Synthesis Assembly Modeling Optics Electronics Magnetics Catalysis
Like atoms or molecules, but in the next level of hierarchy, nanocrystals can behave as artificial atoms serving as the building blocks to new designer solids. We develop routes to manipulate nanocrystals into one-dimensional wires as well as well-ordered 2D monolayers and 3D colloidal crystalline solids with symmetric and asymmetric building blocks. We develop processes to assemble NC superlattices over large areas, to form uniform layers of controlled thickness, or superlattices structured periodically on the micron scale in NC thickness. We are excited to probe more deeply how interactions between nanocrystals give rise to new collective phenomena particularly electronic transport, photoconductivity, and magnetic exchange coupling.
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