The National Nanotechnology Initiative has made nanoscience and nanotechnology a buzz word and expectations are running high about the impact of this 'novel' approach to science and society. While some of this may be mere hype, I will argue that NNI and related initiatives around the world have rejuvenated traditional research in fields like surface and material science.  Nanoscale materials are used in many applications and products.

I will discuss some of the work that we and others have carried out in understanding processes that facilitate epitaxial growth and chemical reactivity on metal surfaces. For the former, I will consider the microscopic factors that control the diffusion and coalescence of small and large adatom and vacancy clusters on metal surfaces and the scaling rules that might be expected, as a function of cluster size and surface temperature. For the latter, I will analyze how the presence of steps, kinks, and coadsorbed species impacts the surface electronic structure and chemical reactivity. An underlying goal in both would be to provide some insights into the effect of the local environment on microscopic processes in regions of under-coordination.

Dr. Rahman is a condensed matter theorist who investigates the physics of nano-materials and solid surfaces and interfaces. This work is important for solving technological issues such as thin film growth, new materials development, tailoring of properties of nanomaterials, controlling chararcteristics of catalysis and corrosion.  Dr. Rahman earned her first degrees in physics from Karachi and Islamabad universities in Pakistan and a doctorate in physics from the University of Rochester.