Home > Press > A Golden Levitating Act
 |
| Hamsa Sridhar ‘12 is conducting research at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences that seeks to levitate gold-coated micro-particles. The research made the front cover of the journal Nature. By Sirui Li. |
Abstract:
Hamsa Sridhar '12 works with levitating gold on a regular basis—but the work is neither magical nor costly.
By Sirui Li, Contributing Writer
A Golden Levitating Act
Cambridge, MA | Posted on March 5th, 2010Sridhar, a joint physics and mathematics concentrator, is the only undergraduate researcher involved in a project at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences that seeks to levitate certain micro-particles coated with a thin layer of gold.
Under the direction of Applied Physics Professor Federico Capasso, Sridhar has to devise feasible ways to coat the micro-particle with gold and magnetic materials.
Before entering the nanofabrication facility at SEAS to coat the micro-particles in gold in her routine procedure, Sridhar must undergo a number of security measures: she has her iris scanned, and she swathes herself in a complete outfit that includes booties—which go on first, she said—and a white suit.
Sridhar—who placed first in the 2007 Intel Science Talent Search as a high schooler—said that her interest in nanotechnology blossomed last summer, when she participated in the National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network Research Experience for Undergraduates Program, which offers hands-on nanoscience and technology research experience.
Describing nanotechnology as "the hub of science" and a field with "a lot of potential and promise," Sridhar said that she is passionate about the field because "all the new technologies are moving towards" nanotechnology.
"Hamsa has been great," said SEAS student David N. Woolf, who is also a research assistant for the project. "She is hardworking and self-sufficient."
The SEAS project made a breakthrough last year, when researchers proved the existence of repulsive inter-molecular forces, which had previously only existed in theory without empirical basis.
The application of certain materials to the micro-particles causes a shift from attractive to repulsive inter-molecular forces, thus permitting the particles to levitate in a fluid, Sridhar explained.
With further exploration, the researchers hope that their work will help significantly reduce quantum-scale friction in nano devices—but more research and experimentation remain before the project's findings can be applied to an actual nano device, Sridhar said.
Video here: www.thecrimson.com/section/media/
####
For more information, please click here
Copyright © Harvard University
If you have a comment, please Contact us.Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Bookmark:
| Related News Press |
News and information
Beyond wires: Bubble technology powers next-generation electronics:New laser-based bubble printing technique creates ultra-flexible liquid metal circuits November 8th, 2024
Nanoparticle bursts over the Amazon rainforest: Rainfall induces bursts of natural nanoparticles that can form clouds and further precipitation over the Amazon rainforest November 8th, 2024
Nanotechnology: Flexible biosensors with modular design November 8th, 2024
Exosomes: A potential biomarker and therapeutic target in diabetic cardiomyopathy November 8th, 2024
Physics
Physicists unlock the secret of elusive quantum negative entanglement entropy using simple classical hardware August 16th, 2024
New method cracked for high-capacity, secure quantum communication July 5th, 2024
Finding quantum order in chaos May 17th, 2024
NEMS
IEDM - CEA-Leti Will Present 11 Papers and Host Workshop on Disruptive Technologies for Data Management November 7th, 2018
UT engineers develop first method for controlling nanomotors: Breakthrough for nanotechnology as UT engineers develop first method for switching the mechanical motion of nanomotors September 21st, 2018
Nano-kirigami: 'Paper-cut' provides model for 3D intelligent nanofabrication July 13th, 2018
One string to rule them all April 17th, 2018
Possible Futures
Nanotechnology: Flexible biosensors with modular design November 8th, 2024
Exosomes: A potential biomarker and therapeutic target in diabetic cardiomyopathy November 8th, 2024
Turning up the signal November 8th, 2024
Nanofibrous metal oxide semiconductor for sensory face November 8th, 2024
Academic/Education
Rice University launches Rice Synthetic Biology Institute to improve lives January 12th, 2024
Multi-institution, $4.6 million NSF grant to fund nanotechnology training September 9th, 2022
MEMS
Discoveries
Breaking carbon–hydrogen bonds to make complex molecules November 8th, 2024
Exosomes: A potential biomarker and therapeutic target in diabetic cardiomyopathy November 8th, 2024
Turning up the signal November 8th, 2024
Nanofibrous metal oxide semiconductor for sensory face November 8th, 2024
Announcements
Nanotechnology: Flexible biosensors with modular design November 8th, 2024
Exosomes: A potential biomarker and therapeutic target in diabetic cardiomyopathy November 8th, 2024
Turning up the signal November 8th, 2024
Nanofibrous metal oxide semiconductor for sensory face November 8th, 2024
 |
||
 |
||
| The latest news from around the world, FREE | ||
 |
||
|
|
||
| Premium Products | ||
 |
||
|
Only the news you want to read!
Learn More |
||
 |
||
|
Full-service, expert consulting
Learn More |
||
|
|
||