Alex K. Zettl

Discovered BN nanotubes and characterized their electronic, thermal, mechanical, and biochemical properties, which are distinct from those of carbon nanotubes. Performed transport and isotope measurements in fullerene superconductors and identified superconductivity mechanism. In oxide superconductors, performed systematic isotope experiments and placed severe constraints on the pairing mechanism. Developed a TEM nanomanipulation stage that initiated field of in situ electromechanical characterization and electron holography of nanostructures and led to construction of ultra-low-friction bearings and synthetic rotational nanomotor. Created a living cell nanoinjector, and a nanoscale radio receiver that adapted electron tunneling and mechanical vibrations to EM wave detection and transduction. Demonstrated and analyzed quantum chemical detection using nanotubes, and developed a nanomechanical mass detector with single-atom sensitivity at room temperature, used to make the first detection of atomic mass shot noise. In charge density wave systems, discovered chaotic response and identified localized collective-mode phase slip centers as origin of switching and bifurcations.