City College of New York

Research focus is on quantum properties of molecular nanostructures and the exploitation of such properties for formulating new nanomaterials with uses in molecular photonic devices (MPDs) and/or chemical sensors. In our studies, small groupings of molecules (principally, so-called molecular aggregates) serve as the active agents. For MPDs the same types of photonic/optoelectronic applications as systems derived from epitaxially prepared inorganic semiconductor superlattices or conjugated organic polymers are anticipated. For chemical sensor applications, our aim is to form robust and highly manipulable new nanomaterials with unique spectral properties for chemical sensing purposes.

The Kretzschmar Group develops methods for the anisotropic modification of micro- and nanoparticle surfaces using vapor deposition or electrochemical methods. We are interested in the assembly of these surface-anisotropic particles into two- and three-dimensional structures for electronic and photonic applications.

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Professor Michael Loy earned both his BSc (1966) and PhD (1971) degrees at the University of California at Berkeley. He joined HKUST in 1993 as Professor of Physics and was appointed as Dean of Science in 1998. Before coming to HKUST, Professor Loy worked for more than 20 years at IBM's T. J. Watson Research Center in New York. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society. He is also a member of the Optical Society of America.

Professor Loy's main research interests include nonlinear optical propagation effects, two-photon coherent transients, nonlinear optical studies of surfaces, the state-selective studies of molecule-surface interactions. His recent work involves desorption of molecules from surfaces induced by femtosecond laser pulses.

Pohang University of Science and Technology

Our objective is to design novel functional molecular systems through elucidation of molecular interactions and understanding of electron/photon/proton/capture/release/transfer mechanism/dynamics, and to study the properties of nanomaterials in finite dimensions. Novel functional nanosystems would have widespread applications like nanoclusters, nanotubes, nanowires, molecular wires, molecular memories, molecular computers, molecular vehicles, molecular robots, nano-electronic/mechanical devices, etc. In sharp contrast to conventional host-guest systems, the guests in our case include photons, electrons, and protons. We thus investigate the capabilities of manipulating individual photon, electron, proton, atom, ion, and molecule (for understanding the function in molecular devices/sensors) and the principles governing transport phenomena. For practical utility, we design novel molecular electronic/photonic devices and molecular sensors.

Rowan University

Robert R. Krchnavek joined the faculty at Rowan University in 1998. Prior to joining Rowan, he was on the faculty at Washington University in St. Louis. His industrial experience includes positions at Bell Communications Research and Bell Telephone Laboratories. He received his Ph.D. in 1986 from Columbia University, his M.S.E.E. from the California Institute of Technology in 1979 and the B.S.E.E. from Marquette University in 1978. Professor Krchnavek's research interests are in the areas of nanotechnology, MEMS, photonics, electromagnetics, and materials processing. He has received funding from NSF, DOD, and numerous industrial sponsors. His teaching interests are in the areas of electromagnetics, wireless communications, fiber optics, and electronics. He is a member of the IEEE, Eta Kappa Nu, and ASEE.

University of Montreal

Our research aims to advance the physics and chemistry of electroactive nanostructures, and to study the phenomena occurring at their surfaces and interfaces. Novel nanomaterials such as nanotubes, nanowires and supramolecular nanostructures are studied using surface sensitive techniques (UPS, AES, XPS, HREELS, IRAS), transport experiments (IV curves and magnetoresistance with temperature) and proximal probes (STM and AFM). In addition, we use techniques borrowed from microelectronics to construct prototype nanodevices and explore possible applications of one-dimensional nanomaterials for electronics, optoelectronics, sensing technologies and energy conversion.

University of Tokyo

In February 2002, a new research center, Nanoelectronics Collaborative Research Center (NCRC), was established at University of Tokyo for the purpose of realizing core technologies for the development of the ubiquitous information devices based on nanotechnologies. The NCRC investigates nanophotonic and electron devices in close collaboration with various industrial leaders, domestic universities, and overseas universities which are actively conducting research in this field. The NCRC will develop a collaborative research network between universities and industries, as well as training young persons of exceptional ability who can take a strong leadership role in the nanoelectronics field.

Main research fields of the NCRC

• Establishment of advanced semiconductor-based nanotechnologies
• Development of nano-photonic and electron devices
• Development of nano-integrated circuit devices
• Explorative research on organic, molecular, and bio electronics
• Application to quantum information and communication technologies

Weizmann Institute of Science

Modern crystal growth techniques make it possible to grow pure semiconductor structures in a very controlled manner. The atoms are deposited layer by layer, so that an almost perfect lattice is obtained. Using this method we can tailor the potential inside the crystal and form potential barriers and wells. A particularly interesting structure, which can be formed in this manner, is a quantum well: a narrow region between two potential barriers. It acts as a trap for electrons and restricts their free motion to two dimensions.

The understanding of the electrons behavior and interactions in this two-dimensional system is the focus of our research, and we do that using optical spectroscopy. Short pulse lasers allow us to study energy and spin relaxation processes with a 100 fs time resolution. We implement near-field scanning probe spectroscopy to measure the local emission spectrum, and thereby obtain the local properties of theelectron gas. Photo-luminescence measurements at high magnetic fields are used to determine collective electron states. These measurements are done at very low temperatures close to the absolute zero, in order to suppress the effect of the thermal motion and to be able to resolve small energy excitations.