Nanotechnology Research - Universities

The group's research is motivated by how light interacts with matter on the nanoscale. The main research direction focuses on taking advantage of efficient light-matter interactions for applications in novel nanoscale devices and sensors. Towards that end, the group explores integrating nanoelectronic and nanomechanical effects with nanophotonic devices to achieve hybrid devices with new functionality. They also investigate unique optical properties of graphene and emerging two-dimensional direct bandgap semiconductor materials for novel sensors and devices.

UC San Diego established the Department of NanoEngineering within its Jacobs School of Engineering effective July 1, 2007. The department will cover a broad range of topics, but focus particularly on biomedical nanotechnology, nanotechnologies for energy conversion, computational nanotechnology, and molecular and nanomaterials.

The group of Prof. Zhang works on the design, synthesis, characterization and evaluation of lipid- and/or polymer-based nanostructured biomaterials. One specific interest lies in developing nanomaterials for healthcare and other medical applications, for example, drug delivery to improve or enable treatments of human diseases. In addition, they also seek to understand the fundamental sciences underlying the arenas of nanomedicine.

Plans are currently underway to develop graduate curricula leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in NanoEngineering by 2011. Until NanoEngineering graduate programs are in place, students wishing to pursue nanoengineering as a graduate focus are encouraged to apply to related graduate programs in bioengineering, chemical engineering, and mechanical and aerospace engineering. Transfer to NanoEngineering will be considered upon approval of its degree programs.

Studies in the Desai laboratory focus on the design, fabrication, and use of advanced micro/nano biosystems.

The Center for Nanomedicine is dedicated to developing the next generation of diagnostics, therapies, and ultimately cures for human diseases, improving the quality of life, and creating a legacy for humanity.

The Center for Spintronics and Quantum Computation is part of the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) based at the University of California, Santa Barbara. This multidisciplinary research center provides a focus for rapidly expanding research, education and training in spin-based electronics and quantum computation, with an emphasis on the potential realization in coherent electronic, magnetic and photonic nanostructures.

Mission: Using microfluidic technologies, electrokinetics, and spectroscopy to develop tools for chemical detection, cellular discovery, and electronics cooling applications.

The research interest of Kaustav Banerjee's group include nanometer scale issues in CMOS VLSI as well as circuits and systems issues in emerging nanoelectronics. He is currently involved in exploring the physics, technology, and applications of carbon nanomaterials for next-generation green electronics.

The UCSB Nanofabrication Facility offers expertise in compound semiconductor-based device fabrication providing a full range of processes to the scientific and research communities.