Award Abstract #0102467
NER: Self-Assembled Nanostructures with Macroscopic Polar Order and Directed Paths of Conjugation

NSF Org:	DMR Division of Materials Research
Initial Amendment Date:	July 24, 2001
Latest Amendment Date:	July 24, 2001
Award Number:	0102467
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	David Nelson DMR Division of Materials Research MPS Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences
Start Date:	July 15, 2001
Expires:	June 30, 2002 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$99575
Investigator(s):	Colin Nuckolls cn37@columbia.edu (Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	Columbia University 2960 Broadway NEW YORK, NY 10027 212/854-6851
NSF Program(s):	DMR SHORT TERM SUPPORT, NANOSCALE: EXPLORATORY RSRCH
Field Application(s):	0106000 Materials Research
Program Reference Code(s):	AMPP, 9162, 1762, 1676
Program Element Code(s):	1712, 1676

ABSTRACT

This Nanoscale Exploratory Research (NER) project aims to design, synthesize, and assemble organic molecules. Two specific areas will be addressed. Firstly, by creating new types of molecules (for example that form discotic liquid crystals) with specific noncovalent interactions, a scheme for interfacing self-assembled, organic conductors with gold surfaces will be achieved. Secondly, these interconnections will serve to orient dipolar columns assembled on surfaces creating macroscopic polar order, which is a prerequisite for creating nanodevices for ferroelectric, piezoelectric, and pyroelectric applications.

%%%

A major goal of nanotechnology is the creation of molecular systems such as one dimensional conductors from discotic liquid crystals that can serve as a springboard for multidisciplinary research aimed at developing nanoscale devices. The types of devices to be explored include piezoelectric, ferroelectric, pyroelectric, and nonlinear optical. Students trained in these areas will be compete well for academic and industrial jobs.

Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.