Our research efforts are centered on the synthesis and characterization of novel inorganic/solid state materials with unique and tunable properties, particularly nanomaterials. The research is highly interdisciplinary, with the aim to develop a fundamental understanding of how structure, particle size, and material physical properties are related in order to advance technologies such as information storage, sensors, energy conversion, and catalysis. Specifically, we focus on developing new synthetic methods that will permit formation of nanoparticles with new and more complex chemistries than those we presently know how to make, and on developing methods for linking nanoparticles together with each other, or organic molecules/polymers, to create functional devices.
3-D assemblies of nanoparticles through Sol-Gel Chemistry
Inorganic/Organic hybrids for patterning, drug delivery and biomedical imaging