Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials

Self-Assembly of Biofunctional Polymer on Graphene Nanoribbons

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:56:44 +0000

Clark Atlanta University researchers supported by the NSF PREM project worked on supramolecular self-assembly of biofunctional-modified poly(2 methoxystyrene) on graphene nanoribbons. The bioactive polymer has attracted a considerable interest owing to its versatile properties as a bisosensor. However, the formation of regular patterned structures for the polymer is difficult, which greatly hampers its applications. The combined experimental and theoretical work demonstrates that the glycol modified polymer can self-assemble into structured nanopatterns on graphene nanoribbons with preserved bioactivity. The findings demonstrate that the assembly yields a prospective route to novel nanomaterial systems.

The research result was accepted for published in ACS Nano 6, 1011 (2012).

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Tunable bands in biased multilayer epitaxial graphene

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:54:05 +0000

Clark Atlanta University and Georgia Tech. researchers supported by the NSF PREM project studied the electronic characteristics of multilayer epitaxial graphene under a perpendicularly applied electric bias.

The experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that the tailoring of electronic band structure correlates with the interlayer coupling tuned by the applied bias. The controllable electronic structure of rotationally fault-stacked epitaxial graphene grown on the C-face of SiC provides promising routes for future device applications.

The research result was accepted for published in Nanoscale 4, 2962 (2012).

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Scientific Literacy Pre-Freshman Bridge Summer Science Program

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:25:07 +0000

Students in Bridge Program along with Dr. Ann Watts, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.

A Pre-Freshman Bridge Summer Science Program at Morehouse College was designed to develop an advanced level of scientific literacy among pre-freshmen science majors with the goal of increasing the number of graduates who enter graduate school in pursuit of research careers.
This innovative summer program incorporated a unique combination of proven components that increases success, builds academic skills, exposes students to the scientific method and research methodology, as well as promotes an enhanced interest in the pursuit of careers in science and research. In this six-week summer experience students participate in scientific literacy building, applied mathematics, guided inquiry laboratories in materials science, scientific field trips, as well as personal and professional development.

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JSU-UCSB PREM’s Nano Day Activity in Memphis Zoo

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:13:30 +0000

JSU-PREM Participants presented Nanoscience exhibition at the Memphis Zoo, Memphis, TN. Over 300 Participants gathered at the Zoo for Nano Day

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A Label-Free Direct Cyanide Detection using Gold Nanotechnology

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:06:31 +0000

We have developed SERS based sensor for extremely toxic cyanide ion recognition quickly, selectively and accurately without any tagging, at 110 ppt level.

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Gold Nanotechnology can Identify Salmonella DT104 from Lettuce

admin — Sat, 12 May 2012 00:02:16 +0000

Bio-conjugated Popcorn shape gold nanoparticle can pick multiple drug resistantSalmonella DT104 bacteria from food sample. A simple colorimetric test can detect Salmonella DT104 in 10 colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL level with high selectivity over other pathogens.

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Partnership in Experimental Physical Science Education (PEPSE)

admin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:30:16 +0000

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

PREM Directors’ Meeting, October 26, 2011

admin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:41:24 +0000

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

Development of self-assembled block copolymers

Karen Lozano — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:44:43 +0000

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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Hydrophobic Nanoporous Materials for Energy Absorption

Karen Lozano — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:40:43 +0000

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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