![](https://assets.weforum.org/article/image/WIVnmG5lk8TBflx1uP_LNZwH9JFATgXQ8GBveCP00sM.jpg)
Molecular architects: how scientists design new materials
Much of the quest for novel materials has moved into science labs.
Originally, I worked on mathematical logic and its applications to theoretical computer science. I applied combinatorics and probability to computer theory, and worked on "probabilistic methods." In addition, I got interested in mathematics education and philosophy. Meanwhile, because of an upheaval at my campus, I became active in the faculty union and involved in university policies and politics as well as Islam in America and terrorism. Then some chemists got me involved in crystallography and crystal design, and hence in nanoscience: much of my work during the last decade has been in applications of algebra, combinatorics and geometry to crystal design and other nanostructures, which involves some scientific computing. I have published on all these subjects in academic journals.