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Highlights

Mar 15, 2013
University of Chicago

Two views of how Information is transmitted through a material

Jelena Pesic, Joseph Zsolt Terdik, Xinliang Xu, Yi Tian, Alejandro Lopez, Stuart A. Rice, Aaron R. Dinner, and Norbert F. Scherer [University of Chicago]

In our system, a colloidal particle (upper left (a), red)  is trapped by optical tweezers (upper left (b)) as a surrounding colloidal suspension flows past.  Surprisingly, long range order develops in the particle density (lower left, dark bands are regions with over-representation of particles, sigma is the particle diameter).  A novel analysis of particle motions using a technique from computer science reveals the otherwise hidden flow patterns in the fluid surrounding the probe (right).
Mar 15, 2013
University of Chicago

Self-Assembled Nano-Drums

Pongsakorn Kanjanaboos (University of Chicago), Xiao-Min Lin (Argonne), John E. Sader (University of Melbourne), Sara Rupich (University of Chicago), Heinrich M. Jaeger (University of Chicago), Jeffrey R. Guest (Argonne)

Using the expertise in nanoparticle synthesis and assembly built up in IRG 3, a MRSEC team comprised of members of the Jaeger and Talapin groups collaborated with Xiao-Min Lin and Jeffrey Guest at Argonne’s Center for Nanoscale Materials and John Sader from the University of Melbourne to develop the first completely self-assembled nano-mechanical resonator. It forms when a  nanoparticle monolayer drapes itself over a hole several microns in diameter to produce a 10nm thin, freestanding membrane that vibrates in the MHz range (transmission electron microscope images shown in left inset).
Mar 15, 2013
University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Mechanical Writing of Polarization

Haidong Lu and Alexei Gruverman (Nebraska MRSEC)

Ferroelectrics comprise an important group of materials, which are characterized by a permanent electric polarization. This polarization can be switched which provides a possibility of using ferroelectrics in data storage and memory devices. Typically, polarization is switched by the application of the external electric field. Nebraska MRSEC researchers have shown that polarization can be switched by purely mechanical means: simply by pushing the tip of a scanning probe microscope against the ferroelectric
Mar 15, 2013
University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska MRSEC Professor/Student Pairs Program

Shireen Adenwalla (Nebraska MRSEC)

The Nebraska MRSEC Professor/Student Pairs Program brings in a professor and a student from non-research intensive four-year institutions to conduct research with Nebraska MRSEC scientists. The goal is to offer a research experience which benefits both the participants and the MRSEC projects.
Mar 11, 2013
Cornell University

Ordering Nanoscale Dots with Molecular Honeycombs

Designable Porous Organic Networks Represent A New Strategy for Nanoparticle Assembly
Mar 11, 2013
Cornell University

Launching Student Interest in Science

Scientists design experiments to increase excitement K-12 science education
Feb 28, 2013
University of Pennsylvania

A Lipid-Clustering Mechanism to Trigger Actin Assembly in Cell Extracts

Paul A. Janmey and Dennis Discher, University of Pennsylvania

Filaments in the cytoplasm that constitute a three dimensional cytoskeleton are formed by polymerization of the protein actin, which is initiated at distinct sites near the cell membrane.   Negatively charged lipids in
Feb 28, 2013
University of Pennsylvania

Particle Shape Affects Membrane Bending & Drop Drying

T. C. Lubensky and A. G. Yodh, University of Pennsylvania

Novel, cylindrical, ribbon-like membranes are formed when colloidal particles adsorb at the air-water interfaces of droplets confined between two glass plates (Fig. a). We have found that the ease with which such ribbon membranes bend depends on particle shape. Ellipsoidal particles on the interface locally deform the interface and thereby introduce strong capillary forces into the membrane that couple the particles into networks. The resultant membrane scaffolding can resist bending by as much as