Research Overview
Nanoscience and nanotechnology promise to revolutionize many areas within science and technology ranging from electronics to medicine because unprecedented size-dependent material properties are being discovered in nanoscale materials. These properties can be harnessed to produce entirely new materials and devices, including sensors, electronic and optical materials, adaptive materials, and nanocomposites. Given the predicted widespread use of nanomaterials, concerns have arisen about the biological and environmental impact of the materials and the processes used to manufacture them.
Green nanoscience, pioneered at the University of Oregon, applies the principles of green chemistry to nanoscience in order to rationally design safe, yet high-performance, nanoscale materials, develop efficient and inexpensive manufacturing approaches to these materials, and incorporate nanoscale materials into high-performance microscale or larger devices.
This approach will simultaneously meet society's need for high-performance materials while protecting human health and minimizing harm to the environment. Over the years, we've developed key partnerships, and have spun-off companies and research centers. More informaion on our collaborative efforts can be found on the Services page.
Safer Nanomaterials and Nanomanufacturing Initiative [SNNI]
SNNI aims to implement the principles of green nanoscience to address three objectives: [i] design environmentally-benign nanoparticles for use in applications; [ii] develop greener methods for large-scale nanoparticle production; [iii] discover efficient approaches for interfacing nanoparticles with each other or with other components in functional devices. Each of these objectives is critical to the development of safe, yet-high performance, applications of nanoscience and nanotechnology.
- Designing benign nanoparticles
We develop synthetic methods to control nanoparticle composition, size, shape, and functionality, investigate the biological effects of well-defined nanoparticle samples, and use this knowledge to design safer nanoparticles. This research thrust is lead by Dr. Robert Tanguay (OSU). - Developing greener nanomanufacturing of engineered nanoparticles:
We investigate the mechanisms of nanoparticle production and develop microreactors for efficient, scalable production of structurally-defined, functionalized nanoparticles. This research thrust is lead by Dr. Vincent Remcho (OSU). - Interfacing nanoparticles and nanostructures for device applications:
We identify environmentally-benign chemical strategies to incorporate nanoparticles and nanostructures into extended arrays of devices that preserve, or enhance, the properties of the nanoparticles in applications such as energy or energy storage, electronics, optics, and sensing. This research thrust is lead by Dr. Mark Lonergan (UO).