MRSEC postdoc, Dr. Kermin Martínez-Hernández; Visiting Scholar, Sandy Sine; and former MRSEC RET participant, Troy Dassler organized a workshop “Integrating cutting-edge nanotechnology into the inquiry-based learning experience.” This was part of the professional development workshop prepared for Middle Year’s Science Teachers and organized by CESA 6 Science Center: Meeting Demand for 21st Century Learning and UW-Madison Wisconsin Leads in Math and Science Initiative

Molecular dynamics simulations of a coarse grain model are used to explore the morphology of thermotropic liquid crystal nanodroplets. The characteristic length of the droplets is such that different contributions to the energy, including interfacial and bulk-like terms, have comparable magnitudes. Depending on the relative strength of such contributions, a wide variety of mesophases can be identified. These range from a completely disordered isotropic phase at elevated temperatures, to ordered radial and smectic phases at low temperatures.

IRG 3 has examined the orientational ordering of nematic liquid crystals (LCs) supported on organized monolayers of dipeptides with the goal of understanding how peptide-based interfaces encode intermolecular interactions that are amplified into supramolecular ordering.

In the last ten years, two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy has become an important technique for studying molecular structures and dynamics. We report the implementation of heterodyne detected two-dimensional sum-frequency generation (HD 2D SFG) spectroscopy, which is the analog of 2D infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy, but is selective to noncentrosymmetric

Objective: To develop nanofabrication capabilities that will allow for writing structures as small as ~10 nm. Approach: Use MRSEC funds provided by the State of Utah to purchase state-of-the-art nanofabrication capabilities to expand existing materials research capabilities. Results and Significance: We have purchased and installed a new $1.5M dual beam focused ion beam system that is housed in the University of Utah Nanofab. The system is being used extensively within MRSEC to create nano-plasmonic devices.

On-chip optical modulation is one of the most important functionalities for integrated silicon photonic circuits. We demonstrate that sputter-deposited polycrystalline metallic thin films are promising materials for realizing ultra-low power modulators. Wafer-scale deposition of highly oriented metallic films allows CMOS-compatible, monolithic integration of active photonic elements on large scales.

On March 22, 2012, CRISP, in collaboration with Yale's Science Pathways, hosted a public lecture in support of the 2012 NanoDays national outreach campaign. IRG2 leader Jan Schroers gave a talk entitled, Strong as Steel, but Pliable as Plastic: Metals Conquering the Nanoworld. Hands-on demonstrations for students were provided by CRISP researchers.   The Yale Science Pathways initiative supports public school students' success in science throughout their academic career and aims to increase the number of New Haven students who go on to earn college degrees in science.

  Colloidal silicon quantum dot solution is stable over months Monosilane avoids multilayer formation Dangling bond surface defects no longer observed Tunable red to green emission    

      Nanoionic composites have the potential to dramatically enhance the ionic conductivity of solid state electrolytes that are critical to  numerous devices including fuel cells, electrochromic windows, and thin film batteries.