Condensed Matter & Surface Sciences

COLLOQUIUM

Joseph M. Slocik

Air Force Research Lab, Wright-Patterson AFB

“Functionality and properties

of biotemplated materials”

The fabrication of multi-functional nanostructures is necessary for advancement in the field of nanotechnology; but presently, is defined by poor structures. Appropriately, biology offers a wealth of exquisitely structured materials with superior functionality as exemplified by the complexity of the diatom’s silica exoskeleton. Therefore to date, there has been extensive effort aimed at mimicking the level of molecular and genetic control of biological systems for the synthesis of materials in vitro by the use of biomolecules. As a result, the use of biomolecules has produced a number of different materials and structures with narrow sizes, precise shapes, and multi-functionality. For the latter, functions include building blocks for assembly, molecular recognition, and/or to impart biological activity. In this talk, we present a generalized approach for the synthesis and functionalization of gold and hybrid bimetallic nanoparticles using multifunctional peptides derived from phage display peptide libraries, filamentous proteins identified from hyperthermophiles, and thermally stable single domain antibodies found in llamas and sharks; and describe some of their uses as sensors, lubricants, and catalysts.

Thursday, November 6, 2008 -- 4:10 p.m.

Walter Lecture Hall 245