The Summer School, 14-25 August 2006, in pictures

• Utrecht Summer School
• “Nanomaterials: science and applications”
  • Information and registration

Utrecht Summer School

“Nanomaterials: science and applications”

Debye Institute, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

August 14-25, 2006

Aim: To introduce the students to the exciting interdisciplinary field of Nanoscience, its chemical and physical aspects, and examples of applications. For: Prospective physics and chemistry MSc students and advanced bachelor students. Fee: € 800 including housing.

Information and registration Information on the application procedure as well as a downloadable application form can be found at www.phys.uu.nl/masters/summerschools. Send your application to: Department of Physics & Astronomy, c/o Ms Leonie Silkens, International Office, Minnaert building, Leuvenlaan 4, 3584 CE Utrecht, The Netherlands +31 30 253 2284 (Ph), +31 30 253 5787 (Fax) International.Office@phys.uu.nl There is a limited number of grants available covering fee and accommodation. Deadline for application: Applications including grant request: May 1, 2006 Applications without grant request: June 1, 2006

 

The fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology depend on materials with critical dimensions in the nanometre range. Examples include organic macromolecules, inorganic catalyst particles, and size-quantized metal and semiconductor structures.

Nanomaterials find and promise applications in a wide range of fields such as device technology (nanophotonics, solar energy conversion, opto-electronics), medicine (sensors, labelling) and chemical synthesis (catalysis).

The emphasis in this school will be on:

design and synthesis of nanomaterials

physical and chemical characterization of properties and phenomena

applications

The school will combine theory (lectures, tu- torials) with experiment and laboratory visits.

Master course: Computational Materials Science by Dr. M. Dijkstra and Dr.ir. T.J.H. Vlugt

Molecular simulations are often used to understand and predict properties of materials based on their intermolecular interactions. Using these interaction models, we can use simulations to obtain material properties like the phase diagram, equation of state, diffusion coefficient, heat conductivity etc. As we know the interactions between molecules in our simulations exactly, we are able to obtain a fundamental understanding of the relation between interactions and material properties, which is often impossible to obtain from experiments or theory. For example, Argon has a stable liquid phase, while the C70 Buckyball has only a stable gas and solid phase. Molecular simulation has shown that the stability of the liquid phase depends sensitively on the range of attraction.
                                                 
This course (starting at 08-09-2005) introduces basic molecular simulation techniques, which are frequently used in studies of classical atomistic and molecular systems. The first part of the course consist of lectures and computer exercises in which the methods are applied. The second part of the course consists of a research project.

For more information, please consult the website: http://www.phys.uu.nl/~vlugt/cms



Computational Science Symposium 2005

At November 18th 2005, the research groups of the Debye Institute that focus on computer simulation will organize their annual 1 day symposium. The purpose of this symposium is (1) to bridge the gap between experimentalists, simulators and theoreticians of the Debye Institute, (2) to exchange research, ideas, plans and to solve common problems related to simulations and (3) to discuss the role and importance of computer simulations that take place at the Debye Institute. Therefore, we would like to invite all simulators as well as all theoreticians and experimentalists interested in computer simulations to participate.
                                      
Besides presentations by PhD students, postdocs and groupleaders, we will invite one or two speakers from outside Utrecht. For more information, the program and registration, please consult the website
http://www.phys.uu.nl/~vlugt/dcss2005
 

Debye Lecture 2005

On Friday October 14 at 16.00 o'clock the yearly Debye lecture will be given by prof. J. van der Waals, (Dept. of Physics, Leiden University).
Blauwe Zaal Wentgebouw, Sorbonnelaan 16, Utrecht

The Statistical Thermodynamics of clathrates
How curiosity-driven research became an engineering tool.

On March 16 2005, prof. dr. ir. Bert Weckhuysen of the Debye Institute research programme Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis was among the first 40 young scientists (17 female, 23 male) who were nominated as members of THE YOUNG ACADEMY of the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences. Her Excellency mrs. Maria van der Hoeven, minister of Education, performed the official inauguration. The new Young Academy members were challenged by mrs. Van der Hoeven to supply her with new and unconventional proposals to face upcoming societal problems in the field of health, environmental protection, energy supply, new technologies etc. The chair woman of the Young Academy gave instant promising replies to the minister.


 

Debye lecture 2004
The lecture will take place on October 8, 2004 at 16.00 o'clock in the Blue room on the first floor of the F.A.F.C. Wentbuilding (Sorbonnelaan 16, De Uithof). Carpark to the right of the building.

"MANIPULATION OF MOLECULES WITH ELECTRIC FIELDS"

by Prof. Gerard Meijer                     

Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
Faradayweg 4-6, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
e-mail: meijer@fhi-berlin.mpg.de
Director of the Dept. of Molecular Physics, Berlin, Germany

        Getting full control over both the internal and external degrees of freedom of molecules has been an important goal in molecular physics during the last decades. This control is essential in the presently very active field of Cold Molecules. Trapped samples of neutral molecules have been created by means of buffer gas cooling in a magnetic trap, by using deceleration of a molecular beam in combination with an electrostatic trap, and by pairing cold atoms to form molecules in optical or magnetic traps. Recently, spectacular progress has been made with association of ultra-cold atoms assisted by magnetically induced Feshbach resonances, resulting in the first molecular Bose-Einstein condensates. In the field of Cold Molecules there is a particular interest in cold dipolar molecules which stems from the presence of the anisotropic, long-range dipole-dipole interaction in these samples, which is predicted to lead to interesting physics and novel applications. 

In this presentation I will give an overview of the various experiments that we have performed during the last few years to explore the possibilities of manipulating neutral polar molecules with electric fields [1]. Arrays of time-varying, inhomogeneous electric fields have been used to reduce in a stepwise fashion the forward velocity of molecules in a beam. With this so-called 'Stark decelerator', the equivalent of a LINear ACcelerator (LINAC) for charged particles, one can transfer the high phase-space density that is present in the moving frame of a pulsed molecular beam to a reference frame at any desired velocity; molecular beams with a computer-controlled (calibrated) velocity and with a narrow velocity distribution, corresponding to sub-mK longitudinal temperatures, can be produced. These decelerated beams offer new possibilities for collision studies, for instance, and enable spectroscopic studies with an improved spectral resolution; first proof-of-principle high-resolution spectroscopic studies have been performed. These decelerated beams have also been used to load ground-state OH radicals in an electrostatic trap at a density of (better than) 10⁷ mol/cm³ and at temperatures of around 50 mK. In another experiment, a decelerated beam of ammonia molecules is injected in an electrostatic storage ring. The package of molecules in the ring can be observed for more than 50 distinct round trips, corresponding to 40 meter in circular orbit and almost 0.5 sec. storage time. By miniaturizing the electrode geometries, high electric fields can be produced using only modest voltages. A micro-structured mirror for neutral molecules that can rapidly be switched on and off has been constructed and used to retro-reflect a beam of ammonia molecules with a forward velocity of about 30 m/s. This holds great promise for miniaturizing the whole decelerator, trap and storage ring for future applications. 

[1] H.L. Bethlem and G. Meijer, Int. Rev. Phys. Chem. 22, 73 (2003)

DEBYE PROFESSOR 2004

 
                               
Dr. Christopher Murray, IBM Watson Reseach Center, Yorktown, NY, USA

DESIGNING NANOSCALE MATERIALS

Lecture 1. Why smaller, really is different; A survey of finite size effects in nanomaterials.
      - Quantum confinement and surface plasmons,
      - Coulomb Blockade effects
      - Superparamagnetism and Superparaelectic phenomena
      - Size dependent phase transformations and surface segregation.

Lecture 2. General routes to nanoparticle production.
      - Mechanical attrition and Aerosol production,
      - Precipitation in glasses from the melt and by ion implantation
      - Colloidal synthesis.

Lecture 3. Semiconductor nanocrystals Part 1: Preparation and  properties.
      - II-VI, IV-VI, III-V, and Group IV quantum dots
      - Shape controlled synthesis
      - Core Shell Structures, Multi-component nanoparticles and doping   nanocrystals

Lecture 4. Semiconductor nanocrystals , Part 2: Applications of Quantum dots.
      - Solar cells to Sunscreen
      - Biological tagging
      - Solid state lighting & LEDs?

Lecture 5. Nanowires;  
      - CVD grown nanowires.
      - Solution phase catalytic growth of nanowires and wires by oriented attachment.
      - Building nanowire devices.

Lecture 6. Nanostructured magnetic materials for information technology
      - Nanoparticle self-assembled media
      - Bio-inspired routes to magnetic recording media.
      - Spin-dependent transport in magnetic nanoparticle arrays.

Lecture 7. Nanomagnetic for bio-applications and beyond.
      - Bio-applications of magnetic nanoparticles (separation, imagining and sensing)
      - Spring exchange-magnets for permanent magnetic applications

Lecture 8. Self-assembled nanocrystal superlattices: preparation and properties.
      - Colloidal crystallization and thin film growth.
      - Collective physical phenomena in assemblies

Lecture 9. Binary nanocrystal assembly a route to multifunctional nanomaterials.
      - Binary colloidal crystals realizing inter-metallic structures.

Lecture 10. Nanoporous materials:
      - Ion track etched pores, anodic alumina and block copolymers
      - Nanofabrication using nanoporous templates.

Lecture 11. Part1 Ethics and issues for nanomaterials research:
      - Questions of biological activity and environmental impact.
         Part 2 Emerging trends in nanomaterials research.
      - What's hot now and what comes next in the design of nanomaterials.

Lecture dates: 

LECTURES 1+2: Wednesday September 8             10.00-12.30 ROOM 106 Buys Ballot Laboratory

LECTURES 3+4: Wednesday September 15            10.00-12.30 ROOM 106 Buys Ballot Laboratory

LECTURE 5:       Monday September 20                 11.00-12.30  ROOM 160 Buys Ballot Laboratory

LECTURE 6+7: Wednesday September 29             10.00-12.30 ROOM C010 Aardwetenschappen

LECTURE 8+9: Wednesday October 6                    10.00-12.30 ROOM  160 Buys Ballot Laboratory

LECTURE 10+11: Wednesday October 13             10.00-12.30 ROOM 106 Buys Ballot Laboratory

This lecture series will provide an overview of progress in the synthesis  and characterization of nanoscale building blocks and their assembly into functional materials and devices.  The perspective of this course is that of a synthetic chemist/ colloid scientist although a variety of materials preparation techniques will the discussed and compared.  An effort will be made to balance the excitement of materials discovery with the challenges of developing viable technologies based of nanomaterials.

An introductory lecture will survey the origin of a collection of finite size effects that are being exploited to engineer materials properties. Where possible the "threats to continued scaling" of conventional technology will be highlighted along with the potential for new applications. General routes to the preparation of nanoparticles will be surveyed in lecture 2 while detailed examples of progress in the synthesis of semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots) and the development of applications base on these systems will comprise lectures 3 and 4.  In lecture 5 we will move from zero dimensional to one dimensional semiconductors as progress in the preparation and characterization of semiconductor nanowires and their integration in to devices is explored.

Lectures 6 and 7 will switch in focus to nanomagentic materials, exploring their preparation, properties and the applications that are driving intense interest in these systems. Lecture 8 will focus on conditions that allow an ensemble of monodisperse nanocrystals to organize themselves in extended ordered structures.  We will draw-upon understanding developed from classic studies of micron scale colloidal systems and explore the development of new delocalized "collective phenomena" in nanocrystal assemblies.  Lecture 9 will move one notch in complexity as we investigate routes to induce different types of nanocrystals to organize into binary colloidal crystals providing a route of multifunctional nanomaterials. Furthermore we will attempt to develop a systematic approach to structurally characterizing these fascinating systems.  In lecture 10 we will survey some developments in nanoporous materials and then focus on opportunities to harness these materials as templates for the fabrication of nanoscale devices.    The final lecture in the series will be reserved for a discussion of some of the most promising new areas and opportunities in nanomaterials research.

With the benefit of an audience engaged and enabled by concepts from lectures 1-10 we will move to the most interactive of the sessions lecture 11. In lecture 11 be composed of 2 parts. The first section we will discus some of the ethical, environmental, and health issues surrounding nanotechnology.  Serious attention must be paid now to the possible implication of the dissemination, use and disposal of these materials.

Researchers must develop a more proactive stance to full social and environmental impacts of these developments if these materials are to reach their full beneficial potential. In the final part of lecture 11 discussing the next "hot areas" to pursue We will also discuss how we as members of the scientific community can critically navigate the hype surrounding nanomaterials research.

 ABOUT DR. MURRAY:
Dr. Christopher B. Murray has been a staff scientist in the IBM research Division in Yorktown Heights NY since 1995 and manager of the Nanoscale Materials and Devices Department since 2000. His current research focuses on the synthesis characterization and integration of nanostructured materials with an emphasis on the exploration of finite size effects in nanoscale magnets and semiconductors. He is a Master inventor and patent evaluator for the IBM Corporation. Dr. Murray received his B. Sci. degree in 1989 for Saint Mary’s University in Halifax Nova Scotia Canada before pursuing graduate studies in chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  While at MIT he developed methods for the synthesis and characterization of semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots) and nanocrystal superlattices earning his Ph D. degree in 1995. This work on semiconductor nanocrystals was recognized with the awarding of the American Chemical Society's Nobel Laureate Signature Award in 1997.  The Technology Review recognized Murray's innovation in the development of nanocrystalline materials with his selection in the first of "Tech 100" in the year 2000, as one of the most influential innovators under 35 years of age. In 2004 he was selected as the "R. B. Woodward Scholar" by Harvard Universities department of Chemistry.  ISI's Essential Scientific Indicators has analyzed the citation history of a pool of 32,605 papers published in nanotechnology over the last decade to develop an objective "Ranking of Impact in Nanotechnology". Dr. Murray was highlighted for authoring 2 manuscripts in the top 20 most highly cited papers and ranked 23rd in Dr. Christopher Murray IBM Watson Reseach Center Yorktown, NY USA overall citations a pool of 47,143 authors. 

Award
By tradition, a prize is awarded every three years at the International Conference on Phonon Scattering in Condensed Matter  PHONONS nnnn  "to honor people who have made longstanding contributions to the field of phonon physics."

Recipients of the PHONONS Award (with year and conference site)

The engraved text reads:

To Harold de Wijn - for outstanding contributions to phonon physics - Phonons 2004  S. Petersburg

The Opening of the XXS-exhibition in Utrecht University Museum from March 25, 2004 t/m October31,  2004

On March 12, 2004, Prof. Frans B. van Duijneveldt en dr. Jeanne van Duijneveldt-van de Rijdt retired with a plenary lecture by prof. Van Duijneveldt and subsequently a reception. The added pictures give an impression of this event.

With the beginning of 2004 we have a new scientific director:

Prof. Dr. L.W. Jenneskens (Leo)

Professor, scientific director of the Debye Institute 
Hugo R. Kruyt Laboratory, room W809
Department of Physical Organic Chemistry
Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
Debye Research Institute, Utrecht University

e-mail: l.w.jenneskens@chem.uu.nl
phone: +31-30-253 3128
fax: +31-30-253 4533

Mesostructured Solids: From Self-Assembly to Nanocasting

 Ferdi Schüth

Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Mülheim an der Ruhr

Mesostructured and mesoporous solids entered the scientific world on a larger scale with the 1992 Mobil publication on MCM-41 type materials. Since then, numerous other ordered mesoporous materials have been described, with different pore structure and different chemical composition. Most of the pathways used to synthesize such solids are cooperative, that is, inorganic species assemble in solution with surfactants to form organic-inorganic liquid crystals. After removal of the surfactant part, accessible pore systems result. The surface of the pores can be modified over wide ranges, and different types of other materials can be deposited in the pores in a controlled manner.

Since few years, an alternative access to ordered mesoporous materials has been opened, initiated by the synthesis of CMK-type carbon materials by Ryong Ryoo. This synthesis relies on the use of ordered mesoporous silica as “mold” to generate another ordered mesoporous material. Thus, by filling the voids of MCM-48 or SBA-15 with a carbon precursor, pyrolyzing the precursor to generate carbon, and then leaching the silica with HF or NaOH one obtains a carbon negative from the original silica. One can even take this one step further, since now the carbon in turn can be used as the “mold” to be filled with another solids precursor, such as tetraethoxysilane. After hydrolysis and condensation of the silica, the carbon can be removed by combustion and the negative of the negative is obtained, i.e. again an ordered mesoporous silica, which very closely resembles the starting material with respect to pore system and morphology. 

Thus, over the last ten years an unprecedented control over structures in the size range of several nanometers has been achieved with rather straightforward and simple chemical means.

 DEBYE PROFESSOR 2003

A series of lectures

by 

Prof. Dr. Harold J. Metcalf , 
(State University of New York at Stony Brook Department of Physics, Stony Brook, New York, USA)

Ornstein Laboratory (entrance via Buys Ballot Laboratory, Princetonplein 5)

Room 260

Thursdays 9-11 o’clock
Februay 27
March 6, 13, 20
April 3, 10
May 1