NIRT:Active Multiferroic Nanostructures

University Of Illinois At Chicago, Chicago IL

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract - NSF NIRT Proposal No. 0609377 Active Multiferroic Nanostructures This proposal was received in response to Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF 05-610, category NIRT. The objective of this research is to study magneto-electric interaction in nanoscale structures and facilitate the development of novel sensor and information storage devices. The approach is to design, model and synthesize artificial magneto-electric composites in the form of laminates, nanowires, and nanopillars. Mechanically coupled piezoelectric and magnetostrictive materials can artificially mimic the properties of true magneto-electric materials. The proposed research combines specific expertise in the field of molecular beam epitaxy, atomic layer epitaxy, laser assisted epitaxy, density functional theory and microwave magnetoelectrics into a synergistic program for: (a) epitaxial growth of active magneto-electric thin film/nanostructured layers, (b) density functional theory modeling of mechanically coupled nanostructured magneto-electric layers, and (c) fabrication and characterization of microwave magneto-electric test devices. The proposed study will provide a science base for the development of miniature, passive (long-term deployable with batteries), ambient temperature operated (no need of cryostats), highly-sensitive (pico-Tesla), broad band (milli-Hz) systems with the nanostructured magneto-electric composites. Such devices are expected to offer new capabilities in biomedical sensing, microwave circuits, memory elements etc. Strong scientific capabilities in the area of these novel devices will facilitate rapid technological development in the United States. The commercial use of the above mentioned high performance nanostructure based magneto-electric devices will be beneficial for gas, bio-medical sensing as well as for passive microwave circuits for use in devices such as cell phones etc. The NIRT research team will coordinate and expand the existing education and outreach activities of the individual investigators into a cohesive and wide-ranging program. Existing sites on research experiences for undergraduates and teachers will be supplemented under the NIRT program to educate students and teachers in the area of multiferroics and novel nanostructures.