The Thermodynamics Research Center group conducts interdisciplinary research at the cutting edge of the intersection of nanomechanics, mesoscale physics, and chemistry. Our specific interests are in the charge/mass transport and interfacial phenomena in condensed-matter (liquid- and solid-state) systems at the nanoscale. Our work is performed in collaboration with experimental scientists and the potential applications range from water desalination and DNA sequencing to achieving ultralow friction.

We utilize a set of methods, including coordination chemistry, multi-barrier transition state theory, large-scale molecular dynamics simulations, and density functional theory calculations. Outstanding candidates are encouraged to submit research proposals on the following topics:

• Aqueous ion transport across subnanoscale pores in two-dimensional materials (boron nitride, transition metal dichalcogenides, graphene, MXenes) for applications in molecular separations and water desalination.
• Physics of solid-state and solid-state-biomolecular hybrid devices for DNA/protein sequencing.
• Structural and thermodynamic properties of static and kinetic friction in two-dimensional and lamellar materials.
• Ionic liquids in nanoscale confinement for applications in supercapacitor energy storage.

We also welcome proposals on topics not specifically listed above.

Selected publications:

1. Smolyanitsky, A., et al., Ion transport across solid-state ion channels perturbed by directed strain. Nanoscale, 2020. 12(18): p. 10328-10334.
2. Fang, A. and A. Smolyanitsky, Large Variations in the Composition of Ionic Liquid–Solvent Mixtures in Nanoscale Confinement. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2019. 11(30): p. 27243-27250.
3. Fang, A., et al., Highly mechanosensitive ion channels from graphene-embedded crown ethers. Nature Materials, 2019. 18(1): p. 76-81.
4. Smolyanitsky, A., E. Paulechka, and K. Kroenlein, Aqueous Ion Trapping and Transport in Graphene-Embedded 18-Crown-6 Ether Pores. ACS Nano, 2018. 12(7): p. 6677-6684.
5. Smolyanitsky, A., et al., A MoS2-Based Capacitive Displacement Sensor for DNA Sequencing. ACS Nano, 2016.
6. Paulechka, E., et al., Nucleobase-functionalized graphene nanoribbons for accurate high-speed DNA sequencing. Nanoscale, 2016. 8(4): p. 1861-1867.
7. Deng, Z., et al., Adhesion-dependent negative friction coefficient on chemically modified graphite at the nanoscale. Nature Materials, 2012. 11(12): p. 1032-1037.

key words

Biosensing; Simulation; Theory; Chemistry; Physics; DNA sequencing; Protein sequencing; Nanomaterials; Nanopore; Graphene; Nanoelectronics; Nanotribology; Friction;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants