Nanomaterials and Devices Laboratory

A cutting-edge facility dedicated to research and development in nanotechnology
Nanomaterials and Devices Lab
 
The Nanomaterials and Devices Laboratory is developing world-leading micro- and nano-sensors, with a strong focus on graphene and 2D materials based technologies for high-speed electronics, early detection of Alzheimer's and cancer, environmental monitoring and quantum standards.
Its class-100 cleanrooms and electromagnetically shielded (Faraday cage) specialist lab spaces ensure precision fabrication in an interference-free and low-noise measurement environment. Extensive equipment supports every stage of sensor development and testing.
Close collaboration with Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre (PEMC) , with facilities spanning SEM, TEM, Cryo-SEM, FIB and e-beam lithography, further enhance the capabilities of the Laboratory.
 

Nanomaterials and Devices Laboratory
Nanomaterials fabrication
The clean room, with its controlled lighting to minimise UV exposure, allows for the precise manufacturing of devices on a micrometre scale. This is crucial for developing new materials with unique properties that can be applied in various industries
Nanomaterials and Devices Lab
Device development
The lab features machines for fabricating silicon-based devices using materials like carbon, aluminium, and gold; to develop novel sensors and electronic devices tailored for applications such as environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics.
Nanomaterials and Devices Lab
Characterisation and testing
The lab enables in-depth testing and characterisation of nanomaterials and devices, analysing physical and chemical properties to ensure they meet required specifications, which is essential for advancing research and developing practical applications,
 
The lab has extensive facilities for the design, fabrication, and characterisation of nanomaterials and devices, including:
  • class-100 clean room
  • sputtering machines
  • optical microscopy
  • Raman spectroscopy
  • surface plasmon resonance (SPR) system
  • scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy – within the Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre (PEMC)
  • atomic force microscopy (AFM)
  • electrical, impedance and magnetic measurement systems

Deposition tools
  • 6-target and load-locked Nordiko 9550 UHV thin film deposition system
  • 8” Nordiko RF/DC magnetron sputtering system
  • 6” Nordiko RF/DC magnetron sputtering system

Microfabrication equipment
OAI 500 mask aligner, an ion miller, photoresist spinner and wet benches for the fabrication of submicron feature sized devices.

Characterisation tools
  • Nano-R 3D atomic force microscope (AFM)
  • Horiba XploRA Raman station
  • Cascade Microtech MPS 150 4-probe station
  • Olympus confocal laser microscope.

Magnetic and magneto-transport measurements
  • 4-probe MR measurement system
  • Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) – running under LabVIEW control.

Surface plasmon resonance
Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a phenomenon that occurs when polarised light interacts with free electrons on a metal surface – typically gold or silver – under specific conditions.

Key components

  1. Gold-coated surface: The surface is coated with a thin layer of metal, such as gold. Gold is often used because it supports plasmon generation and is chemically stable.
  2. Incident light: A polarised light beam, usually a laser, is directed at the gold surface through a prism. The angle of incidence is adjusted to create conditions for SPR.
  3. Evanescent wave: When light reflects off the interface between the prism and the metal, it generates an evanescent wave that penetrates a short distance into the metal.
  4. Surface plasmons: The evanescent wave excites the free electrons on the metal's surface, creating coherent oscillations of these electrons – these are called surface plasmons. This excitation happens only at a specific angle of incidence, known as the resonance angle.
  5. Energy transfer: At the resonance angle, the energy from the incident light is transferred to the surface plasmons, resulting in a reduction of reflected light intensity.

Applications

  • Biosensing: SPR is widely used in sensors to detect biomolecular interactions. For example, when molecules bind to the gold surface, they change the refractive index, altering the resonance angle. This change is measured to study the interaction.
  • Material science: SPR helps analyse thin films and material properties.
  • Medical diagnostics: Used in devices to detect specific proteins, DNA, or viruses.
graphene

Nanotechnology and Electronics Research Group

Our mission is to explore interdisciplinary research opportunities at the interfaces of nanotechnology, electronics and other disciplines with a particular focus on nanomaterial-based biosensing techniques for disease diagnosis, artificial intelligence and machine learning in big data analysis, biomarker discovery and decision support, signal processing and coding, along with nanomaterials devices for renewable energy and clean water technologies.
 

Our team

Staff in the Nanomaterials and Devices Laboratory are working at the cutting-edge of research and innovation spanning nanotechnology and nanoelectronics and is an exciting hub for a wide range of projects for PhD, Masters and Undergraduate students.

Shakil AwanDr Shakil Awan
Academic Lead, Nanomaterials and Devices Laboratory

Academic staff also have extensive collaborations across the UK (academia, industry, research organisations such as NPL and Diamond Light Source) and globally (Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Spain, USA and Canada).


The team’s work has led to significant achievements in understanding and harnessing graphene and 2D materials' unique electromagnetic, optical and biochemical properties, resulting in numerous publications in leading scientific journals such as 2D Materials, Physica C, Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, Diagnostics, Metrologia, Carbon, IEEE and Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.
This combination of world-class facilities, extensive expertise across nanotechnology and nanoelectronics, and a vibrant research community positions the Laboratory as a leader in the field, committed to delivering significant advances in sensor technology and contributing to a more sustainable, advanced communication based, better connected world and health-focused future.
 

Our facilities for your research and commercial activities

At the Nanomaterials and Devices Laboratory:
  • Fabricate nanomaterials precisely on a micrometer scale using a clean room environment with controlled lighting to minimise UV exposure
  • Test and characterise fabricated nanomaterials and devices
  • Benefit from collaboration across scientific disciplines to make advancements in sectors such as electronics, healthcare, and renewable energy
  • Utilise our research and expertise to develop next-generation products, ranging from more efficient electronic components to advanced medical devices

Facilities for research, innovation and learning

At Plymouth, students can access cutting-edge laboratories that offer experience in real-world applications. Our facilities enhance learning, help develop practical skills, and foster collaboration on innovative projects, all preparing students to tackle complex challenges in their fields.
Our specialised equipment supports pioneering transdisciplinary research and commercial ventures, driving innovation, developing solutions to pressing global challenges, and making meaningful contributions to both industry and society.
Architecture students working with models in a University of Plymouth studio