(Supported by DOE-BES, NSF-MRSEC, AFOSR-MURI NSF-NSEC, ANL)

The natural evolution of functional materials' architecture calls for their confinement in spatial and dimensional modes. Here, spatial confinement refers to inevitable attachment of materials to a substrate or an overlayer(s), for example. Dimensional constraint arises from the ubiquitous need for materials to be confined to 0- (i.e., dots), 1- (lines) and 2- (i.e., films/membranes) dimensions to enhance aerial density and possible novel properties. Further, by juxtaposing two or more functional materials in close proximity, there are exciting new opportunities for synergistic coupling of disparate phenomena in hybrid confined materials systems.

Thus, our objectives span fundamental studies of spatial/dimensional confinement to harnessing their technological opportunities and everything in-between.

Embedded in these initiatives are varied nanopatterning approaches, in-situ and ex-situ characterization of nanopatterns, using photon (light, synchrotron), ion, scanning probe and electron microscopy.

Representative Publications:

1. Su M., Dravid VP, et al., "Moving beyond molecules: Patterning solid-state features via dip-pen nanolithography with sol-based inks", J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 124 (8): 1560-1561 (2002)
2. Myers BD, Dravid VP, "Variable pressure electron beam lithography (VP-eBL): A new tool for direct patterning of nanoscale features on substrates with low electrical conductivity", Nano Letters, 6 (5): 963-968 (2006)
3. Pan ZX, Dravid VP et al., "Directed fabrication of radially stacked multifunctional oxide heterostructures using soft electron-beam lithography", Small 2 (2): 274-280 (2006).

Links to Other Dravid Group Research Themes:

Interfaces and Defect Phenomena
Synthesis, Patterning and Microscopy of Nanostructures
Integrated Nanosystems for Biochemical Sensing & Diagnostics
Multifunctional Nanostructures for Biomedical Imaging & Therapeutics
Novel microscopy and Analysis