Design, synthesis and advanced characterization of functional materials and devices

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Our research program seeks to advance knowledge on a variety of functional semiconductor- based materials and heterostructures for applications such as (i) piezoelectric transducers and energy harvesting devices, (ii) thermoelectric generator modules for waste heat recovery and (iii) heterogeneous films for magneto optic integrated Faraday isolators. Using experimental, numerical and analytical approaches, the research program we pursue has provided basic understanding of how atomistic, nanoscale and interfacial processes during crystal growth ultimately define large scale functional properties of advancedt materials. Our studies usually lead to new, nanoengineered thin films or nanostructured bulk materials that fundamentally alter phenomena pertinent to industrial applications. MEMS related industries are in need of Pb-free alternatives to replace current piezoelectric ceramics, and so we propose to design and grow novel alloys based on piezoelectric compounds such as ZnO, and/or III-Nitrides. Emitters for telecommunications would profit from integrated Faraday isolators, for which we propose to explore the enhanced magneto optic properties of epilayers containing magnetic nanoclusters. Waste heat recovery will benefit from low-weight thermoelectric alloys made from earth abundant elements, such as Mg2Si, which we are already pursuing in our laboratories and for which a substantial increase in the power factor is necessary.