Research
Interests:
Intermolecular
interactions in soft matter; chemical force microscopy; bio-nano-photonics;
analytical microdevices; controlled synthesis and assembly of materials
at meso-scale .
In
our research, we set the goal of understanding and controlling interactions
in chemical systems at small scale (microns to nanometers). The
research is interdisciplinary, where approaches of chemistry, physics
and engineering converge. We pursue three major directions in this
area:
1.
Bio-nano-photonics. We interested in developing new experimental
methodology to characterize mechanisms and dynamics of intra- and
intermolecular binding that involves biomolecules. In particular,
force spectroscopy can manipulate single molecules and perform mechanical
experiments with single macromolecules, thus, one can move beyond
ensemble averages to resolve and analyze transient subpopulations,
study details of energy landscapes, and observe mechanics of molecular
machinery of cells. To gain independent evaluation of geometrical,
structural and molecular transformations within the probe-substrate
junction, we combine force spectroscopy with optical near field
techniques to achieve simultaneous spectroscopic characterization
of binding and folding events. Nanostructured substrates (sub-wavelength
apertures, lenses or waveguides) will act as field concentrators
to achieve light confinement to the nanometer-sized region of interest.
2.
New tools for research in biophysics and bioengineering. Modern
scanning probe microscopy techniques are very powerful tools for
characterization of molecular properties and function at the nanometer
scale; however, complexity and high cost prevent their widespread
use in chemical and biological laboratories. We are exploring new,
simple approaches to the analytical force spectroscopy platform
for massively-parallel low cost binding assays.
3.
Meso-scale assembly of functional nanomaterials. One current challenge
for science of nanometer scale materials is to provide reproducible
and practical routes to assembling these materials into functional
devices - a problem which involves making interconnects between
macro scale (mm to microns) and nanometer scale. We are developing
tools and approaches to three-dimensional self-assembly of semiconductor
nanowires during growth, and research their potential applications
in photonics and sensors.
Teaching
Interests:
Physical
chemistry, surface and colloidal chemistry, biophysical chemistry,
analytical chemistry, fundamentals of science and technology at
the nanometer scale
Recent
Publications:
Vezenov,
D.V.; Noy, A.; Ashby, P. "Chemical force microscopy: probing chemical
origin of interfacial forces and adhesion." (Invited) special issue
of J. Adhesion Sci. Technology , 2005.
Vezenov,
D.V.; Mayers, B.T.; Conroy, R.; Snee, P.; Chan, Y.; Bawendi, M.
G.; Whitesides, G. M. "A low-threshold, high-efficiency microfluidic
waveguide laser". ASAP article, J. Am. Chem. Soc. , 2005.
Xu,
Q.; Mayers, B.T.; Lahav, M.; Vezenov, D.V.; Whitesides, G. M. "Approaching
zero: using fractured crystals in metrology for replica molding."
J. Am. Chem. Soc. , 2005, 127
, 854.
Vezenov,
D.V.; Mayers, B.T.; Wolfe, D.B.; Whitesides, G. M. "Integrated fluorescent
light source for optofluidic applications." Appl. Phys. Lett.
, 2005, 86 , 041104.
Vezenov,
D.V.; Noy, A.; Lieber, C.M. "The effect of liquid induced adhesion
changes on the interfacial shear strength between self-assembled
monolayers." J. Adhesion Sci. Technology , 2003,
17 , 1385.
Vezenov,
D.V.; Zhuk, A.V.; Whitesides, G.M.; Lieber, C.M. "Chemical force
spectroscopy in heterogeneous systems: intermolecular interactions
involving epoxy polymer, mixed monolayers and polar solvents." J.
Am. Chem. Soc. , 2002, 124 , 10578.
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