CarbonNEMS - NanoElectroMechanical Systems based on Carbon Nanotube and Graphene

1- The study of electromechanical resonators based on an individual nano-tube or on a single layer of graphene. The Group has a leading position in this recent research field and the idea is to take advantage of our expertise for two sets of experiments, one on inertial mass sensing and one on the exploration of quantum motion. These two topics are generating at present an intense activity in the NEMS community. Experiments are usually carried out using micro-fabricated silicon resonators but the ultra low mass of nano-tubes and graphene has here an enormous asset. It drastically improves the sensitivity of mass sensing and it dramatically enhances the amplitude of the motion in the quantum regime.

2- The Group will fabricate and exploit nano-motors based on nano-tube and graphene. Only few man-made nano-motors have been demonstrated so far. Reasons are multiple. For instance, the fabrication of nano-motors is technically challenging. In addition, friction forces are often so strong that they hinder motion. Because of their unique properties, nano-tubes and graphene represent a material of choice for the development of new nano-motors. We will construct nano-motors with different layouts and address how electrical, thermal or chemical energy can be transformed into mechanical energy in order to drive motion at the nano-scale.

• Quantum Nanoelectronics Group

• European Commission