A
multidisciplinary approach based on integration of ideas
from
several disciplines of pure and applied sciences such
as
chemistry, biochemistry, spectroscopy, and materials science
and
engineering is pursued to accomplish these goals. This
research
encompasses both fundamental as well as applied aspects.
These
materials are prepared using organic as well as inorganic
synthesis methods and characterized using physical methods
such
as optical absorption spectroscopy, vibrational spectroscopy,
X-ray methods, electrochemical methods, and electron microscopes.
The applications of these materials are then evaluated
via
integration into a suitable device framework. The novel
materials systems currently under investigation include
discrete
molecular clusters, integrated molecular systems, and
hybrid
biopolymer-silica composite materials. These materials
will
provide new examples of molecularly-designed materials
to be
used in electronics, photonics, (bio)catalysis, controlled
release and drug delivery systems, analytical separation,
and molecular recognition.
more
