Current projects

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Principal Investigator:

Studies of planar nanowire arrays as basis for new generations of ICT devices

This project proposes to develop new techniques for the formation of nanowire arrays at the extreme of the nanowire cross-section dimensions and separation, down to 4 nm. This is the range which cannot be explored by a conventional “top-down” lithography approach. The initial aim it to fabricate coherent, well ordered planar nanowire arrays and furthermore to have the flexibility to vary the materials of the nanowires and substrate.

We aim to demonstrate the deposition of nanowires of magnetic materials and semiconductor materials by essentially the same fabrication process, thus proving its universal value.

Two rather different ranges of phenomena will be studied in these arrays. In the case of the magnetic nanowires we aim to study the spin-dependent electron transport across the nanowires. We aim to demonstrate that a new class of magnetic domain walls can be nano-engineered, leading to a large increase in the value of magneto resistance in the array. In the case of the semiconductor nanowires we aim to study the mechanism of the electron mobility in the nanowires to establish if current confinement can lead to an increase in the mobility through quantum effects or strain stored in the nanowire.

Two demonstration devices shall be investigated. They are not by-products of the project but rather essential elements of it. For example of one the devices, the field-effect transistor, shall be required to measure the mobility of the current carriers.

The project comprises internationally renowned groups form Ireland, Germany and the USA.

EU Framework Programme 7 (FP7)

Sustainable Hydrothermal Manufacturing of Nanomaterials (SHYMAN)

FP7:NMP.2001.1.4-1 - Large scale green and economical synthesis of nanoparticles and nanostructures

Grant Agreement No.: 280983

The SHYMAN project will establish continuous hydrothermal synthesis as one of the most flexible and sustainable means of manufacturing nanomaterials on a large scale, serving industries of strategic importance to Europe.

The Applied Physics Research Group are leaders of WP2 (Metrology and Online Characterisation) of the SHYMAN project. The group will primarily provide the project with advanced nanoparticle characterisation, including High Resolution X-Ray Diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The main purpose of WP2 is to determine the nanoparticle properties and specifically to determine whether scaling up the nanoparticle syield has any adverse effects on the nanoparticle properties. In essence, we will provide quality control feedback to the project.