2D materials, such as graphene, exhibit extraordinary physical properties compared to their bulk counterparts, including extremely high electrical and thermal conductivity, and physical strength.  These properties depend on the crystal structure of the material and, as such, are affected by structural defects.  The ability to control the nature and concentration of defects therefore provides a means of engineering the material properties for particular applications.  This project will investigate the structure and density of defects created in 2D materials by energetic ion irradiation, and how these defects affect the material properties.  

Through the project, the student will develop skills in the area(s) of:

• Nanotechnology
• Advanced materials processing and characterisation
• Semiconductor clean-room technology
• Multiphysics modelling of complex physical phenomena
• Data acquisition, analysis and interpretation
• Critical thinking

Physics, Engineering or Materials Science