Thanks to advances in the semiconductor industry, it's now possible to produce small devices that morph continuously, ranging from a waveguide for quantum waves of electrons to islands that carry a tiny discrete charge produced by only a few electrons. By studying the fundamental properties of these smaller mesoscopic systems, including the particle and wave properties of electrons, Glazman and other physicists are uncovering the fundamental physics behind nanotechnology. Other University researchers are intent on learning how to control the size, composition, and other properties of nanoparticles. Andreas Stein, an associate professor of chemistry, is developing nanoporous solids that mimic the structures of natural porous minerals called zeolites. Functioning as molecular sieves, zeolites allow molecules of designated sizes and shapes to pass through and react inside their channels under very controlled conditions.
Synthetic zeolites have various applications in industry.
The petroleum industry uses them to increase the octane rating of gasoline, a mixture that contains molecules of various sizes. When gasoline is filtered through zeolites that have reactive channel walls, certain molecules in the gasoline react with the walls in a process that increases the octane levels. For the reaction to occur, however, the molecules must come in contact with the channel walls. One aspect of Stein's research has dealt with modifying the surface reactivity of porous solids. Typically, the channels or pores of natural zeolites are just large enough to accommodate small molecules, but researchers need porous solids that give them more flexibility and control.