SNM: Digital Optofluidic Self Assembly of Heterogeneous Metamaterials

这个可扩展的纳米制造研究项目将研究数字光流体自组装工艺，用于制造具有复杂组成，尺寸和几何结构的异质超材料，同时在大面积上实现所需的方向和空间分布。具体来说，我们的研究方法是：1)用于大规模制造异质元块的数字流纳米压印工艺；2)等离子体增强平行数字光捕获和元块定向组装；3)可切换和活性材料的光流体自组装过程的理论建模和实验研究；4)通信和能源应用自组装超材料的表征和规模化分析。如果成功，这种方法将从学术兴趣的试错组合转向创造具有改进性能的大型设备。该项目聚焦于纳米光子学领域最有前途的突破之一：利用异质超材料来转换、操纵和集中光和声场。如果成功，我们的研究将把超材料的愿景从实验室科学转变为商业现实。它将对电信、量子计算和能源领域的广泛应用产生深远影响。将与工业伙伴和国家实验室组成一个研究联盟，以促进技术转让途径，转化本项目开发的技术。教育目标是赋予下一代工程师权力，并教育他们成为世界级劳动力的一部分，具有纳米制造创新的知识和热情。除了新课程和本科生研究机会外，还将与联合暑期学校组织为期两周的研讨会，两者都将位于新英格兰地区。作为推广工作的一部分，将在波士顿科学博物馆组织一次活性纳米材料展览。

This Scalable NanoManufacturing research project will investigate digital optofluidic self-assembly processes for manufacturing heterogeneous metamaterials with sophisticated building blocks in composition, dimension and geometry, while achieving desired orientation and spatial distribution over large area. Specifically our research approaches are: 1) Digital in-flow nanoimprint lithography processes for massive fabrication of heterogeneous metablocks; 2) Plasmonic enhanced parallel digital optical trapping and directed assembly of metablocks; 3)Theoretical modeling and experimental study of the optofluidic self assembly processes for switchable and active materials; 4) characterization of self assembled metamaterial for communication and energy application and scale up analysis. If successful, this approach will move from trial-and-error assemblies of academic interest to the creation of large-scale devices with improved performance.This project focuses on one of the most promising breakthroughs in the field of nanophotonics: heterogeneous metamaterials to transform, manipulate and concentrate light and acoustic fields. If successful, our research would transform the vision of metamaterials from lab science to a commercial reality. It will have profound impact on a broad range of applications in telecommunication, quantum computing and energy. A research consortium will be formed with industry partners and national labs to foster the technology transfer pathways for translating the technologies developed in this project. The educational objective is to empower the next generation of engineers and educate them to become part of a world-class workforce, with knowledge and enthusiasm of nanomanufacturing innovation. Besides new courses and undergraduate research opportunities, a two week workshop will be organized with a combined summer school and both will be located in the New England Area. As part of outreach efforts, an exhibition of active nanomaterials will be organized at the Boston Science Museum.