MS&E Seminar

Brian A. Korgel

Friday, October 9th, at 10:30am

Engineering V, room 2101

Silicon Nanomaterials

Our research involves the development of chemical methods, mostly colloidal, to create a variety of nanomaterials with unique size-dependent properties—including optical, electronic and mechanical—that might be used in applications. This presentation will cover the synthesis, properties and some applications of silicon (Si) nanocrystals, nanorods and nanowires. Si is the foundation of the semiconductor industry, but lacks some useful properties as a bulk material. For example, it is a very poor light emitter. Silicon nanocrystals (and nanorods) on the other hand can be made to emit light quite efficiently and offer new applications for Si. The roles of size and surface chemistry on Si nanocrystal light emission will be presented. Nanowires are another example of nanoscale Si that is potentially useful. Bulk Si is rigid and brittle; whereas, nanowires are mechanically flexible and strong, which provides a way to use Si in lithium ion batteries as an electrode material—this application will also be discussed.

 

Date/Time:
Date(s) - Oct 09, 2015
10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Location:
2101 Engineering V
420 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles CA 90095