Title: Nanomaterials: BIG impact with smaller than small objects
Abstract: Nanoscience and technology, a field that started with the famous lecture by Nobel Laureate, Prof. Richard Feynman, “There’s plenty of room at the bottom”, has by far been the most mysterious of topics that has led generations to believe that it can change the world in ways conceivable only in scientific fantasies. However, even after decades of research on nanoscience and technology, a lot of its promise still remains undelivered. Apparently, when things get smaller, the problems get bigger. Nevertheless, nanotechnology truly has the potential to change the world, but to get there, one needs to look beyond its shiny exterior to all its flaws and try to understand why it doesn’t work when it doesn’t work. Then only can we utilize the full potential of this amazing field.
In this talk, we’ll focus on understanding the application of nanomaterials towards diverse functions including biomedical devices, energy storage, and harvesting units, and biosensors. We’ll present the flaws that limit the application of nanomaterials in these devices and from there try to understand the optimal design principal to create the functional, high-performance unit that can deliver the full promise. Specifically, we’ll learn about nanostructured solar cells, cancer treatment and diagnostic agents, and nanobiosensors, and illustrate with few examples from our laboratory as to how designed nanostructures can outperform the commercially available units and deliver their promise.
Short Bio: Dr. Manashi Nath is an Associate Professor of Chemistry. She joined Missouri S&T as an Assistant Professor in Fall of 2008 and has been working on nanomaterials and materials chemistry. Her research group pursues experimental chemistry where the emphasis is on designing and synthesizing new and novel materials with optimized properties. The materials currently pursued by the group encompasses various applications including alternative energy-related technology, biosensors, energy storage, and cancer treatment.

Wednesday, March 6th at 6.00 p.m.

Public House Brewing Company’s Rolla Brewpub Loft