TEMPE, Ariz. – Six Arizona State University faculty members have earned Faculty Early Career Development (Career) awards for 2009 from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The Career program is a NSF-wide activity that is one of the most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations. It provides five-year research grants to each recipient.

This year's ASU Career Award winners are Junseok Chae, assistant professor of electrical engineering; Yi Chen, assistant professor of computer science and engineering; Hanqing Jiang, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; Baoxin Li, assistant professor of computer science and engineering; Henry Sodano, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; and Arjan van der Vaart, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry

The Career Awards will help support each winner's research projects and education efforts. Here are descriptions of each.

Better biosensors based on nature

Junseok Chae is tackling fundamental questions about the use of molecular probes in biosensors. With such knowledge he will explore ways to construct microscale components in instruments for biological testing and research.

Chae will do this by using MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) technology. MEMS are extremely tiny machines typically made of components 1 to 100 micrometers in size. Chae uses a natural phenomenon to assemble his MEMS devices, based on the way proteins with low molecular weight are adsorbed (how substances condense on a surface) and displaced and exchanged by proteins with higher molecular weight.

Biosensors typically use molecular probes such as DNA, RNA, enzymes and antibodies to capture specific molecules. These probes offer selectivity but have many limitations. For example, the reagents that are used are expensive, the probes have limited life spans and the systems require highly trained technicians to operate them. Above all, it is almost impossible to find probes to target each type of molecule researchers want to study.

Chae is solving the problem by utilizing nature's "smart system." His protein sensor does not use these probes, yet it has high selectivity. His probeless biosensor is packaged in a way that makes it resistant to environmental changes such as temperature, humidity and vibration, which degrade the sensor's performance.

Chae's Career award grant (about $400,000) also will fund education programs on his research designed for K-12 students and teachers, as well as for college students and groups underrepresented in science and engineering, including women.

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