The paper “Synthesis of SiO₂ Nanoparticles Using the Stöber Method and Their Self-Assembly into Liquid Photonic Crystals for Surface Stress Sensing Applications,” authored by Daniel Saldivar Ayala, second-year master’s student of Graduate School of Engineering, and Professor Takahiro Namazu, Faculty of Engineering, and published in the journal MRS Advances, has been selected as the cover art for the journal’s 10th Volume, Issue 3. MRS Advances focuses on emerging materials research of interest to the Materials Research Society (MRS), publishing findings in a concise snapshot format.
In this article, the fabrication process of mechano-chromic materials is described, from the chemical synthesis of silica nanoparticles, serving as the building blocks, to their self-assembly into functional photonic crystals. The selected cover image features a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the self-assembled silica nanoparticles, showing a face-centered cubic structure that reflects specific wavelengths of light.
We invite you to read the full article and learn more about this novel material development taking place at the Nanomechatronics Laboratory of KUAS!
Website of the Journal
KUAS Nanomechatronics Laboratory
(Hiroshi Kawakami, Faculty of Engineering)