Available Technologies

ADDITIONAL FILTERS

Thin Films & Nanomaterials

12 available technologies

FEATURED TECHNOLOGY

Free Standing Nanocrystal Thin Films

Vanderbilt researchers have developed a process that creates free standing nanocrystalline thin films using a simple, robust and cost- efficient process. This paves the way for manufacturing conformal films of nanocrystals at a fraction of the cost as compared to techniques currently used. The process could be applied in the manufacture of a number of end products such as solar cells supercapacitors, magnetic storage, semiconductor devices and catalysis.
FEATURED TECHNOLOGY

Enhanced Cooling of Oil Based Transformers and Other Heat Generating Equipment with NanoParticle Suspensions

Nanometer-sized, low-cost, readily available, particulate nanodiamond is used as an additive to the mineral oil used in electrical power transformers and other oil-cooled electrical equipment to enhance the thermal conductivity [TC] and dielectric properties of the oil without compromising the oil's required electrical insulation, such that failures are suppressed, oil life is greatly extended and load boundaries are elevated. This could extend transformer life and allow increases to transformer MVA ratings.
FEATURED TECHNOLOGY

Polar Liquid Crystals with High Dielectric Anisotropy

Vanderbilt inventors have developed a new class of liquid crystals with high dielectric anisotropy. A new class of liquid crystals containing boron in their structure has been developed with high dielectric anisotropy, which results in low threshold voltages.
FEATURED TECHNOLOGY

SERS Template Fabricated from Patterned Nanoporous Gold

Vanderbilt researchers have developed a technique that will amplify the Raman scattering signal from adsorbed molecules on a roughened metal surface to enable unique identification of the adsorbed molecules.
FEATURED TECHNOLOGY

Bright White Light Nanocrystals for LEDs

A research team lead by Professor Sandra Rosenthal at Vanderbilt University has developed nanocrystals (~2 nm diameter) that emit white light with very high quantum efficiency. This technology would be a viable cost effective candidate for commercial solid-state lighting applications, such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). These nanocrystals were originally discovered by the same group in 2005; a recent breakthrough in post-treatment results in improving fluorescent quantum yield up to ~ 45%.
FEATURED TECHNOLOGY

Biohybrid, Photoelectrochemical Energy Conversion Device Based on Photosystem I Deposited Silicon Electrodes

Summary: Aresearch team at Vanderbilt University have developed a biohybrid, photoelectrochemical energy conversion device with multilayer films of Photosystem I (PSI) deposited on silicon electrodes, which yielded an average photocurrent density of 875 µA/cm2; one of the highest reported photocurrent densities for a film of PSI deposited onto an electrode of any material.

System & Method for Direct Fabrication of Micro/Macro Scale Objects in a Vacuum Using Electromagnetic Steering

This new materials processing technology allows metal and ceramic parts to be manufactured in three dimensions by additive deposition of material, either in atmosphere or in a vacuum. The scale is on the order of the powder size and can be as small as one micron. The deposition rate can be orders of magnitude greater than vapor deposition, which is the current vacuum fabrication technology for devices.

Porous Silicon Membrane Waveguide Biosensor

The porous silicon membrane waveguide is a low-cost, high sensitivity sensor for the detection of biological and chemical materials. It is cheaper and more sensitive than commercial fiber optic and SPR sensors for low molecular weight species.

Method and Apparatus for High Resolution Imaging of Samples Using Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices

A method and apparatus performs high resolution imaging. The apparatus includes a low temperature SQUID sensor mounted in close proximity to a dewar thin window. A radiation shield has an extension surrounding the detection coil.

Chemical Sensor Utilizing a Chemically Sensitive Electrode in Combination with Thin Diamond Layers

A solid state chemical sensing device is described in which a chemically sensitive electrode, and at least one diamond film are deposited on a conductive or insulating substrate. The device forms a sensing structure in which conduction of current through the device in the presence of a target chemical is dominated by space charged limited current, thereby providing enhanced sensitivity and selectivity.

Method of Preparing Vanadium Dioxide Nanoparticles

The following conclusions are made concerning unsupported VO2 syntheses presented here: Controlling the concentration of NH3(aq) catalyst in the inverse micelle reaction of VO(OiPr)3 is not adequate for (1) reducing premature precipitation from inverse micelles, (2) minimizing agglomeration of particles, or (3) controlling the reduction of V(V) precursors for the preparation of VO2 nanoparticles.The onset of turbidity in the inverse micelle reaction of a VO(OiPr)3/oleicacid premix is prolonged by decreasing the concentration of NH3(aq)catalyst.• The inverse micelle reaction of a VO(OiPr)3/oleic acid premix results inpremature precipitation of product from inverse micelles leading to particleagglomeration.• Thermal treatment in H2(g) in the inverse micelle reaction ofVO(OiPr)3/oleic acid premix contributes to V2O3 contamination of VO2samples.• The use of a VO(OiPr)3/acetic acid premix in an inverse micelle reactionfacilitates the formation of monodispersed, spheroidal-shaped VO2nanoparticles.• Thermal treatment of 10%H2/90%N2(g), used in the inverse micellereaction of VO(OiPr)3/acetic acid premix, reduces V2O3 contamination ofVO2 samples.• Thermal treatment of as-prepared powders dispersed on a silicon waferreduces particle sintering and supports monodispersity of formed particleswithout agglomeration.

Nanostructured Molybdenum (IV) disulfide (MoS2) Electrodes

The most common counter electrode materials used for in Quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) quickly become poisoned by sulfide, resulting in significant current drops, which lowers solar cell efficiencies and makes them unsuitable for long-term use in a device. Also, some of these materials are rare and expensive, so replacing them with an inexpensive, earth-abundant material is a desirable goal. This invention uses a Mo foil to produce the desired uniform growth of Molybdenum (IV) disulfide (MoS2) petals from the Mo foil, making the foil both the source of Mo as well as the substrate. This petaled MoS2 electrode shows a vastly improved polysulfide reduction compared to Glassy Carbon, ordinary Mo foil, Pt and Au. The petaled MoS2 electrode lost only 0.63% of its initial current density at -1 V whereas Pt lost 13.58% after only five scans, indicating the petaled MoS2 films are highly stable as cathodes. The technology was tested in a solar device setting, using standard photoanodes to test the efficiency of a device employing petaled MoS2 as its cathode. Devices in which a petaled MoS2 cathode was used achieved nearly fivefold improvement in efficiency over those employing a Pt cathode.

Featured Video

2012 Highlights

A motion graphic video describing operational improvements and successes of FY2012. Click here for a full PDF report.