The tiny, nanoscale materials - quantum dots - Mathew Maye and his research
team create in his Syracuse University chemistry laboratory could potentially
make an important contribution to the nation's ongoing quest to become energy
independent.
Detailed analyses of quantum dots require expensive, sophisticated instruments
that are not available at most universities, including SU. However, a new
agreement between Syracuse University and
Brookhaven National Laboratory
(BNL) will enable Maye and other SU faculty and students to use Brookhaven's
state-of-the-art research facilities. The agreement also encourages SU and
Brookhaven scientists and engineers to explore opportunities for collaborative
research in the fields of energy technology development, environmental
sciences, biomaterials, forensic science, engineering and computer science, the
biological sciences, and policy.
"The agreement with Brookhaven-the first such collaborative relationship in
Central New York-will open up new opportunities for interdisciplinary
research for our faculty as well as expanded educational and research
opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students," says SU Vice
Chancellor and Provost Eric F. Spina. "We are excited about the possibilities and
look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Brookhaven scientists and
engineers."
One of 10 national laboratories overseen and primarily funded by the Office of
Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Brookhaven National
Laboratory, located on Long Island in Upton, N.Y., conducts research in the
physical, biomedical and environmental sciences, as well as in energy
technologies and national security. Brookhaven also builds and operates major
scientific facilities, which are made available to university, industry and
government researchers.
"This agreement will enable researchers from both institutions to work together
on important scientific challenges using state-of-the-art facilities at Brookhaven,"
says Doon Gibbs, Brookhaven Lab's deputy director for science and technology.
"Also, the laboratory has a long legacy of training future scientists, and we are
glad to help educate students at all levels."
The agreement also calls for SU and Brookhaven officials to explore options for
opening a satellite location of BNL at the
Syracuse Center of Excellence for
research in alternative biofuels. In July, Dacheng Ren, assistant professor of
biomedical and chemical engineering in SU's
L.C. Smith College of Engineering
and Computer Science (LCS), will travel to BNL to explore collaborative
opportunities in biofuel research.
"This is an exciting opportunity for us," says Mark Glauser, LCS associate dean
for research and doctoral programs. "BNL engineers and scientists are especially
interested in the potential for working with our researchers due, in a large part,
to the extensive biomass that is available in Upstate New York. We are already
developing a faculty cluster with expertise in this area."
In addition to exploring research opportunities, Brookhaven scientists and SU
faculty will develop joint educational initiatives for graduate training and
mentoring, and expand opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and post-
doctoral educational experiences at BNL, including participation in research
projects, internships, and summer or cooperative employment. Finally, the
agreement calls for collaborative efforts to develop long-term, outreach
programs designed to improve academic performance of K-12 schools to
significantly increase the number of students qualified to attend college in New
York state.
"The College of Arts and Sciences has a legacy of training bright graduate and
undergraduate students who go on to become top scientists in their fields," says
Dean George Langford. "The agreement with Brookhaven will expand our
ability to train new scientists in such emerging fields as neuroscience,
biomaterials and biotechnology, and in the development of alternative sources
of energy. We are pleased to be part of this new collaboration."
Maye, an assistant professor of chemistry in
The College of Arts and Sciences,
explores new ways to synthesize photovoltaic materials-materials that convert
the sun's energy into electricity. His goal is to build materials for devices that are
more efficient than current solar cells, weigh less, cost less, and can be produced
in a more eco-friendly manner.
In August, Maye will travel to Brookhaven with student members of his research
team to conduct experiments on his photovoltaic quantum dots at BNL's Center
for Functional Nanomaterials and, in the future, plans to use BNL's
sophisticated National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS). In the Center for
Functional Nanomaterials, researchers take advantage of high-precision electron
and optical microscopes to visualize materials, and of advanced lithography
equipment to make nanomaterials. The NSLS enables scientists to use intense,
focused x-rays to perform experiments not otherwise possible at their own
laboratories.
"This exciting opportunity will open the door for us to examine our quantum
dots at the level of the individual particle," Maye says. "We will work with BNL
scientists, who have the experimental expertise and equipment to help us better
understand nanoscale properties. Additionally, our goal is to train students in
my lab to use these instruments and to have them experience the advanced
scientific techniques and great scientific culture at Brookhaven."
