Innovative materials containing functionalized clays: graphene, piezoelectric and fluorescent clays

我的愿景是成功地创造出具有智能功能的经济材料，这些材料来自现成的材料。这一点至关重要，因为未来几年自然资源将更加紧张。这项研究计划的目标是创造含有功能化粘土的创新材料。粘土被认为是模板材料，因为它们丰富且价格合理。粘土的使用目前仅限于材料中的被动应用。三个具体的进展将大大提高粘土的实用性：1）从创新的生产途径含有石墨烯的导电粘土; 2）创建智能粘土基质，最常见的是水泥和混凝土; 3）封装有机分子用于成像和传感应用。我的最终目标是创造可持续的智能和可调材料。

My vision is to successfully create economical materials with intelligent functionality that are derived from readily available materials. This is critical as natural resources will be more strained in years to come. The goal of this research program is to create innovative materials containing functionalized clays. Clays are considered template materials, because they are abundant and available at a reasonable cost. The use of clay is currently limited to passive applications in materials. Three specific advances would greatly enhance the usefulness of clays: 1) conductive clay containing graphene from innovative production pathways; 2) creating an intelligent clay matrix, with the most common being cement and concrete; and 3) encapsulating organic molecules for imaging and sensing applications. My ultimate aim is to create sustainable smart and tunable materials.