1. Automated spin-assisted layer-by-layer assembly of nanocomposites Sol M. Gruner, Cornell Univeristy, DMR 0936384 CMMI-0800213 Intellectual Merit: Collaborating groups of Hart (University of Michigan) and Hammond (M.I.T.) designed and tested a novel desktop system for the automated production of nanostructured thin films via spin-assisted layer-by-layer (spin-LBL) assembly. The utility of this system is demonstrated by fabricating polyvinyl alcohol/clay nanocomposites. Ellipsometry measurements demonstrate that the automated spin-LBL method creates composites with bilayer thicknesses and growth rates comparable to traditional dip-LBL; however, the cycle time of their new spin-LBL method is an order of magnitude faster. Small angle x-ray scattering analysis shows that the clay platelets in spin-LBL nanocomposites are more highly aligned than in dip-LBL composites – thus better ordered structures can result. Spin-assisted chemical layer-by-layer deposition of a thin film, wherein alternating compounds are injected onto a rotating substrate. Steven Vozar, Yeh-Chuin Poh, Thomas Serbowicz, Matthew Bachner, Paul Podsiadlo, Ming Qin, Eric Verploegen, Nicholas Kotov, and A. John Hart, “Automated spin-assisted layer-by-layer assembly of nanocomposites,” Review Of Scientific Instruments 80, 023903, 2009. CHESS DMR-0936384 2010_1