Winner of the 2010 R&D 100 Award!

Chemicals on Demand with Phototriggerable Microcapsules

We report the development of phototriggerable microcapsules and demonstrate the concept of protection and remote release of chemical species. Light-rupturable, liquid-filled microcapsules were prepared by coencapsulation of carbon nanotubes using a simple and robust interfacial polymerization technique. The incorporation of carbon nanotubes endows the microcapsules with the ability to respond to an external optical event. The triggered release of the liquid contents for the microcapsules may be achieved either in air or within a liquid medium via irradiation with a near-IR laser. Rupture of the impermeable shell-wall under irradiation is presumed to be due to an increase in internal pressure due to optothermal heating of the CNTs. The storage and triggered release of reactive small molecules and catalysts was demonstrated in the context of remotely initiated “click” reaction and ring-opening metathesis polymerization. A copy of the artical featured in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (ACS Publications) may be found here.

A Direct Conversion of Light into Work

Current technology and research on solar energy conversion often intrinsically relies on the production of energy storage and distribution systems to facilitate the production of useful work. Research in our laboratories has uncovered a mechanism for converting solar energy into work in a more direct fashion. We exploit optothermal heating to produce surface tension gradients which result in propulsive forces on floating objects. These forces are essentially converting solar power directly into useful work. Small boats floating on water are propelled and steered using this process and small rotors are rotationally driven. This work is featured in the ASAPs of the Journal of the American Chemical Society (here). Supplementary information including artwork and videos are available here.

Watching Atoms Move at the Edge of a 2D Crystal

Although the physics of materials at surfaces and edges has been extensively studied, the movement of individual atoms at an isolated edge has not been directly observed in real time. With the TEAM 0.5 transmission electron microscope capable of simultaneous atomic spatial resolution and one-second temporal resolution, we recorded the dynamics of carbon atoms at the edge of a hole in a suspended, single atomic layer of graphene. We determined the stability and described the dynamics of different edge configurations. This work is featured in the March 27, 2009 issue of Science (paper and cover). Supplementary information including artwork and images from the paper can be found here.

An Atomic-Resolution Nanomechanical Mass Sensor

Nanoscale mechanical resonators are exquisite sensors for a variety of quantities such as force, position, and mass. Using a carbon nanotube-based nanomechanical resonator, we have constructed an atomic-resolution mass sensor. As atoms or molecules land on the resonator, they induce a shift in its mechanical resonance frequency from which it is possible to infer the mass of the adsorbed particle. Using this technique, we were able to measure the mass of a single gold atom. The Nature Nanotechnology paper describing our work can be found here. Supplementary information including artwork and images from the paper can be found here.

Imaging and Dynamics of Light Atoms and Molecules on Graphene

We have developed a method by which even a modest-resolution transmission electron microscope (TEM) can be used to image isolated light (low-Z) atoms and molecules at room temperature. The dynamics of single atoms and molecular adsorbates, as well as the dynamics of nanoscale defects and vacancies in single-layer graphene, can also be observed. The Nature paper describing our work can be found here. Supplementary information, including TEM images of individual atoms, and movies of molecule dynamics, can be found here.

Nanotube radio

We have constructed a fully functional, fully integrated radio receiver, orders-of-magnitude smaller than any previous radio, from a single carbon nanotube. A copy of our Nano Letters manuscript may be found here.  Supplementary images and movies are available here.

   Extreme Thermal Test Platform

We have developed a thermal test platform capable of determining the electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as the thermal stability, of individual nanoscale objects to over 4,000K. The platform also yields simultaneous real-time atomic resolution imaging of the object as it evolves in time and temperature. A copy of the Physical Review Letter describing the platform and its application to carbon nanotubes and gold nanocrystals can be found here.  Supplementary images and movies are available here.

Nanoelectromechanical relaxation oscillator

We have developed a nanoelectromechanical relaxation oscillator with a surface-tension-driven power stroke.  The oscillator consists of two liquid metal droplets exchanging mass, and its frequency is directly controlled with a low-level dc electrical voltage.  A copy of the Applied Physics Letter can be found here.  Supplementary images and movies are available here.

   Nanoscale mass conveyor

We have developed a technique to move individual atoms back and forth along a carbon nanotube.  A copy of the Letter to Nature can be found here.  Supplementary images and movies are available here.

  Synthetic Rotational Nanomotor

Our group has been able to create the world's smallest synthetic motor using a multiwall carbon nanotube.  A copy of the Letter to Nature can be found here.  Supplementary images and movies are available here.

Winner of the 2004 R&D 100 Award!