Nanoscale Science and Devices
The Nanoscale Science and Devices Group is part of the Bioscience Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
Understanding the physics and chemistry at the nanoscale is important in designing and developing miniature sensors and devices that exploit nanoscale effects.
By doing so, we build the foundation of an exciting convergence of many traditionally separate fields of science. Once-distinct boundaries between molecular biology, fluid mechanics, quantum mechanics and photonics are crossed. The resulting technological advancements have the possibility to benefit every human being; from improved detection and treatment of cancers, detecting landmines, artificially restoring the sight and hearing of the visually and aurally impaired to protecting civilians and armed forces personnel from conventional explosive weapons and NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) weapons.
Why Nanoscale?
Understanding the physics and chemistry involved in mechanical effects at the nanoscale regime is important in designing and developing miniature sensors and devices that exploit nanoscale effects.
For example, at the nanoscale, physical phenomena such as surface tension, thermocapillarity, Marangoni forces, electrostatic and van der Waals interactions play a significant role due to the large surface to volume ratio.
However, our understanding of mechanics at the nanoscale is far from complete. Recent progress into the nanoscale and sub-nanoscale regime is paving the way for a very exciting convergence of many traditionally separate fields and disciplines ranging from molecular biology, fluid mechanics, quantum mechanics, device physics and engineering.
Some of our current projects include fabrication of micromechanical biological, chemical, and physical sensors for environmental monitoring, biomedical and homeland security applications, development and synthesis of chemically selective self-assembled monolayers, development of techniques for transport of molecules on surfaces and interfaces, developing microcasting techniques, and developing novel instrumentation for nanoscale imaging.
Our group at ORNL strives to be at the forefront of interdisciplinary nanoscale research. We invite you to browse through our website and find out about our group and our exciting work.
