Obiettivo Futuristic smart optical applications belong to novel artificial materials comprising nanoscale building blocks, exhibiting extra-ordinary optical responses. Recent progress in nanotechnology has enabled developing such optical metamaterials (OMMs) economically via controlled self-assembly of nanoparticles (NPs). Strikingly, a dense nanometre-thick layer of metallic NPs strongly reflects incident light like a ‘mirror’, whereas a sparse layer enacts a near-transparent ‘window’. Thus OMMs could form a switchable mirror–window to minimize our energy needs by harvesting light. Besides tuneable-optics, dense OMMs could revolutionise sensing of trace-analytes for detecting threats to our health, safety, and security. I aim to develop new means of dynamic control over resulting NP-layer architecture to make OMMs ‘smart’, for novel applications like fast-programmable mirrors, -tuneable optical-filters and -cavities. But achieving quick alteration of NP architectures for fast-tuneable optical response is very challenging. Voltage-controlled assembly and disassembly of NPs at interfaces between liquid electrolyte and solid electrodes could be one efficient method. However, these processes are often diffusion-limited, making OMMs slow to respond. This requires the desired systems to be confined, or miniaturized, by developing new schemes and custom-made architectures to ensure assembly/disassembly occurs within sub-second timescales. To achieve this, I will engage novel electrode designs—patterned as rectangular-groove gratings, columnar structures, and flat transparent plates—where NPs can rearrange quickly on desired areas of the electrodes to either reflect or transmit light. This research unites physical-chemistry with optics and nanotechnology. I will develop optimal designs of the systems, via modelling and simulations, and navigate experiments for prototype creation in collaborating laboratories of the Imperial and overseas partners in France, Netherlands, and Germany. Campo scientifico natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsengineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materials Parole chiave Optical reflectance and transmittance self-assembly electro-tuneability electrodes solid-liquid interfaces surface plasmon resonance nanoparticles Programma(i) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Argomento(i) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Invito a presentare proposte H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 Vedi altri progetti per questo bando Meccanismo di finanziamento MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinatore IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE Contribution nette de l'UE € 195 454,80 Indirizzo SOUTH KENSINGTON CAMPUS EXHIBITION ROAD SW7 2AZ LONDON Regno Unito Mostra sulla mappa Regione London Inner London — West Westminster Tipo di attività Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Partecipazione a programmi di R&I dell'UE Opens in new window Rete di collaborazione HORIZON Opens in new window Costo totale € 195 454,80
