2D Van der Waals Materials with Applications in Environmental Sustainability

该项目将重点研究一组范德华(VDW)材料，如六方氮化硼和石墨烯在中红外波长(5-15微米)的光-物质相互作用，以开发用于环境应用的新技术。这类纳米材料具有显著的机械、光学和电子性能，近年来得到了广泛的探索，但主要局限于可见光到近红外的应用。在这个项目中，我们的目标是探索基于这些纳米材料的新的纳米结构和设备的设计，目标是有效的辐射冷却，即将热量分散或转化为其他形式的能量，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：综合文献综述用于辐射制冷的不同材料系统目标1.2：确定将纳米结构VDW器件用于被动辐射制冷的进展目标2 Y2：制造和表征设计的设备(包括培训)目标2：实施优化设计并实现表面冷却(目标是降低10s K温度)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设备的有前途的领域目标3.2：将研究扩展到气体和生物传感(例如)。研究方法，包括将被研究的工程和物理科学方面的新知识或技术，学生将设计基于中红外(Mid-IR)波长范围的VDW材料的光子纳米结构，建立在约克大学JEOL纳米中心已经开发的纳米制造能力的基础上，来制造这样的器件。然后，我们将使用这些器件来探索两个应用：a，用于辐射冷却的中红外共振增强型光吸收/发射；b，使用共振增强型纳米结构进行环境气体传感。与EPSRC的战略和研究领域保持一致本项目与EPSRC的“工程和技术前沿”和“工程净零点”的战略重点相一致。该项目的活动主要涉及这两个研究领域：光子材料(在红外光谱范围内对材料和纳米结构的理论理解和表征)和能量储存(研究储存电化学、热能或动能以备后用的材料和系统)。在项目后期，我们将把基础物理研究转变为更多以应用为中心的研究，活动将更多地与传感器和仪器(用于环境应用的设备的开发、优化和集成)保持一致。任何参与的公司或合作者都不直接参与，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-潜在的合作者是国家海洋学中心，这取决于项目的进展。

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.