Thrust I: Renewable Energy Harvesting
Nanocrystals (Ncs) for the fabrication of solar cell devices
Dr. Messaoud Bahoura (NSU), Dr. Sangram Pradhan (NSU), Dr. Makhes Behera (NSU)
The goal of this project is to synthesize Ncs, such as CdSe, CdTe, CdS, PbS and their core-shell counterparts, through a scalable microwave-assisted synthesis approach. We will prepare electronically coupled Nc films with appropriate exchange ligands and use these in the fabrication of solar cell devices.
Perovskite Organic-Inorganic Lead Iodide-Based Solar Cells (POIL)
Dr. Gon Namkoong (ODU), Dr. Carl Bonner (NSU)
The goal of this project is to create a Pb-free organo-tin halide perovskite solar cell.
Organic Thermoelectric (TE) Energy Conversion
Dr. Sam Sun (NSU)
The goal of this project is to explore fundamental mechanisms of optoelectronic processes in organic and polymeric systems and conduct systematic optimizations in terms of both materials and devices.
Inorganic Thermoelectric (TE) Energy Conversion
Dr. Messaoud Bahoura (NSU), Dr. Sangram Pradhan (NSU), Makhes Behera (NSU)
The goal of this project is to enhance the ZT values by reducing the ratio of lattice thermal conductivity to electrical conductivity through optimization of the volume content of grain boundaries as well as adding nanoparticles or by nano-structuring the TE materials.
Development of Nanowire Schottky Diodes for Energy Harvesting and Transmission
Dr. Kyo Song (NSU)
The goal of this project is to develop heterostructured Schottky diodes on a flexible substrate, which can operate over the cut-off frequencies of the W-band (75–110 GHz). The direct application will be flexible electronics that include high-frequency wireless communication and power transmission devices, which have long been pursued in consumer electronics.
Dual phase vibration energy harvesting
Dr. Shashank Priya (Penn State, VA Tech)
The goal of this project is to investigate two fundamental aspects of the dual phase energy harvesting in this program that will further boost the power density.
Modeling and Simulation
Dr. Messaoud Bahoura (NSU), Dr. Makhes Behera (NSU), Dr. Sangram Pradhan (NSU)
The goal of this project is to consider grain boundary scattering on electrical carriers (also on phonons) as important contribution to affect the mobility of the devices. In addition to, it is important to understand, analyze and predict the thermal properties of this material system.
Thrust II: Energy Storage
Li-Ion Battery: ALD-assisted fabrication of three-dimensional All-Solid-State Li-ion battery
Dr. Messaoud Bahoura (NSU), Dr. Sangram Pradhan (NSU), Dr. Makhes Behera (NSU)
The goal of this project is to enhance charge injection capacity, facilitate rapid ion transfer and diffusion rate, obtain phase stability and defect tolerant performance, and reveal new insights on nanoscale science of energy storage technology.
Core-shell Spinel Nanostructures with Li-Ions
Dr. Messaoud Bahoura (NSU), Dr. Sangram Pradhan (NSU), Dr. Makhes Behera (NSU)
The goal of this project is to tune the morphology or texture of the electrode material to enhance electrode capacities and to obtain porous and high-surface-area composite electrodes.
Development of Flexible Solid-State Supercapacitors
Dr. Messaoud Bahoura (NSU), Dr. Hargsoon Yoon (NSU)
The goal of this project is to develop an in situ mechanical exfoliation and transfer of graphene layers to a flexible substrate and to analyze electrochemical behaviors of vertically aligned nanocomposite electrodes in asymmetric supercapacitor structures.
Thrust III: Low-Power and High-Performance Electric/Optical Devices
Low-Power and High-Performance Thin Film Transistors (TFTs)
Dr. Messaoud Bahoura (NSU), Dr. Sangram Pradhan (NSU), Dr. Makhes Behera (NSU)
The goal of this project is to use alternative switching mechanisms to make the TFTs turn on at very low voltages for huge energy saving, and fabricate the TFTs using all chemical route.
Ultrasensitive Low-Power Consuming Bio-sensors
Dr. Messaoud Bahoura (NSU), Dr. Sangram Pradhan (NSU), Dr. Makhes Behera (NSU)
The goal of this project is to create a simple and flexible label-free sensing platform for point- of-care diagnostics, by simply displaying the color.
Plasmonic Nanostructures for Preventive Healthcare
Dr. Messaoud Bahoura (NSU), Dr. Sangram Pradhan (NSU), Dr. Makhes Behera (NSU)
The goal of this project is to develop an embedded biomarker screening system for detecting early precursors of heart failure.
Transparent Heaters and Radiation Detectors
Dr. Messaoud Bahoura (NSU), Dr. Sangram Pradhan (NSU), Dr. Makhes Behera (NSU)
The goal of this project is to investigate the detailed mechanism of heating performance of ALD grown Al-doped ZnO (AZO) transparent conducting oxide (TCO) using both experimental techniques and simulation methods.
Graphene for Photonics and Ultra-high Performance Switching Devices
Dr. Ashok Strivastavana (LSU)
The goal of this project is to develop graphene oxide (GO) for high-efficiency cells and super capacitors.
Transparent Heaters and Radiation Detectors
Dr. Messaoud Bahoura (NSU), Dr. Sangram Pradhan (NSU), Dr. Makhes Behera (NSU)
The goal of this project is to investigate the detailed mechanism of heating performance of ALD grown Al-doped ZnO (AZO) transparent conducting oxide (TCO) using both experimental techniques and simulation methods.
Thrust IV: Education and Outreach
Dr. Messaoud Bahoura (NSU), Dr. Tanya David (NSU)
Course and Curriculum Development and Improvement
Enhance the current materials science and engineering graduate curricula at NSU by incorporating research generated new knowledge
into the course materials development and/or enhancement, particularly the research subject related graduate courses.
Graduate Research Fellowship and Professional Development Programs
Graduate students in the program will be prepared to successfully apply for the NSF’s Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF). The strategies to achieve this goal include the dissemination of the NSF guidelines and the development of workshops for students that are facilitated by senior faculty and outline the creation of FastLane accounts.
Journal Club
The Journal Club will offer opportunities to share and discuss external publications relevant to the Center’s research topics. It will typically convene every two weeks during the summer.
Professional Development Seminar Series
CREAM will host invited speakers for a series of research seminars, which will also accommodate undergraduates to enrich their research outlook and knowledge.
Development of high school module on energy devices and materials
Develop several energy and nanotechnology-related modules for outreach activities to high school students and expand the offering to high school teachers for course incorporation.
Undergraduate Research Experience
Offer an undergraduate research experience during academic year and in summer. The program is composed of multiple activities to establish an informed understanding of the research experience on the part of undergraduate students, to cultivate a community environment across several institutions, and to instill a sense of civic responsibility.
Outreach and Student Engagement in STEM
STEM Education and Outreach Programs are very important to our Center with goals to:
- Educate, engage and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
- Help maintaining a diverse pipeline of U.S. citizens who are interested in STEM careers.
- Through multiple and focused outreach activities, we aimed to
- Build robust and sustained partnership with local informal education Museum.
- Raise awareness of the importance of STEM education from early ages and for a diverse population.
- Encourage under-represented populations, including women and minorities, to pursue STEM careers.
- Build a strong STEM pool of talents at different levels that would benefit the nation as a whole.