Following and Controlling Formation and Function of Bottom-up Assembled Nanomaterials

Explore cutting-edge research in nanomaterial assembly and characterization through this physics colloquium talk delivered by UC Berkeley's Naomi Ginsberg. Delve into the challenges and advances in bottom-up assembly of ordered functional nanomaterials, focusing on colloidal nanocrystal developments that utilize electrostatics for superlattice structure formation. Learn about innovative experimental techniques using X-ray scattering to study phase dynamics and material properties in real-time. Discover how controlled assembly requires precise balance of surface charge, screening, and van der Waals attraction, and understand the impact of laser absorption on superlattice phase growth. Examine groundbreaking methods for tracking energy transport at the nanoscale, including the movement of ions, photogenerated charge carriers, excitons, and heat using time-resolved optical elastic scattering. Gain insights into novel approaches for nanoscale non-contact thermometry and the measurement of dynamic temperature changes during photogenerated energy transduction in conducting and semiconducting materials.