Research Associates/Post-Docs
D. Damien Aureau
After a formation in chemistry, I extended my field of expertise into the field of surface modification of semiconductors. I am especially interested in the various functionalities as well as the passivation provided by the organic layer. In addition to chemical stability (controlled by infrared spectroscopy or XPS), the electronic quality (low density of electronic traps) of the interface between the substrate and the organic molecules is monitored by photoluminescence measurements.
I am currently working on the patterning of the interfaces for it seems to play a significant role in the functionality of devices. For instance, the distance between functional groups of self-assembled monolayers affects the interaction with biomolecules or the energy transfer between light-absorbing (or light-emitting) molecules. As an example, we deposit gold nanoparticles on top of the layers to study their interaction with the layer or/and the semiconductor.
I am also part of a project concerning the etching of sacrificial materials (as Molybdenum, Silicon, metal oxides) by reactive gases as XeF2. These processes are involved in Micro (and Nano) Electro-Mechanicals Systems (MEMS, NEMS). We try to understand the influence of various parameters (temperature, sample preparation, diffusion into the material) to propose specific etching mechanisms.
Dr. Laurence Goux-Capes
My research project deals with the control of graphene oxidation and graphene oxide reduction to tune Graphene electronic properties. Graphene oxide (GO) is being investigated by the graphene community because it represents one of the most promising materials, from which graphene single sheets can be produced on a large scale. Indeed graphene oxidation followed by exfoliation and reduction has been recently demonstrated to give single graphene layers in solution. In addition, in any practical electronic device systems, electron transporting materials need to be controlled by insulating materials which can function as gate dielectrics or separator between device structures. Thus, the role of GO in graphene-based nanoelectronics may be comparable to that of SiO2 in silicon-based microelectronics.
We have developed original in-situ IR characterization to monitor graphene oxidation and GO reduction. Graphene oxidation is achieved using an oxygen remote plasma generator. We have designed a vacuum IR-cell (10-7 Torr base pressure), connected to the oxygen plasma and a Nicolet 6700 FT-IR spectrometer. Preliminary experiments have been carried out using HOPG. The GO reduction is performed in-situ by temperature annealing in a Specac high temperature cell. Our studies are done in collaboration with Pr. K. J Cho’s team (UTD) performing theoretical calculations on graphene oxide.
Dr. Sun Kyung Park
Using in-situ Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy I characterize thin films of high-κ dielectric such as Al2O3 and HfO2, and metals (Ru and RuO2) grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and investigate the reaction mechanism of initial film growth. The films are also characterized by mass spectroscopy (Mass), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS).
Undergraduates
Yashodhan Gogte
Currently doing Undergraduate Research in the MEMS/NEMS laboratory.
Research Includes: Surface etching in FTIR and Spectral Analysis. I am an Electrical Engineering Major in my Junior Year.
Hometown: Mumbai, India. My Hobbies: UTD Chess team, Fencing and Biking.
Rodolfo Farias Guzman
Rodolfo Farias Guzman was born in Michoacan, Mexico, but was raised in Dallas, Texas. He completed his bachelors degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2011. He previously conducted undergraduate research in graphene under the guidance of Dr. Laurance Goux from 2007-2008 and along with graduate student Muge Acik from 2009-2011. The main objective of his research involved the use of in-situ FTIR spectroscopy (transmission and reflection studies) to conduct surface characterization of thermally annealed grapheme. He also has experience in other techniques such as AFM, Contact Angle Measurements, and Raman that were used to further understand the properties of graphene.
Reji Joseph
Electrical Engineering – Undergraduate
Business Administration –Undergraduate
Born and raised in Dallas, TX.
Working on XeF2 etching rates using FTIR with Yashodhan S. and Katy R.
Rachel Machbitz
I used to be an engineering student. My research interests are logistics based which is why I was studying Software Engineering. I was working with Muge Acik (masters student) and Rodolfo (undergraduate student) on the LabVIEW program for the chemistry experiments in Fall 2010. Then I was working with Peter (PhD student from Germany) and Lielana (undergraduate student) on chemistry related experiments - chips and wafers for industry / nanoelectronics in Spring 2011.
I transferred from Purdue University, where I was studying Chemical Engineering. During my freshman year at Purdue I was working for the head Professor of the Chemical Engineering department, Professor Michael Harris, in his research lab. I worked on his research team with one other graduate student. After a year and a half of working on the team, I became a co-author of the paper. The research is titled "Complex dielectric properties of microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous lactose, and α-lactose monohydrate powders using a microwave-based open-reflection resonator sensor."
The past year at UT Dallas I was studying Software Engineering. I currently am studying Sociology, with a minor in Statistics. I will also pursue my Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in operational management.
Lielena Mequanint
Lielena Mequanint is a chemistry major and biology minor. She works in Dr. Chabal’s research group of material science.
What is my research about? The research is to create fundamental understanding of the SAM (Self assembled monolayer) formation on silicon oxides. SAMs are ordered molecular assemblies that are spontaneously formed by the adsorption of molecules with head groups that show a specific affinity to a specific substrate, which enables ordering on the surface. SAMs are currently of great interest because of several Potential applications such as microelectronics, biosensor, corrosion inhibitor, adhesion and so forth. Biocompatible SAM is also used as coating for bone implant to avoid rejection in medical field.
I would highly encourage fellow students to try undergraduate research in their respective fields. Each field comes with different requirements for getting involved in a research lab. Try to figure out what you are interested in and then look for a professor doing a research in that area. Also be willing to invest your time and knowledge in a substantial project.
I have taken a number of chemistry lab courses throughout my time as an undergraduate student and am trained to read lab manuals step by step. I enjoy working with the graduate students and post.doc researchers who taught me many things and have been inspirational. I believe the work I am doing is important for the field of science research, which makes this a very empowering experience. This research team gave me the opportunity to understand and love science more.
High School Interns
Philip Campbell
I am in my third year of undergraduate study in Electrical Engineering. Over the past two years that I have worked in Dr. Chabal’s lab, I have contributed to two separate projects. The first involved an FTIR study of the etching processes of Mo and Si by XeF2 . Our goal was to characterize the different mechanisms involved in etching the two materials and understand the role of crystallinity in their etching processes. My current work focuses on creating and characterizing double barrier tunnel junctions for single electron tunneling experiments. These experiments are an attempt to understand the electrical properties of gold nanoparticles deposited on semiconductor surfaces functionalized by organic molecules using wet chemistry. By tuning these properties through the preparation of our samples, we hope to create conditions that favor a Coulomb Staircase in the I-V spectra of our samples. Understanding the chemical and electrical properties of these surfaces is important for continuing the trend towards smaller, faster, and more efficient electronics through the creation of single electron transistors and sensors.
Korok Chatterjee
I graduated in May from the Texas Academy of Math and Science, and I will begin undergraduate studies at the University of California at Berkeley. I worked at the LSNM over the summer of 2008. I was on the graphene project with Laurence Goux and Rodolfo Guzman; we focused on studying FTIR and Raman spectra of graphene and graphene oxide.
Shibi Kannan
Shibi Kannan is a High Honor Roll junior at St. Mark's School of Texas. He is a member of the National Spanish Honor Society, the Community Service Board, and a co-head of the Book Club. He is interning for Dr. Chabal during the summer of 2008, as a part of the NanoExplorer program. Shibi's interests include playing the piano, reading, and watching movies. Shibi is working on improving hydrogen absorbtion within Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs). By depositing ruthenium onto the MOFs using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), he hopes to make hydrogen physiadsorb within the MOF without the use of high pressure. This technique, if proven successful, would be useful in the design of hydrogen fuel cells, since it would yield and efficient way to store hydrogen.
Nikhil Karnik
Nikhil began his work in the lab as a high school student when he worked on improving the efficiency of cancer-detecting biosensors. Since then, he has also worked on projects that use quantum dot deposition to functionalize silicon and glass surfaces.
Mathew Krenik
Matthew Krenik is ranked first in his sophomore class at Garland High School. He is a NanoExplorer at UTD and is working with Dr. Chabal over the summer of 2008. Matthew enjoys playing ultimate Frisbee, tennis, and piano. Matthew is working on improving hydrogen absorption within Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs). By depositing ruthenium onto the MOFs using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), he hopes to make hydrogen physiadsorb within the MOF without the use of high pressure. This technique, if proven successful, would be useful in the design of hydrogen fuel cells ,since it would yield and efficient way to store hydrogen.
