Physics of the Nano-Crystalline Materials (FMNC)
Group site: http://www.fisica.uminho.pt/fmnc/
Group Members
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Effective members:
-M. Jesus M. Gomes – Full Professor
-António Mário Almeida – Assistant Professor
-Mário A. C. Castro Pereira – Assistant Professor
Post-doctorate researchers and Research Fellows with Ph. D :
-Koppople Sekhar – Pos-Doc (FCT)
-Kamakshi Koppole – Pós Doc (FCT)
-Fabricio Faita, Pos- Doc (FCT)
Ph. D and other Research Students:
-Ouiame Karzazi – PhD student
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Research
The present research will focus mainly in processing and optimisation of new nanocomposites materials containing nanocrystals (SiGe, ZnO:Mn,Co,Al,Fe doped) and nanosized metals (Au, Ag, Co, Fe, ...), embedded in dielectric thin films (SiO2, ZrO2, Al2O3, HfO2, HfAlO, TiO2, ...), highly monodisperse and size controlled. The high-vacuum high technological techniques of PLD, IBAD-EB and RF-sputtering as well low cost sol-gel and ultrasonic spray coating techniques will be used with the aim of their optimization for processing nanomaterials films for new technological applications. This project offers an interdisciplinary research program sweeping “device engineering” and “pure physics” in which fundamental physical principles are used to address issues of technological importance at the frontiers of application of third generation QDs based photovoltaic solar cells, nanocrystal floating gate and spin based flash memory applications, and metal nanoparticles based biosensors and photovoltaic elements.
Also, thin films based on multilayered structures of BST or PZT will be produced by PLAD, analyzed and enhanced in order to develop new IR sensors.
Also, in the geological study, the project’s realization in field requires the definition of adequate places apt to receive the installation of acoustic receptors on rocky grounds close to seismic faults and within areas prone to the fall of blocks and landslides. These systems will be installed near existing seismographic stations (e.g. the one of Instituto de Meteorologia) so that the obtained results may be compared to those from the local seismometers.
Using the prototype piezoelectric accelerometer (based on electroactive polymers recently developed at the departments of Physics and Industrial Electronics, at Universidade do Minho), after tests, calibration and final improvements to better register soil vibrations, the first measurements will be done in-situ.
Statistical analysis of the acoustic signals recognized as having a seismic origin. These will be intertwined with the registry of the classical seismographs in order to identify possible long-term or short-term precursors of seismic activity, fall of blocks and landslides.
Laboratories
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Thin Film I
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Thin Film I
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Sample Preparation
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Ceramic Materials
Selected papers
Papers inserted in RepositoriUM