Steven O. Nielsen, Ph.D.
Computational/theoretical physical chemistry
Research Group
Education
B.S., Queens University (1996)
M.S., University of Toronto (1998): Chemistry
Ph.D., University of Toronto (2001): Chemistry
Advisor: Raymond E. Kapral
Postdoctoral Associate, University of Pennsylvania (2001–05)
Advisor: Michael L. Klein
Research Description
The stability and biocompatibility of nanoscale materials such as carbon nanotubes and quantum dots relies on the use of effective surfactants [Science, volume 298, page 1759, (2002)]. However, the structure of the resulting surfactant-coated nanoparticles is poorly understood [J. Am. Chem. Soc., volume 126, page 9902, (2004)]. My research is focused on developing theoretical tools to use in computer simulations of such systems. Specifically, I am combining existing techniques in colloidal modeling with coarse grained methods developed for surfactant modeling. My goal is to study the local self-assembly at the solid-liquid interface and the large-scale self-assembly of the stabilized nanoparticles. I am also working on a closely related project to study the poration of bilayer membranes for use in drug delivery.
Selected Publications
Nielsen, S.O.; Srinivas, G.; Lopez, C.F.; Klein, M.L. "Modeling surfactant adsorption on hydrophobic surfaces", Physical Review Letters (2005) 94: 228301.
Nielsen, S.O.; Ensing, B.; Ortiz, V.; Moore, P.B.; Klein, M.L. "Lipid bilayer perturbations around a transmembrane nanotube: a coarse grain molecular dynamics study", Biophysical Journal (2005) 88: 3822-3828.
Lopez, C.F.; Nielsen, S.O.; Ensing, B.; Moore, P.B.; Klein, M.L. "Structure and dynamics of model pore insertion into a membrane", Biophysical Journal (2005) 88: 3083-3094.
- Updated: August 21, 2007
