2010 Major Sponsored Program and Faculty Awards - Office of ...

Sellmyer, DavidPhysics and Astronomy/NebraskaCenter for Materials and Nanoscience* Research and Develop Nanoscale Magnetoelectronic,Sensor and Energy Materials and Devices$5,864,300 DoD-ARO9/24/10 – 9/23/13Cheung, Chin LiChemistryLiou, Sy-HwangPhysics and AstronomyShield, JeffreyMechanical EngineeringSkomski, RalphPhysics and AstronomyZeng, Xiao ChengChemistry/Physics and AstronomyDavid Sellmyer, professor of physics andastronomy, and colleagues in the NebraskaCenter for Materials and Nanoscience, havereceived funding from the Army ResearchOffice to support several efforts of highcurrent interest in nanoscience andnanotechnology: 1) magnetoelectronic andsensor materials and devices, 2) nanomaterials for energyapplications, and 3) development of a nanofabrication andcharacterization facility to support related research. Goals of thefirst project are to develop a high-sensitivity magnetoresistivesensor for both DC and high-frequency-band EMI magnetic fieldmapping; investigate new magnetic semiconductor systems forroom-temperature spintronic applications; and research thefabrication of nanodot arrays for magnetic logic and informationprocessingoperations. Research on nanomaterials for energysystems will involve fabrication of new nanomagnets forapplications in motors and hybrid vehicles, as well as research onnanoparticles and nanoclusters on oxide structures likely to haveapplications in energy production and environmental science. Thethird general area of this project involves the purchase andinstallation of a variety of state-of-the-art nanofabrication andcharacterization tools to be housed in the new NIST ARRAsupportedNanoscience Metrology Facility.Cooperative Agreement to Research and DevelopHigh-Sensitivity Nanosensors for Defense Applications$4,260,001 DoD-ARO9/25/09 – 9/24/12Liou, Sy-HwangPhysics and AstronomySkomski, RalphPhysics and AstronomyLai, RebeccaChemistryDussault, PatrickChemistryThe Department of Defense’s Army Research Office also supportsresearch to develop high-sensitivity nanosensors for defenseapplications. The key to improving the sensitivity of the magneticsensors is to understand and control sources of noise and tounderstand the fundamental limitations due to both noise and signal.This research will provide clear pathways for applications developersto improve signal and reduce noise and lead to development ofnew materials for improving future sensors. In particular, there isconsiderable room for improvement in ferromagnetic materials. Theproject has important applications in the areas of homeland security,health care, information technology and nanotechnology.16AWARDS OF $3 MILLION OR MORE