Abstract: Nanostructure materials possess novel properties characteristic of neither the molecular nor the bulk solid state with sized dependent behavior.  Nanoporous materials can be synthesized either by bottom-up technique or top-bottom technique. The resultants, nonoporous materials, are characterized by well-defined pore and/or cavities size in nanometer scale, with unique molecular sieving capabilities and ultrahigh surface area: suitable as hosts and templates for fabrication of nanoscale devices and nanomaterials.  Supported nanoporous materials play a very important role in catalysis.  We will describe synthesis and characterization of improved heterogeneous catalysts for ring-opening polymerization based on metal-substituted hexagonal nanoporous silica.  We will discuss the fundamental principle for designing synthesis and characterization of nanoporous adsorbents for environmental remediation.  For example, lead ions in soils and stormwater run-off from small arms firing range (SAFR) is a concern of national proportion.  Various adsorption technologies have been studied to solve the problem of lead species releases to the environment.  Also, we will present a study to support worldwide research efforts to obtain drinking water with arsenic levels below 10 part per billion (ppb), using different adsorbents modified with iron species. Using template technique, we synthesized carbon nanotubes and novel multi-wall metal oxides nanotubes, such as metal oxides like hafnium oxide (hafnia, HfO2), zirconium oxide (zirconia, ZrO2) and semiconducting zinc oxide (ZnO).  These metal oxide tubes are important materials that can be used as gas sensors, catalysts, opto-electronics, and high-k dielectrics in microelectronics

Brief biography of the Speaker:
Dr. Tarek Abdel-Fattah holds a B.S. and M.S. degrees in Chemistry from Alexandria University and a Ph.D. degree in Inorganic and Materials Chemistry from Northeastern University, Boston. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and the Director of the Applied Research Center at Christopher Newport University.  He was the Past President of Sigma Xi Tidewater Chapter of Virginia 2004-2005 and currently holds the Program Chair position of the chapter.  Also, he is the chair elect for the American Chemical Society (ACS) for the Hampton Road section 2006-2007. He has published over 20 papers, 2 patents and over 50 presentations in national and international meetings. He has been awarded First Prize from the Physical Sciences Division of the American Association of Advancement of Science (AAAS).  He has been awarded twice the American Association for Educational Engineering (ASEE) award of the summer faculty fellowship program at NASA Langley Research Center.  He is the recipient of the NASA Faculty Fellowship Certificate of Recognition in different projects concerning nanotechnology for aerospace applications. He was a Christopher Newport University Teaching Fellow 2003.