Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials http://prem-mrsec.org PREM web site Tue, 03 Jan 2012 07:05:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Partnership in Experimental Physical Science Education (PEPSE) http://prem-mrsec.org/partnership-in-experimental-physical-science-education-pepse/ http://prem-mrsec.org/partnership-in-experimental-physical-science-education-pepse/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:30:16 +0000 admin http://prem-mrsec.org/?p=1976 http://prem.ccny.cuny.edu/EngineeringEducation.html ]]> The City College of New York PREM offers a summer experience for NYC High School teachers.  Through the Partnership in Experimental Physical Science Education (PEPSE) initiative, PREM seeks to foster collaborative partnerships  to increase access to research training for teachers and students, to promote collaborative teaching and learning projects in local NYC high schools, to increase awareness of Materials Research, to inform students of post secondary science and engineering opportunities, and broaden the participation of underrepresented groups in Science and Engineering programs.

For more information please see:   http://prem.ccny.cuny.edu/EngineeringEducation.html

]]> http://prem-mrsec.org/partnership-in-experimental-physical-science-education-pepse/feed/ 0 PREM Directors’ Meeting, October 26, 2011 http://prem-mrsec.org/prem-pis-meeting-october-26-2011/ http://prem-mrsec.org/prem-pis-meeting-october-26-2011/#comments Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:41:24 +0000 admin http://prem-mrsec.org/?p=1956 PREM Directors’ Meeting Agenda

Virginia Tech Research Center

900 N. Glebe Road, Arlington VA 22230
East/West Falls Church Room
October 26, 2011

2:15 – 2:40 PM NSF Remarks:

  • MRCT Competition
  • PREM Competition
  • Annual Reports
  • Publications

More info and presentations on NSF site

 PREM Program Directors
2:40 –3:40 PM “Reports from the Field”
2:40 PM Finding Partners: Using Research Opportunities to Build Lasting Relationships with Faculty and Students at Community Colleges and Disabled Serving Institutions Howard University (HU) PREM, Josh Halpern
3: 00 PM New (and Old) Modes of Engaging Students: Outreach to NYC High Schools The City College of New York (CCNY) PREM, Jeff Morris
3:20 PM Building Your Pipeline – Strategies for Recruiting and Keeping Students Engaged in PREM University of Texas Pan American (UTPA) PREM, Arturo Fuentes
3:40 PM Adjourn
]]> http://prem-mrsec.org/prem-pis-meeting-october-26-2011/feed/ 0 Development of self-assembled block copolymers http://prem-mrsec.org/development-of-self-assembled-block-copolymers-2/ http://prem-mrsec.org/development-of-self-assembled-block-copolymers-2/#comments Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:44:43 +0000 Karen Lozano http://prem-mrsec.org/?p=1944 Self-assembled block copolymers (see the upper inset) can accommodate nanofillers in given polymeric domains resulting in an ordered spatial distribution of nanoparticles, induced by the self assembly of block copolymers and the preferential trapping on the nanofiller (see the left figure). Ultra-thin films of block copolymers filled with various nanoparticles can be obtained from solution by spin-coating.]]> Self-assembled block copolymers (see the upper inset) can accommodate nanofillers in given polymeric domains resulting in an ordered spatial distribution of nanoparticles, induced by the self assembly of block copolymers and the preferential  trapping on the nanofiller (see the left figure).

Ultra-thin films of block copolymers filled with various nanoparticles can be obtained from solution by spin-coating.

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]]> http://prem-mrsec.org/development-of-self-assembled-block-copolymers-2/feed/ 0 Hydrophobic Nanoporous Materials for Energy Absorption http://prem-mrsec.org/hydrophobic-nanoporous-materials-for-energy-absorption/ http://prem-mrsec.org/hydrophobic-nanoporous-materials-for-energy-absorption/#comments Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:40:43 +0000 Karen Lozano http://prem-mrsec.org/?p=1896 Advanced energy absorption systems have recently been developed, in which external work is converted into stored energy by infiltrating nanoporous materials with liquid phases. Three-dimensionally ordered mesoporous (3DOm) carbon is studied as a new nanoporous material matrix for energy storage. 3DOm materials in general have the property of highly interconnected pores and large surface areas. 3DOm carbon is synthesized by replication of 10-40 nm silica nanoparticle arrays. Phenol-formaldehyde (PF) and resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) were used as the carbon sources to replicate silica spheres. ]]> Advanced energy absorption systems have recently been developed, in which external work is converted into stored energy by infiltrating nanoporous materials with liquid phases.

Three-dimensionally ordered mesoporous (3DOm) carbon is studied as a new nanoporous material matrix for energy storage. 3DOm materials in general have the property of highly interconnected pores and large surface areas.

3DOm carbon is synthesized by replication of 10-40 nm silica nanoparticle arrays. Phenol-formaldehyde (PF) and resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) were used as the carbon sources to replicate silica spheres.

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]]> http://prem-mrsec.org/hydrophobic-nanoporous-materials-for-energy-absorption/feed/ 0 Fabrication of “artificial” photonic quasi-crystals http://prem-mrsec.org/fabrication-of-%e2%80%9cartificial%e2%80%9d-photonic-quasi-crystals/ http://prem-mrsec.org/fabrication-of-%e2%80%9cartificial%e2%80%9d-photonic-quasi-crystals/#comments Fri, 23 Sep 2011 22:54:46 +0000 Karen Lozano http://prem-mrsec.org/?p=1847 We work on an fabrication method for “artificial” photonic quasi-crystal. The fabricated Penrose-type photonic quasicrystal shows ten-fold rotational symmetry. The Laue diffraction pattern from the photonic quasi-crystal is observed to be similar to that of the traditional alloy quasi-crystal. A golden ratio of 1.618 is also observed for the radii of diffraction rings, which has not been observed before in artificial photonic quasicrystals. (see Fig. 1) ]]> We work on an fabrication method for “artificial” photonic quasi-crystal. The fabricated Penrose-type photonic quasicrystal shows ten-fold rotational symmetry. The Laue diffraction pattern from the photonic quasi-crystal is observed to be similar to that of the traditional alloy quasi-crystal. A golden ratio of 1.618 is also observed for the radii of diffraction rings, which has not been observed before in artificial photonic quasicrystals. (see Fig. 1)

Laser direct writing was also used for the fabrication of 3D photonic crystals (see Fig. 2, top). By combining of the holographic lithography and two-photon direct laser writing, Defect letters of “UTPA” have been written in 3D photonic crystals.

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Fig. 1. (left) 3D quasi photonic crystals fabricated through multi-beam interference based holographic lithography; (right) A Laue diffraction pattern from the quasi-crystal..

Fig. 2. 3D Photonic crystals fabricated by laser direct writing. Defect letters UTPA have been written in 3D photonic crystals.

]]> http://prem-mrsec.org/fabrication-of-%e2%80%9cartificial%e2%80%9d-photonic-quasi-crystals/feed/ 0 Development of Continuous and Homogenous Teflon Nanofibers for Superhydrophobic Surfaces http://prem-mrsec.org/development-of-continuous-and-homogenous-teflon-nanofibers-for-superhydrophobic-surfaces/ http://prem-mrsec.org/development-of-continuous-and-homogenous-teflon-nanofibers-for-superhydrophobic-surfaces/#comments Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:55:57 +0000 Karen Lozano http://prem-mrsec.org/?p=1816 Superhydrophobicity is a very important property of a solid surface and can be used in many applications such as self cleaning windows, icephobic surfaces (to avoid ice deposition on airplanes), self cleaning textiles and paints to mention some. ]]> Superhydrophobicity is a very important property of a solid surface and can be used in many applications such as self cleaning windows, icephobic surfaces (to avoid ice deposition on airplanes), self cleaning textiles and paints to mention some. Teflon is an ideal candidate to be used as a superhydrophobic material though because of its low dielectric constant and high melt temperature it has not been possible to produce fine fibers with this material. We were able to produce high yield 100% pure teflon fine fibers that can be collected as nonwoven mats or aligned fibers in a yarn.

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Nonwoven teflon nanofiber mat

Colored water droplets on a glass slide covered with a thin teflon AF nanofiber mat, the measured contact angle was as high as 172.4 º.


Nanofibers made into a yarn to be weaved for textile applications.

]]> http://prem-mrsec.org/development-of-continuous-and-homogenous-teflon-nanofibers-for-superhydrophobic-surfaces/feed/ 0 Self-catalyzed growth of ruthenium oxide nanoplates http://prem-mrsec.org/self-catalyzed-growth-of-ruthenium-oxide-nanoplates/ http://prem-mrsec.org/self-catalyzed-growth-of-ruthenium-oxide-nanoplates/#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:48:26 +0000 Lamartine Meda http://prem-mrsec.org/?p=1782
Nanometer-sized RuO2 materials with controlled shapes and dimensions have been synthesized by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition system. Transition metal oxides such as ruthenium oxide can be used as electrodes for lithium-ion batteries.]]>

Fig. 1. (a) Nanoplates (60~nm) of RuO2, (b, c) top view of plates with varied growth morphology, (d) cross-sectional view of nanoplate stacks, (e) top-view of nanoplates showing uniform growth morphology, (f) bottom layer of a continuous film of RuO2.

Nanometer-sized RuO2 materials with controlled shapes and dimensions have been synthesized by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition system. Transition metal oxides such as ruthenium oxide can be used as electrodes for lithium-ion batteries.

The images to the right revealed that by carefully controlling deposition parameters nanostructured materials with control shapes and dimensions can be deposited by gas phase  deposition processes.

]]> http://prem-mrsec.org/self-catalyzed-growth-of-ruthenium-oxide-nanoplates/feed/ 0 Photonic Crystal Solar Back Reflector PhCBR http://prem-mrsec.org/photonic-crystal-solar-back-reflector-phcbr/ http://prem-mrsec.org/photonic-crystal-solar-back-reflector-phcbr/#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:28:41 +0000 Karen Lozano http://prem-mrsec.org/?p=1773
The major drawback of solar cell technology is the low efficiency. Introducing PhCBR would allow for higher efficiencies that improve over current metal back reflectors. The better the reflective properties for the designed back reflectors allow for light to be trapped within the solar cell longer, thus allowing for a higher percentage of photons to be absorbed to produce electrical power.]]>

Photonic crystal slab templates for (a) rectangular and (b) elliptical periodic holes used to optimize structures

The major drawback of solar cell technology is the low efficiency. Introducing PhCBR would allow for higher efficiencies that improve over current metal back reflectors. The better the reflective properties for the designed back reflectors allow for light to be trapped within the solar cell longer, thus allowing for a higher percentage of photons to be absorbed to produce electrical power.
To obtain the highest efficiency possible, a photonic crystal needs to be designed to have high reflectivity over a large frequency range corresponding to that of the solar output. The high reflectivity redirects light within a solar cell increasing absorption and improving efficiencies.
Using computational photonics, two-dimensional photonic crystal films where designed by optimizing the thickness, hole shape, and lattice constants.

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]]> http://prem-mrsec.org/photonic-crystal-solar-back-reflector-phcbr/feed/ 0 SYNTHESIS AND RHEOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF NON-SPHERICAL MICRO AND NANOSTRUCTURES http://prem-mrsec.org/synthesis-and-rheological-characterization-of-non-spherical-micro-and-nanostructures/ http://prem-mrsec.org/synthesis-and-rheological-characterization-of-non-spherical-micro-and-nanostructures/#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2011 05:55:31 +0000 admin http://prem-mrsec.org/?p=1761 The objective of this study is to synthesize cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanocubes and study their rheological behavior in suspensions of oligomers.

This system is of interest because suspensions of cubes are expected to exhibit enhancements over traditional spherical particles for applications such as liquid body armor.  These enhancements are realized because of the ability of cubes to pack more closely and uniformly based on their planar faces. Shape is an important factor for shear thickening and hence the work is focusing on bare particles because ligand-coated particles lose their shear thickening features and simply shear thin.  Although shear thinning is an important rheological observation, it is not a feature of suspensions suitable for liquid body armor. We are currently focusing on synthesizing non-spherical micro and nanostructures using microfluidics setup. Examples of particles that have been synthesized with this method which is suitable for the production of particles with any 2D extruded shape are shown here.

]]> http://prem-mrsec.org/synthesis-and-rheological-characterization-of-non-spherical-micro-and-nanostructures/feed/ 0 EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SPRING NANOBIOSCIECE ACADEMY FOR TEACHERS (NBSAT) http://prem-mrsec.org/education-and-outreach-spring-nanobiosciece-academy-for-teachers-nbsat-2/ http://prem-mrsec.org/education-and-outreach-spring-nanobiosciece-academy-for-teachers-nbsat-2/#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2011 05:53:00 +0000 admin http://prem-mrsec.org/?p=1757 On April 9th, 2011, a state-wide assortment of 22 middle school teachers and administrators participated in three distinct presentations as part of the Spring NanoBio Science Academy for teachers (NBSAT). NBSAT focused on the professional development of teachers with an emphasis of nano and biotechnology. In addition, the academy provided strategies proven effective with at-risk and diverse learners to increase minority participation in STEM. Academy participants were surveyed regarding their overarching impressions of the three presentations, their insights regarding the feasibility of incorporating presentation content and activities into their own classrooms, as well as how the presentations linked with existing middle school science curricula and standards. survey response-rates were quite high: 79% of respondents completed surveys for the “Light & Color” presentation; 85% for the “Liquid Crystal Sensors”; and 91% for the “Nano-Community” presentation.

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