Advanced Carbon Materials and Devices
The research focus of our team is to develop novel functional carbon materials and devices utilizing carbonization (pyrolysis) of micro and nano patterned polymers. This is achieved by controlling the progression of bond-dissociation and formation in the carbonizing matrix during its pyrolysis. Our research offers the perfect balance of innovative material design and cutting-edge microsystem engineering. We atomically engineer carbon, fabricate a variety of state-of-the-art two- and three-dimensional carbon structures including MEMS and NEMS device components, in-vivo-like scaffolds for cell culture and analysis, AFM tips, micro-coils for NMR, and tailor-made sample holders and substrates. Another major goal is to transfer the carbon-MEMS fabrication process on to flexible substrates. This technology enables a much easier fabrication of organic biosensors as well as various flexible and inexpensive anodes for energy storage devices having a commercial viability.