What makes a nanocomposite material "smart?" Consider clothing that can detect the presence of chemical weapons, automatically seal its own pores, and then clean and decontaminate itself. The U.S. Dept. of Defense is funding research for fabric materials that do all these things and are also stronger, more durable and lighter than current uniforms.

At Clarkson, Sergiy Minko, who holds the Egon Matijevic´ Chair of Chemistry at Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, has established the interdisciplinary Nanostructured Materials Group with S.V. Babu, professor of Chemical Engineering, and Igor Sokolov, professor of Physics to explore fabrication and study of synthetic and biomaterials at nanoscale, with a special interest in materials for biomedical application, sensors and molecular electronics.

Their research focuses on smart/responsive polymer materials, smart colloids, nanostructured thin polymer films, formation of nanowires and nanoparticles, adhesion, wetting, adsorption regulations, single molecule devices and combinatorial methods in materials science. Applications include smart pores (membranes), responsive colloids and capsules, microvalves and pumps, environment-responsive lithography, smart textiles, and hydrophilic/hydrophobic switches.

One of Minko's current projects involves research in self-cleaning fabrics sponsored by the National Textile Center. Made of any common fabric, these materials will utilize a water-repellant, dirt-repellant, environment-friendly coating made of silver nanoparticles. Their wide applications will include hospital and military garments, as well as sportswear, awnings and convertible tops.