[A photograph for media use is available at http://www.clarkson.edu/news/photos/minko.jpg]
Newswise — Clarkson University's Egon Matijevic´ Chair and Professor of Chemistry Sergiy Minko recently co-authored the paper, "From Smart Polymer Molecules to Responsive Nanostructured Surfaces." Published in Langmuir, The American Chemical Society's Journal of Surfaces and Colloids, the article was the 18th most accessed from July through September 2005.
The paper describes how copolymer molecules grafted onto a substrate solid were used to create a responsive polymer surface consisting of a densely packed monolayer of copolymer molecules. The layer's response then allows for the switching of the surface properties of the solid by changing the solvent selectivity or pH of the aqueous environment.
"This research is fascinating from a purely scientific approach, but also because it demonstrates conclusively scientists' ability to manipulate surface characteristics of materials," remarked Minko. "The biomedical applications are infinite."
Minko and Clarkson professors S.V. Babu (Chemical Engineering) and Igor Sokolov (Physics) have established the Interdisciplinary Nanostructured Materials Group to explore fabrication and study of synthetic and biomaterials at nanoscale. Their research emphasis is on materials for biomedical application, sensors and molecular electronics.
Langmuir is named for renowned physicist and chemist Irving Langmuir, who is credited with developing modern surface chemistry. The publication is devoted to reporting new and original experimental and theoretical research in the fields of colloids, surfaces and interfaces. Langmuir has ranked #1 in citations in the field of physical chemistry for four consecutive years.
Clarkson University, located in Potsdam, New York, is a private, nationally ranked university with a reputation for developing innovative leaders in engineering, business, the sciences, health sciences and the humanities. At Clarkson, 3,000 high-ability students excel in an environment where learning is not only positive, friendly and supportive but spans the boundaries of traditional disciplines and knowledge. Faculty achieves international recognition for their research and scholarship and connects students to their leadership potential in the marketplace through dynamic, real-world problem solving.
PHOTO CAPTION: Nanostructured materials expert Sergiy Minko, the Egon Matijevic´ Chair of Chemistry at Clarkson University, co-authored a paper which was among the Langmuir magazine articles most frequently accessed from July through August. Here, Minko positions a sample in an ellipsometer, which looks at changes in polarized monochromatic light to measure thin film thickness and composition within an accuracy of +/- 0.1 nanometer.
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