Center for the Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology

Title: "Vertical Scanning Interferometry – A Game Changing Technology for Chemistry, Material Sciences, and Biomedical Applications"

Andreas Luttge, Ph.D. is a Professor of Earth Science and Chemistry, Rice University.

Abstract: We study surfaces of reflective materials such as crystalline materials, cement, glass, metals, and living organisms, and the precipitation, dissolution, corrosion, and growth kinetics with Vertical Scanning Interferometry (VSI). Through coupling of experimental and modeling techniques and the complementary use of both AFM and VSI we are able to directly observe the surface and its dynamic changes over a wide range of length and time scales. Although these methods do not typically permit the direct observation of molecular-scale sites, such as kink site distribution, this information can be provided by Monte Carlo simulations and associated modeling techniques.