Research Interests
Mirror optical coatings for gravitational-wave detectors
Deposition of high-reflective (HR) and low optical/mechanical noise coatings based on metal oxides and nitrides amorphous materials, using both chemical vapour deposition (CVD) and physical vapour deposition (PVD) techniques, for the 3rd generation gravitational wave detectors working at cryogenic conditions.
Self-powered sensors and energy systems
Development of energy harvesting devices based on piezoelectric and triboelectric materials for self-powered sensing applications and Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices.
%20of%20semiconductor%20nanowires%20assembl.jpg)
Synthesis of semiconductor nanowires for optoelectronics
Synthesis of semiconductor nanowires including wide band gap (UBG) and ultra-wide band gap (UWBG), by chemical vapour transport (CVT), for photodetectors. Development of techniques, including dielectrophoresis and contact-printing to integrate nanowires into CMOS chips.
Current Projects
[Project 7] 'Investigation of new advanced materials and structures for the development of self-charging hybrid energy systems' (TriboSens) funded by EPSRC DTP; £82k; Grant Ref: 01283043 (2023-2027)
[Project 6] 'Study of silicon nitride thin films as optical mirror coatings for cryogenic-based gravitational wave detectors' (CryoNitride) funded by STFC Industrial Case and Helia Photonics; £111k; Grant Ref: ST/X00533X/1 (2023-2027)
Previous Projects
[Project 5] 'Investigation in Advanced Energy Harvesters and Energy Storage Devices for Self-powered' (FleEnSys) funded by British Council and HEC; £0.5m; Grant Ref: 20-ICRG-165/RGM/HEC/2020 (2020-2023)
[Project 4] 'Investigation of doped IV-VI polycrystalline thin films deposited by sputtering methods for high speed and room-temperature mid-infrared photodetectors' funded by UK Chancellor’s fund; £62k (2021-2024)
[Project 3] 'Glancing angle deposition of ZnO nanostructured thin films for enhanced ultrasonic sensing and imaging applications' funded by CENSIS, and Novosound Ltd; £70k; Grant Ref: S144SFC (2020-2024)
[Project 2] 'Study of the piezo-phototronic effect on zinc oxide based ultrasonic sensors' funded by Royal Society; £15k; Grant Ref: RGS\R1\221219 (2021-2022)
[Project 1] 'Investigation of microwave plasma-assisted sputter deposition of high-performance piezoelectric film-based imaging and sensor devices' funded by Royal Society and Novosound Ltd; £25k; Grant Ref: SIF\R1\201013 (2020-2021)