****Macromolecular depositoning and patterning technology developed at the USF Surface Science Lab is now commercially available! Check here for more info.

****We are currently looking for Ph.D. students to join our efforts. Projects on inorganic-organic hybrid materials interfaces, and atomic layer deposition (ALD) related projects recently received NSF funding. Undergraduates with research interests are also welcome to join during semesters or summers on a flexible schedule. Honors thesis related projects are also available. Foreign students in search of diploma, masters, or intenship (studienarbeit/ praktikum) research projects are also encouraged to apply.****

Welcome to the USF Surface Science Laboratory! The SSL focuses on the application of surface scientific techniques on molecular and nano structured materials. A particular focus is the investigation and fabrication of macro-molecular interfaces. Some of the investigated topics are:

• What is the nature of the interface between biological and inorganic materials?
• Are there chemical reactions?
• Is the bio-activity affected by the interfaces?
• How much energy does it take to transfer charges between inorganic and molecular materials?

The main methods used are electrospray deposition of macro-molecular materials thin films in vacuum directly from solution, photoemission spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The materials investigated include bio-molecules such as DNA and proteins, as well as luminescent and semiconductive polymers and nano-materials. The SSL also specializes in work function measurements on a variety of materials.

Further research projects include the design and construction of an in-vacuum macro-molecular patterning system, fabrication of sandwich immunoassays, electrospray thin film deposition, growth of carbon nanotubes, advanced sample preparation techniques for matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), and ferroelectric materials' properties.

Our research is currently funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), and by industrial sponsors.