ChE Seminar Series: Detection, Prediction, and Visualization of Monolayer Phase Separation on Metallic Nanoparticles

ChE Seminar Series Presents:

Dr. David L. Green

Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering Departments

University of Virginia

Abstract: The goal is to gain fundamental insights into the factors that dictate the synthesis of monolayer-protected nanoparticles and translate them into rational design strategies for novel functional soft materials. He is interested in monolayer self-assembly, polymer grafting, and nanoparticle dispersion. He studies how to exert control over the interface of nanoparticles, which dictates their degree of compatibility with and assembly in soft materials, provides reactive sites for attachment of molecules, such as drug payloads, and tunes detectable properties, such as the surface plasmon to a wavelength of interest. David Green is particularly interested in the development of nanoparticles coated with monolayers from mixtures of organic molecules that may also self-assemble into advantageous patterns. As pattern formation in self-assembled monolayers is inextricably linked to their intermolecular interactions, a key research challenge is the integration of experimental and theoretical techniques to enable de novo design of patterned nanoparticles.

Bio: David Green is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering at the University of Virginia. He and his team collaborate with chemists, physicists, pharmacists, and oncologists to develop design principles for monolayer-protected nanoparticles.