Shaping and Assembling Porous Nanostructures Andreas Stein, University of Minnesota, DMR 0704312

1. Shaping and Assembling Porous NanostructuresAndreas Stein, University of Minnesota, DMR 0704312 Directed colloidal assembly • Developed syntheses of colloidal particles with nontrivial shapes (anisotropic particles). These can be building blocks for complex colloidal molecules and crystals. • Developed methods for precise placement of nanoparticles onto other anisotropic colloidal particles by self-assembly. This is analogous to the formation of molecules from atoms but on a colloidal scale, and it is a step toward self-assembly of nanostructured devices. • Developed a simple capillary condensation process for linking and stabilizing arrays of colloids. This also provides a route to particles with anchors that point in specific directions. • Developed a process for embedding functional porous colloids in a mesoporous film that stabilizes the colloids and makes them easier to handle while maintaining access to the particles. This concept was demonstrated for a cadmium-ion sensor. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2009, 131, 18548 Conjugation & functionalization of colloids J. Am. Chem. Soc.2009, 131, 9920 Functional composite membranes Chem. Mater.2010, 22, 3790

2. Shaping and Assembling Porous NanostructuresAndreas Stein, University of Minnesota, DMR 0704312 Science outreach to grade 1 students (see left). Here the theme was “Metals and Hydrogen”. Some students said that they wanted to become scientists after seeing the experiments. Loud, exothermic reactions were favorites. Public outreach: A special exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota on “Shape and Symmetry: The Beauty of Science at the Nanoscale” displayed artwork based on nanomaterials prepared in this NSF-funded project.