Nanoscience @ UNM
University of New Mexico

Expertise: Nanomaterials and Nanocharacterization

Nanoscience @ UNM is a user facility providing rapid access for academia and industry to high technology cleanroom, advanced lithography, and characterization equipment as well as to quantum nanostructure growth facilities. Nanoscience is distributed in three locations at the University of New Mexico - in the Center for High Technology Materials, the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, and the Center for Microengineered Materials.

The University of New Mexico has demonstrated expertise and capabilities in several areas of importance to nanotechnology including: nanoscale interferometric lithography; nanoscale catalysis, and nano-geo-bio-chemistry

The routine growth of high quality self-assembled quantum nanostructures (quantum dots) based on the Stranski-Krastonow (S-K) growth of InAs and other semiconductors is another capability of the UNM NNIN site.  Quantum dot laser diodes operating in the 1.0- to 2.0-um range possess the lowest threshold current density and largest tuning range demonstrated in any semiconductor laser system.

As part of the NNIN program, we will provide users with the means for the synthesis and characterization of nanophase catalytic materials.  Heterogeneous catalysts are important for energy conversion (fuel cells), environmentally benign processes (catalytic combustion) and the synthesis of a wide range of economically-important raw materials. The catalysis requirements of high surface to volume mean that these materials must contain nanosized active phases.  UNM has unique capabilities in the synthesis and characterization of such nanostructured materials. 

The current research at UNM’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) covers a broad range of important nanophase geological materials.  Specific research areas in EPS include: 1) mesoporous natural materials and their potential for environmental remediation; 2) geomicrobiology/biogeochemistry: investigation of the interactions of microbes and minerals in extreme biological environments (i.e. Lechuguilla Cave, NM).  3) mineralogy and geochemistry of low temperature nanophase materials, 4) volcanic aerosols; and 5) early solar system processes including gas-solid condensation and catalytic reactions involving nanophase materials.  The EPS department operates a user facility with 2 TEMs and one SEM, an electron microprobe and a SIMS instrument that will be available to users of the NNIN. Currently, about 30% of the usage of this facility is external to UNM. 
 

For Information and Access Contact:

Rick Bradley
User Access Manager
(505)-272-7648
rbradley@chtm.unm.edu

http://nnin.unm.edu/