Spectroscopy and Charge Transport in Metal-Molecule-Metal Junctions

The Analytical and Surface Chemistry (ASC) program of the Division of Chemistry will support the collaborative research program of Prof. Daniel Frisbie and Prof. Xiaoyang Zhu of the University of Minnesota. The study of Prof. Frisbie and Prof. Zhu will focus on the effect of electronic and molecular structure on transport in metal-molecule-metal systems, commonly called molecular junctions. The collaborative research team will employ state-of-the-art spectroscopy and junction transport measurements to elucidate the relationships between electronic structure, molecular conformations, and junction transport behavior. The study could lead to the development of molecular electronic devices which would in turn revolutionize the world of electronics. It will provide excellent training opportunities to undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in a cutting edge interdisciplinary research field which is of great importance to the US economy.