Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Advanced nanofabrication is a hotspot in the manufacturing and nanotechnology industries. Nanofabrication using ultrashort laser pulses offers unique advantages over other approaches. It is single-step and can be applied to a wide range of materials. My proposed research program will focus on a novel ultrashort laser ablation technique that is capable of preparing 3D nano-network structures with controlled optical and chemical sensitivity and enhanced biocompatibility. The fabricated structures will be immediately usable in different applications such as super capacitor and battery electrodes, photonic devices, nano-sensors and bio-functional material fabrication. Pulsed laser ablative machining has traditionally been used for machining and material removal at micro- and sub-micro scales; due to its low efficiency, however, it is rarely used for nanomaterial synthesis. Laser-based nanomaterial synthesis normally employs high-powered continuous lasers and nanosecond lasers, and requires catalysts and a controlled environment. At megahertz laser-pulse frequency, however, the delay time between successive pulses is comparable to the critical time of nucleation, which enables the formation of nanostructures in ambient conditions without the addition of a catalyst. The main objective of my proposal is Laser 3D Nanonetwork (nanowires, nanofibrous structured) generation. I intend to extend my research on the fundamentals of ultrashort-laser-matter interaction at the MHz-pulse frequency range and the mechanisms of 3D nanonetwork formation. My goal is to use the knowledge I acquire to develop cost-efficient and controllable processes for synthesizing nanomaterials and 3D nanostructured surfaces on a larger scale. This includes the study of the effects of laser parameters, environments and external fields on the formation of various nanomaterials, such as nanorods, nanotips, and nanofibres. Anticipated outcomes: The research supported by this grant will be aimed at developing an understanding of high frequency/high intensity pulse ionization mechanism in nanofabrication and develop cost-efficient and controllable processes for synthesizing advanced sensing materials, energy nanomaterials and biomaterials fabrications at a larger scale. This includes the study of the effects of laser parameters, environments, and external fields on the formation of various nanomaterials and their properties for different applications from advanced sensing structures to energy storage devices and biomaterials fabrication. The personnel trained under this program will acquire a valuable skillset in nanofabrication and materials characterization that will make them suitable for careers in Canada's expanding advanced manufacturing and biotech sectors.