New two-dimensional materials: from their behavior and quantum properties to their industrial applications
10.07.2019
NMAT2D-CM will combine optics, theoretical physics and materials science to study 2D materials in order to develop devices for industrial applications
Since in 2004 Geim and Novoselov managed to isolate graphene -a single layer of carbon atoms- the investigation on two-dimensional (2D) materials, it is, laminar materials of thickness comparable to the atom, has known an unprecedented development due to its attractive optical and electronic properties, very different to those of the bulk material.
During the last years, Madrid has become an active node in the investigation of 2D materials with renowned researchers in practically every main line of this research, and crystallized in the successful research programme MAD2D-CM. This programme was the precursor of NMAT2D-CM, a research project that aims to take a step further in the understanding of these materials through the study and characterization of their optical, transport and structural properties in combination with the design of theoretical models. This will allow creating a catalogue of 2D materials according to their properties or obtain effective graphene transfer protocols. The second strategic objective focuses on the analysis and development of new applications in fields such as electronics, aeronautics and energy, which will be based on the success of the first objective. The potential of technological transfer of this objective would make it more visible, since its success would lead to more specific applications, such as piezoelectric, electronic or plasmonic devices, rectifiers photodetectors, photovoltaic cells, sensors or composite materials for the aeronautical industry.
Achieving these objectives requires integrating the most leading representatives of 2D Materials research in Madrid, led by Francisco Guinea. In this way, NMAT2D-CM integrates 50 theoretical and experimental researchers, technicians and engineers, which are shared between the IMDEA Nanociencia foundation, the Institute of Materials Science of Madrid (ICMM) of CSIC, the Faculty of Sciences of the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), the Institute of Optoelectronic Systems and Microtechnology of the Polytechnic University of Madrid and the Foundation for the Research, Development and Application of Compound Materials.
NMAT2D-CM has designed a program of activities that started in January 1st, 2019 and will last until the end of 2022 and has approximately €900,000 granted by the Technologies Programme 2018 from Consejería de Educación e Investigación from the Regional Government of Comunidad de Madrid. The above scientific objectives are part of an ambitious strategy, whose vision is to maintain and increase the influence of Comunidad de Madrid in one of the strategic points of research and development of 2D Materials. For this, the consortium has designed an ambitious executive plan in the training and attraction of researchers who will work during the next 4 years in the project NMAT2D-CM.
