Graphene substrates provide researchers with a unique and robust platform for the synthesis of new materials (i.e. 2D-metals) and heterostructures by allowing the growth of films both above and below the graphene surface, often with novel structures and properties. Depending on the elements and stacking used, these hybrid-graphene structures have applications in semiconductor electronics, superconductivity, quantum well systems, non-linear optics, and biosensing.
Nearly fifty years ago, Lovelock and Margulis proposed that environmental conditions on Earth are regulated through interactions with the biota. Where does this “Gaia Hypothesis” now stand? Do these interactions increase biospheric resilience? On geologic timescales? On human time scales? These questions will be explored with examples from my research and collaboration with Lovelock.
New materials with superior characteristics offer great opportunities to build better electronic devices, circuits, and systems. In this talk, I will introduce past and ongoing efforts around translating material advantages into electronics performance improvements. In one case, realization of material advantage was not possible without engineering out parasitic effects. In another case, innovative engineering broke the performance limit predicted by the conventional wisdom.
Finding solutions to critical energy and the environment challenges depends not only on understanding the scientific and economic basis, but also the legal and policy basis. Pulling from my experience as an attorney/mediator/facilitator, I will briefly discuss what the "law" is (or isn't) and how engaging with a broad group of stakeholders can lead to impact and results for questions ultimately critical to stewarding our planet's resources. I will also briefly highlight upcoming opportunities for interdisciplinary funding in this space.
Lara Fowler | Penn State Law | Institutes of Energy and the Environment
Through my research on molecular motors, I have collaborated on NIH-funded projects with cell biologists, physicists, electrical engineers, materials scientists, and mathematicians. These successful collaborations all shared traits of a) the need to overcome communication barriers, b) having complementary areas of expertise and a mutually beneficial relationship, and c) addressing an important and timely problem. Using examples of successful grants, rejected grants, and reviewing grants, I will endeavor to provide a roadmap for cross-disciplinary collaborations that are enthusiastically received by NIH study sections.
The Center for Nanoscale Science, Penn State’s NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, will compete for renewal in 2018, with the preproposal due at NSF in June. NSF expects – and we intend to deliver – substantial change in the focus and composition of the Interdisciplinary research groups (IRGs) that will comprise the renewal proposal.
This talk will describe (1) the internal down select competition to become one of the IRGs in the renewal proposal, (2) the events, people, and resources that will be available throughout the winter and early spring to help teams in generating compelling IRG white papers, and (3) the key measures of a successful IRG proposal.
Alignment to the NSF Big Ideas is important: these include (among others) Rules of Life, Harnessing the Data Revolution, Quantum Leap, Convergence, and Multiumessenger Astrophysics. Sustainability is another important theme. In the last cycle, 54 external reviews were secured on 9 internal IRG white papers, to identify 5 for inclusion in the renewal.
If you are interested but unable to attend the Cafe, an additional similar event will be held in early January (time/place TBA), and the MRSEC Director (vhc2@psu.edu) is available anytime for discussion.