2D Van der Waals Materials with Applications in Environmental Sustainability

该项目将侧重于在中红外波长（5-15 μ m）下研究一组货车德瓦尔斯（vdW）材料（如六方氮化硼和石墨烯）中的光-物质相互作用，以开发用于环境应用的新技术。这一系列纳米材料表现出显着的机械，光学和电子性能，近年来被广泛探索，但主要限于可见光到近红外应用。在这个项目中，我们的目标是探索基于这些纳米材料的纳米结构和设备的新设计，目标是有效的辐射冷却，即将热量耗散或转换为其他形式的能量，以降低表面甚至地球的温度。该项目的潜在成果将促进应对气候变化和全球变暖挑战的新技术。目标1 Y1：设计光子纳米结构，以增强中红外光谱范围内的反射率/发射（包括培训）目标1.1：关于辐射冷却的不同材料系统的综合文献综述目标1.2：确定使用纳米结构vdW器件进行被动辐射冷却的进展目标2 Y2：制造和封装设计的器件（包括培训）目标2：实施优化设计并实现表面冷却目标3 Y3：探索其他可能的应用领域目标3.1：确定这些纳米结构中红外器件的前景目标3.2：将研究扩展到气体和生物传感（例如）。该研究方法，包括新的知识或技术，在工程和物理科学，将被调查学生将设计光子纳米结构的基础上的vdW材料在中红外（中红外）波长范围内，建立在纳米纤维的能力已经在JEOL纳米中心在约克大学，制造这样的设备。然后，我们将使用这些设备来探索两个应用：a，共振增强光吸收/发射中红外辐射冷却; B，环境气体传感使用共振增强纳米结构。与EPSRC的战略和研究领域保持一致该项目与EPSRC的“工程和技术前沿”和“工程净零”的战略优先事项保持一致。该项目的活动主要与这两个研究领域相关：光子材料（对红外光谱范围内的材料和纳米结构的理论理解和表征）和能量存储（对存储电化学能、热能或动能的材料和系统的研究供以后使用）。在该项目的后期，我们将把基础物理科学研究转变为更多以应用为中心的研究，这些活动将与传感器和仪器（环境应用设备的开发，优化和集成）更加一致。没有直接参与，但1-我们从AIXTRON收到样本，我们打算在这个项目中测试这些样本; 2-一个潜在的合作者是国家海洋学中心，这取决于这个项目的进展。

This project will focus on investigation of light-matter interaction in a group of van der Waals (vdW) materials, such as hexagonal boron nitride and graphene, at mid-infrared wavelength (5-15 um), in order to develop new technologies for environmental applications. This family of nanomaterials that exhibit remarkable mechanical, optical, and electronic properties, extensively explored in recent years but mostly limited to visible to near IR applications. In this project, we aim to explore new designs of nanostructures and devices based on these nanomaterials, with the goal of effective radiative cooling, i.e. dissipating or converting heat to other formats of energy, to reduce the temperature of surfaces, or even Earth. The potential outcome of this project will foster new technologies for tackling the climate change and global warming challenges.Aims and objectivesAim 1 Y1: Design photonic nanostructures to enhance reflectivity/emission in the mid-IR spectral range (include training)Objective 1.1: Comprehensive literature review on different material systems for radiative coolingObjective 1.2: Identify the advances of using nanostructured vdW devices for passive radiative cooling Aim 2 Y2: Fabricate and characterise the designed devices (include training)Objective 2: Implement the optimised design and achieve cooling on surfaces (aiming for 10s K temperature reduction) Aim 3 Y3: Explore other possible application areasObjective 3.1: identify promising areas for these nanostructured mid-IR devicesObjective 3.2: extend the research to gas and bio sensing (for example). The research methodology, including new knowledge or techniques in engineering and physical sciences that will be investigated The student will design photonic nanostructures based on the vdW materials in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) wavelength range, build on the nanofabrication capability already developed in the JEOL Nanocenter at the University of York, to fabricate such devices. We will then use these devices to explore two applications: a, resonance enhanced light absorption/emission in mid-IR for radiative cooling; b, environmental gas sensing using resonance enhanced nanostructures. Alignment to EPSRC's strategies and research areasThis project aligns well with EPSRC's strategic priorities of "Frontiers in Engineering and Technology" and "Engineering Net Zero". The activities in the project are primarily related to these two research areas: Photonic materials (theoretical understanding and characterisation of materials and nanostructures in the IR spectral range), and Energy storage (The study of materials and systems which store electrochemical, thermal or kinetic energy for later use). Later on in the project, we will transform fundamental physical sciences research to more application centered research, and the activities will be more aligned with Sensors and Instrumentation (Development, optimisation and integration of devices for environmental applications.)Any companies or collaborators involvedNot directly involved but 1- we receive samples from AIXTRON, and we intend to test these samples in this project; 2- a potential collaborator is National Oceanography Centre, depending on the progress made in this project.