• “Bottom-up” Nanofabrication by Self-assembly
• Multifunctional Nanocomposite Films
• Epitaxial Oxide and Composition Gradient Nanostructures
• Nanotribology, Ultra Low Friction Solid Films
• Surface Science and Engineering

Personnel
Laboratory Director: Efstathios (Stathis) I. Meletis, Professor & Chair
Visiting Researchers: Prof. Sukru Taktak
Postdoctoral Fellows: Drs. Cristian Cionea and Maria Hossou

Graduate students:

Recent Graduates: Anjana Shyamsundar (MS), Cristian Cionea (Ph.D.), Yinsheng Fang (MS), Varad Sakhalkar (MS), Michael Frink (MS), Desai Pruthul (MS), Pankaj Hazarika (MS), Gunjan Shebe (MS), Lee-Chun (Mandy) Su (MS), Hsu Chun Chen (MS).

Research Sponsors: NSF, DARPA, NIH, NASA, SERDP, DOE, DOT, NAVAIR, ARO, state and industrial sources.

Research Activities
Research activities at SaNEL are concerned with basic and applied processing-structure-property relationship with emphasis on nanotechnology and small-scale materials (nano materials, surface treatments and layers, thin films, coatings, materials for MEMS and NEMS and nano devices).

Vacuum and Electrolytic Plasma-assisted Processing
We have developed and work on surface engineering by novel (patented) vacuum and electrolytic plasma-assisted processes that can produce functionally gradient layers and surface films/coatings for a wide range of applications from aerospace to biomaterials. Vacuum processes are centered on intensified plasma-assisted nitriding for surface hardening, coating and surface modification treatments addressing surface-sensitive properties such as tribological, corrosion, biocompatibility and etc. Electrolytic plasma processing is a relatively new process that can combine effective cleaning and coating in a wet environment. Present activities are concerned with replacement of toxic electroplated Cd, Cr and Ni with environmentally friendly coatings.

Multifunctional, Nanoparticle and Multilayered Nanocomposites
In the nano-composite thin films area, we are focusing on nano-particle and nano-layered multifunctional films where the components act synergistically and can offer a combination of desirable properties (mechanical, tribological, magnetic, electronic, electrochemical, biological, biocompatibility, etc.). For example, one of the nano-composites we are currently pursuing is multifunctional Co-DLC (diamondlike carbon) films where self-assembling of 5 nm diameter Co nanorods can take place providing an excellent potential to use these films in high density storage, biosensors, MEMS, microdevices, etc. We also pursuing the possibility to use the self-organized Co structures as a nanocatalyst to grow guided arrays of single-wall CNTs that can lead to really exciting electronic applications.

Self-organized, Epitaxial Oxide Nanostructured Films
The last few years, we were the first to observe and report self-assembling in epitaxial perovskite -type oxide films. We currently explore ways to manipulate this process and to develop a novel “bottom-up” nanofabrication technique for sensors, optical, electronic and magnetic nanodevices. These research activities are supported by a NIRT/NSF grant.

Nanotribology
Research Activities Concentrate on (i) Ultra low friction nanocomposite DLC films and understanding nano particle effects on thin film wear behavior and (ii) understand scale effects on tribological behavior of nanostructured metals and ceramics.

Facilities
Plasma-assisted Material Processing
* Intensified plasma-assisted nitriding system
* PVD/CVD vacuum system (DC, pulse and RF magnetron sputtering guns)
* Electrolytic plasma processing set-up (DC and pulse)
Mechanical Surface Testing/Tribology
*Pin-on-disc tribometer with lubrication/environmental cells (CSM Instruments, TRB)
Electrochemical Testing/Corrosion
* Potentiostat/Galvanostat (EG&G 273), computer controlled and appropriate software
* Stress corrosion cracking/Hydrogen embrittlement, alternate immersion testing
Surface Characterization
* Atomic Force Microscope (AFM 5500) - contact, acoustic AC imaging modes, Magnetic, Piezoelectric, Electrochemical research capabilities
* Optical Profilometer (Wyko NT9100) - non contact, nanoscale resolution for    surface topography and surface topography analysis

Selected Publications

• Self-patterned Nano Structures in Structurally Gradient Epitaxial La0.5Ba0.5CoO3 Films, J. He, J.C. Jiang, J. Liu, M. Liu, G. Collins, C. Ma, C.L. Chen, E.I. Meletis, Thin Solid Films 519(13), 4371-4376 (2011).
• Influence of the C Content on the Mechanical and Tribological Properties of the TiCN Coatings deposited by LAFAD Technique, Y.H. Cheng, T. Browne, B. Heckerman and E.I. Meletis, Surface and Coatings Technology 205(16), 4024-4029 (2011).
• Evolution of Nano-fingers in Epitaxial Mn-doped Ba(Zr,Ti)O3 Thin Films Driven by {110} Twin Boundaries, J. He, J.C. Jiang, M. Liu, J. Liu, G. Collins, C.R. Ma, C.L. Chen, A. Bhalla, E.I. Meletis, Philosophical Magazine Letters 91(5), 361-374 (2011).
• Epitaxial Nature and Transport Properties in Double Perovskite LaBaCo2O5.5  Thin Films, J. Liu, M. Liu, G. Collins, C.L. Chen, X. Jiang, W.Q. Gong, A. Jacobson, J. He, J.C. Jiang and E.I. Meletis, Chemistry of Materials 22(3), 799-802 (Feb. 9, 2010) [Cover page of Special Issue: Materials of Energy Research]
• Surface Characteristics of 4340 Steel Treated by Electrolytic Plasma Processing, Y.H. Cheng, P. Gupta and E.I. Meletis, Materials Science Letters 45(2), 562-565 (2010).
• Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Nanocomposite TiSiN Coatings, Y.H. Cheng, T. Browne, B. Heckerman and E.I. Meletis, Surface and Coatings Technology 204, 2123-2129(2010).
• Wear Mechanism of Nanocrystalline Metals, Z.Q. Qi, J.C. Jiang and E.I. Meletis, Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 9, 4227-4232 (2009). [invited]
• A Non-probe/lithography Approach to Nanotrench/Nanochannel Fabrication, X. Nie and E.I. Meletis, Int. J. Nanomanufacturing 2(1/2), 127-134 (2008).
• Effects of N-doping on the Microstructure, Mechanical and Tribological Behavior of Cr-DLC Thin Films, S.K. Pal, J.C. Jiang and E.I. Meletis, Surface and Coatings Technology 201, 7917-7923 (2007).
• Local structure of Composite Cr-containing Diamond-like Carbon Thin Films, V. Singh, V. Palshin, R.C. Tittsworth and E.I. Meletis, Carbon 44(7), 1280-1286(2006).