Current Issue | Issue Archive | Center for Functional Nanomaterials | Brookhaven National Laboratory

Director's Message

by Emilio Mendez

Dear Colleagues:

I last reported to you at our 2008 Users Meeting in May this year, and I can tell you now, six months later, that our user program continues to bloom.

The number of proposals keeps increasing, and we see that, more and more, after a user works at the CFN for the first time, he/she requests additional facility time in subsequent proposal cycles. In other words, projects are getting longer and more complex. This is very good. After all, our goal at the CFN is to become a user-oriented research center that is considered a resource for world-class projects on nanoscience. Because of the synergy that exists among the expert staff at the CFN, our users, and our advanced equipment, I’m convinced that we will achieve that goal.

We had the opportunity to show off our facilities this August when the CFN was open to visitors through the Summer Sundays program at the Lab. Before every busload went off to tour the building, I spent a few minutes with each group talking about how nanotechnology can meet the nation’s energy challenge. It was a fun day, thanks to the many CFN volunteers who engaged with the public.

In this edition of the CFN newsletter, we take a closer look at the Hitachi STEM, managed by Yimei Zhu. He’ll tell you about its special technical capabilities. Then through the eyes of Jia Wang, a user, you will learn how she uses the microscope to probe platinum shells on palladium nanoparticles. It’s exciting work that has applications to fuel cells.

Also exciting is the LEED silver rating awarded to our magnificent building by the U.S. Green Building Council. Following that honor, the CFN was featured in the American Institute of Architects magazine, AIArchitect. The article (read it here) poses the question, “How do you design a laboratory with stringent environment isolation requirements that provides opportunities for researcher collaboration and access for the public?” Of course, the answer is: the Center for Functional Nanomaterials at Brookhaven.

Speaking of the environment, you’ll also find in this edition two pieces on nanoscience safety. We at the CFN are very serious about safety, as was positively noted by the Department of Energy in its May audit.

Finally, the dates are now set for our joint users meeting next year. Mark on your calendar May 18-20, 2009.

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> Next article: Facility Feature: Hitachi STEM

The Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN) at Brookhaven National Laboratory provides state-of-the-art capabilities for the fabrication and study of nanoscale materials, with an emphasis on atomic-level tailoring to achieve desired properties and functions.The overarching scientific theme of the CFN is the development and understanding of nanoscale materials that address the Nations' challenges in energy security, consistent with the Department of Energy mission.
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