Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

The development of the chemistry of nanometer (10-9 meter) sized pieces of semiconductor solids is being driven not only for the fundamental photophysical properties of these nanomaterials, but also for their potential applications ranging from solar cell devices to sensors to biological imaging agents. This is an interdisciplinary area of science, with contributions and interactions between the classical domains of physical, biological and medical sciences. Fine control over the assembly of such materials is of paramount importance in order to achieve homogeneity in size, shape and molecular composition. The research programs described in this proposal focus on a ""molecular precursor approach"" where specific properties are designed into small molecule reagents that can ultimately be incorporated into the nanometer scale framework that is being assembled, in a controlled and uniform fashion. In this way we will be able to prepare sensitive, molecular sensors, luminescent materials as well as hybrid semiconductor frameworks built up from carbon and inorganic based components. The graduate and undergraduate students working in these areas develop the skills and training to enter the high tech chemical and materials work force.