MC 3130

work:+1 212-854-6289

cn37@columbia.edu

Research Summary

The research that is conducted in my laboratories creates new types of molecules that assemble into uniquely functioning devices. The cornerstone of this program is a vigorous synthetic effort that allows a freedom of design, producing new structural types and assembly motifs. Once synthesized, we investigate the molecular and macromolecular assembly characteristics of these systems, trying to gain a deeper understanding of the interplay between molecular structure, assembly, and emergent function. Our current research efforts are aimed at creating novel and general methods to assemble and interconnect organic structures into functioning molecular-scale devices useful for energy transport and conversion. It cannot be overstated how important synthesis will be in defining this next generation of devices.

We are currently developing molecular-scale methodology to write complex surface-patterns. One critical aspect is defining how organic molecules can be efficiently interfaced with their substrates. It is requisite that these interconnections are kinetically stable and at the same time provide a strong energetic match between the molecule and the surface. Once created, these types of templated surfaces would be useful for spatially addressing recognition and assembly processes. Necessarily, it is important to develop orthogonal recognition domains to attain a higher level of understanding and control in hierarchical assembly processes.

It is evident from the challenges outlined above that this field of research is multidisciplinary. Students who study these problems will be required to master many tasks, including design, synthesis, and measurement. This broad-based program will serve to train students to use organic synthesis and self-assembly to address critical problems in nanotechnology.

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"In situ measurements of oligoaniline conductance: Linking electrochemistry and molecular electronics," F. Chen, C. Nuckolls and S. Lindsay. Chemical Physics, 324, 236-43 (2006)

"Chemoresponsive monolayer transistors," X. Guo, M. Myers, S. Xiao, M. Lefenfeld, R. Steiner, G. S. Tulevski, J. Tang, J. Baumert, F. Leibfarth, J. T. Yardley, M. L. Steigerwald, P. Kim and C. Nuckolls. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America , 103, 11452-6 (2006)

"Covalently bridging gaps in single-walled carbon nanotubes with conducting molecules," X. Guo, J. P. Small, J. E. Klare, Y. Wang, M. S. Purewal, I. W. Tam, B. H. Hong, R. Caldwell, L. Huang, S. O'Brien, J. Yan, R. Breslow, S. J. Wind, J. Hone, P. Kim and C. Nuckolls. Science ( Washington, DC, United States ), 311, 356-9 (2006)

"Direct structural observation of a molecular junction by high-energy X-ray reflectometry," M. Lefenfeld, J. Baumert, E. Sloutskin, I. Kuzmenko, P. Pershan, M. Deutsch, C. Nuckolls and B. M. Ocko. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America , 103, 2541-5 (2006)

"Organization of Acenes with a Cruciform Assembly Motif," Q. Miao, X. Chi, S. Xiao, R. Zeis, M. Lefenfeld, T. Siegrist, M. L. Steigerwald and C. Nuckolls. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 128, 1340-5 (2006)

"Chemical Complementarity in the Contacts for Nanoscale Organic Field-Effect Transistors," G. S. Tulevski, Q. Miao, A. Afzali, T. O. Graham, C. R. Kagan and C. Nuckolls., Journal of the American Chemical Society, 128, 1788-9 (2006)

'"Single-Molecule Circuits with Well-Defined Molecular Conductance," L. Venkataraman, J. E. Klare, I. W. Tam, C. Nuckolls, M. S. Hybertsen and M. L. Steigerwald, Nano Letters, 6, 458-62 (2006)

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