Introduction to Molecular Engineering:

Molecular materials are currently used in many different applications, from plastics for new building materials to light emitting diodes.
My current research activities include the preparation and characterizations thin films of some interesting organic, inorganic, metallorganic, dyes and biomolecules and organo-clay hybrid films. Also to explore the organization and molecular mechanism involves in such systems.

In order to fabricate a thin film of the material under investigations are deposited onto solid substrate. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, however we use mainly spincoating, Layer-by-Layer (LbL) self assembly, and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) deposition technique. Although we are particularly interested in the Langmuir-Blodgett technique, which allows organic structures to be assembled sequentially, one molecular monolayer at a time. The resultant film thickness can therefore be precisely controlled. In addition, the orientation of the molecules within the films can be arranged so that the multilayered structure possesses specific functional characteristics.

The aim of these work is to identify structure-property relationships within such thin films and investigate the mechanisms through which certain physical or chemical processes occur.

Langmuir-Blodgett films have long formed the core of our research activity; however, we rarely delve into the area of ideal LB compatible materials in which classically amphiphilic molecules ensure highly ordered molecular arrangement. Instead, we prefer to push the LB technique to new limits, investigating a much broader range of material types. For instance our current work involves investigations of non-amphiphilic molecules, water soluble materials, organo-clay hybrid materials and biomolecules (DNA, lipid, RNA) into the restricted geometry indicating that our approach to research is based on being diverse rather than too narrow.

Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett Films: What and How?                 Enter here for recent research new of my lab

Instruments available in my Laboratory:

1. Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film deposition instrument (Apex-2000C, India).
2. In-situ Fluorescence Imaging Microscope (attached with LB instrument) (Apex-2000C, India).
3. UV-Vis absorption spectrophotometer (Lambda-25, Perkin Elmer).
4. Fluorescence spectrophotometer (LS-55, Perkin Elmer).
5. Spin Coating Unit  (SCU 2005A, Apex, India)
6. Keithley instruments (For Conductivity measurement)
7. Millipore water purification system (18.2 mega-ohm resisitivity)
8. Gaussian Ink 03 software
9. Mathematica

Dr. S. A. Hussaing recieving Ph.D. degree