Nanotechnology

Dr. Yitshak Zohar Ph.D., is Professor of Aerospace-Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and the BIO5 Institute. He received a B.S. and M.S. from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. at the University of Southern California. Dr. Zohar was honored with the Fellow - The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in 2003; and in 2007, the University of Arizona Technology Innovation Award. Dr. Zohar's research interests are in understand the process of Cell Receptor and Surface Ligand density effects in dynamic states of adhering circulating tumor cells and the creation of a high performance microsystem for isolating circulating tumor cells. With this mission, Dr. Zohar focuses on the development of micro/nanotechnology and fabrication of microfluidic devices for biochemical/medical applications. He has developed novel surface-chemistry techniques that enable selective manipulation of surface properties of fluidic microchannels and nanoparticles. Further developing in ‘smart’ nanoparticles, with encapsulated anti-cancer drug in their core and targeting ligands on their surface, designed to specifically destroy CTCs in vivo in effort to eradicate the cancer disease is taking place. Other work being performed by the Zohar laboratory includes the controlled dissociation of fresh brain tissue into viable neurons suitable for subsequent cell culture utilizing microfluidic systems; the investigation of pollen-tube/ovule interaction, particularly the attraction and repulsion signaling processes, using a microchannel-based assay; and protein-fiber formation in microfluidic devices.

Dr. Zenhausern research interests encompass multiple scientific themes combining engineering and medicine to develop platform technologies with global impact for improving human life and the delivery systems of more comprehensive and personalized cares. In alignment with the fourth industrial revolution, Zenhausern and his team at the Center for Applied Nanobioscience and Medicine (ANBM) provides an interdisciplinary framework for advancing technological innovation from discoveries to medical products by partnering with governmental, clinical and industrial institutions across the globe, while training the next generation of students and professionals. Keywords: Technology Platforms Development; Integrated Biomedical Systems

Our research program is focused on the synthesis and characterization of novel polymeric and composite materials, with an emphasis on the control of nanoscale structure. Recent developments in polymer and colloid chemistry offer the synthetic chemist a wide range of tools to prepare well-defined, highly functional building blocks. We seek to synthesize complex materials from a "bottom up" approach via the organization of molecules, polymers and nanoparticles into ordered assemblies. Control of structure on the molecular, nano- and macroscopic regimes offers the possibility of designing specific properties into materials that are otherwise inaccessible. We are particularly interested in compatabilizing interfaces between organic and inorganic matter as a route to combine the advantageous properties of both components. This research is highly interdisciplinary bridging the areas of physics, engineering and materials science with creative synthetic chemistry.

Jeanne Pemberton, PhD, is a household name in chemistry departments across the country. Her research on surface vibrational spectroscopy has enabled fundamental advances in the field of analytical chemistry.In her 25 years at The University of Arizona, Pemberton has received more than 40 research grants. Among the many boards and committees she serves, she was the chair of the Math and Physical Sciences Advisory Committee at the National Science Foundation in 2004. In addition to receiving the College of Science Distinguished Teaching Award, she has also received the distinguished American Chemical Society Award for Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, which is among the highest honors in her field.Dr. Pemberton’s group research seeks to develop an understanding of chemistry in several technologically important areas including electrochemistry and electrochemically-related devices, chromatography, self-assembled monolayers, surfactant systems, and environmental and atmospheric systems. Methodologies employed for these efforts include surface vibrational spectroscopies, near-field optical methods, electrochemistry, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, LEED, work function measurements, ellipsometry, electron microscopy, and the scanning probe microscopies AFM and STM. Molecular nanoscale imaging exists prominently in the ability to elucidate structural and mechanistic details of surface and interfacial chemistry.Two images of transient intermediate states on NaCl in its reaction with the mineral acids, HNO3 and H2SO4, are shown below. These transient structures are formed en route to the final surface products of crystalline NaNO3 and NaHSO4, respectively.Specific interfacial systems of interest include electrochemical battery and electroluminescent and electrochromic devices, models of these devices fabricated and studied in ultrahigh vacuum, organized molecular assemblies at solid surfaces or air-water interfaces formed spontaneously or by self-assembly or Langmuir-Blodgett techniques, chromatography stationary phase systems, soil and mineral systems important in the fate and transport of environmentally important chemicals, and surfaces such as ice, mineral acids, and alkali halides important in atmospheric processes.