Nanotechnology Research - Universities

The lab investigates mechanical materials properties from the nano to macro-scale using experimental, analytical, and computational techniques. Current cutting edge research within European projects and the ETH competence center on high temperature materials focuses on micro- and nano- mechanical properties of materials (instrumentation, scale effects related to microstructure and physical dimension.

The group develops ultra-sensitive spectroscopy and sensing technologies for real-time, label-free and high-throughput detection and analysis of very low quantities of biomolecules. They employ a variety of nanophotonic technologies including nanoplasmonics and metamaterials.

One of the areas of research deals with nanometric positioning.

Professor Forro's group at the Institute of Physics of Complex Matter

The activities of the laboratory aim at a detailed description of photo-induced processes in the molecular condensed phase (liquid, solid and proteins) and in metallic and semiconductor nanostructured materials. A central approach of the group is the visualization in 'real time' of the processes by means of ultrafast laser spectroscopy.

NANOLAB is working on various subjects in the field of silicon micro/nano-electronics with special emphasis on the technology, design and modelling of nanoscale solid-state devices (including Silicon-On-Insulator devices, few-electron devices, hybrid SET/CMOS, single electron memory, nanowires and nanotubes), Radio Frequency MEMS devices for in- and above-IC and integrated optoelectronic devices. The group is interested in exploring new materials, novel fabrication techniques, and novel device concepts for future nanoelectronic systems.

The group is working on nanoelectronics based on new, two-dimensional materials such as graphene and MoS2. These materials represent the ultimate limit of miniaturization in the vertical dimension and offer substantial advantages over nanotubes or nanowires.

The group develops and characterizes novel nanostructured materials for solar energy applications. The nanocomposite coatings consist typically of dielectric, semiconductor or metal nanocrystals embedded in a dielectric matrix. Applications include antireflection coatings on solar collector glazing, colored coatings with high solar transmittance for novel glazing of solar thermal facades, photoluminescent quantum dot solar concentrators for photovoltaic energy conversion, and optical selective absorber coatings for thermal solar collectors and thermoelectric power generation.

SuNMIL is a vibrant group of researchers that combine multiple backgrounds and integrate various disciplines to create and investigate novel materials that tackle the experimental investigation of supramolecular interfaces.

The Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems Laboratory was created in 1982 by professor Nico F. de Rooij. Since then, SAMLAB has increased in size and has reached a staff of about 50 persons, including 15 PhD students.