By JORDAN MARSHALL

Staff Writer

Tech is leading the way in nanotechnology, Dr. Yuri Lvov, an associate professor of chemistry for the Institute for Micromanufacturing, said.

Lvov said the IfM is one of the world leaders in layer-by-layer polymeric nanoassembly.

"Layer-by-layer assembly is the producing of nanometer thick films with molecularly organized internal structure," Lvov said. "It is based on alternate absorption of oppositely charged polymers, enzymes and nanoparticles kept together by electrostatic attraction."

Lvov established the method of nanofabrication by self-assembly at the university.

Lvov, who works closely with Dr. Mike McShane, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering, on the self-assembly research, trained five professors and more than 80 graduate students to work with him.

Jingshi Shi, a doctoral student of engineering, works with Lvov on the layer-by-layer self-assembly. She said she enjoys working on the process and hopes to continue working on it after she graduates.

"I like it because it's simple to understand, not expensive and very easy to set up," Shi said.

Lvov said one of his research teams is working on a project using the layer-by-layer self-assembly on drug encapsulation.

"We make drug micro-particles similar to a tiny submarine which will deliver the drug to a sick cell and treat it," Lvov said.

Treating the sick cells is important, because the less drug dosage one takes the better treatment he or she receives, Lvov said.

Malcolm Prouty, a doctoral student of engineering, works on the research to develop the submarine-type micro-particles.

Prouty said he has been working on the research everyday for about three or four months.

"It is a lot of work, but research and development is what I want to do, so this is good experience," Prouty said.

Lvov said he is also using his research in layer-by-layer assembly on biocompatible modification of eye lenses which makes lenses friendlier to eyes.

Lvov chaired a conference in New York City this fall about the research the university has been doing on layer-by-layer self-assembly.

Lvov said it was very successful and attracted hundreds of famous scientists from other countries including Japan, Germany, France, Russia and the United Kingdom.

Lvov said the conference opened the university and its students to contacts and opportunities for grants.

"The students met famous people and made connections, as well as having a first-hand experience," Lvov said.

Lvov said the leadership in nanotechnology here attracts industry and in turn brings hundreds of thousands of dollars to the university.