Where:  Lecture Room I Van Allen Hall

When:  7:30 pm Tuesday, April 13, 2004

Lecture Abstract:
"Nano-Science and Technology: A Progress Report"
Nanoscience and nanotechnology are the study and application of phenomena at the extremely small length scales of 1 nanometer to 100 nanometers. These length scales lie in between the typical distance separating atoms in a solid (about 1/3 nanometers) and the length of a wave of visible light (500 nanometers). Several dramatic advances in nanometer-scale science and technology have been achieved over the last few years, including the control of single electrons in electrical circuits, extremely rapid miniaturization of computer memories, and the manipulation of single molecules.  Astounding claims for both the usefulness and the danger of nano-devices are now pervasive.  Prof. Ralph will discuss some of the technical advances and the new ideas at the root of this field.  He will describe examples of recent progress
in some promising research areas, and distinguish between real advances and outrageous claims.

Bio:
Dan Ralph is a Professor of Physics at Cornell University.  He has conducted research in nanometer-scale science for more than 15 years, specializing in magnetic, superconducting, and molecular-electronic devices.  He has developed  transistors made from single molecules and discovered a new mechanism to control the orientation of nanoscale magnets in memory devices. He serves on the executive committee of the Cornell Nanoscale Facility, a National Science Foundation national user facility where scientists and engineers from throughout the country fabricate nanoscale devices.