Nanotechnology and Nanophysics

Nanostructures and Molecular Motors

David Carroll, Keith Bonin, and Martin Guthold lead efforts studying nanophysics and nanotechnology.

Research in Dr. Carroll’s group ranges from fundamental investigations of transport phenomena in nano-scale objects (tests of quantum mechanics in exotic topologies) to applications of nano-composite materials in organic devices. The group has active programs in the growth of novel nanostructures, manipulation and characterization of ordered assemblies of nanostructures, and the integration of nanomaterials into both standard device designs and novel quantum effect devices.

The creation of novel new nanomaterials is an essential part of the nano-sciences. These materials can have exotic properties not normally found in nature. In fact, properties such as super strength, ultra-high thermal conductivity, and super conductivity have been observed for nano-systems when they are absent for the macro-counterparts of the same element. In our studies, the extra-ordinary properties of assemblies of nano-particles, are used to test fundamental physical models, develop new ultra-light, ultra-strong materials systems, and create technology at the smallest length scales.

As an example, the carbon nanotube represents an interesting and complicated topology for the confinement of charge carriers with a diameter of only 1.4 nm and a length of microns. The molecular helicity, or chirality, of the nanotube breaks a fundamental symmetry of the nanotube’s point group. Their studies are examining the relationship of such symmetry breaking and the accumulation of geometrical phase factors (Berry’s phase) in such systems. When defects are added in an ordered fashion, the overall real space topology of the system can become much more interesting. It is hoped that the studies of these fundamental symmetries will set the foundations for the creation of quantum effect computation systems based on macro-molecular objects such as carbon nanotubes.

For other work in the department related to nanotechnology and nanoscience, see

• Keith Bonin's work on the Optical Physics page.
• Martin Guthold's work on the Biophysics page.
• The Center for Nanotechnology of Wake Forest University.