Basic Research, Breakthrough Results Published May 10, 2010 By Maria Callier Office of Scientific Research ARLINGTON, Virginia -- Cornell University's Dr. Jiwoong Park, a recipient of Air Force Research Laboratory basic research funding, is investigating carbon nanostructures that may one day advance a host of electronic, thermal, mechanical and sensing technologies for the Air Force. Ultimately, this work could contribute to the discovery of new electronic and optical devices with revolutionary implications for the fields of electrical engineering and bioengineering, as well as physical and materials sciences. Dr. Park leads a team of researchers whose focus hinges on the examination of single molecules, nanocrystals, nanowires, carbon nanotubes and their associated arrays. Collectively, these efforts reflect the team's pursuit of a "bridging" material with a structure sufficiently stable for molecular-level bonding, and an effective tool for resolving functional and structural challenges. If successful in these endeavors, the researchers will have located the means for pursuing future technological advances. The devices needed for most AF missions must be capable of withstanding exposure to harsh environments while maintaining maximum performance--a characteristic distinguishing them from commercial variations. Dr. Park orients his work towards carbon-based nanostructures--including carbon nanotubes and graphenes (i.e., thin layers of graphite)--because these formations impart a number of exciting properties, many of which could prompt novel device structures. This highly innovative work netted Dr. Park a 2008 PECASE [Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering] Award. The prestigious award represents the highest honor the government presents to promising, early-career scientists and engineers. Each award recipient receives a citation, a plaque and up to $1 million in funding (awarded over a 5-year period) from the nominating agency--AFRL, in the case of Dr. Park.