Our research goals are exploring novel electronic and optical materials and employing those materials in real world applications. Current research topics are

1. Development of flake based graphene forming methods and applications

One of our research goals is preparing and applying high quality 2D flakes, including graphene, TMDCs, h-BN, and graphene quantum dots. Graphene is the thinnest known material in the universe and the strongest ever measured. Charge carriers of graphene exhibit extremely high mobility, zero effective mass, and ballistic transport in micrometer scales at RT. In addition to graphene, TMDCs and graphene quantum dots exhibit extraordinary optical/electrochemical properties. The potential fields of applications include novel optoelectric devices, energy storage devices, composites, and more.

2. CVD based carbon nanomaterials and 2D materials growth and applications

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are allotropes of carbon with a cylindrical nanostructure which possess unusual electronic properties such as electron mobility, current capacities, and subthreshold characteristics. By controlling the growth and density, horizontally-aligned SWNTs could find novel applications in electronic devices. Synthesis of graphene and h-BN via mobile hot-wire-assisted (MHW) CVD system is another topic of our research. This method has the potential to represent a significant step forward in understanding the growth mechanism of CVD graphene. In addition, it could allow for the use of h-BN and high-quality graphene in various applications, such as transparent electrodes for flexible displays and thermoelectric devices.

3. Fabrication of 3D nanostructures and its applications

Conventionally proposed 3D nanopatterning techniques have the capability to create various functions of 3D nanostructured materials that nature never provides. If it is possible to control and develop uniformly ordered 3D nano-architectures, we can build up new material properties. (e.g. photonic bandgap, negative refractive-index, and effective transport of energy and fluidics.) Furthermore, we can enhance mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical properties of materials beyond intrinsic properties of bulk material. Our proximity-field nanopatterning (PnP) is a promising 3D nanofabrication technique with a specific structure design based on optics, simple materialization process, large pattern area, and high reproducibility. This technique can be applicable to many fields, including stretchable electronics, sensors, microfluidic devices, energy devices (thermoelectric and battery), and many others.