Extreme-Aspect-Ratio nanoSystems

ongoing

Moore’s Law has dominated the trajectory of nanotechnology for the last half century; consistently pushing towards nanocomponents with decreasing size in x, y and z dimensions. It is widely predicted that Moore’s Law will eventually come to an end in 2025 when nanocomponents start to approach the size of individual atoms. Many wonder what kind of nanotechnology can we expect in the “post-Moore” world. Rather than asking how much smaller we can go, EARS will ask how big can we make nano-technology? Imagine we could manufacture extreme-aspect-ratio metamaterials which are only hundreds of atoms thick in z but extend out to meter scales in x and y. Even further, consider covering these meter-sized sheets in nanoscale patterning to give them exceptional material properties not found anywhere in nature or science.. Remarkably, these types of extreme-aspect-ratio metamaterials are increasingly at the heart of many future breakthrough initiatives ranging in functionalities from ultra-fast sails for space-exploration, to sensors that can detect the smallest fundamental forces of physics. EARS will combine my unique expertise in nanofabrication and high-precision optomechanics experiments to realize a cutting-edge platform that opens radical trajectories in unmanned space exploration. My novel approach will allow me to manufacture the highest aspect-ratio metamaterials ever produced and to reliably interface their dynamics with some of the most precise optical controls to date. EARS will herald a new frontier of nanotechnology that has the potential to revolutionize several breakthrough fields of science through metamaterials innovation.