National Nanotechnology Research Articles

An Overview on the Role of Government Initiatives in Nanotechnology Innovation for Sustainable Economic Development and Research Progress

Nanoparticle technology has emerged as a fundamental component across various industries, including electronics, renewable energy, textiles, and medical biotechnology, particularly for targeted drug delivery applications. Commercialization has profoundly impacted economic growth, especially in the pharmaceutical and electronics industries. Moreover, it has improved workforce education and training, generating millions of employment prospects associated with nanotechnology development. By 2024, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development anticipates that the global market for nanotechnology products will attain a value of United States Dollar (USD) 1 trillion to USD 3 trillion, resulting in the creation of over 2 million new employments globally. The swift progression of nanoparticle technology from 2000 to 2024 is primarily propelled by substantial industrial investment in research and development, alongside collaborations with academic institutions. The National Nanotechnology Initiative in the United States (US) has significantly contributed to these developments, with federal funding exceeding USD 30 billion by 2024 since its establishment in 2001. This funding has catalyzed significant advancements in both commercial and research applications of nanotechnology. Patent data highlights this expansion, with China establishing itself as the preeminent nation in nanotechnology patents. From 2000 to 2024, China steadily raised its proportion of nanotechnology patents, accounting for almost 40% of the global total by 2024. The US, Japan, Germany, and the Republic of Korea continued to be significant contributors, together advancing the frontiers of innovation in nanotechnology. In this timeframe, the quantity of nanotechnology-related patents increased by more than 150%, demonstrating the swift growth of the sector. The regulation of nanotechnology in the US is primarily managed by the Food and Drug Administration, particularly about healthcare and biotechnology applications. As the scope of nanotechnology uses has expanded, there is an increasing demand for more extensive regulations concerning potential long-term environmental and health effects. The future trajectory of nanotechnology, both in the US and worldwide, will hinge on continuous invention, economic advancement, and the progression of governmental policy. By upholding a robust regulatory framework and promoting ongoing collaboration between academics and industry, the complete potential of nanotechnology in advancing industrial and societal progress can be actualized.

Proof of the effectiveness of novel bioinspired antimicrobial nanostructures

Abstract Antimicrobial surfaces are a promising option for supporting hygiene measures. In addition to many different technologies, research is also ongoing into coatings that are modelled on natural surfaces. In an international project with the National Nanotechnology Laboratory in Costa Rica, the Technical University of Applied Sciences Amberg-Weiden is working on such an aluminum-based nanostructured coating, which is modelled on insect wings and has an antibacterial effect in nature. The aim is to test the effectiveness of these surfaces against bacterial pathogens (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) in a standard test procedure, as well as to investigate the resistance of the nanostructures to abrasion and reprocessing. Since the effect of such surfaces depends on the filigree nanostructure, resistance to possible abrasion or damage is a key factor here. Our results show that these coatings exhibit at least detectable activity (log 2.2) against the bacteria in the ISO 22196 test setup. Even after repeated wiping of the coatings with sterile water or reprocessing using ultrasound and wipe disinfection, no loss of effectiveness can be detected. Due to the intrinsic antimicrobial effect of the aluminum, the effectiveness of the nanostructured surface is even higher compared to a completely ineffective control surface. If further studies confirm these initial positive results, the coating we investigated could represent another effective alternative in infection control and prevention.

Evolution of nanotechnology policy initiatives in the BRICS countries: a comparative overview

The article provides a comparative review of the national nanotechnology initiatives in the largest emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - BRICS). It focuses on the influential role of state action, the evolution of the initiatives, institutional aspects, and a brief comparison of recent scientific production among the countries. Understanding the context of each country's nanotechnology STI policy is essential for comprehending the scope and the primary challenges faced in developing these programs and initiatives. The methodology involved rigorous bibliographical and documentary research, analysis of scientific production indicators, and the estimation of a nanotechnology Activity Index. The political and institutional complexity and socioeconomic adversities in emerging countries are challenging obstacles to promoting emerging technologies. Government perspectives and their role as technology inducers or fosterers significantly differ among countries, even when they are institutionally similar. Overall, the main nanotechnology initiatives in the BRICS countries have historically been led by the state, resulting in significant scientific advancements but limitations on the potential for innovation outcomes. Alongside institutional heterogeneity in the formulation and implementation strategies, geopolitics plays a crucial role in the initiatives' trajectory, especially in countries vying for international leadership against Western powers.

(Invited) The “Duckweed Dip”: DNA-Wrapped Carbon Nanotubes for Transient Gene Expression

This study reports on usage of functionalized carbon nanotubes as a transgene delivery cargo into higher plants. We show that aquatic Spirodela polyrhiza (Duckweed) plant, when incubated in a solution containing carbon nanotubes wrapped with a plasmid containing the gene for reporter protein β-glucuronidase (GUS), can directly uptake the DNA-CNTs with high efficiency. The mechanism of the DNA-CNT delivery, directly from growth media, and plasmid release is discussed. We show that transgenes encoded within the plasmids are expressed by the plants. This method allows to avoid using large doses of nanomaterials or direct infiltration of agrobacterium into plant tissue. We expect this new approach for transgene delivery will allow for more efficient plant engineering and can serve as a useful tool in synthetic biology.ACKNOWLEDGMENTThe work was supported by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of General Medical Sciences [1R35GM133483] and Department of Defense [Contract #W911QY2220006]. This work was performed in part at the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, a member of the Southeastern Nanotechnology Infrastructure Corridor (SENIC) and National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI), which is supported by the National Science Foundation [ECCS-1542174].

Invited: Mimicking Biological Synapse Activity with LDH-Based Memristor

Memristors, mimicking biological synapse response, are believed to have a great potential for use as an adaptive memory unit in future neuromorphic computing systems. Here we report on fabrication of two-dimensional memristor comprised of layered double hydroxide (LDH) material, covered with graphene layer, serving as a terminal for connecting to electrodes. We demonstrated nonvolatile resistive switching of LDH memristor. Device performance is studied upon replacing graphene semimetal with alternative 2D materials. Comprehensive characterization of the memristor materials was performed with correlated Raman, Electron, and Scanning Probe Microscopy methods.ACKNOWLEDGMENTThis work was supported by the US Department of Defense (Contract #W911QY2220006), 2DCC-MIP NSF cooperative agreement DMR-2039351. Work was performed at JSNN, a member of the Southeastern Nanotechnology Infrastructure Corridor (SENIC) and National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI), which is supported by the NSF (ECCS-1542174)

Evaluation of public perceptions on nanotechnology regulation in Costa Rica

Abstract This study investigates the perspectives of individuals, primarily Costa Ricans, on the necessity of implementing regulations for nanotechnology. Through a survey-based methodology, our findings reveal that approximately 98 per cent of respondents consider such regulation essential. The consensus on the need for regulation is significantly influenced by age, occupation, and field of expertise. Participants predominantly identified the health and environmental sectors as those most likely to benefit from advancements in nanotechnology. Despite the widespread agreement on the necessity for regulation, there was a divergence of opinion regarding which institution should oversee these regulations, with the National Nanotechnology Laboratory (LANOTEC) at the High Technology National Center (CENAT) being the most frequently chosen. This study underscores the importance of establishing regulatory frameworks for nanotechnology in Costa Rica. However, it also highlights the need for broader discussions to determine the most effective regulatory practices and the most appropriate institution for their implementation and oversight.

NNI nanoinformatics conference 2023: Movement toward a common infrastructure for federal nanoEHS data computational toxicology: Short communication

The National Nanotechnology Initiative organized a Nanoinformatics Conference in the 2023 Biden-Harris Administration’s Year of Open Science, which included interested U.S. and EU stakeholders, and preceded the U.S.-EU COR meeting on November 15th, 2023 in Washington, D.C. Progress in the development of a common nanoinformatics infrastructure in the European Union and United States were discussed. Development of contributing, individual database projects, and their strengths and weaknesses, were highlighted. Recommendations and next steps for a U.S. nanoEHS common infrastructure were discussed in light of the pending update of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI)’s Environmental, Health and Safety Research Strategy, and U.S. efforts to curate and house nano Environmental Health and Safety (nanoEHS) data from U.S. federal stakeholder groups. Improved data standards, for reporting and storage have been identified as areas where concerted efforts could most benefit initially. Areas that were not addressed at the conference, but that are critical to progress of the U.S. federal consortium effort are the evaluation of data formats according to use and sustainability measures; modeler and end user, including risk-assessor and regulator perspectives; a need for a community forum or shared data location that is not hosted by any individual U.S. federal agency, and is accessible to the public; as well as emerging needs for integration with new data types such as micro and nano plastics, and interoperability with other data and meta-data, such as adverse outcome pathway information. Future progress will depend on continued interaction of the U.S. and EU CORs, stakeholders and partners in the continued development goals for shared or interoperable infrastructure for nanoEHS.

Translating nanoEHS data using EPA NaKnowBase and the resource description framework.

The U.S. Federal Government has supported the generation of extensive amounts of nanomaterials and related nano Environmental Health and Safety (nanoEHS) data, there is a need to make these data available to stakeholders. With recent efforts, a need for improved interoperability, translation, and sustainability of Federal nanoEHS data in the United States has been realized. The NaKnowBase (NKB) is a relational database containing experimental results generated by the EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD) regarding the actions of engineered nanomaterials on environmental and biological systems. Through the interaction of the National Nanotechnology Initiative's Nanotechnology Environmental Health Implications (NEHI) Working Group, and the Database and Informatics Interest Group (DIIG), a U.S. Federal nanoEHS Consortium has been formed. The primary goal of this consortium is to establish a "common language" for nanoEHS data that aligns with FAIR data standards. A second goal is to overcome nomenclature issues inherent to nanomaterials data, ultimately allowing data sharing and interoperability across the diverse U.S. Federal nanoEHS data compendium, but also in keeping a level of consistency that will allow interoperability with U.S. and European partners. The most recent version of the EPA NaKnowBase (NKB) has been implemented for semantic integration. Computational code has been developed to use each NKB record as input, modify and filter table data, and subsequently output each modified record to a Research Description Framework (RDF). To improve the accuracy and efficiency of this process the EPA has created the OntoSearcher tool. This tool partially automates the ontology mapping process, thereby reducing onerous manual curation. Here we describe the efforts of the US EPA in promoting FAIR data standards for Federal nanoEHS data through semantic integration, as well as in the development of NAMs (computational tools) to facilitate these improvements for nanoEHS data at the Federal partner level.

Decoding Homoeopathy: Nanoparticle Evidence and its Therapeutic Implications

Potentization subsists as a pharmacological procedure, interior to solid whacks which cast-off progressively insipid a drug. Potentization persist as a structure used by homoeopathy, which turned of practicing for 200 years, to sort its medications. The unique measureable is transformed to nanoparticles throughout the process, which might be transferal the "encrypted information" of innovative substantial and devour the organic consequence. Even at high dilutions greater than Avogadro's number, homoeopathic medications contain nanoparticles, according to recent research that used by advanced microscopy and spectroscopy. This research challenges accepted the wisdom of potency and the medicinal drugs. The National Nanotechnology Initiative claims the biological activity can be observed in nanoparticles as miniature of esoteric slew nanometres. The perception of homoeopathic remedies could be regarded as Nano medicines aligns with this endeavour. These nanoparticles have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and enhanced bioavailability characteristics. They possess the ability to influence immunological and cellular reactions. Throughout the potentization process the drug's bioactivity increases as identical result of reduction in particle size. This supports the theory, by using the principles of quantum mechanics, even highly diluted treatments demonstrate biological efficacy. Research has partaken the homoeopathic medications preserve the architectures of nanoparticles that impact the biological systems. This conclusion imparts the credence to possibility of these remedies may function as Nano carriers, conveying therapeutic information to specific localities privileged as frame. Through the application of these results, homoeopathy is positioned as a sort of Nano pharmacology, therefore bridging the gap between homoeopathic philosophy and contemporary nanoscience.

National Nanotechnology Initiative at 20 years: enabling new horizons

National Nanotechnology Initiative at 20 years: enabling new horizons

Student Camps to Promote Scientific Vocations in STEM: The Quimi Camp Case

[Objective] From 1988 to 2018, high school students in Costa Rica had to pass a final exam to graduate from high school and be eligible for public university education. In this context, students had to choose a national science test from the areas of physics, chemistry, and biology. Historically, chemistry was the least chosen (4-6 %) of those sciences. On the other hand, there is a need -at the national level- to increase interest in careers related to STEM (Sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics). [Methodology] Under both premises, in 2016, the first national camp (called Quimi Camp) to promote scientific vocations was held to encourage high school students in Costa Rica to choose chemistry. Quimi Camp is an event supported by the OLCOQUIM National Chemistry Olympiad and the OLCOCI National Science Olympiad, which are in turn organized by the five Costa Rican State universities and the LANOTEC CENAT National Nanotechnology Laboratory at the National Center of High Technology, with the consent of the Ministry of Education (MEP) and the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology and Telecommunication (MICITT). The participating students made the final evaluation of this event. [Results] The results showed an excellent perception of the event regarding its organization and content. [Conclusions] Quimi Camp promoted students' vocation for science and engineering and positively influenced the selection of a University Career in STEM.

Designing High Entropy Amorphous Oxides for Li-Battery Electrolytes

Amorphous Li-oxides such as LiPON and amorphous Li garnet are considered as promising solid-state electrolytes for use in hybrid or all-solid-state oxide- and sulfide-based batteries as separators or protective layers.1-3 These materials possess several appealing characteristics, such as their intrinsic grain-boundary-free nature and relatively low manufacturing temperature (ranging from room temperature to 600 °C), which facilitates co-synthesis with Co-substituted or even Co-free cathodes that are unstable at standard electrolyte sintering temperatures. Alternatively, they can be applied as protective coatings toward Li anodes and other Li-free anode concepts, bridging the electrochemical stability voltage gap with liquid electrolytes or catholytes and preventing uneven interfacial reactions. The amorphous Li-oxides can be classified based on their structural entropy, i.e., the number and types of local bonding units (LBUs). As of today, ‘low entropy’ amorphous LiPON with only one type of LBU achieves the highest cycle number and battery lifetime.4 ‘High entropy’ amorphous Li-ion conductors, such as Li perovskites or Li garnets, exhibit an unusually high number of LBUs. local ordering and the Li-ion dynamics remain poorly understood, in part owing to the difficulty in characterizing their disordered states. This study employed a novel synthesis protocol to stabilize amorphous Al-doped Li garnets, representing so far the highest number of LBUs (≥ 4) in an amorphous Li-ion conductor.5 We resolved their phase evolution and local structures by a combination of spectroscopy, microscopy, and calorimetry techniques. A much wider (<680 °C) but processing-friendly temperature range was identified to stabilize various amorphous phases with edge- and face-sharing Zr, La, and Li LBUs that do not conform to the formation rules for Zachariasen’s glasses. These amorphous Li-ion conductors reveal an unusual setting in which Li and Zr act as network formers and La acts as a network modifier, with the highest Li-dynamics observed for smaller Li–O and Zr–O coordination among the amorphous phases. Our insight provides fundamental guidelines for the phase, local structure, and Li-transport modulation for amorphous Li garnets and pave the way for their integration in next-generation solid-state or hybrid battery designs with enhanced safety and lifetime. Acknowledgments Y.Z. acknowledges financial support provided by the MIT Energy Initiative fellowship offered by ExxonMobil. This research was supported by Samsung Electronics. This research was performed in part at the Center for Nanoscale Systems (CNS), a member of the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure Network (NNCI), which was supported by the National Science Foundation under NSF award no. 1541959. CNS is a part of Harvard University. This research used resources of the Advanced Photon Source, an Office of Science User Facility operated for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science by Argonne National Laboratory, and was supported by the U.S. DOE under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357, and the Canadian Light Source and its funding partners.

Development of Monodispersed Polystyrene Particles as Thailand Reference Materials (TRM)

The purpose of this study was to develop monodispersed polystyrene particles as certified reference materials in accordance with the ISO 17034: 2016 and the ISO Guide 35. It can play a significant role especially during the COVID-19 pandemic since several covering items such as filtering facepiece respirators or medical masks must be investigated for the quality of operation by various sizes of polystyrene. The polystyrene particles were prepared in-house by National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC) using polymerization of styrene. Each batch was preliminary check for distribution, aggregation and averaged size by using dynamic light scattering. Then polystyrene particles were prepared to 1% solid suspension in deionized water for homogeneity testing, stability assessment and characterization using transmission electron microscope with ImageJ software. The 100 nm polystyrene as an example has been successfully synthesized fulfilled the criteria of size deviation from nominal value less than ± 10 nm and polydispersity index less than 0.05. Then, the particle size of polystyrene was statistically analyzed for screening test with the results of the coefficient of variation less than 10%. Stability assessment consisting of short-term stability testing with three different temperatures and long-term stability testing within 6 months observed was carried out. The results of short-term and long-term stability were presented within the maximum acceptable. The homogeneity tests for within bottle standard deviation and between bottle standard deviation were performed with randomly sampling. The results of homogeneity tests satisfied the criteria and therefore assigned the value as the certify value. Consequently, the certify value of 105.5 ± 4.6 nm of monodispersed polystyrene particles has been successfully developed as Thailand reference materials which were similar level of quality and accuracy to the standard commercial products.

Guidelines for Nanopharmaceutical Products for Regulatory Approval

The word 'nano' refers to a Greek prefix that means 'dwarf' or very little,' and represents a thousand millionth of a meter (10-9) in length. Nanoscience and nanotechnology are the study and application of nanoscale range materials. Initially, the term Nanotechnology was used by N. Taniguchi in 1974 at an international conference on industrial production in Tokyo to characterize the super-thin processing of materials with nanometre accuracy and the fabrication of nano-sized systems (Bayda S. et al., 2020). The usage of nanomaterials has enhanced the application of nanomedicine in various therapeutics area with challenges and limitations over the last ten years. Alteration of the physiochemical, biological, mechanical &amp; other properties of the materials made the nanomaterials and it can be utilized in different useful activities such as drug development, drug target. Nanotechnology utilized novel nanomaterials to make useful products. This technology has been used to overcome the limitations &amp; challenges in different drug therapies. (Harea JI et al., 2017). &#x0D; The combination of nanotechnology with pharmaceuticals and biomedicals is termed nano pharmaceutical. Nanopharmaceuticals is a new technology in current practice. As a result, there are no widely agreed nanopharmaceuticals guidelines. The general idea of regulatory requirements for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), as stated in the CDSCO's New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules 2019, was mandatory in drug development pathways. These criteria are also in line with the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) recommendations and international standards that other countries using such items follow. New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019 should be followed in different drug development. (Harea JI et al., 2017). &#x0D; Globally, there are important guidelines developed by the United States Food &amp; Drugs Administration (USFDA), International Council for Harmonization (ICH), or Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (Harea JI et al., 2017). &#x0D; Current regulatory approaches by US Food &amp; Drug Administration (FDA), established the nanotechnology task force in August 2006. This regulatory approach encourages the development of nanoproducts. FDA has issued the guidelines in 2007 to the industry to address the benefits &amp; risks of Drugs, medical devices, and other nanoproducts. FDA is also working with other U.S. government agencies to focus on the safety &amp; efficacy of nanoproducts and U.S. initiates the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) which is a federal research &amp; development program to coordinate the effort of all government agencies involved in nanotechnology. The main goal of the NNI is to maintain the class of research &amp; development program, encourage inducing the new technologies in the product, developing the supporting infrastructure &amp; tools needed for nanotechnology (Ventola et al., 2012).

Evolution of drug delivery systems: From 1950 to 2020 and beyond

Modern drug delivery technology began in 1952 with the advent of the Spansule® sustained-release capsule technology, which can deliver a drug for 12 h after oral administration through an initial immediate dose followed by the remaining released gradually. Until the 1980s, oral and transdermal formulations providing therapeutic durations up to 24 h for small molecules dominated the drug delivery field and the market. The introduction of Lupron Depot® in 1989 opened the door for long-acting injectables and implantables, extending the drug delivery duration from days to months and occasionally years. Notably, the new technologies allowed long-term delivery of peptide and protein drugs, although limited to parenteral administration. The introduction of the first PEGylated protein, Adagen®, in 1990 marked the new era of PEGylation, resulting in Doxil® (doxorubicin in PEGylated liposome) in 1995, Movantik® (PEGylated naloxone - naloxegol) in 2014, and Onpattro® (Patisiran - siRNA in PEGylated lipid nanoparticle) in 2018. Drug-polymer complexes were introduced, e.g., InFed® (iron-dextran complex injection) in 1974 and Abraxane® (paclitaxel-albumin complex) in 2005. In 2000, both Mylotarg™ (antibody-drug conjugate – gemtuzumab ozogamicin) and Rapamune® (sirolimus nanocrystal formulation) were introduced. The year 2000 also marked the launching of the National Nanotechnology Initiative by the U.S. government, which was soon followed by the rest of the world. Extensive work on nanomedicine, particularly formulations designed to escape from endosomes after being taken by tumor cells, along with PEGylation technology, ultimately resulted in the timely development of lipid nanoparticle formulations for COVID-19 vaccine delivery in 2020.While the advances in drug delivery technologies for the last seven decades are breathtaking, they are only the tip of an iceberg of technologies that have yet to be utilized in an approved formulation or even to be discovered. As life expectancy continues to increase, more people require long-term care for various diseases. Filling the current and future unmet needs requires innovative drug delivery technologies to overcome age-old familiar hurdles, e.g., improving water-solubility of poorly soluble drugs, overcoming biological barriers, and developing more efficient long-acting depot formulations. The lessons learned from the past are essential assets for developing future drug delivery technologies implemented into products. As the development of COVID-19 vaccines demonstrated, meeting the unforeseen crisis of the uncertain future requires continuous cumulation of failures (as learning experiences), knowledge, and technologies. Conscious efforts of supporting diversified research topics in the drug delivery field are urgently needed more than ever.

Redox-Active Polymers Designed for the Circular Economy of Energy Storage Devices

A.G. and A.S. acknowledge funding from the TomKat Center for Sustainable Energy at Stanford University and the StorageX initiative. A.S. and S.T.M.T. gratefully acknowledge support from the National Science Foundation Award CBET #1804915. T.J.Q. and G.L. acknowledge support from the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program under grant DGE-1656518. Part of this work was performed at the Stanford Nanofabrication Facilities (SNF) and Stanford Nano Shared Facilities (SNSF), supported by the National Science Foundation as part of the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure under award ECCS-1542152. The authors acknowledge financial support from KAUST, including the Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) award nos. OSR-2018-CRG/CCF-3079, OSR-2019-CRG8-4086, and OSR-2018-CRG7-3749. The authors acknowledge funding from an ERC Synergy Grant SC2 (610115). Use of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, under Contract No. DE-AC02-76SF00515.

Assessing a national nanotechnology infrastructure for enforcing nanosafety in consumer food - Funding the infrastructure

Crucial to assessing any national risk assessment infrastructure is the development of keen insights into the funding landscape, the base skill set and expertise levels, risk prioritisation, and stakeholder determination. This paper presents an overview of the first of these criteria with respect to the Irish funding landscape for nanotechnology and nano-agri-food. It examines difficulties with policy enforcement due to a lack of clarity and varying interpretations of the EU definition of nanomaterials and how the funding landscape could potentially facilitate the necessary infrastructure, to underpin regulatory enforcement and risk assessment for nanotechnology in food. In 2008 an assessment of the potential risks associated with nanotechnologies was carried out in Ireland which resulted in a number of recommendations centred around the provision of funding. This study examines Exchequer/public investment over the last decade to develop research infrastructure and it identifies if such investment has helped enhance the enforcement of nano-food safety legislation in Ireland.

(Nanocarbons Division Best Poster Award - 3rd Place) Intrinsic Shear Strain in Graphene Heterostructures Detected Via Raman Spectroscopy

Graphene’s electronic band structure is extremely sensitive to small perturbations in its crystal lattice. Because of this it is vital to correctly characterize strain, doping and defects in graphene through nondestructive measurements. Characterization through Raman Spectroscopy allows this nondestructive measurement. Graphene on Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDCs) show increased shear strain which is not caused by defects introduced through the transfer method. We prove this using Raman analysis of graphene samples on silicon oxide and TMDC. Graphene shows G peak splitting and shift indicative strain increasing on top of TMDC when compared to nearby graphene on silicon oxide.Acknowledgement: Authors acknowledge the JSNN, a member of the Southeastern Nanotechnology Infrastructure Corridor (SENIC) and National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI), supported by the NSF (ECCS-1542174), The PSU Two-Dimensional Crystal Consortium – Materials Innovation Platform 2DCC-MIP, supported by NSF cooperative agreement (DMR- 1539916). Authors are grateful to Dr. S. Aravamudhan (JSNN) and Dr. J. Redwing (2DCC MIP).

(Invited) Integration of 2D Materials in Van Der Waals Photonic Heterostructures

Recently, significant attention has been focused at photonic properties of vertical heterostructures of two-dimensional (2D) materials which is driven by large range of their applications in sensing and information technology. In this work, the Van der Waals heterostructures were produced by integration of CVD grown 2D MoS2 with transferred monolayer graphene. Each of 2D layers possesses its own surface electromagnetic (optical) modes. While in the photonic heterostructure these modes are strongly coupled. Scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy allows to visualize 2D surface polaritons, as well as their hybridization with the resonances of the bulk substrate polaritons. Using excitation frequencies well below substrate resonances, a signature of charge transfer in van der Waals heterostructures with nanometer resolution was obtained.Acknowledgement: Authors acknowledge the JSNN, a member of the Southeastern Nanotechnology Infrastructure Corridor (SENIC) and National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI), supported by the NSF (ECCS-1542174), The PSU Two-Dimensional Crystal Consortium – Materials Innovation Platform 2DCC-MIP, supported by NSF cooperative agreement (DMR-1539916). S.V.R. acknowledges PSU MRSEC supported by NSF (DMR-2011839). Authors are grateful to Dr. S. Aravamudhan (JSNN) and Dr. J. Redwing (2DCC-MIP).

Looking at the Future through Nanotechnology

Looking at the Future through Nanotechnology is a dissertation on the enormous potential of nanotechnology in the future of every field, research and industry present. This article especially focusses on the fields of Health, Environment and Warfare since they are constantly a hot topic of debate among many research groups. A formal definition given by National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) states that nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions between 1 and 100 nanometers where unique phenomena enable novel application. This article seeks to present the dichotomy of nanotechnology-- the promise it offers in the future, and its potential for grave destruction through ignorance and misuse.