Faculty and Student Teams Program

Project Descriptions

Los Alamos National Laboratory
Electronically Active Materials at the Nanoscale

Project Description

Novel electro-active materials at the nanoscale have applications ranging from molecular electronics to solar energy conversion and storage. Studying the electronic properties of nanoscale materials and assemblies remains a major challenge, in large part due to the difficulty of making reproducible and reliable connections between the nanoscale and microscale circuitry. However, most molecular materials of interest for nanoscale electronic applications also have optical responses that are related to their electronic properties. Thus, an attractive strategy for studying and optimizing the properties of electro-active materials is to rely upon characterization information obtained from the entire suite of molecular spectroscopies, thereby circumventing the "interconnect problem". In order for such an approach to be useful, the relationships between electronic properties and diverse spectroscopic observables for specific classes of materials must be well understood.

The goal of this project is to develop novel nanoscale materials that will be characterized by a suite of molecular-scale spectroscopies, including Raman, single molecule fluorescence and infra-red techniques. Quantitative relationships between the optical and electronic properties will be developed for different classes of materials and molecular assemblies. This will enable us to relate the performance of electro-active materials to their spectroscopic signatures in order to optimize their properties.

Applicants Responsibilities and Relationships to Project
Applicants will receive support under the Department of Energy Faculty Student Team Research Program (FaST) to work collaboratively with the project research team at LANL for 10 weeks during the Summer 2009. Faculty will be expected to identify students from their campus to participate in the FaST program offered by the Department of Energy at LANL. Faculty will provide mentorship and advising support to students during the summer research activities. It is desired that the Faculty member will define specific responsibilities and roles as it relates to the project and become an integral part of the research team working on this project, with the goal of supporting the project through the academic year on her or his campus.

Qualification of Ideal Candidate
Faculty: Ph.D. in electrical engineering, nanotechnology or related fields. Works well both in a collaborative environment with researchers and also independently. Experience teaching and mentoring students. Currently teaches and collaborates with students in his/her field. Possesses good written and verbal communication skills. Willing to work at LANL for an extended period during the summer.

Student: Working towards a BS/BA in engineering or relevant science. Works well in collaboration with faculty, other students, and researchers. Possesses good written and verbal communication skills. Willing to work at LANL for an extended period.

For More Information Contact:
Scott Robbins
Education and Post-doc Office
P.O. Box 1663, MS M709
Los Alamos National Lab
Los Alamos NM 87544
srobbins@lanl.gov
505 667 3639 (O)
505 665 6871 (F)

Support and Financial Commitments

See Financial Information.