Nanotechnology

Modern research in chemistry, physics, materials science, and biology is increasingly focused on nanoscale systems and nanotechnology. Basically, this is the study of systems, materials and phenomena where the important length scale is conveniently measured in nanometers (nm). Much of modern chemistry is performed on the nanoscale and nearly all of molecular biology and biochemistry, as well as a lot of materials science.

Faculty Experts:

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James S. Schilling Professor of physics in Arts & Sciences The primary thrust of the research in Professor Schilling's group is to study the influence of high hydrostatic pressure on the superconducting, magnetic and structural properties of exotic condensed matter systems. Expertise: high-pressure physics, high-temperature superconductors, high hydrostatic pressure, exotic condensed matter systems, diamond anvil cell, europium metal Direct contact: 314-935-6239 / jss@wuphys.wustl.edu

Younan Xia The James M. McKelvey Professor Xia Download The Xia research group pursues cutting-edge research in three major frontiers: nanotechnology, materials chemistry, and biomaterials. His research interests include synthesis of nanomaterials, bio-material interface, energy conversion and storage, drug delivery, as well as neural and tissue engineering. ... Expertise: Nanotechnology, materials chemistry, biomaterials, imaging. Direct contact: Work: (314) 935-8328 / xia@biomed.wustl.edu

Richard Axelbaum Professor of energy, environmental and chemical engineering Axelbaum Download Axelbaum is the Director of the Consortium for Clean Coal Utilization. He also heads the Laboratory for Advanced Combustion and Energy Research and has directed the Engineering section of the NASA Missouri Space Grant Consortium at Washington University in St. Louis since 1997. He served as the associate ... Expertise: Clean coal, nanoparticles, nanotechnology, materials, synthesis, flames Direct contact: (314) 935-7560 / rla@wustl.edu

John McCarthy Professor of Mathematics John McCarthy's field is a kind of analysis called operator theory, which he defines as the study of matrices in infinite dimensional space. It is most directly linked to quantum mechanics, a physics theory involving elementary particles such as the electron that predicts the outcomes of physical ... Expertise: mathematics, pure mathematics, operator theory, quantum mechanics Direct contact: (314) 935-6753 / mccarthy@wustl.edu

Pratim Biswas Chariman of the Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering; the Stifel and Quinette Jens Professor Biswas Download Biswas received his Ph.D. from California Institute of Technology, has published extensively in his field and served on many international organizations and conferences. His research interests include aerosol science and engineering, nanoparticle technology, air quality engineering, combustion, materials ... Expertise: aerosol science, nanoparticle technology, air quality engineering, combustion, material processing for environmental technologies, environmentally benign processing, environmental nanotechnology, … Direct contact: (314) 935-5482 / pratim.biswas@seas.wustl.edu

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News Stories & Tip Sheets:

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A tiny cage of gold responds to light, opening to empty its contents An exquisite container Nov. 3, 2009 -- A tiny cage of gold covered with a smart polymer responds to light, opening to empty its contents and resealing when the light is turned off. The smart nanocages could be used to deliver drugs directly to target sites, thus avoiding systemic side effects.

Europium discovery New element found to be a superconductor May 18, 2009 -- Inside of the diamond cell Download Of the 92 naturally occurring elements, add another to the list of those that are superconductors. James S. Schilling, Ph.D., professor of physics in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, and Mathew Debessai, Ph.D., — Schilling's doctoral student at the time — discovered that europium becomes superconducting at 1.8 K (-456 °F) and 80 GPa (790,000 atmospheres) of pressure, making it the 53rd known elemental superconductor and the 23rd at high pressure.

Going platinum New catalyst could boost cleaner fuel use May 14, 2009 -- Younan Xia Download Material scientists at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a technique for a bimetallic fuel cell catalyst that is efficient, robust and two-to-five times more effective than commercial catalysts. The novel technique eventually will enable a cost effective fuel cell technology, which has been waiting in the wings for decades and should give a boost for cleaner use of fuels worldwide.

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Related News Clips:

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Show More Nanotechnology Clips

Ultra-tiny 'bees' target tumors CNN International and 1 others Aug. 18, 2009 -- Another report on the use of nanobees -- tiny particles designed to destroy cancer cells by delivering a synthesized version of toxin called melittin that is found in bees. Samuel Wickline, director of WUSTL's Siteman Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence, explains how it works. Nanobees are one of the latest examples of how nanotechnology may change the way diseases are treated.

Particles, Molecules Prefer Not To Mix ScienceDaily.com and 7 others May 5, 2009 -- In the world of small things, shape, order and orientation are surprisingly important, according to findings from a new study by WUSTL chemistry professor Lev Gelb, graduate student Brian Barnes, and postdoctoral researcher Daniel Siderius.

1,000 Genomes Project St. Louis Post-Dispatch Jan. 28, 2008 -- The 1,000 Genomes Project, an international research effort that includes WUSTL scientists, will sequence the genomes of one thousand people from different parts of the globe. Elaine Mardis, co-director of WUSTL's Genome Sequencing Center, comments.

Technique controls nanoparticle size, creates large numbers Nanotechnology Now online and 2 others Dec. 4, 2007 -- WUSTL chemical engineering professor Pratim Biswas has a method that controls the size of the nanoparticles he makes, opening up possibilities for new nanotechnology applications and different techniques. Biswas described the technique and his work in a recent issue of Nanotechnology. He is currently collaborating with WUSTL radiology professor Sam Achilefu, who is working to selectively deliver chemotherapy drugs in cancer patients.

Nanoparticles used to track cells United Press International and 8 others March 28, 2007 -- WUSTL scientists have developed a technique using magnetic resonance imaging and nanoparticles to track cells injected into mice. Developed in the laboratories of Samuel Wickline and Gregory Lanza, the study suggests fluorine-laced nanoparticles might soon allow physicians to directly track cells involved in medical treatments. The study's lead author, doctoral student Kathryn Partlow, explains. Wickline heads WUSTL's Siteman Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence.

Keeping the Fruits of Research Close to Home in St. Louis The New York Times Feb. 7, 2007 -- Article on the efforts of WUSTL chancellor emeritus William Danforth and civic leader John Dubinsky to reorient the business climate in St. Louis. St. Louis has great research institutiions like WUSTL, but "we have not done so well with the commercialization of that science." In 2001, Danforth -- along with a number of other business and civic leaders -- founded the Coalition for Plant and Life Sciences, a nonprofit group. The goal was to jump-start St. Louis' nascent biotechnology industry by providing both new and mature companies with increased access to financing and up-to-date facilities.

Robot surgeons scrub up Nature Magazine (UK) Oct. 28, 2005 -- The creators of robot-assisted surgery hope that the remote-controlled surgeons are a step towards a time when traditional open surgery is a thing of the past. The devices were invented by a team of engineers and doctors from U. Nebraska Medical Centre, Omaha, and U. Nebraska in Lincoln. In 2000, surgeons at the WUSTL School of Medicine conducted the first pilot trial of robot-assisted heart surgery, and a wide range of procedures now use mechanized instruments.

Universities selected for nanotech research San Francisco Chronicle, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and 10 others Oct. 4, 2005 -- WUSTL is one of seven university consortia selected by the National Cancer Institute to spearhead research hubs called Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence, which will bring together academic laboratories and private firms to develop anti-cancer products. The research involves the use of molecular-scale nanotechnology devices to detect and destroy tumor cells. From the Post-Dispatch article -- the WUSTL center will be headed by Samuel Wickline. In April, WUSTL got another grant, worth $12.5 million, for a separate nanotechnology center headed by chemist Karen Wooley.

Blunt counters Blagojevich's courting of stem cell researchers Associated Press and 4 others Sept. 15, 2005 -- Missouri Gov. Blunt has shot back at his Illinois counterpart's effort to attract scientists and institutions involved in embryonic stem cell research to Illinois. Blunt said in a letter to life sciences companies that he opposes the "prohibition and criminalization" of stem cell research. The letters were sent to U. Missouri, WUSTL and the KC Stowers Institute for Medical Research, among others.

St. Louis waits for Bio-Belt to bloom Chicago Tribune and 12 others May 2, 2005 -- Article on the outlook for bioscience hotspots focuses on St. Louis. For years this fading industrial center has poured a fortune into the genetic engineering of plants, ignoring critics of the controversial technology and enduring a long stretch with little to show for its investment. Now, finally, St. Louis is starting to see a payoff, putting some welcome distance between itself and the many other cities trying to hit it big in biotech. Comments from John Biggs, Roger Beachy, Peter Raven, and WUSTL chancellor Mark Wrighton.

U.S. cancer institute starts nanotechnology drive Hindustan Times (India) and 11 others Sept. 15, 2004 -- The U.S. National Cancer Institute announced a new five-year plan to develop the use of tiny tools known as nanotechnology to fight cancer. Some scientists believe that nanotechnology just might provide the edge needed to defeat the disease. School of Medicine researcher Samuel Wickline comments.

More News:

A leader in a small revolution
Advances in nanotechnology by William E. Buhro, Ph.D., impact realms from sports to electronics
Nov. 9, 2003 - William E. Buhro, Ph.D., professor of chemistry in Arts & Sciences, sweats the small stuff. In his world, it's all small stuff. That's because Buhro and his group are immersed in the Lilliputian world of nanoparticles and nanowires, which are invisible to the naked eye and hold promise in making stronger and tougher materials for a wide range of products and applications, and for enabling advances in nanoelectronics.

Chemists make first boron nanowhiskers; 'Little shavers' could prove key in nanoelectronics
June 2002 - They're cute little shavers, and they could play a key role in the "small" revolution about us. Chemistry graduate student Heng Yu and William E. Buhro, Ph.D., professor of chemistry in Arts & Sciences, examine nanowire specimens in an inert-atmosphere glove box, which stores moisture- and oxygen-sensitive chemicals. The glove box allows manipulation of sensitive reagents and nanostructured materials in a continuously scrubbed nitrogen atmosphere.They're boron nanowhiskers, the world's first such crystalline nanowires, made by chemists at Washington University in St. Louis.