Department of

Chemical Engineering

Designing molecular technology for the 21st century with biology and chemistry


Department Personnel

 
Photo of faculty member Jong-in Hahm.

Assistant Professor Jong-in Hahm

Pearce Development Professor

B. S., Seoul National University (1990-1994)

Ph.D., The University of Chicago, (1994-2000)

Postdoc, Harvard University (2000-2003)


Office: 155 Fenske Laboratory

Phone: (814) 863-4801

E-mail: jhahm@engr.psu.edu


Labs: 25, 26, 27, 212 Fenske


Staff Assistant: Mary Jane Smith

Phone: (814) 863-4677



Research Summary

Synthesis of Nanomaterials; Fabrication of Nantotools; Biosensors; Bioprobes: Nanoscale Protein Assembly; Biomedical and clinical detection.

New materials with reduced dimensionality, particularly molecular structures on the nanometer scale, are invaluable for their promising future use as molecular tools in investigating and engineering biologically important molecules. Our research focuses on the development and innovative use of nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, semiconductor nanowires, metal oxide nanorods, and polymeric nanomaterials for biomolecular and biomedical studies This research effort will elucidate precise structure, activity, and function of biomolecules which cannot be easily measured using conventional techniques. The successful implementation of our fundamental research will be the cornerstone of creating new multiplexed, high-throughtput biosensors with unparalleled sensitivity and selectivity. It is our hope that the novel nanotools developed in our group will have a long-term impact in basic biology and clinical studies as well as in burgeoning biotechnology sectors.

Data gallery of projects conducted by the Jong-in Hahm Research Group.


Research Overview

Jong-in Hahm, assistant professor and Pearce Development Professor of chemical engineering, studies new materials, particularly molecular structures on the nanometer scale, for use as molecular tools in engineering and investigating biologically important systems. Ultimately our goal is to develop materials that can be applied to functions as diverse as molecular probes, improved genotyping methods, and systems for screening small molecules and early disease markers.

Animation of the various research interests of Dr. Hahm.

Our current research centers on the synthesis of materials such as nanotubes and nanowires with interesting structures and functionality. We are working to develop methods for the controllable synthesis of these one-dimensional structures on various catalysts in order to produce nanomaterials to facilitate nanoscale applications. Our group is using a variety of polymers and biomaterials to grow the nanomaterials at defined sites and with a defined geometry and orientation. While it is difficult to manipulate individual nanomaterials, our approach will overcome this difficulty by fabricating nanomaterials upon their synthesis. Our research also focuses on the development and innovative use of nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes as well as metallic and semiconductor nanowires for biomedical studies. Materials synthesized in our group are tailored specifically for hosting individual biomolecules by controlling the chemical compositions and physical dimensions of the nanomaterials during synthesis. Materials grown this way could be used as high resolution biomolecular probes for atomic force microscopy, biomolecular electrical sensors enhanced biomolecular fluorescence detection platforms, and advanced protein/drug delivery templates.


Research Description

1. Nanomaterials for Enhanced Biomedical Detection

Our research objective is to discover and exploit the unique physical, optical, electrical properties of novel nanomaterials as next generation biosensors for rapid, highly sensitive and selective, high throughput, biodetection. Therefore, our research achieves specific advancements in the areas of nanosciences for future applications in the fields of biology and medicine. Therefore, our research pursues many scientifically and technologically important questions in the interdisciplinary areas of nanobiotechnology.

Click to open a P D F of Synthesis of Laterally aligned Carbon Nanotubes Using Magnetic Bacteria. Click to open a P D F of Fabrication of optically enhanced ZnO Nanorods and Microrods using Novel Biocatalyts.
Click on the images above to view P D F posters of research.

    Current research projects in this research thrust include:
  • Fluorescence-enhancing zinc oxide nanorod platforms
  • Diblock copolymers as nanoscale protein arrays
  • Carbon nanotube cantilevers fully integrated with actuating nanobeams

2. Biomaterials for Controlled Synthesis of Inorganic Nanomaterials.

Our research not only exploits the unique properties of nanomaterials in enhanced biological detection but also utilizes biological entities in controlling and promoting nanomaterials' synthesis and assembly with much needed, orientational and dimensional control. The use of biological entities in the synthesis and assembly of inorganic nanomaterials permits easy fabrication and assembly of functional nanomaterials directly upon their synthesis.

    On-going research efforts in this area include
  • Bacterial catalysts in controlled synthesis of carbon nanotubes
  • Zinc oxide nanorods synthesized using biogenic catalysts
  • Use of bacteria in other nanowire growth

none. Click to open a P D F of Engineering Novel ZnO Nanorod Array Platforms for Advanced Biomedical Detection. Diblock Copolymers as Self-Assembling, Nanoscale, Protein Templates. Toward High-Density, High Payload Protein Arrays.
Click on the images above to view P D F posters of research.


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