The MENT research group works with nanoscale materials, biomolecules and whole cells, as we and our collaborators employ the experimental techniques of material science, micro- and nanofabrication, mesoscopic physics, molecular biology, electrochemistry, organic chemistry and electrical engineering.
The goal of the MENT group is to understand and manipulate molecular-scale processes that will allow for the controlled synthesis and then directed assembly of functional nanoscale components into functional devices and systems. The end product of this work will be new molecular-scale devices for applications such as information processing, sensing and biosensing, actuation, and communications.We have two major philosophies about what will ultimately make our work successful: (1) boundaries between disciplines serve only to slow the progress of science and technology--we cannot let these boundaries dictate our research agenda; (2) collaboration between a variety of research groups working in a variety of areas benefits all involved and must be pursued. We maintain a very broad research portfolio that requires an integrated multi- and interdisciplinary approach. We ask every member of our group from the newest graduate student to senior investigators to adopt this very broad view of research.
Our major research efforts are focused on: (1) the controlled synthesis and directed assembly of carbon nanostructures into functional devices or systems; (2) field emission devices using carbon nanofiber emitters; (3) the interface between biological materials (from individual biomolecules to intact whole cells) and carbon nanostructures; (4) biomimetic devices constructed through the controlled synthesis, chemical derivatization, and directed assembly of carbon nanostructures and carbon nanostructure/biomolecular hybrids; and (5) the use of genetically modified microorganisms as components in molecular-scale devices. We have extensive research facilities that include comprehensive imaging and materials characterization facilities, fabrication facilities, device design, analysis, and characterization capabilities, and comprehensive micro- and molecular biology research facilities available to us at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and/or the University of Tennessee (UT).
For more information, please email Principal Investigator, Dr. Michael L.Simpson: simpsonml1@ornl.gov.
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