November 14, 2011 — Auburn University chemical engineering researchers William R. Ashurst and Virginia A. Davis were awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to investigate cellulose nanocrystals in micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS).
Cellulose nanocrystals boast beneficial mechanical properties, surface chemistry, and self-assembly, Davis said, leading to less-expensive MEMS devices with improved and new functionalities. The project is titled "Collaborative Research: Processing and Properties of Cellulose Films for MEMS Applications."
The research is being conducted in collaboration with Christopher L. Kitchens, an Auburn chemical engineering alumnus and assistant professor in Clemson University’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.
Auburn University has an extensive MEMS program. Learn more about Auburn University at http://www.auburn.edu/.
Earlier this year, Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) joined the NSF to fund $20 million for 12 four-year grants supporting nanotechnology research, focused on replacing the transistor. See the grant recipients here.