Center for the Integration of 

   Nanoscale COmponents

NSF-DMR 0210247

One-, Two-, and Three-dimensional Superstructured Materials from Well-defined, Complex Nanoscale Components

We propose to develop synthetic strategies and characterization protocols for the production and study of one-, two- and three-dimensional superstructures composed of stabilized nanoparticle assemblies. Our synthetic approach involves the systematic ordering, in solution and on substrates, of crosslinked assemblies of copolymers, as robust core-shell building blocks, to manufacture 1-dimensional meso-scale (~100 nm to ~1 mm), 2-dimensional micro-scale (~1 mm to ~100 mm) and 3-dimensional macro-scale (>100 mm) objects, each comprised of nanoscopic building blocks. The result will be the creation of entirely unique composite morphologies that are not accessible in the phase diagrams of the copolymers directly. This strategy mimics the control of chemistry at the nanometer scale that is currently the exclusive province of living systems.

An NSF funded NIRT - 

Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Team   Disclaimer

                 Main page

Faculty

Senior personnel

Students

  Outreach

  Publications

  Meetings

6 May 2004

Washington University - St. Louis

Prof. Karen L. Wooley, Brooke van Horn and

Kenya T. Powell

Polymer Chemistry

A kit was made to give to students and was used to demonstrate the interesting properties that polymers have. The activity was also used to demonstrate the scientific method to 2nd graders. Click here to see.

8 October 2003

Marble Elementary School

Prof. Michael E. Mackay

NanotechKids

Prof. Mackay discussed nanotechnology to 4th graders. A link to Prof. Mackay's talk is here.

23 September 2003

Web page

Prof. Michael E. Mackay

How big or small is a nanometer?

On a long plane trip from Australia to the United States a person asked Prof. Mackay, "As a plane takes off and flies away from you, how far must a plane be from you for it to look like an atom?" This was a good question and used to demonstrate how big, or rather small, a nanometer really is. Click on the link to find out!

30 May 2003

Glencairn Elementary School

Profs. Karen L. Wooley and Michael E. Mackay

Nanotechnology & Chemistry

We discussed how nanotechnology and chemistry can and will affect all our lives to 3rd and 4th graders. A link to Prof. Mackay's talk is here.

Fall semester 2003

Michigan State University

Prof. Michael E. Mackay

ChE 892-2 An introduction to nanotechnology

A graduate course was taught by Prof. Mackay to 14 graduate students from the chemical engineering & materials science, chemistry and mechanical engineering departments. Click here to see the web pages the students developed as part of the course.