Ultrafast laser nanofabrication and its applications

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Recent investigations by my research group have demonstrated that nanoscale materials, including nanoparticle networks, nanofibers, nanorods and nanotips, can be generated by Mega Hertz femtosecond laser abaltion. Nanoalloys of immiscible metals and natural occurring nanoceramics were also synthesized with this method. The nanoparticle networks have a unique porous three-dimensional (3D) interweaved nanowire-frame structure. Preliminary investigation has shown that the three-dimensionality significantly improves light absorptance, increase signal level for biosensing and rigorously promotes cell attachment, which implies applications in photovoltaic conversion and bioengineering. The current proposal is developed on these new findings and aimed at generating new tools and knowledge that will enable the fabrication of next generation products that find potential applications in solar cell fabrication and biomedicine. The research program involves process development and exploration of new applications. Fundamental study will investigate phenomena that are unique to Mega Hertz femtosecond laser ablation under various enviroment. These include ablation of natural materials, noble metals, microparticles of immiscible metals, and bioactive glass. Knowledge derived from these studies will be used to improve or enable processes that could be used to tailor the properties of nanomaterials through the control of shape and size. The nanoscale materials generated through this means promise many potentials. This program will venture in two areas: photovoltaic conversion and biomedical applications. In particular, this program will pursue these applied research: 1)nanoalloys and nanopartilce networks for high efficiency thin-film solar cell, 2)nanoscale oxidization/amorphization for low-cost thin-film solar cell, 3) nanoalloys of biologically active elements for biosensors, 4) naturally occurring nanoceramics for regenerative medicines, 5) bioactive glass nanofiber for tissue scaffolding and 6) noble nanomaterials for implants, and 7) nanoalloys (Ti-Si) for implants. This research program will train 5 Ph.D, 5 M.A.Sci. and 10 undergraduate students.