Nanostructured materials have the potential to significantly enhance the performance of several devices as recently demonstrated for dye sensitized solar cells, chemical sensors and fuel cells. This has resulted in a gold rush toward novel applications ranging from flexible electronics to portable nanogenerators. However, integration of nanomaterials in devices is challenging and their assembly in suboptimal morphologies may drastically limit the final performance. Here, we will present the fabrication of highly performing optoelectronic and chemical devices by integrated ultraporous nanoparticle networks. We will showcase the use of scalable and low cost flame-synthesis approaches for the wafer-level nanofabrication of tailored and well-reproducible 3D morphologies. The fundamental mechanisms controlling the gas-phase self-assembly of these nanostructures will be shortly reviewed with respect to current limitations and future opportunities. The commercial potential of these materials will be discussed along the example of non-invasive medical diagnostics and wearable photodetectors.

Speaker(s): Prof. Antonio Tricoli,

Location:
Room: MC603
Bldg: McConnell Eng. Building
3480 University Street
Montreal, Quebec