Multi-disciplinary research in the META Lab blends experimental and computational nanophotonics, plasmonics, electronics, thermodynamics and mechanics. We are interested in exploring fundamental aspects of energy transfer between quantum emitters, propagating and trapped photons, thermal and acoustic phonons and electron plasma oscillations (plasmons) as well as in thermodynamics of light trapping and energy conversion and new material engineering. These studies are advancing development of new meso-scale multi-functional devices and materials for applications in light generation, optical information processing, atmospheric water capture, bio(chemical)sensing, heat management in textiles, and solar energy harvesting.
Quantum materials for energy harvesting, sensing, and optical isolation
Topological materials, such as Dirac and Weyl semimetals as well as topological insulators, offer unique electronic and photonic properties that open new opportunities to study and manipulate light-matter interactions. We are working on multiple projects which study the potential for these novel materials to unlock new useful phenomena. In one thrust, we are working on creating next generation nonreciprocal optical platforms. We study Weyl semimetals and their use for external magnetic field free optical isolation and tunable near field radiative heat transfer. Further, we have developed the theory for a new method of optical isolation and nonreciprocity in current-biased Dirac and Weyl semimetals. In another thrust, we are studying and engineering the photocurrent responses of topological materials for next generation energy harvesting and photodetection. We are developing experimental capabilities to measure the photogalvanic response of topological material candidates. We also study the influence and performance enhancement of strain in these materials via nanofabrication of in situ strain gradients.
Materials engineering for solid-state cooling and heating technologies
Building refrigeration is one of the most energy-intensive technology sectors, representing about 20% of overall energy consumption, has low efficiency (below 60%), and is accompanied by significant greenhouse gas emissions. We aim to advance an alternative thermoregulation technology – solid-state cooling/heating based on elastocaloric and twistocaloric effects in composite polymer fibers and yarns. Our objective is to develop strain-activated fibers and textiles for temperature control, dynamic structural changes, energy storage, and thermal conductivity modulation.
Monomaterial SVETEX textiles for passive thermoregulation
Conventional fabrics absorb body heat and perspiration, providing fertile ground for bacterial growth. Furthermore, conventional textile production pollutes water with dangerous toxins, and 73% of fabrics end up in landfills. We are developing smart sustainable fibers and mono-material multi-functional textiles that passively regulate temperature via control of radiation, thermal conduction, and evaporation, inhibit bacterial growth, save energy and water during fabrication and usage, and can help to reduce and re-use plastic waste.
Video credit: Prof. Skylar Tibbits; knitting credit: Lavender Tessmer
Atmospheric water harvesting
Many countries around the globe have arid climates in significant parts of their territory, which severely inhibits their land development and creates harsh humanitarian conditions for their populations. Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) technology, which extracts moisture from the ambient air to generate water, is a promising strategy to realize decentralized water production in the arid areas and in regions where large-scale installations are impractical by economic or security reasons. However, most existing sorption-based AWE prototypes exhibit prohibitively high energy consumption, associated with their high desorption heat, which renders water release an energy-intensive process. Our new harvesting technology facilitates both the sorption and the desorption processes, and already achieved five-fold reduction of the energy needed to extract the same mass of water from an AWH hydrogel relative to the standard single-stage evaporation-condensation technique.
Photonic sensors development
Bio(chemical) sensors play an outsized role in medical care, biological research, drug development, national security, and environmental monitoring. We are developing new technologies to enable reliable sensors for detection of new viral and bacterial pathogens and environmental pollutants by combining photonic amplification, biological recognition & nano-mechanical forces on nano-photonic and nano-plasmonic chips. Read: Roadmap on universal photonic biosensors for real-time detection of emerging pathogens
