Nanotechnology Now

Our NanoNews Digest Sponsors
Heifer International



Home > Press > VCU Research Highlighted in Science Journal

Seven atom arsenic clusters are assembled into different architectures by using different counterions. By changing the counterion, the band gap of the material is changed despite being made from the same building block. Covalent linkers, as shown by gold linked assembly in the central panel allows additional control of the band gap. The arsenic atoms are red, the gold linkers are gold, and the counterions are purple for cesium and blue for potassium. Image courtesy of VCU/PSU/California Nanosystems Institute.
Seven atom arsenic clusters are assembled into different architectures by using different counterions. By changing the counterion, the band gap of the material is changed despite being made from the same building block. Covalent linkers, as shown by gold linked assembly in the central panel allows additional control of the band gap. The arsenic atoms are red, the gold linkers are gold, and the counterions are purple for cesium and blue for potassium. Image courtesy of VCU/PSU/California Nanosystems Institute.

Abstract:
Designing nanoscale materials with a precise control over properties

By Sathya Achia Abraham

VCU Research Highlighted in Science Journal

Richmond, VA | Posted on March 5th, 2010

Shiv Khanna, Ph.D., a professor in the VCU Department of Physics, together with colleagues from VCU, Penn State University and the California Nanosystems Institute, were recently highlighted in the Editor's Choice section of the journal Science for their work demonstrating how nanomaterials with control of specific properties can be created.

For the past decade, nanoscience has been a major scientific focus area globally, paving the way for the development of new materials for applications in the fields of energy, medicine, electronics, magnetics and chemistry.

Through theoretical and experimental work, the team found a way to make materials with variable band gaps. The band gap determines the nature of radiation that a material can absorb.

According to Khanna, using As73- as an atomic cluster of choice, the team synthesized nanoscale materials that combine As73- clusters with various alkali atoms that donate the charge to As7 clusters and consequently, result in different materials. Experimental measurements revealed that the band gaps vary from 1.1-2.1 eV, even though the assemblies are constructed from identical cluster building blocks.

The theoretical work at VCU revealed the nature of the electronic character of As73- clusters and further led to the understanding of how these variations are coming about.

"To our knowledge, this is the clearest demonstration of the potential of making materials with adjustable characteristics," said Khanna.

"Our research will open the pathway to materials with applications in energy needs, electronics and magnetic industries. We are also developing ideas for new catalysts that catalyze reactions and also perform other functions," Khanna said.

These findings were published in the January 2010 issue of the journal ACS-Nano - a publication of the American Chemical Society.

The work was supported by the Army Research Office through a MURI grant.

Khanna collaborated with VCU researchers Arthur C. Reber and Meichun Qian; Ayusman Sen, Ph.D., professor of chemistry at Penn State, and Penn State research associates Angel Ugrino, N.K. Chaki, and S. Mandal; and P. Weiss, Ph.D., director of the California Nanosytems Institute, and distinguished professor of chemistry and physics at Penn State, and H. M. Saavedra, a research associate at Penn State.

####

About Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, metropolitan, research university, supported by Virginia to serve the people of the state and the nation. The university provides a fertile and stimulating environment for learning, teaching, research, creative expression and public service. Essential to the life of the university is the faculty — actively engaged in scholarship and creative exploration activities that increase knowledge and understanding of the world and inspire and enrich teaching.

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Sathya Achia Abraham
VCU Communications and Public Relations
(804) 827-0890

Copyright © Virginia Commonwealth University

If you have a comment, please Contact us.

Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Bookmark:
Delicious Digg Newsvine Google Yahoo Reddit Magnoliacom Furl Facebook

Related News Press

Chemistry

What heat can tell us about battery chemistry: using the Peltier effect to study lithium-ion cells March 8th, 2024

Two-dimensional bimetallic selenium-containing metal-organic frameworks and their calcinated derivatives as electrocatalysts for overall water splitting March 8th, 2024

Nanoscale CL thermometry with lanthanide-doped heavy-metal oxide in TEM March 8th, 2024

Discovery of new Li ion conductor unlocks new direction for sustainable batteries: University of Liverpool researchers have discovered a new solid material that rapidly conducts lithium ions February 16th, 2024

Govt.-Legislation/Regulation/Funding/Policy

What heat can tell us about battery chemistry: using the Peltier effect to study lithium-ion cells March 8th, 2024

Researchers’ approach may protect quantum computers from attacks March 8th, 2024

The Access to Advanced Health Institute receives up to $12.7 million to develop novel nanoalum adjuvant formulation for better protection against tuberculosis and pandemic influenza March 8th, 2024

Optically trapped quantum droplets of light can bind together to form macroscopic complexes March 8th, 2024

Academic/Education

Rice University launches Rice Synthetic Biology Institute to improve lives January 12th, 2024

Multi-institution, $4.6 million NSF grant to fund nanotechnology training September 9th, 2022

National Space Society Helps Fund Expanding Frontier’s Brownsville Summer Entrepreneur Academy: National Space Society and Club for the Future to Support Youth Development Program in South Texas June 24th, 2022

How a physicist aims to reduce the noise in quantum computing: NAU assistant professor Ryan Behunin received an NSF CAREER grant to study how to reduce the noise produced in the process of quantum computing, which will make it better and more practical April 1st, 2022

Announcements

What heat can tell us about battery chemistry: using the Peltier effect to study lithium-ion cells March 8th, 2024

Curcumin nanoemulsion is tested for treatment of intestinal inflammation: A formulation developed by Brazilian researchers proved effective in tests involving mice March 8th, 2024

The Access to Advanced Health Institute receives up to $12.7 million to develop novel nanoalum adjuvant formulation for better protection against tuberculosis and pandemic influenza March 8th, 2024

Nanoscale CL thermometry with lanthanide-doped heavy-metal oxide in TEM March 8th, 2024

Energy

Development of zinc oxide nanopagoda array photoelectrode: photoelectrochemical water-splitting hydrogen production January 12th, 2024

Shedding light on unique conduction mechanisms in a new type of perovskite oxide November 17th, 2023

Inverted perovskite solar cell breaks 25% efficiency record: Researchers improve cell efficiency using a combination of molecules to address different November 17th, 2023

The efficient perovskite cells with a structured anti-reflective layer – another step towards commercialization on a wider scale October 6th, 2023

Industrial

Boron nitride nanotube fibers get real: Rice lab creates first heat-tolerant, stable fibers from wet-spinning process June 24th, 2022

Nanotubes: a promising solution for advanced rubber cables with 60% less conductive filler June 1st, 2022

Protective equipment with graphene nanotubes meets the strictest ESD safety standards March 25th, 2022

OCSiAl receives the green light for Luxembourg graphene nanotube facility project to power the next generation of electric vehicles in Europe March 4th, 2022

Alliances/Trade associations/Partnerships/Distributorships

Manchester graphene spin-out signs $1billion game-changing deal to help tackle global sustainability challenges: Landmark deal for the commercialisation of graphene April 14th, 2023

Chicago Quantum Exchange welcomes six new partners highlighting quantum technology solutions, from Chicago and beyond September 23rd, 2022

CEA & Partners Present ‘Powerful Step Towards Industrialization’ Of Linear Si Quantum Dot Arrays Using FDSOI Material at VLSI Symposium: Invited paper reports 3-step characterization chain and resulting methodologies and metrics that accelerate learning, provide data on device pe June 17th, 2022

University of Illinois Chicago joins Brookhaven Lab's Quantum Center June 10th, 2022

NanoNews-Digest
The latest news from around the world, FREE




  Premium Products
NanoNews-Custom
Only the news you want to read!
 Learn More
NanoStrategies
Full-service, expert consulting
 Learn More











ASP
Nanotechnology Now Featured Books




NNN

The Hunger Project