Research Themes
An illustration of the 3-D structure of Seneca Valley Virus-001, determined using an x-ray beamline at Argonne National Laboratory. This virus is harmless to normal human cells but an enemy of certain cancer cells.
The institute is in the process of building its team of theme leaders, whose strengths and research interests will help determine the main research themes of the institute.
The molecular engineering research themes that may be pursued will be bolstered by extant strengths in the basic and biomedical sciences at the University and Argonne. Examples include expertise in catalysis, solar energy conversion, materials research, biosciences, and computation. Excellence in interdisciplinary research located within the James Franck Institute and the Institute for Biophysical Dynamics in the form of substantial intellectual efforts in the basic sciences will provide critical intellectual support.
Potential thematic areas include:
- Energy conversion, transport and storage
- Photonic materials and systems
- Molecular electronics and devices
- Smart and adaptive materials
- Bioinspired materials and machines
- Engineering complex systems
- Molecular imaging
- Bioengineering of membranes and their applications
- Engineering of evolvable systems
- Medical therapeutics