About This Project
The next new wonder material has arrived and its name is "Graphene". Graphene has an extremely high electrical and thermal conductivity in a thin one atom layer sheet. This research focuses on production of this material in substantial quantities at low cost.
Ask the Scientists
Join The DiscussionWhat is the context of this research?
Graphene is a relatively new material that has enjoyed much attention and research funding. This attention has allowed scientists and engineers to create a wide array of superconductive products, yet completion of a practical method for producing graphene at low cost has not yet been developed.
The reduction of cost and the elimination of harmful chemicals during processing are the main goals in my research.
What is the significance of this project?
I wish to change the lack of graphene production methods. A new production method with low cost will enable the billions of dollars spent on research to also be utilized on the creation of large quantities of products such as ultracapacitors, solar cells, extremely sensitive sensors, and so on.
I am in a good position to be able to conduct research on graphene production due to my access to thin-film measurement and CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) devices in the cleanroom. As an electrical engineering student and Cleanroom Assistant at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, I believe I can make a meaningful impact on the production of graphene.
What are the goals of the project?
The funds will allow me to purchase a Co2 Laser for deoxidation of the Graphene oxide nanosheets.
The laser can also be used to etch small traces in glassware to control growth of the graphene oxide.
The laser also requires lenses of varied sizing, to control the intensity of the beam and the precision of the process.
The funds will also be used on larger PTFE liners to test the pressure and heat capabilities of the custom-fit clamp system that will shorten the process time in the oven.
Budget
The budget will cover the cost of the "40W Co2 Hobby Laser with Removable floor" by Full Spectrum Laser, and three additional lenses to control focal length of laser.
The budget will also cover additional Hydrion Scientific Autoclave PTFE liners for faster and more advanced processing method research.
Meet the Team
Affiliates
Team Bio
Dr. Yong ZhangBissell Distinguished Professor
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
Optoelectronics Center
Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC)
Adjunct Professor, Department of Physics and Optical Science
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223
Research Interests:
Emerging and future generation materials and device architectures for energy and related applications (photovoltaics, solid-state-lighting, detector)Fundamental sciences in solid state physics and electrical engineering
Optical spectroscopy and material growth
Large scale first-principles and empirical electronic structure modeling
Materials of interest: nanostructures, semiconductor superlattices and alloys, inorganic-organic hybrids
Professional Preparation:
Xiamen (Amoy) University, China, Physics, B.S., 1982Xiamen (Amoy) University, China, Physics, M.S., 1985
Dartmouth College, Physics, Ph.D., 1994
Appointments:
Bissell Distinguished Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, UNC-Charlotte, 4/2009 – present. Faculty members for Optical Science and Engineering program and Nanoscale Science Ph.D. Program at UNC-Charlotte.Senior Scientist II, Materials and Computational Science Center, NREL, 2006 – 2009.
Senior Scientist I, Center for Basic Sciences, NREL, 1997 – 2005.
Postdoc, Center for Basic Sciences, NREL, 1994 – 1997.
Visiting Researcher, Physics Department, Dartmouth College, 1/1989 – 1/1990.
Researcher, Physics Department, Xiamen (Amoy) University, China, 1987 – 1989.
Engineer, Xiamen United Development Co. Ltd., Xiamen, China, 1985 – 1987.
Yong Zhang
Dr. Yong Zhang
Bissell Distinguished Professor
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
Optoelectronics Center
Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC)
Adjunct Professor, Department of Physics and Optical Science
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223
Research Interests:
Emerging and future generation materials and device architectures for energy and related applications (photovoltaics, solid-state-lighting, detector)Fundamental sciences in solid state physics and electrical engineering
Optical spectroscopy and material growth
Large scale first-principles and empirical electronic structure modeling
Materials of interest: nanostructures, semiconductor superlattices and alloys, inorganic-organic hybrids
Professional Preparation:
Xiamen (Amoy) University, China, Physics, B.S., 1982Xiamen (Amoy) University, China, Physics, M.S., 1985
Dartmouth College, Physics, Ph.D., 1994
Appointments:
Bissell Distinguished Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, UNC-Charlotte, 4/2009 – present. Faculty members for Optical Science and Engineering program and Nanoscale Science Ph.D. Program at UNC-Charlotte.Senior Scientist II, Materials and Computational Science Center, NREL, 2006 – 2009.
Senior Scientist I, Center for Basic Sciences, NREL, 1997 – 2005.
Postdoc, Center for Basic Sciences, NREL, 1994 – 1997.
Visiting Researcher, Physics Department, Dartmouth College, 1/1989 – 1/1990.
Researcher, Physics Department, Xiamen (Amoy) University, China, 1987 – 1989.
Engineer, Xiamen United Development Co. Ltd., Xiamen, China, 1985 – 1987.
Jacob Kon
I am an electrical engineering student that desires to contribute to meaningful research in the field of solar power generation and storage. My community involvement is evidenced by my positions as Vice Chair of the Student Chapter of the IEEE at UNC Charlotte. My current plans are to pursue solar cell research after completing my BS in Electrical Engineering.
Jason Marmon
Hi, my name is Jason Marmon and I am a graduate student in the Nanoscale Science Department at UNC Charlotte. My primary research is on low dimensional, e.g. nanowire, class II-VI materials for devices such as solar cells. I am involved in other projects such as characterizing "graphene" oxide for a colleague (Jacob Kon).
Additional Information
I have compiled list of products waiting to hit market, once a cost-effective method to produce graphene is found.
Earphones
Processor and Transistors Very promising work on Solar Cells I hope you will consider supporting a search for the future "silicon valley" of graphene production method research.
Project Backers
- 9Backers
- 13%Funded
- $530Total Donations
- $58.89Average Donation