Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

There is a significant demand for an advanced manufacturing method that can scale up to produce nanoplatform for various real-world applications across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, biomedical devices, chemical, and food. The key to developing devices with ultra-sensitivity, accuracy, versatility, robust performance, and the capacity to be manufactured in high volumes is to translate innovative technologies from the laboratory to real-world applications. The present research program aims to build a versatile nanoplatform using advanced manufacturing techniques resulting in reliable nanomaterials for real-time applications. Our previous discovery grants have led to pioneering work developing multi-functional nanomaterials using ultrafast pulsed laser-assisted nanomanufacturing. The ultrafast pulsed laser-assisted manufacturing process presents unique advantages for the fabrication of nanoplatforms, such as creating unique nanoarchitecture with high plasma temperature and density induced by the gigawatt pulse power, which other methods cannot fabricate. Exploiting this unique nanomanufacturing method, this program aims to achieve the following objectives: (i) create a performance-augmented nanoparticles network, a free-standing, integrated three-dimensional nanoarchitecture through manipulation of the laser plasma plume through the introduction of gases such as oxygen, nitrogen; (ii) manipulate the laser parameters to create a distinct three-dimensional nanoparticle network for application-specific nanoarchitecture through phase engineering and explore alloy- based nanostructures; and (iii) advance a reliable manufacturing method to generate the nanoplatform in high volume with an industrial-grade ultrashort pulsed laser suitable for commercialization. Furthermore, the unique structure of the nanoparticle network gives rise to enhanced optical and electronic properties, making it an ideal candidate for energy, photovoltaic, and biodevice manufacturing applications. In addition, the structural nanoscale mobility and flexibility observed in these nanoparticle networks provide opportunities to develop unique physio-chemical interactive mechanisms between different molecules. The program provides a multi-disciplinary research environment for highly qualified personnel (HQP) training. Additionally, it has the potential to generate high-throughput techniques for the manufacturing of next-generation nanoplatforms, which can be tailored for real-world applications effortlessly. In summary, the advancement of ultrashort pulsed laser-assisted manufacturing techniques, which have applications in a variety of fields, will undoubtedly elevate Canadian life in every way, boost the country's competitiveness in the manufacturing market for product-differentiating nanoplatform, open new venture development opportunities, and ultimately boost Canadian economic activity through innovation.