The Analytical and Physical Seminar Series Presents - Melissa King

The Analytical and Physical Seminar Series presents: Melissa King

Clarkson University

Host: Devleena Samanta

Title: Leveraging Impossibilities to Drive the Formation of Nanomaterials

Location: WEL 2.122

Refreshments served at 3:15pm

Metallic and composite nanomaterials are of great importance in the development of catalysts and optoelectronics, as well as drug delivery and biomedical applications. Oftentimes, the formation of nanoparticles or composites with strategically relevant components are avoided due to lattice mismatch, immiscibility of metals or materials, and perceived redox complications. The King lab focuses on leveraging these challenges to form a better “tool kit” for the formation of particles and composites based upon their potential applicability. This “tool kit” requires a much more complete understanding of physical properties at the nanoscale, which provides fundamental insights into the significant differences between nanoscale and bulk scale systems. Recent projects within our lab have included the development of shaped nanoparticles composed of self-oxidizing coinage metals towards BTX conversion in the aqueous phase, elucidation of shape directing effects and plasmonic tunability of immiscible metal pairings at the nanoscale, and implementation of nanoparticles as energy relays within biological systems. These projects highlight how our lab looks to real world problems for inspiration when deciding what components to evaluate. The understanding of reaction rates and competing processes in systems that are thought to be inaccessible will make the development of nanomaterials for a specific purpose regardless of their compatibility more accessible.