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"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution."--Albert Einstein |
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JAMES K. GIMZEWSKI PhD, CPhys, FIoN, FInstP, FWIF, FREng
DR. HONORIS CAUSA, UNIVERSITÉ DE LA MÉDITERANÉE "NANO, POETICS OF A NEW WORLD/Nano, Poética de um Mundo Novo" "ATOM AND EVE" "VISUALIZING THE INVISIBLE: At the Frontier of Art and Nanoscience" MOST-DOWNLOADED ARTICLES IN NANOTECHNOLGY IN 2007 GIMZEWSKI & VESNA ON STUDIO 360, NPR RECENT PUBLICATIONS “High-throughput cell nano-mechanics with mechanical imaging interferometry,” “Folding of a Donor–Acceptor Polyrotaxane Using Noncovalent Bonding Interactions,” “Performance advances in interferometric optical profilers for imaging and testing,” "Nanomechanical analysis of cells from cancer patients," POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR POSITION AVAILABLE |
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JAMES K. GIMZEWSKI Jim Gimzewski is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles and Director of the Nano & Pico Characterization Core Facility of the California NanoSystems Institute and the Scientific Director of the Art|Sci Center. Prior to joining the UCLA faculty, he was a group leader at IBM Zurich Research Laboratory, where he research in nanoscale science and technology for more than 18 years. Dr. Gimzewski pioneered research on mechanical and electrical contacts with single atoms and molecules using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and was one of the first persons to image molecules with STM. His accomplishments include the first STM-based fabrication of molecular suprastructures at room temperature using mechanical forces to push molecules across surfaces, the discovery of single molecule rotors and the development of new micromechanical sensors based on nanotechnology, which explore ultimate limits of sensitivity and measurement. This approach was recently used to convert biochemical recognition into Nanomechanics. His current interests are in the nanomechanics of cells and bacteria where he collaborates with the UCLA Medical and Dental Schools. He is involved in projects that range from the operation of X-rays, ions and nuclear fusion using pyroelectric crystals, direct deposition of carbonn nanotubes and single molecule DNA profiling. Dr. Gimzewski is also involved in numerous art-science collaborative projects that have been exhibited in museums throughout the world. |
AWARDS & HONORS
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CURRICULUM VITAE
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RESEARCH INTERESTS Jim Gimzewski's research is deeply connected with convergence and application of nanoscale science and technology with an emphasis on mechanics on the nanoscale. His research encompasses crucial aspects of physics, chemistry, engineering and life sciences, medicine and art. His research consists of: (1) Nanomechanical dynamics and nanoarchitechtonics of living cells. This work is related to cancer, the action of drugs, environmental factors and other mutations in individual cells. The research pioneers the role of mechanics and cellular motion with the aim to develop new forms of medical diagnoses at the single cell level. (2) Use of biochemistry and AFM to gene profile DNA on the single molecule level. (3) Production of compact high energy beams of neutrons, photons, ions, and electrons using point source emitters coupled with piezoelectric and pyroelectric effects. Notable recent developments include the demonstration of thermo-nuclear fusion using a pocket-sized device powered by cooling the device by 20C below ambient. Production of X-rays with fluxes suitable for X-ray radiology have also been demonstrated. (4) More recent work explores recyling of waste energy into electrical power. |
AFM USED TO DIAGNOSE CANCER CELLS
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Above: Immunofluorescence analysis of a clinical pleural effusion displaying two cell populations. Image shows the positive immunofluorescence triple labeling assay for DNA(blue fluorescence), F-actin(green fluorescence), and Ber-EP4(red fluorescence). Supplemental materials (includes a brief description of cancer cell morphology and how an AFM works). Read the paper on the Nature website.
All content and images © 2007 James K. Gimzewski, UCLA, and/or UC Regents. Use of an content and/or images with written permission only. Please contact gimadmin@chem.ucla.edu for hi-res copies for web and print publication. |
Left to right: Cross, Gimzewski, Rao and Jin. UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center comprises about 235 researchers and clinicians engaged in disease research, prevention, detection, control, treatment and education. One of the nation's largest comprehensive cancer centers, the Jonsson center is dedicated to promoting research and translating basic science into leading-edge clinical studies. In July 2007, the Jonsson Cancer Center was named the best cancer center in California by U.S. News & World Report, a ranking it has held for eight consecutive years. For more information on the Jonsson Cancer Center, visit our web site at www.cancer.mednet.ucla.edu. The California NanoSystems Institute is a multidisciplinary research center at UCLA whose mission is to encourage university–industry collaboration and to enable the rapid commercialization of discoveries in nanosystems. CNSI members include some of the world’s preeminent scientists, and the work conducted at the institute represents world-class expertise in five targeted areas of nanosystems-related research: renewable energy, environmental nanotechnology and nanotoxicology, nanobiotechnology and biomaterials, nanomechanical and nanofluidic systems, and nanoelectronics, photonics and architectonics. For additional information, visit www.cnsi.ucla.edu.
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POCKET-SIZED NUCLEAR FUSION
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Experimental vacuum system for crystal fusion.
For more information go to the UCLA Crystal Fusion page. Read the paper and view supplemental materials (including video) on the Nature website.
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SWARMING BACTERIA AT HIGH RESOLUTION
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Atomic Force Microscope image of a group of Myxococcus zanthus bacteria. Each sausage shaped structure is a single bacterium.
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FREIGHT-CARRYING PROTEINS VIBRATE THE WALLS OF CELLS
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Atomic Force Microscope image of yeast cells. The dish shaped structures are "bud scars" created when the cells divide.
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WORLD'S SMALLEST CALCULATOR |
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Series of image of ten C60 molecules arranged latteral, from bottom moving one molecule at a time to count from 0 to 10 in nanometer steps. |
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RESEARCH AT IBM ZURICH
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Low temperature (4K) STM image of a copper surface showing two carbon monoxide molecules and electron standing waves.
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PUBLICATIONS 2006-present
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PUBLICATIONS 2001-2005
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PUBLICATIONS 1996-2000
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PUBLICATIONS 1991-1995
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PUBLICATIONS 1986-1990
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PUBLICATIONS 1981-1985
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PUBLICATIONS 1976-1980
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TALKS 2006-present
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TALKS 2001-2005
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TALKS 1996-2000
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TALKS 1991-1995
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TALKS 1985-1990
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"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution."--Albert Einstein |
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MEDIA COVERAGE & PARTICIPATION
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"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution."--Albert Einstein |
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ART|SCIENCE PROJECTS 2007 Blue Morph - is an interactive installation that uses nanoscale images and sounds derived from the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly. Nanotechnology is changing our perception of life and this is symbolic in the Blue Morpho butterfly with the optics involved -- that beautiful blue color is not pigment at all but patterns and structure which is what nano-photonics is centered on studying. The lamellate structure of their wing scales has been studied as a model in the development of fabrics, dye-free paints, and anti-counterfeit technology such as that used in monetary currency. Blue Morpho has intrigued scientists for generations because of its subtle optical engineering that manipulated photons. Today, its dazzling iridescent wings are giving rise to a market trying to mimic its wonder and create a counterfeit proof currency and credit cards. The optics are no doubt fascinating but the real surprise is in the discovery of the way cellular change takes place in a butterfly. Sounds of metamorphosis are not gradual or even that pleasant as we would imagine it. Rather the cellular transformation happens in sudden surges that are broken up with stillness and silence. Then there are the eight pumps or "hearts" that remain constant throughout the changes, pumping the rhythm in the background. During the transformation to emergence each flattened cell of the wing becomes a nanophotonic structure of black protein and space leading to iridescence. 2006 Water Bowls - Four water bowls reflect different aspect of water related to our connected human condition. Some of the most common metaphors of water such as the reflection of the moon, a drop of water, sound of water and oil and water are revisited using some of the latest scientific observations as the source... 2004 Nanomandala - The Nanomandala is an installation by media artist Victoria Vesna, in collaboration with nanoscience pioneer James Gimzewski. The installation consists of a video projected onto a disk of sand, 8 feet in diameter. Visitors can touch the sand as images are projected in evolving scale from the molecular structure of a single grain of sand - achieved my means of a scanning electron microscope (SEM)- to the recognizable image of the complete mandala, and then back again. 2004 Cell Ghosts - This work captures the viewer moving through space with a live camera, with their image projected in particles that is stored in memory and appear later as a ghost. The person passing by also activates text. The ambient sounds are a composition of data derived from manipulating live biological cells. The piece was originally conceived site specifically for an exhibition held at the former Seodaemun prison in Seoul, Korea. 2003 Nano - Two UCLA professors-media and net artist Victoria Vesna and nanoscience pioneer James Gimzewski-are at the forefront of the intersection of art and science. Their groundbreaking project, 'NANO', now on view at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's Boone Children's Gallery, presents the world of nanoscience through a participatory aesthetic experience. The exhibition, a collaboration between LACMALab and a UCLA team of nanoscience, media arts, and humanities experts, is free to the public and runs through September 6, 2004. 2003 Zero@Wavefunction - is one of a few collaborative art and science projects of Victoria Vesna, a media artist, and James Gimzewski, a nanoscientist. Both are professors at UCLA, home to the recently formed California Nano Systems Institute (CNSI). They first started their dialogue during a conference entitled ‘from Networks to Nanosystems’ in November 2001. Soon thereafter, Gimzewski opened his lab to Victoria Vesna and together they initiated a number of projects whose goal is to make nanoscience more accessible and understandable to the broader public. At the same time they are interested engaging the audience in probing larger philosophical questions about the impact of this emerging science on the culture at large. EXHIBITIONS |
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"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution."--Albert Einstein |
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TEACHING Current students please go to the Virtual Office Hours webpage for course information, handouts and announcements. For current Chemistry and Biochemistry course listings, please visit the Registrar's Office webpage. For more information about Chemistry and Biochemistry courses and curricula, please visit the UCLA General Catalog webpage. |
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"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution."--Albert Einstein
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CONTACT INFO University of California, Los Angeles Phone: 310-794-7514 Fax: 310-206-4038 Email: gim@chem.ucla.edu Assistant: 310-206-7658 or gimadmin@chem.ucla.edu
Driving directions and campus map Chemistry & Biochemistry Dept. Homepage California NanoSystems Institute CNSI Nano & Pico Characterization Lab
PICO LAB MEMBERS
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