Improving the efficiency of manufacturing nanomaterials into products is a requirement for their commercial adoption and use on applications in a green economy. One dimensional (1D) nanomaterials such us silica nanosprings have great potential. They have typically grown via a Vapor Solid Liquid (VLS) mechanism by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), where the liquid is metal and referred to as the catalyst for VLS growth. VLS efficiency requires to control the characteristics of the catalyst, precursors, environment and flowrates. Custom made CVD reactors and ALD allow us to improve nanomanufacturing while engineering materials.

We are dedicated to engineering material interfaces by growing hierarchical nanostructures and tailoring their functional groups. Collaborative and applied research in the areas of composite materials and low surface energy coatings are the primary focus of the laboratory. In collaboration with the Biology Department, a nanostructured coating of titanium dioxide to improve hydroxyapatite deposition and osteoblast proliferation in prosthetic implants is also being developed.