Anthony D. Dinsmore
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Physics
404 Hasbrouck, University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003-9292
(413) 545-3786
dinsmore@physics.umass.edu
http://www.people.umass.edu/dinsmore
Soft Materials
We study the statistical mechanics and self assembly of "soft condensed matter:" colloids, vesicles, emulsions, nanoparticle suspensions and other squishy things. Our experiments probe the relationships among inter-particle forces, structure, and dynamics of many-bodied systems -- relationships that are central to research in condensed-matter physics. We use this fundamental understanding to develop materials at the nanometer scale. Self-assembled materials have truly unique mechanical, optical and electronic properties with applications in nanotechnology and biomedical engineering.
| Research Interest | Potential Application |
|---|---|
| Photonic Crystals; light transmission in random and ordered films | Fabrication of micro-waveguides and optical cavities; light sources; reflective films |
| Formation of shells and membranes of controlled permeability by self-assembly of non-toxic materials. | Immunoisolation of living cells and tissue; forming bioreactors by encapsulation of bacteria; films for particle or macromolecular separations; encapsulation of nutrients, drugs or macromolecules |
| Electronic properties of devices and junctions formed my metallic particles in insulating solvents | Formation of transistors, self-healing low-resistance wires and other devices by self assembly in a single vessel; ultra-inexpensive functioning devices at large scale |
| Statistical mechanics of random, non-equilibrium soft materials | Rheology and aging of gels of biopolymers, colloidal particles, sandpiles; handling of powders and other granular media |
| Formation of stable liquid structures of cylindrical shape;encapsulation in cylindrical structures | Formation of structures with unusual mechanical properties and defined shape, non-toxic (food compliant) |
Honors and Awards
- Cottrell Scholar Award, Research Corporation, 2004
- Alan Berman Research Publications Award, Naval Research Laboratory, 1999
- Elias Burstein Award, University Of Pennsylvania , 1998
- National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship, 1997-1999
- Materials Research Society Graduate Student Award (Finalist), 1997
Publications
- D. Dinsmore, M. F. Hsu, M. G. Nikolaides, Manuel Marquez, A. R. Bausch, D. A. Weitz, "Colloidosomes: Self-Assembled, Selectively-Permeable Capsules Composed of Colloidal Particles," Science 298, 1006 (2002). See also journalists' reviews in Nature Medicine and Nature Biotechnology.
- Y. Lin, H. Skaff , T. S. Emrick , A. D. Dinsmore , T. P. Russell, "Nanoparticle Assembly and Transport at Liquid-Liquid Interfaces" Science 299, 226-229 (2003). (See also journalist's reviews in NanotechWeb and Innovations Reports).
- Y. Lin, H. Skaff, A. Boeker, A. D. Dinsmore, T. Emrick, T. P. Russell, "Ultrathin Cross-Linked Nanoparticle Membranes," J. Amer. Chem. Soc. Communications 125, 12690-12691 (2003).
- D. Dinsmore and D. A. Weitz, "Direct Imaging of Three-Dimensional Structure and Topology of Colloidal Gels," J. Phys.- Condens. Matt. 14, 7581-7597 (2002).
- M. L. Breen, A. D. Dinsmore, R. H. Pink, S. B. Qadri, B. R. Ratna, "Sonochemically Produced ZnS-Coated Polystyrene Core-Shell Particles for Use in Photonic Crystals," Langmuir 17, 903 (2000).
