Charles M. Lieber

Mark Hyman, Jr. Professor of Chemistry

B.A.,1981, Chemistry, Franklin and Marshall College
Ph.D., 1985, Chemistry, Stanford University



Materials play an essential role in many aspects of our lives. Professor Lieber is interested in understanding fundamental properties of materials and in designing, synthesizing, and fabricating new materials. His research group is currently working in three broad areas. Highly anisotropic or low-dimensional solids and nanostructures can exhibit fascinating phenomena, such as high-temperature superconductivity and quantum confinement. These materials are important technologically and the focus of considerable effort in condensed matter research. Professor Lieber is interested in understanding their microscopic structural and electronic properties and how these properties determine macroscopic observables. He is studying: (1) the structure, pinning and dynamics of vortices in superconductors; (2) electron scattering and spin interactions in layered materials; and (3) the electrical and mechanical properties of one-dimensional nanostructures.

Revolutionary, in contrast to evolutionary, progress in condensed matter research (high-temperature superconductivity and the quantum Hall effect are two examples) frequently requires the synthesis or fabrication of new materials or structures. So that they can control synthesis more rationally and synthesize new classes of materials and nanostructures, Professor Lieber and his group are developing new growth techniques and investigating fundamental features of the growth process. He is currently: (1) investigating carbon nitride solids prepared by both thin-film and high-pressure techniques and (2) growing carbon nanotubes, carbide nanorods, and other new one-dimensional nanostructures.

Soft organic and biological materials represent an important and rapidly expanding area of condensed matter science that challenges traditional experimental techniques. Professor Lieber is developing and applying new techniques to investigate the fundamental properties of some fascinating organic and biological materials. His current research in this area focuses on: (1) the development of the chemical force microscopy techniques; (2) understanding, at the molecular level, adhesion and friction between organic surfaces; and (3) functional group imaging and the determination of microscopic mechanical properties of polymeric and biological systems.


See Also: Personal Link