Mentor: T.-C. Shen
Nanotechnology
(1) Carbon nanotubes: Carbon nanotubes are peculiar quasi-one-dimensional objects. If grown properly, one can create carbon nanotube forests (CNFs); namely, all the tubes are vertically aligned but entangled. The CNFs can have very large surface area for sensors, can absorb electromagnetic waves from ultraviolet to infrared for nearly perfect blackbodies, and to create super hydrophobic surfaces for many applications. This research involves creating and functionalizing CNFs for above applications.
(2) Surface adhesion: Insects and spiders are able to walk on vertical and underside surfaces thanks to the micro-nano structures on their feet. The forces involved are van der Waals force and capillary force. The goal of this research is to understand the nature of these forces as a function of the contact geometry and materials by measuring them directly by an atomic force microscope.
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Students who are responsible, creative, curious, patient, and careful and with some programming experience (LabView preferred) are welcome to apply.