Dr. Hahm currently studies new materials, particularly molecular structures on the nanometer scale, for use as advanced molecular tools in promoting fundamental chemical research and in investigating a variety of biological systems. She also develops materials that can be applied to functions as diverse as molecular probes for improving genotyping methods, for screening small molecules and early disease markers, and for facilitating fundamental chemical studies. Her current research centers on the synthesis of materials such as nanotubes and nanowires with interesting structures and functionality. She is working to develop methods for the controllable synthesis of these one-dimensional structures on various catalysts in order to produce functional nanomaterials to facilitate their applications in basic science and engineering. Her group is using a variety of polymers and biomaterials to grow the nanomaterials at tailored sites and with a defined geometry and orientation. Her research also focuses on the development and innovative use of nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes as well as metallic and semiconductor nanowires for biomedical studies. Materials synthesized in her group are designed specifically for hosting individual biomolecules by controlling the chemical compositions and physical dimensions of the nanomaterials during synthesis. Materials grown this way could be used as high resolution biomolecular probes for atomic force microscopy, biomolecular electrical sensors, enhanced fluorescence detection platforms, and advanced protein/drug delivery templates.