Self-Assembly Processes from Nano to Macroscales

Center: Institute for Nanotechnology

Mission

The goals of this group are to explore new directions in synthesizing nanostructured materials using nonbiological self-assembly methods, to determine the underlying physical principles that govern what structures can be produced, and to explore new applications for such materials including optical and electronic device preparation, drug delivery, sensing, biocompatible implants, adsorption separations, membranes, and energy storage. In addition, we will contrast and compare self assembly processes that start from molecular precursors with mesoscopic self assembly that starts from nanoparticle and macromolecular precursors - and on even larger scales, the self-assembly of granular materials. Both equilibrium-based strategies and dynamic (non-equilibrium) self-assembly will be used and explored.

Faculty

Group Leader: Mark A. Ratner, Chemistry
www.chem.northwestern.edu/faculty/professor?professor_id=910

Bartosz A. Gryzbowski, Chemical & Biological Engineering
www.chem-biol-eng.northwestern.edu/Faculty/grzybowski.php

Joseph T. Hupp, Chemistry
www.chem.northwestern.edu/faculty/professor?professor_id=984

Chad A. Mirkin, Chemistry
www.chem.northwestern.edu/faculty/professor?professor_id=965

SonBinh T. Nguyen, Chemistry
www.chem.northwestern.edu/faculty/professor?professor_id=998

Monica Olvera de la Cruz, Materials Science and Engineering
www.matsci.northwestern.edu/faculty/mo.html

Julio M. Ottino, Chemical & Biological Engineering
www.chem-biol-eng.northwestern.edu/Faculty/ottino.php

George C. Schatz, Chemistry
www.chem.northwestern.edu/faculty/professor?professor_id=660

Randall Q. Snurr, Chemical & Biological Engineering
www.chem-biol-eng.northwestern.edu/Faculty/snurr.php

Samuel I. Stupp, Chemistry and Materials Science and Engineering
www.matsci.northwestern.edu/faculty/sis.html

Peter W. Voorhees
www.matsci.northwestern.edu/faculty/pwv.html