Tübitak Science Awards go to UNAM scientist and UNAM Science & Technology Committee Member

We are honored to announce Prof. Dr. Engin U. Akkaya received 2009 Tübitak Science Award and Dr. Taner Yildirim received 2009 Tübitak Special Award. Prof. Akkaya got this prestigous award due to his contributions to supramoleculer chemistry. Dr. Yildirim got the award due to his contributions to hydrogen storage in nanomaterials. (Read the rest of this entry)

Molecular Logic Gates Meet Cancer Therapy

Scientists design a molecule that must perform a logic computation before it can go about killing cancer cells via photodynamic therapy

Researchers in Turkey are reporting a first attempt to marry molecular computing with photodynamic cancer therapy (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131, 48). The idea is to design a molecule that must perform a logic computation before it can help kill cancer cells. In this case, the logic function for the sensitizer molecule (shown) has to recognize two characteristics inherent to cancer cells. (Read the rest of this entry)

UNAM researchers discover a new medium for high-capacity hydrogen storage

Graphene, a single atomic layer of graphite, display several unusual properties originating from its honeycomb structure that can allow physicists to observe strange relativistic effects at a speed much slower than the speed of light. Researchers from UNAM, Bilkent University predicted that graphene flakes with both sides covered by Ca monolayers can also be used for high-capacity hydrogen storage medium. (Read the rest of this entry)

UNAM researchers engineer laser fibers for medical operations

UNAM researchers created an infrared fiber that can be used in hospitals for laser surgery. The fibers deliver intense laser light inside the body where it can be used to remove malignant tissues with high precision.

The specialty fibers are designed and developed fully at UNAM, which has its own fiber tower custom built for the project. After the completion of the 3.5 meter high fiber tower in August last year, the researchers are now able to draw tens of meters of photonic band gap fibers from polymer-chalcogenide glass composites. (Read the rest of this entry)

Prof. Özçelik and his co-workers discovered a gene that helps humans walk upright

Genetic analysis revives dispute about why some humans are quadrupeds.

A mutated gene may have a role in a rare condition in which humans walk on all fours, researchers say. But precisely how mutations in this gene might stop people from walking upright remains a matter of debate. (Read the rest of this entry)

Turkish Minister of Trade and Industry Zafer Cağlayan visits UNAM

We were pleased and honored by the presence of the Minister of Trade and Industry, Zafer Çağlayan, who has visited UNAM-Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology at Bilkent University in December 2008. During his visit, Mr. Çağlayan has participated in a presentation given by Prof. Dr. Salim Çıracı on the vision and history of the UNAM project, discussed recent developments and near future plans with UNAM faculty. Later on, Mr. Çağlayan took a tour of the facilities and met with various research roup leaders.