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why nanoscale? | current projects
Why Nanoscale?Understanding the physics and chemistry involved in mechanical effects at the nanoscale regime is important in designing and developing miniature sensors and devices that exploit nanoscale effects. For example, at the nanoscale, physical phenomema such as surface tension, thermocapillarity, Marangoni forces, electrostatic and van der Waals interactions play a significant role due to the large surface to volume ratio. However, our understanding of mechanics at the nanoscale is far from complete. Recent progress into the nanoscale and sub-nanoscale regime is paving the way for a very exciting convergence of many traditionally separate fields and disciplines ranging from molecular biology, fluid mechanics, quantum mechanics, device physics and engineering. Some of our current projects include fabrication of micromechanical biological, chemical, and physical sensors for environmental monitoring, biomedical and homeland security applications, development and synthesis of chemically selective self-assembled monolayers, development of techniques for transport of molecules on surfaces and interfaces, developing microcasting techniques, and developing novel instrumentation for nanoscale imaging.
Current ProjectsClick on the current project areas below to follow progress in our research.
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Last updated: 5/20/04. Problems? Contact the webmaster.