Magnetically Responsive Photonic Nanorods

Yadong Yin, University of California-Riverside, DMR 0956081

Hu, Y.; He, L. and Yin Y. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2011, 50, 3747.

• Stimulus-responsive photonic materials have important applications in areas such as color displays, biological and chemical sensors, security documents, or active optical components.

• Under a magnetic field, superparamagnetic iron oxide colloidal particles can self-assemble into 1D periodic structures which show tunable diffraction colors.

• Through sol-gel process, these 1D photonic chains can be wrapped by a thin coating of silica, eventually forming nanorods that permanently retain their peapod-like structure.

• When an external magnetic field is applied to the solution of nanorods, they align themselves parallel to one another like a set of tiny flashlights turned in one direction, and display a brilliant color.

• These nanoscale nanorods represent the smallest photonic crystal structures that can diffract in the visible spectrum, promising for color manipulation with high resolution

Each nanorod is composed of an array of periodically arranged magnetic particles

fixed within a silica shell.

Goal: Develop educational programs that stimulate and maintain students’ interest in Science and Technology

Graduate Training: – Stimulate interest using lab

demonstrations– Enhance enthusiasm through “Science

as Art” competition

Undergraduate Research Experiences:

– Design attractive projects (color tunable liquid, nanoscale Ag mirrors)

– Encourage discussion about science– Outreach to students at local colleges

Qiao Zhang, graduate student award and“Science as Art” competition in 2011 MRS meeting

Chemistry Fun for Students in Science and Technology

Yadong Yin, University of California-Riverside, DMR 0956081

High School Outreach Efforts:– Design safe and attractive projects– Encourage the students to discuss

science/research– Encourage competition in Science Fairs

Synthesis and Manipulation of Silver and Gold Nano-Mirrors

1st place at the California State Science Fair Intel International Science and Engineering

Fair• 1st place, Air Force Research Laboratory;

1st place, American Intellectual Property Law Association; 3rd place, American Chemical Society; 2nd place in the Grand Awards Ceremony.

Michael Janner, a freshman at Redlands East Valley HS won several awards for his summer research project:

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