The BioNEMS group, led by Tony Jun Huang, James Henderson Assiatant Professor in Engineering Science and Mechanics, demonstrated a new class of plasmonic switches driven by light. The switches utilize the photoinduced phase transition of azobenzene-doped liquid crystals to alter the localized surface plasmon resonances of gold nanodisk arrays. These switches contribute to the emerging field of plasmonics, and will prove useful in applications such as high-density optical storage devices, optical filters, and plasmonic circuits. The other contributors include post-doctor, Vincent K. S. Hsiao, and two graduate students, Yuebing Zheng and Bala Krishna Juluri.

This research work "Light-Driven Plasmonic Switches Based on Au Nanodisk Arrays and Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals" has been published in the 17 Septembr 2008 issue of Advanced Materials (as the cover article).

Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Charles Godfrey Binder Professor in Engineering Science and Mechanics; Carlo Pantano, director of the Materials Research Institute; and Raul J. Martin Palma, professor of applied physics, Madrid, have replicated the process of making butterfly wings. Their groundbreaking research opens the door for future research into smaller electronic circuitry and other photonic capabilities such as better solar energy concentrators.

Their research work has been published in the 25 August 2008 issue of Applied Physics Letters: "Biomimetization of butterfly wings by the conformal-evaporated-film-by-rotation technique for photonics" and an image of their work appears on the cover of the same issue.

Additional information can be found at Physics.Org:

Dr. Eduard Ventsel, professor in engineering science and mechanics, delivered an invited lecture entitled “On one numerical method for the analysis of elastostatic problems.” The lecture was given at the 5th Scientific International Conference on Applied Mathematics in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, August 2008.

Professor Charles E. Bakis, Distinguished Professor in Engineering Science and Mechanics, has been elected Fellow of the International Institute for Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites in Construction - the IIFC. The aim of the Institute is to advance the understanding and the application of FRP composites in the civil infrastructure, in the service of the engineering profession and society. Fellows are senior members of the Institute who have achieved a position of high responsibility and have contributed significantly to the advancement of the field through research or practice, or both. Fellowship is by conferment by the Council based on proposals made by the Executive Committee of the Institute.

Professor Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Charles G. Binder Professor in Engineering Science and Mechanics, has been recently featured in a Nanowerk article with his work in nanotechnology fabrication based on inorganic replicas of complex biotemplates. The article discusses the concepts of developing new ways to produce advanced materials. Dr. Lakhtakia, highlighting work on the eye of the fruit fly explains that “The exact imitation of biological structures by using equivelant processes to those used in nature is extremely difficult, since the mechanisms of formation of biological structures are tremendously complex.” To ready more about this article, please visit their website.

Dr. Patrick Lenahan, distinguished professor in engineering science and mechanics, is scheduled to present a talk at the European Conference on Silicon in Barcelona, Spain from September 7 - 11, 2008.

To learn more about the conference please visit this website.

Congratulations to ESM Editorial Assistant Diane Bierly for taking first place, with her award winning raisin pie, in the baked products competition at the 2008 Centre County Grange Fair. In addition to culinary expertise, Diane is also an avid outdoors person, gardner and bird-watcher.