Presenter(s): Makenna Pennel − Chemistry
Faculty Mentor(s): Jim Hutchison, Kenyon Plummer
Oral Session 2S
Research Area: Materials Science
Funding: Hutchison Lab, Alden Research Award
Whether we realize it or not, the emerging field of nanoengineering is continually revolutionizing the world around us. From smartphones to sunscreen, engineered nanoparticles are everywhere in our day-to-day lives. Scientists are constantly discovering new properties and applications—the possibilities of this incredibly small realm seem endless! This talk will feature a general introduction to the fascinating world of nanoparticles, in addition to a brief overview of my research on the topic in regard to metal oxides. Currently my work revolves around synthetic and mechanistic inquires, with emphasis on particle morphology and plasmon tunability. Some of the goals: improving the novel synthetic approach for metal oxide nanoparticles developed by the Hutchison Lab here at the University of Oregon, and creating new structures with enhanced optical properties. These are ongoing interests of mine, but significant progress has been made in both cases. Microscope images of things that are 7 nanometers wide will abound!