Research at the Nanoscale

NBIC research activities are organized in a unique structure that maximizes cross-fertilization and drives a coherent approach to the overall goals of the center. Two multidisciplinary research teams focus on aspects of the fundamental scientific issues; two cross cutting initiatives develop ideas integral to all projects and make explicit links between them. The fundamental themes are: optoelectronic function in synthetic biomolecules and mechanical motion of molecules from physiological systems. Each theme has a strong fundamental component and obvious technological impact ranging from nanoelectronics to medical diagnostic devices. Intersecting the themes is an initiative on the development of new probes of molecular/nanostructural behavior. In addition, an overarching activity concerns the ethical implications of nanotechnology specific to these research themes and to a broader, societal sense.

• Biomolecular Optoelectronic Function
  Research Team 1 uses theoretical and experimental techniques to design and synthesize compounds that test fundamental bases of properties, determines mechanisms of functionality, and assembles complex nanostructures that exploit the functionality to demonstrate opto-electronic device-like behavior. 
• Molecular Motions
  Research Team 2 develops methods of positioning biological macromolecules and controlling the thermal/chemical/mechanical environment, and determines the mechanisms associated with protein motion.
• Single Molecular Probes
  Cross Cutting Initiative 1 develops the tools necessary to accomplish these research goals, specifically by combining near field optical probes with mechanical and electronic probes at the single molecule level. 
• Engaging Globally and Locally
  A variety of constituencies from the research, business, education, health, and communities provide a portfolio of programs to educate and provide insight to societal implications of nanoscale science and technology.