KSEA events Aligned carbon nanotube architectures for biomimetic metasurfaces (190807 KSEA Berkeley Chapter Seminar)

TITLE: Aligned carbon nanotube architectures for biomimetic metasurfaces

SPEAKER: Sei Jin Park, Bioscience and Biotechnology Division, Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

ABSTRACT: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess exceptional mechanical properties and are atomically smooth on their surfaces. Aligned growth of CNTs creates ensembles of the graphitic cylinders that can be exquisitely used to create complex architectures. Catalyst stacks can be engineered to control the CNT diameter, growth rate and number density, which enables tailoring of the CNT properties for desired functionality. Local modulation of the growth using titanium nitride underlayer leads to curved microstructures, and subtle addition of molybdenum to iron catalyst results in small-diameter and high-density CNT growth. Via catalyst stack engineering, superhydrophobic surfaces with anisotropic droplet adhesion and breathable membranes that are stimuli responsive are developed, showcasing the potential of precisely architected aligned CNT structures.

BIO: Dr. Sei Jin Park is a postdoctoral researcher working for Dr. Francesco Fornasiero in Physical and Life Sciences Directorate at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). He received his B.S.E., M.S.E., and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at University of Michigan. He was a postdoc at MIT, then served as a technical research personnel at Seoul National University, prior to joining LLNL.