Program Highlights

April 11, 2007

Switchable Molecules for the World's Smallest Switch

Research
Cornell University
Some molecules conduct electricity; others don't. Researchers at Cornell are working to make the world's smallest switch out of a single molecule. To do this, they have created a molecule that can be switched from conducting to non-conducting with a flash of light. In its
April 11, 2007

Beating the World's Smallest Drum

Research
Cornell University

Scientists at Cornell have reached the ultimate limit in miniaturization by making a drum with a single-atom-thick drumhead. In their device, a single atomic sheet of graphite (a so-called graphene sheet) is stretched across a silicon trench. By shining a laser on the surface, the scientists can show that only one atomic layer of graphite is present.</p></div> </div> <span class=

April 10, 2007

JumpStart helps Small Businesses Solve Technical Problems

Industry
Cornell University

High-tech companies are often faced with unexpected technical challenges that have to be solved before a product can be brought to market. Such problems can be deadly for small companies, which rarely have the resources to operate a large R&D lab staffed by technical experts.</p></div> </div> <span class=

March 27, 2007

Fabrication of a prototype confined current path, current perpendicular to the plane magnetoresistive device (CCP-CPP GMR) for materials science studies

Research
University of Alabama
March 15, 2007

Electrical Detection of Spin Transport in Semiconductors

Research
University of Minnesota

In semiconductor spintronics, the spin of the electron carries information for both storage and data processing. To some extent, the electron spin can be viewed as a miniature bar magnet that interacts with a magnetic field inside the semiconductor. The orientation of the bar magnet acts as a "bit" of information. Many laboratory demonstrations of spintronics have relied on sophisticated optical techniques for reading out the spin state of electrons.

March 15, 2007

Ion Gel-Gated Polymer Thin Film Transistors

Research
University of Minnesota

Ion Gel-Gated Polymer Thin Film Transistors (IRG 2). A major goal of organic electronics is the development of new kinds of solution processable organic dielectric materials that can serve as gate insulators in organic thin film transistors (OTFTs).

February 8, 2007

Materials Stiffer Than Diamond

Research
University of Wisconsin-Madison
February 8, 2007

New Superconductor Found by Sprinkling Cu Atoms

Research
Princeton University
February 8, 2007

Industry/International: Nanowire Grids Polarize Ultraviolet Light

Research, Industry
Princeton University
January 25, 2007

A New MIT-Wide Vehicle for MRSEC Knowledge Outreach

Industry
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The MIT MRSEC, in collaboration with the Materials Processing Center (MPC) and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE), has launched a new MIT-wide materials website...The MIT MRSEC, in collaboration with the Materials Processing Center (MPC) and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE), has launched a new MIT-wide materials website designed to help interested parties navigate the diverse and sometimes confusing labyrinth of departments, labs and centers (and associated user facilities) on campus involved in materials research.