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MRSEC researchers have recently discovered that enzymes - molecules that catalyze chemical reactions in cells - move during the reaction.  Although this property is well known for motor proteins, it has not been previously known that movement is a general consequence of enzymatic reactions.  This movement depends on the concentration of the enzyme's substrate (the fuel for its reaction) and causes individual enzyme molecules t

During the academic year, F08 - S09, Olin undergraduates Sean Calvo, Caitlin Greeley, Stephani Gulbrandsen, and Leif Jentoft designed, built, and tested a flexible automated microscopy platform capable of imaging an area up to 100mm x 100mm with a resolution of 10 microns at 4.8 second per square mm. It reduces the cost of performing microfluidics research and increases the speed by allowing researchers to easily reconfigure and expand the system to their changing needs.

Using a series of acceptor-polymer-acceptor triads, IRG-2 investigators have measured intramolecular exciton diffusion in poly-3(hexylthiophene) (P3HT) for the first time.

Researchers have theoretically shown that distinct signs of Majorana excitations can be found in the Kitaev honeycomb model when a perpendicular magnetic field is applied. These unique features appear in what are called two-spin-flip excitations. The findings suggest that techniques like nonlinear THz spectroscopy could help detect these signatures in materials that are being studied as spin liquids. This work advances the understanding of quantum matter in these complex systems.

“Artificial spin ice” is a term used for arrays of nanoscale magnetic islands on lattices that geometrically frustrate inter-island interactions. 

LCMRC researchers are exploring the recently discovered ferronematic liquid crystal phase, revealing a dramatic polar magneto-optical response to externally applied magnetic field in

Here, we developed a method to generate a synthetic cortex at the membrane of synthetic cells upon blue light illumination. This is important since it allow us to control the mechanical properties of synthetic cells reversibly. When incorporated into a synthetic tissue, this method would enable mechanical patterning and defining the 3D morphology of tissue with light.

These evenings offer an opportunity for K-12 students and their parents to enter the realm of science and engineering together, such as the father and son seen here using the Center’s Exploring