Femtosecond pulsed laser synthesis of functional nanomaterials and their applications

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MHz frequency femtosecond laser synthesis generates a wide range of nanostructures made of various materials with unique spatial structure or rare phases that are hard to synthesize by any other means. These nanomaterials possess unique properties and hold high promise in various fields, including biosensing, nanomedicine and energy conversion. The current proposal is developed on these recent findings and aims at creating new materials and exploring possible applications. This program will concentrate in three directions: (1) creation and development of highly Raman active nanostructures from Raman dormant materials. Different forms of nanostructures such as nanotips, nanonetworks and nanofibers will be synthesized from various materials, including glass and Titanium solid. These non-conventional surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) materials will be used as chemical/bio sensors with increased sensitivity. 2) investigation of nanomaterials as medicine for cancer therapy. One of the objectives of this research program is to introduce the concept of “as synthesized nanostructured materials” for cancer therapy. We will investigate interactions between fatal cell lines and as-synthesized nanostructured materials in a medicine and agent free approach. My research group reported that nanostructure of silicon oxides, nickle oxides and titanium oxides synthized via femtosecond laser ablation has unique morphology, crystal orientation and phases (some phases have never been reported before) and they reduced cancer cell adhesion, promoted directional cell proliferation and selectively targeted cancer cells but not healthy fibroblast cells. This research program will investigate the influence of these materials in altering cancer cell cytoskeleton behaviour with an aim to develop nanomedicines able to identify and selectively target cancer cells without the use of cell selective legends. 3) investigation and demonstration of nansotructures for full spectrum photonic (sunlight) absorption. Precise control and tailoring of the absorptive properties of nanostructured materials for potential use in solar cell fabrication is possible through femtosecond laser synthesis method. Particle agglomerated 3D nanostructures and web like nano fibrous structures of numerous materials with controlled ring size clusters and amorphorized/oxidized thin films of silicon have exhibited competitive absorption rates when compared to existing nanostructures for photovoltaics. This research program will focus on the precise optical tuning of titanium oxide based nanoparticles and nanofibrous structures to near infrared radiation of the solar spectrum and aims to work towards the design and fabrication of new solar cells, where the integration of such nanomaterials is viable. This will aid in finding ways to implement nanofabrication in already existing solar devices.