Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Since the introduction of graphene in electronic devices, an emerging class of two-dimensional (2D) crystals, transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDC), has had enormous potential to further increase performance, reduce energy consumption, and create functionality-enhanced large-area flexible electronics. To realize this potential, new methods are needed for integrating 2D electronics onto flexible platforms to create next-generation electronics that are robust to mechanical strain, easy to integrate, have low-power consumption, and high performance at the nanoscale. However, critical knowledge gaps remain for the direct integration and operation of 2D devices on large-area flexible platforms. These gaps are barriers to developing robust integrated systems with long operating lifetimes at the wafer scale. The overarching goal of my Discovery program is to create unique solutions that enable the next generation of mechanically flexible nanotechnology for a wide range of applications in large-area electronics. The next five years will establish a unique research endeavor focused on materials synthesis, processing, and characterization of 2D materials for flexible sensor and display applications. My team will pursue four objectives (O1- O4): (O1) identify key parameters for low-temperature (T) synthesis of TMDC and passivation layers to protect the TMDC surface for device processing, (O2) fabricate and characterize "thin-film" devices to investigate the effect of the synthesis and processing on device operation, (O3) identify pathways and explore opportunities to improve device performance using applied mechanical strain, and (O4) create mechanically flexible integrated arrays of addressable devices for scaling the technology towards large-area manufacturing. These objectives will advance my long-term vision to advance new pathways for accelerating the adoption of commercially viable nanotechnology enabled through fully integrated 2D electronic devices that are robust, efficient, and mechanically compliant at the wafer-scale and beyond. This program will train and prepare HQP to become the future leaders advancing 2D electronics, taking advantage of exciting opportunities and guiding its development. They will enable Canadian companies to exploit the vast commercialization opportunities of flexible 2D materials where the graphene industry alone is expected to grow globally to $877M by 2027 with the flexible electronics market projected to be $63B by 2030.