NIRT: Complex Nanostructures of Dissimilar Elements: Synthesis, Assembly & Proximal Electrical and Optical Interactions

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This proposal was received in response to Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF 02-148, category NIRT. The research involves the assembly of complex structures that contain ferroelectrics, metals, synthetic polypeptides, nanowires and nanotubes and the behavior that results from interfacing these structures at the molecular and nanoscale level. The research defines a new paradigm for fabricating multi component nanoscale structures that combines many advantages of self-assembly with the ability to selectively position dissimilar nanoscale elements. The approach exploits coupling to atomic polarization of ferroelectric domains and the specificity of nucleotide interactions. Engineered nanostructural elements are incorporated into complex configurations; including optically active porphyrin based compounds, designed polypeptides, nanotubes, nanowires, and particles. Several approaches are used to determine the properties of individual molecular and nanostructural elements and proximity effects in electrical and optical behavior. Enthusiastic research efforts in several fields have yielded a wide array of functional nano structures, including particles, wires, tubes, dots, organic molecules, and biological molecules. And device concepts abound. The potential of nanostructures can not be realized until multiple constituents can be co assembled and until the behavior of these constituents are understood. The award is jointly supported within Mathematical and Physical Sciences directorate through the Division of Materials Research (Ceramics and Solid-State Chemistry programs) and the Division of Chemistry. The Office of International Science and Engineering in the Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences is also contributing to this award.