NSF Highlights
Highlight 1
Inexpensive Templates for Nanostructure Fabrication
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have discovered a new method of formulating common polymers for industrially generating templates used in precision nanomanufacturing. The researchers found that blending commercially-available tri-block copolymer surfactants with commodity polymers that selectively associate with one of the blocks can yield bulk quantities of polymeric templates with well-ordered periodic nanostructures.
Highlight 2
Nanoparticle-Polymer "Chemical Nose" Sensors
A team at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has created a sensor array to detect, identify, and quantify protein targets. The polymer fluorescence is quenched by gold nanoparticles: the presence of proteins disrupts the nanoparticle-polymer interaction, producing distinct fluorescence response patterns. These patterns are highly repeatable and are characteristic for individual proteins at nanoscale concentrations. Quantitative analysis was used to identify 52 unknown proteins with an accuracy of 94%, demonstrating that nanomaterial-based protein detectors are potentially feasible for “chemical nose”applications in medical diagnostics.
Highlight 3
Beyond-Binary: Nanomagnet Clusters for Data Storage
Using ultrahigh resolution electron beam lithography, a team led by Prof. Mark Tuominen at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has fabricated clusters containing a well-defined number of interacting cobalt nanomagnets. With multiple stable states, the clusters can be used to encode and store data beyond the limits of conventional binary storage. This method may serve as a way to pack more data into a fixed area in hard drive and memory applications. The researchers are now attempting to scale-up the fabrication of these multistate nanomagnets to larger areas by using hierarchical patterning methods on diblock copolymer films.
Highlight 4
Network Established to Spur U.S. Nanomanufacturing
The NSF Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing (CHM) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in teamwork with other academic, government and industrial programs devoted to the new technology of nanomanufacturing, has established an R&D network and cyber-clearinghouse for this industrially-important field. The National Nanomanufacturing Network (NNN) will sponsor networking, collaborative events, education and information exchange for America’s nanomanufacturing research and technology community. Its digital library, InterNano, of nanomanufacturing technical information, resource directories and NNN events can be found at http://www.internano.org.
Highlight 5
Scientists Develop Educational Modules on Nanotechnology
A team at the Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has developed a systematic approach for producing repurposable educational videos that utilize a combination of live video and 3D animation to convey complex concepts in nanotechnology. The first group of videos were produced and evaluated by teachers and students in K-12, community college and university learning environments. The repurposable content enables adaptation for various audience levels, instructional approaches, and languages.
Highlight 6
Multiplexed Screening of Cellular Uptake of Gold Nanoparticles Using Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry (LDI-MS)
With the increased production of nanotechnology-related products and the inevitable release of some of these materials into the environment, nanoparticle uptake by living organisms in the environment is an area of growing interest. CHM scientists have developed a rapid and efficient means for tracking cellular uptake of functionalized gold nanoparticles using the gold core to greatly facilitate ligand ionization. These ligands act as mass barcodes that allow many particles to be followed simultaneously. This method will provide direct access to bio-distribution data: in vivo studies using fish (Japanese medaka) are underway.
Highlight 7
Binary Semiconductor Nanowires Through Templated Electrodeposition
Nanoscale well-defined heterojunction semiconductor structures are desired for efficient photovoltaic devices. CHM Researchers have created nanowires of cadmium selenide (CdSe) on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate using a simple electrochemical deposition process and polymer templates created by nanoimprint lithography. The wires are ~400 nm wide and span length of the substrate (1 cm x 1 cm).
Highlight 8
Spray-on Crystalline Metal Oxide Semiconductor Nanostructures for Low Cost PVs and H2 Generation
High surface area, nanostructured, crystalline metal oxide films are of interest for solar energy conversion via photovolatic cells and H2 generation via photocatalytic water splitting. Researchers at the CHM in partnership with Inframat Corporation have developed a new ultra-low cost technology for spray on nanodendritic films of TiO2, ZnO and other metal oxides.
Highlight 9
InterNano - The Nanomanufacturing Information Clearinghouse and Web Portal to the National Nanomanufacturing Network (NNN)
InterNano.org officially launched in 2008 to support the nanomanufacturing research, development and education community as cyberinfrastructure that collects, organizes and disseminates information in the nanomanufacturing domain. The website serves as the web home of the NNN and provides a directory of experts and centers, a process database, a taxonomy, highlights, reports, reviews, news, events and other features.
Highlight 10
K12 Education
The Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing (CHM) provided a week-long nanoscience education workshop to K12 teachers from across the nation. These 29 teachers received training in a range of hands-on activities, discussions and video-based curriculum materials suitable for classroom implementation. The CHM developed new learning modules suitable for K12 education. These open-source curriculum materials, which are rich in video and 3D animation, have been designed so that they are easily edited and repurposable for other audiences in other learning environments. Modules are accessible from the center's website: www.umass.edu/chm
