NRL Institute for Nanoscience 1 May 2012

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1 NRL Institute for Nanoscience 1 May 2012 Dr. Eric S. Snow, Director

2 The Naval Research Laboratory Highly interdisciplinary laboratory Research Focus Areas Battlespace Environments, Undersea Warfare, Space Research and Space Technology, Electromagnetic Warfare, Electronics, Information Technology, Materials and Chemistry, Nanoscience Why Nanoscience? Producing evolutionary improvements in many technologies of interest to the DOD smaller, faster, stronger, lower power, etc. Fertile area for technological revolutions (but unpredictable)

3 Nanoscience Multidisciplinary Scope Electronics Nanofabrication Chemical Self- Assembly Biological Assembly Physics Optical Science Materials Science

4 Nanotechnology Patents Granted by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office ( ) Rank Institution No. of patents 1 IBM University of California U.S. Navy (70 from NRL) 99 4 Eastman Kodak 90 5 MIT 76 6 Micron Technology 75 7 Hewlett-Packard 67 8 Xerox Corporation M Company Rice University 51 Source: Chen et al., Nature Nanotechnology (2008) (by permission); H. Chen personal communication

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6 NSI Mission Provide the Navy and DOD with scientific leadership in the field of Nanoscience 1. Provide NRL researchers access to state-of-the-art laboratory and fabrication facilities 2. Conduct a highly innovative basic research program in nanoscience 3. Promote interdisciplinary collaboration Nanoscience Office (B222, R175) Eric Snow ( , ) Cindy Habron ( ) Nanoscience Research Building (B250) Dean St Amand ( ; B207/R171) David Zapotok ( ; B207/Rm174)

7 Nanoscience Research Laboratory Provide NRL scientists with access to state-of-the-art laboratory and fabrication facilities

8 Quiet Laboratories Extreme environmental control Vibration/electromagnetic isolation, acoustic damping, temperature/humidity control 8 Quiet laboratories DT < 0.5 C 4 Ultra-quiet laboratories DT < 0.1 C Separate operator control room

9 Nanofabrication Facility 5000 ft 2 Class 100 clean room Operated as user facility Free access 24 hrs/day, 365 days/year Over 200 users ~ 50 users on average day Not open to outside users

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11 Goal: Maximize impact Lay groundwork for future technological revolutions Most Nano Progams Focused on technological goals Positives: Push performance limits Focused research Negatives: Neglects fundamental understanding Promotes flashy laboratory demonstrations Hard problems are often hidden/neglected Many unproductive projects Constrained by linear thinking of program manager NRL Progam Relax constraint of performance metrics and instead: Change how people think Answer important questions Challenge assumptions Promote discovery Address hard problems

12 Basic Research Thrusts 1. New Materials: Design and construct materials with predefined properties 2. Engineer and actively control the fundamental excitations of materials 3. Achieve the functional complexity of biological systems 4. Exploit the full quantum nature of matter

13 New Materials Discovery and invention of new functional materials based on nanometer-scale control of structure. Combines materials by design theory, self- and directed-assembly, and materials characterization. Today Examples of current nano-scale materials include semiconducting and metallic nanoparticles and wires, C nanostructures. Nanomaterials used in structural composites, battery electrodes, antimicrobial activity, etc. 6.1 research: D&I of new materials, smart materials, etc End of 2020 Stronger/lighter/tougher materials, smart materials, materials for energy applications, medical/diagnostic applications Graphene transistors (from NRL/HRL) End of 2030 Smart/self-healing materials, materials with multiple functionality, e.g. artificial skin, non-fossil fuel based energy

14 New Materials Example Observation that some biological armor and Samurai swords have similar nanostructure Composed of nanostructured elastic and plastic materials Resulting material significantly stronger than individual components Development Natural selection Fundamental Question How does this work? Potential Payoff Prescription for how to nanostructure modern elastic and plastic materials to make exceptionally strong and light weight materials.

15 Active Structures The fabrication/assembly and study of structures that enable the active control of the fundamental excitations of materials. This research will form the basis for novel devices and sensors. Today Current technology utilizes ~ 30 nm electronic and photonic devices. 6.1 research on non-charge-based computation and novel architectures, plasmonic systems, metamaterials, novel signal transduction, study of bio-inorganic systems End of 2020 Application of metamaterials Novel sensors Photonic/plasmonic applications Novel electronic devices Spin transport in QWs End of 2030 Control of material E&M, thermal, acoustic properties, etc. New computational architectures. Biological/ electronic interface.

16 Normalized Absorption Active Structures Example FRET Emission Nature Excitation Donor r Acceptor Donor Fluorescein Acceptor Rhodamine Project Target Abs Em Abs Em J(λ) Spectral Overlap Normalized Fluorescence DNA-organized fluorophores Wavelength (nm) How do we efficiently collect and spatially direct energy w/ atomic precision?

17 Active Structures Example Use DNA Origami as scaffold to precisely and systematically position donors/acceptors 1.5 R 0 10nm 1.0 R R 0 Cy3 Cy3.5 Cy5 Cy5.5 Cy5 Cy3.5 Cy3 E = 1/[1+(r/R 0 ) 6 ] Förster Distance (R 0 ): ~ 3 to 7 nm R0 10 Förster Distance R n Q J 1/ D distance between donor and acceptor at 50% energy transfer efficiency

18 Complex Systems The self/directed assembly of complex nanometer-scale systems and 3-dimensional architectures. Complex systems provide multiple functionality and maximize efficiency Today Nanoscale assembly restricted to simple systems such as quantum dots, nanowires, etc. 2-D architectures used for electronics, solar energy, etc. 6.1 research on complex/3d assembly, bio/inorganic hybrids, etc End of D assembly of functional structures. Energy storage/conversion using 3-D nanoarchitectures. Anode Separator/ electrolyte Cathode End of 2030 Artificial organisms with complex functionality, e.g. energy scavenging, sensing, reacting, signaling, etc.

19 Complex Systems Example Science Fiction Reality Multifunctional nanoprobes Biocompatible Targeted Capable of active sensing Ability to penetrate cells Ability to deliver cargo Capable of repair / drug delivery

20 Endosomal Escape Systematically examined: Charge Linker length Fatty acid moiety Fatty acid attachment point Order Developing model Understanding would enable new methods of Drug delivery Diagnositics

21 Quantum Systems To enable revolutionary technologies that exploit the full quantum nature of matter including such phenomena as quantum tunneling, confinement, coherence, and entanglement. Today Robust quantum phenomena such as tunneling and quantum confinement are commonly used in electronic devices. Coherence is commonly used in optical systems. 6.1 research: Electron coherence is a common subject of research and entanglement is a hot field of physics End of 2020 Explored entanglement in a variety of systems. Obtained an understanding of its potential and limitations. Quantum teleportation End of 2030 Spread of science to other fields. Technological implications unknown.

22 Quantum Systems Example Roadblock: Independent control of entangled qubits Local entanglement Remote Entanglement High-Q cavity Waveguide photons Photon Entanglement control measure control measure Electrode Laser pulse Source QD GaAs membrane photonic crystal Target QD in cavity