The physics and chemistry of nanostructured materials has been a central theme of science and technology for the last few decades of the 20th century, and the trend is expected to continue. Several interdisciplinary groups of physicists, chemists and material scientists are working in this emerging area of nanoscience in the Center for Nanostructured Materials (CNM) to foster interdisciplinary collaborations, share and provide instrumentation and technical assistance, and train undergraduates and graduate students in the science of nanostructured materials. CNM has several state-of-the-art equipment to support interdisciplinary research, e. g., atomic force microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction for characterization of thin-film, powder, as well as single-crystal structures, superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), physical property measurement system (PPMS), electron paramagnetic resonance, Raman spectroscopy, mass spectrometer, etc. About 15-20 research faculty, several postdoctoral research associates, and students from the departments of physics, chemistry, and materials science collaborate on interdisciplinary research, proposal submissions, and planning of joint research with industry and federal research laboratories. Some of the current experimental and theoretical research activities are focused on the investigations of: (1) magnetic nanoparticles and thin films, (2) semiconductor quantum-dot nanomaterials, (3) electro-optical properties of soft-matter nanostructures, (4) nanostructured materials and techniques for biological applications, (5) nanostructured luminescent materials for sensor applications, (6) synthesis and study of electrically conducting, light emitting and self assembled second order nonlinear optical polymers, and (7) nanostructured materials for automated intelligent analyzers, thin film flow devices and sensors.
ARRI is an interdisciplinary unit of the College of Engineering
focusing on world class R&D with commercializable applications.
Mission
Our
mission is to generate and apply disruptively innovative knowledge,
advanced industrial technology and community services for purposes of
economic growth, national security and quality of life enhancement.
Vision
Our
vision is global leadership in the emerging discipline of
Microengineering. This is accomplished by augmenting basic and applied
R&D efforts with a comprehensive set of additional programs that
include education, service, extension, pilot production and
commercialization.
Technology Focus
The
second half of the information revolution will be driven by the
application of smart micromachines that can emulate human functions
such as perception, cognition, motion and communication. These are
integrated systems of micro sensors, processors and actuators that
interact with the environment, among themselves, and with humans. Thus,
they provide an interface between the information world and the
physical world. A key research challenge is the development of
manufacturing processes to enable the commercialization of inexpensive,
possibly disposable micromachines.
Economic Development
The
Institute will be a beacon of economic growth and a world leader in the
commercialization of smart micromachines by amalgamating globally
competitive research, world class micromanufacturing technology,
sophisticated market awareness, state-of-the-art facilities, and
intimate ties to industry.
Culture
The
culture at ARRI is goal driven and outcome oriented. Students work in
interdisciplinary teams and are given ample opportunities to become
proficient at analysis, computation, experimentation and
entrepreneurship.
Research Program
The research program consists of three interrelated layers:
Fundamental issues in robotics and microtechnology.
Technological issues in micro and nano scale manufacturing
Engineered systems for complex applications.
Technology Platforms
Technology
platforms are used to demonstrate and evaluate new capabilities,
concepts and applications. These platforms provide: (i) research
continuity by capturing and preserving intellectual residuals, (ii) a
common market pull for realistically complex applications, and (iii)
focal points around which interdisciplinary work can be continuously
integrated.
The University of Texas at Arlington is home to the preeminent university-based nanotechnology research, development and teaching facility in North Texas. The Nanotechnology Research & Teaching Facility is an interdisciplinary resource open to scientists within and outside of the University. Research activities are conducted through mutually-beneficial associations of chemistry, electrical engineering, mechanical and aerospace engineering, materials science and physics faculty, graduate students and research assistants at UTA, as well as collaborative efforts with investigators at other universities and in the private sector.
The CNM is a user facility available to faculty, staff, postdocs, and students from UTA. Individuals from other institutions as well as from industry are welcome to submit their samples for characterization by CNM staff for a fee. The policies regarding usage of the facility by UTA personnel are outlined below.
Point of Contact Any potential user should first contact the facility manager to discuss their sample and the particular characterization needed. All users must complete the radiation safety and laser safety modules offered by Environmental Health and Safety before approaching CNM staff regarding their experiment.
Contact information for Facility Manager:
Dr. Muhammed Yousufuddin Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry 700 Planetarium Pl, CPB 323 (enter through CPB 325) University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX 76019 Phone: 817-272-1167 Fax: 817-272-3808 E-mail: myousuf@uta.edu
Guidelines for New Users (1) First determine what information you need for your sample. (2) Select the appropriate instrument for your experiment. The facility manager can help you with this. (3) Prepare the sample for the appropriate experiment. (4) If necessary, fill out the "Request for Service" form available for download on the "Forms" page of this site. (5) Log your usage on the CNM sign in sheet before starting the experiment. (6) Each individual instrument has a data log book. Users must log their usage in the approriate data log book as well. (7) Special note for single crystal studies: If possible, please bring crystals for structure determination that have already been studied first using NMR, elemental analysis, etc. This will prevent unnecessary x-ray data collections on starting material and uninteresting side products.
Training Users who have completed the appropriate training may be allowed to operate certain instrumentation. Please contact the facility manager to request training on a particular instrument.
User Fees A fee system has been established for CNM users from the Chemistry and Physics departments. Users outside these departments will be charged a per hour fee for usage of the instrumentation (or if preferred, a flat annual fee). The fee system is below.
Fee System
(1) CNM members with current funded research grants from the Department of Physics and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry $500 per academic year
(2) UTA researchers from departments, other than Physics and Chemistry and Biochemistry $500 per academic year or $50/hour
(3) Non-UTA users $100/hour
Service CNM staff are available to perform experiments on appropriately prepared samples. Users requesting service should print out and complete the "Request for Service" form available on the "Forms" page of this site and return it to the facility manager.
Acknowledgement Any publications resulting from usage of the CNM facility should make an appropriate acknowledgement by citing "The characterization work was performed in the Center for Nanostructured Materials at the University of Texas at Arlington". Please inform the facility manager of any publications resulting from usage of CNM instrumentation.
Questions, Comments and Suggestions Please contact the facility director (Prof. Suresh Sharma) or facility manager (Dr. Muhammed Yousufuddin) with any questions, comments, and/or suggestions.
Important Disclaimer: The responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained on these pages lies with the authors and user providing such information.
Research Center Profile
8172722470 
700 Planetarium PlArlington, TX 76019 Mail Box No: 19065
Chemistry and Physics Building (CPB), Room No: 325
817.272.3808 
