The development, characterization, and exploitation of novel materials based on the assembly of molecular components is an exceptionally active and rapidly expanding field. The research traverses the boundaries of chemistry, physics, biology, and medicine. A significant challenge in this context is the design, synthesis, and characterization of desired molecular components and their assembly into novel molecular architectures aimed at specific functions. Pursuant to this endeavor is our research program that has evolved from exploratory synthetic, structural, and reactivity studies on both molecular and nanoscale clusters.

Our general approach for undertaking this challenge has been to develop novel synthetic routes to the formation of metal clusters and their organization into nanoscopic assemblies. Using coordination chemistry-based synthetic approaches, my group has succeeded in producing new classes of polynuclear lanthanide clusters, cluster-supported metallodendrimers, and dendrimer-passivated gold nanoclusters. It has been possible to demonstrate not only the novel chemistry involved, but also the interesting electronic and optical properties of these materials. The ultimate goal of our research is to translate molecular properties of the metal clusters into the designed supramolecular assemblies for their applications in catalysis, separations, sensor technology, and information storage and processing.

The chemistry involved in our research is not only driven by the exotic architectures of the molecules, but also by their potential to function as advanced materials. From a fundamental point of view, our program gains significance in that it interfaces with both chemistry and materials science. From a practical point of view, our efforts serve to provide new materials with applications ranging from catalysis, communication, to medicine. Furthermore, while rooted in traditional chemistry, the program often involves students in collaborations with an array of other scientists and engineers while crossing fields of chemistry, biology and materials science. As such, the students' depth of fundamental chemical principles becomes augmented by exposure to a breadth of additional concepts. Such collaborative research often results in the creation of a fertile and creative environment for achievement of research goals.