Chemistry: In 1999, Virginia Tech chemistry professor Harry Dorn (link) reported in Nature that he and his post doctoral fellow, Steven Stevenson, had discovered a method for inserting metal atoms inside of fullerenes (which scientists worldwide had been trying to do since 1986), creating a novel family of molecules and a nanotechnology architecture. Filled fullerenes are now being developed by Luna nanoMaterials (link) as improved MRI agents. The next goal for scientist around the world was to enable fullerenes to travel through the blood stream. Dorn's student, Erick B. Iezzi, of Jeannette, Pa., developed the first organic derivative of a fullerene. He figured out how to attach an organic group to the carbon molecule, bringing fullerenes a step closer to biological applications, such as the delivery of medicine or radioactive material to a disease site. Iezzi received a $20,000 Graduate Fellowship from the American Chemical Society to continue his work.
Geosciences: In 1996, the Virginia Tech Research Division provided seed money for Geological Sciences Professor Michael Hochella (link) and an interdisciplinary team to study microbe-mineral interactions. Ph.D. student Steven Lower built an enhancement of the atomic force microscope that allowed the researchers to discover an attraction between microbes and minerals. This first evidence of recognition between a living organism and an inanimate object was reported in Science. In 2000, the group received $386,000 from the Department of Energy (DOE) to study microbe-mineral interactions, and an additional $437,292 in 2002. In 2001, the group received a million-dollar NSF grant to study nano-scale processes in the environment.
Electrical Engineering: In 1998, Electrical Engineering Professor Rick Claus, director of the Fiber and Electro-Optics Research Center (FEORC link), received $9.6 million over five years from the Naval Research Lab to focus on microelectronics, high-speed communication waveguide devices, and nanostructured materials. A self-assembly process developed at FEORC for creating nano-scale thin films at room temperature has resulted in the spin-off company, Nanosonic, Inc. of Blacksburg (link). Products include sensors and electronics and communications enhancements. The company also produces an educational kit for middle and high school students.