who scientists are, how science is done, and why basic research is valuable.
