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The topological insulating materials offer conductive surface states that can be useful for quantum computing, catalysis, and other applications. In this recent work, we (Young, Chowdhury, Walter, Mele, Kane, and Rappe, under review, 2011) show that compressing the material strengthens the topological insulating state, while expanding the material eventually takes this behavior away completely. Using external pressure as a control parameter suggests general ways to strengthen this important physical effect.

In 2008 The Penn MRSEC assisted a high school science teacher, Schuyler Patton, to prepare a year-long elective course on materials science for his high school, Central HS, Philadelphia. It started with one class of 33 students and it was very successful. In 2010-11, it was expanded to two sections with 66 students. In summer 2010, the Penn MRSEC offered a series of three hands-on workshops for teachers based on the laboratory experiments used in this course. The themes of these workshops were a)

Recent physics research shows how spin-orbit coupling can rearrange electronic bands in a solid to make a "topological insulator" a new quantum phase of matter that is guaranteed to have conductive surfaces even though its bulk is insulating. What happens if you take a topological insulator and compress or expand it? A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania has examined this question. They find that if you expand the material enough, you can manipulate the Dirac

Conductive polymers, i.e. plastics, that conduct electricity, are important in science and technology as they offer the potential for cheap, flexible electronic devices.

In semiconductor nanocrystals, the physical effects of deliberately included impurities, called dopants, may depend on the dopant position with the crystal. 

The Art Institute of Chicago:Science of Art Conservation

Generating, Probing and Manipulating Excitons in Carbon-based Nanomaterials        Density gradient ultracentrifugation leads to isolation of monodisperse graphene flakes      

Background: The JHU MRSEC conducts extensive K-12 educational outreach programs aimed at promoting interest in and awareness of the importance of modern materials research. High school students from the greater Baltimore area receive four-week internships each July to conduct research in the laboratories of the JHU MRSEC. The students are mentored by Center faculty, and also work closely