Micro and Nano Technologies

Micro and nano technologies include a wide range of advanced techniques used to fabricate and study artificial systems with dimensions ranging from several micrometers (one micrometer is one millionth of a meter) to a few nanometers (one nanometer is one billionth of a meter). Fabrication techniques fall into two classes. “Top-down” approach is used to cut macroscopic materials down to small size by using lithography techniques. “Bottom-up” approach uses growth or self-assembly of nanometer structures that are then connected to larger structures. These technologies create many research opportunities: What are the properties of wires which are only a few atoms wide? Do transistors still work when their size approaches the atomic scale? What new (and possibly useful) properties result when we can manipulate individual atoms?

Micro and nanotechnology research at GU includes novel nanoparticles for medical imaging, carbon nanotube sensors, MEMS for health monitoring or drug delivery and nanomaterials for organic photovoltaic devices. State-of-the-art fabrication and characterization tools are available in the Physics Department within the Georgetown Nanoscience and Microtechnology Laboratory (GNuLab).

Paola Barbara — superconductivity, superconducting devices, transport properties of nanowires and nanoscale electronic devices

John Currie — materials science of thin solid films, industrial and applied physics, surface and interface chemical physics, semiconductor electrical and electro-optical devices and technology, renewable energy generation and storage, polymer physics, electrochemistry, environment monitoring technologies

Kai Liu — Topological spin textures such as magnetic skyrmions and chiral domain walls; High magnetic anisotropy materials for magnetic recording and permanent magnets; Magneto-ionic control of metal/oxide interfaces; Low density metallic foams.

Makarand Paranjape — micro-/nano-technologies for sensors, actuators, and structural systems, silicon/polymer and carbon nanotube device fabrication, biomedical engineering

Edward Van Keuren — optics, nanoparticle synthesis and characterization, application of nanoparticles for organic photovoltaic devices and biomedical imaging and therapy