Projects

From the start, the development and/or modification of materials to fulfill human needs has been put first in several science fields. This development grew with the manipulation of materials on micro- and nanometric scales, culminating on new structures with specific characteristics never observed before. Those modifications can take place during synthesis, processing or by means of special treatments after the manufacturing of the product.

A very recent case that led to great advancements in the development of new nano-structured materials was the isolation of graphene in 2004, which greatly impacted the production of materials that are light, durable, and that possess special properties (thermal, electrical, biological, among others) acting as composite reinforcement or coating materials.

In this context, the main goal of this project is to carry out the synthesis, processing, modification and characterization of micro- and nano-structured materials to generate multifunctional materials, aggregating especially electromagnetic and biological properties. To that end, two-dimensional materials (graphene and others) as well as surface modification techniques (for instance, plasma technology) will be used.

Coordinator: Guilhermino José Macedo Fechine

E-mail: 1132835@mackenzie.br

This project aims at the creation of an intensive international exchange program in the area of 2D materials and their uses in 3 priority areas: energy conversion/storage; photonics and optoelectronics for telecommunications; and photonic, electronic and optoelectronic sensors. We will study new materials and nanocomposites both through theoretical-computational methods and experiments.

The devices for energy conversion and storage will consist on batteries and supercapacitors with augmented capacity and stability through the use of graphene, as well as cells for the production/use of H2 using 2D materials. For telecommunications, 2D material structures will be developed on optical substrates and silicon-based waveguides, and non-linear optical and optoelectronic effects will be exploited for modulators, photodetectors and frequency converters.

Coordinator: Christiano José Santiago de Matos

E-mail: cjsdematos@mackenzie.br

This project intends to grasp the regulation of scientific and technology policies in other countries, specifically related to nanotechnology, which has already been defined by the Brazilian Government as a strategic area, and to contribute toward the creation of a policy of promotion and protection of nanotechnologies developed in Brazil. The goal is also that they become part of a strategy of national economic development and help to put the country on the map of the complex global market.

Contributions to the Brazilian society and to scientific knowledge are many and the practical consequences of the study that the present project intends to undertake are immeasurable.  Following the example of other countries – Japan, South Korea and Nordic countries just to mention the more recent cases – technological innovation is an economic strategy for national development, and Brazil must get to know these strategies and take their example in order to create its own economic development model that can take it to a much dreamed-of economic sovereignty.

Coordinator: FERNANDO RISTER DE SOUSA LIMA

E-mail: 1151736@mackenzie.br