Nanosystems

At the heart of most modern technologies is a fundamental scientific understanding of the structure and function of matter at two extremes: the very small - atomic or small molecule level and the very large - the infinite solid. Creating a quantitative picture of the very small and the very large was the major scientific triumph of the 20th century. Understanding how to bridge the two length scales - how to manipulate, control, and manufacture nanosystems - will be the major quest of the 21st century. And that quest will be the major work of the CNSI - to build a broadly based infrastructure of facilities, personnel and education programs to understand and manipulate nanosystems.
The CNSI has created sets of nanosystems and technologies to be investigated that reflect the complementary strengths and resources of UCLA and UCSB. The list below indicates: the nanostructure, the nanosystem, and the targeted application. Interrogation of the chemical, structural and physical properties of the nanostructures represents mature or rapidly advancing science that form much of the foundation for the work at the CNSI. The science and engineering of the nanosystems is relatively immature and open to a great deal of creative advancement. The suggested applications in the arena of molecular medicine and information technologies focus the CNSI research efforts. The CNSI will formulate systems that span:

• From the protein to the cell to the organ and the patient
• From the genome to the bio-algorithm to diagnosis and treatment
• From the molecular machine and the nanotube to the lattice to the computer
• From the quantum dot to the superlattice to low-threshold lasers and efficient white lighting
• From the single atom dopant to the spin transistor circuit to spintronics memory and quantum computing

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