Přístupnostní navigace
E-application
Search Search Close
Branch Details
CEITEC VUTAbbreviation: ANTMTAcad. year: 2014/2015
Programme: Advanced Materials and Nanosciences
Length of Study: 4 years
Accredited from: 1.1.2011Accredited until:
Profile
The research is focussed on the area of nanotechnologies covering materials and structures to be exploited in nanoelectronic and nanophotonic applications. The research involves the preparation, characterization and analysis of the properties of nanostructures enabling active application of principles, which determine unique and specific properties of nanostructures. Attention will be paid to the research of 2D – OD nanostructures produced by lithographic (top-down) methods and self-organizing (bottom-up) methods. The research will consider semiconductor nanostructures, magnetic and metallic nanostructures, nanotubes and nanofibres, supra-molecules and nano-electronic material on the edge of Moore's law etc.
Entry requirements
http://www.ceitec.vutbr.cz/en/students/admission
Guarantor
prof. RNDr. Tomáš Šikola, CSc.
Issued topics of Doctoral Study Program
For detailed info please contact the supervisor.
Tutor: Kaiser Jozef, prof. Ing., Ph.D.
Application of quantitative phase imaging/measurement for systematic analysis of cell activity manifestations detected as migration, intracellular motion and cell growth. Identification of characteristic chains of changes linked with biological meaning. Critical evaluation of measurement accuracy and developing calibration procedures for CCHM. Requirements: - knowledge in field of optics corresponding to undergraduate courses - basic ability to write computer code, preferably in Matlab - basic knowledge of cell biology at a high school level
Tutor: Veselý Pavel, MUDr., CSc.
The topic is focused on research in the field of numerical image reconstruction in coherence-controlled holographic microscope. The work will aim at achievement of the best resolution of the microscope and at detailed investigation of possibilities of imaging 3D objects. We assume to utilize the discrimination properties of low-coherence light (“coherence gate”), the methods of a complex-field deconvolution, and numerical refocusing methods. The work will be directed especially to biological samples imaging. Requirements: - knowledge in field of optics corresponding to undergraduate courses - basic ability to write computer code, preferably in Matlab
Tutor: Chmelík Radim, prof. RNDr., Ph.D.
Application of spectroscopic reflectometry to the study of lubrication films to obtain their thickness and refractive index within highly loaded lubricated contact. The main aim of this study is to develop a physically correct approach that could provide the additional information about the properties of lubricant film.
Tutor: Křupka Ivan, prof. Ing., Ph.D.
Semiconductor epitaxial films based on III-nitrides (i.e. N + Ga, Al, In) represent an essential parts of the design of light-emitting diodes (LED) that should in the future replace the currently used source of lighting. Since there is no lattice-matched substrate, these heterostructures are often made by deposition on Si wafers or Al2O3. The mismatch of the lattice parameters of the III-nitride film and the substrate leads to internal deformation that, for a certain critical thickness of the film, relaxes by nucleating dislocations. The major problem is the occurrence of so-called threading dislocations that penetrate through the thickness of the film and suppress the luminescence of the device. In order to boost the efficiency of these heterostructures, it is necessary to understand the mechanism by which the threading dislocations are nucleated. These studies will be made by employing atomistic simulations based on molecular statics and dynamics.
Tutor: Gröger Roman, doc. Ing., Ph.D. et Ph.D.
Study of rheological properties of thin lubrication film through the in situ observation of the particles movement within the lubricated contact. Colorimetric interferometry will be used to measure the film thickness distribution from chromatic interferograms while the image analysis will provide the trajectory of the particles within the lubricated contacts. Such an approach will enable to consider the changes in the rheological properties of lubricant within the contact.
The development of the technology for the detection and characterization of the semiconductor carbon nanotubes by the laser spectroscopy techniques, such as fluorescence spectroscopy and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Accent will be put on the high spatial resolution of the analysis for the purpose of surface mapping of the sample.
Tutor: Novotný Jan, Ing., Ph.D.
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is a technique that utilizes high power-densities obtained by focusing the radiation from a pulsed laser to generate a luminous micro-plasma from an analyte in the focal region. The micro-plasma emission is subsequently analyzed by a spectrometer. The plasma composition is representative to the analyte's elemental composition. The topics of the dissertation work include the application of LIBS and its modifications for high-resolution elemental mapping of solid samples.
Tutor: Kolman Pavel, Ing., Ph.D.
Study of lubricant film formation between rubbing surfaces of joint implants to describe the effect of proteins on friction and wear reduction. Colorimetric interferometry combined with fluorescence microscopy will be used to evaluate changes in film thickness as a function of bovine serum composition that will simulate the properties of synovial fluid.
Tutor: Vrbka Martin, prof. Ing., Ph.D.
Tutor: Dub Petr, prof. RNDr., CSc.
Tutor: Šikola Tomáš, prof. RNDr., CSc.
Tutor: Spousta Jiří, prof. RNDr., Ph.D.
Gas sensor based on cantilever resonator fabricated using MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) technology belongs to a quite new principles for gas sensing. Resonators fabricated using MEMS technology brings to this sensors higher sensitivity in comparison to other detection principles. Besides the resonators construction, the final sensor’s selectivity and sensitivity is also given by used active layers. Using a suitable combination of fabrication technology and active layers is possible to implement a gas sensor for ultra-low concentration detection of selected gas.
Tutor: Prášek Jan, Ing., Ph.D.
Nanocomposites containing graphene sheets are already available and are used for various applications. The objective of the work will be using these nanocomposites with graphene or its oxide, material characterization in terms of electron processes with a focus on applications in electronics and sensing.
Tutor: Hubálek Jaromír, prof. Ing., Ph.D.
The goal is to propose the methodology for the supercapacitor lifetime prediction with respect to the attainment of 10 years life time guarantee required for the applications in the satellite systems. The methodology should be based on: 1) Analysis of the charge transport and the dependence of capacitance on the bias voltage or frequency, respectively, for capacitors of capacitance 1 to 100 F. 2) Analysis of time dependences for the charging of capacitors with constant current or constant voltage, respectively. 3) Supercapacitor’s self-discharge analysis. 4) Measurement of capacitance of Helmholtz layer and diffuse layer.
Tutor: Sedláková Vlasta, doc. Ing., Ph.D.
Membránové aplikace v potravinářství naráží na zásadní problém, kterým je mikrobiální kontaminace. Přestože samotné membrány nemusí být původcem této kontaminace, stávají se v důsledku vysokého povrchu velmi vhodným kandidátem jako nosič bakterií, kvasinek či hub a tím přispívají k jejich dalšímu nežádoucímu množení. Cílem této disertační práce je příprava iontově selektivní membrány s obsahem nanočástic stříbra, které mají velmi vysokou inhibiční schopnost. V rámci práce by měli být ověřeny různé způsoby zakotvení nanočástic stříbra v membránovém kompozitu tak, aby nedocházelo k postupnému vyplavování těchto částic a zároveň, aby byla zachována maximální inhibiční schopnost stříbra. Práce by měla ověřit, zda postačuje aplikace nanostříbra pouze na povrchu anebo je nutná aplikace do celé struktury membránového kompozitu či jen některé z jejích komponent. Součástí práce by měla být jak vlastní charakterizace základních fyzikálních a elektrochemických vlastností membrán důležitých pro vlastní proces elektrodialýzy, tak i hodnocení inhibičních schopností nanostříbra.
Tutor: Drbohlavová Jana, doc. Ing., Ph.D.
Tutor: Kalousek Radek, doc. Ing., Ph.D.
Passive methods of nondestructive testing (NDT) enables longtime monitoring of materials and structures during service or during their loading at laboratory. Acoustic emission and electromagnetic emission, which importance rises in last decade, belong to the most used technique. These two methods offer great potential due to its possibility of quantitative evaluations, such as source localization and source characterization. However, due to the stochastic nature of AE and EME it is generally known that the automatic localization of emission events as well as source characterization belongs to the most critical operations in the evaluation if the experimental data. The thesis is focused on study on characterization of degradation processes (inhomogeneities) in model material using acoustic and electromagnetic emissions. Special attention will be oriented to the evaluation methodology of signals of electromagnetic and acoustic emission, where a key step is to define appropriate signal features of emission events in time domain, frequency domain and time-frequency domain, and application of selected artificial intelligence methods, which have not been used yet in this area.
Tutor: Sedlák Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.
The aim of the doctoral dissertation will be analysis of electronic noise in monocrystalline samples of CdTe radiation sensors and sensors produced on CdTe based. Will be studied the issue of noise sources 1/f, taking into account the fluctuations in the number of charge carriers or their mobility. Noise spectral density is very strongly dependent on the temperature, lighting and electric field. Experimentally will analyzed the number of free charge carriers controlled by an electric field, by lighting and by working temperature. Results will be interpreted for noise sources, contacts, surface and volume of the samples. From dependence and the shape of the spectral noise density will be determined number of carriers, energy levels and location of defects.
Tutor: Grmela Lubomír, prof. Ing., CSc.
Current generation of commercially available energy-conversion, distribution and storage microdevices use micron-scale powders or lithographically prepared materials arrays for fabricating active electrodes, limiting device performance and restricting the choices of device chemistries. As emerging alternative, nanomaterials and nanotechnologies have arisen in the last few decades, and nowadays nanotechnology forms one of the main areas of technological innovation. Accordingly, chemical and physical methods have become the backbone of nanotechnology. The overall objective of this work is to develop formation methods, elucidate the growth mechanisms and explore fundamental and functional properties of novel type of self-organized 2- and 3-D nanostructured films consisting of metals, semiconductors, dielectrics and mixtures, with versatile, tailored morphologies, having creatively synthesized and effectively employed diverse materials boundaries and electrical interfaces, by using a blend of chemical, electrochemical and physical vapour deposition techniques for potential application to supercapacitors, sensors, optical, electro-optical, catalytic and energy-conversion devices.
Tutor: Mozalev Alexander, Dr.
Using fluorescent nanoparticles as probes for bioanalytical application is highly promising because fluorescence-based techniques are very sensitive. Quantum dots (QDs) seem to show the greatest promise as labels for tagging and imaging in biological systems owing to their impressive photostability, which allows long-term observations of biomolecules. The aim of this thesis is preparation of various fluorescent QDs in aqueous solution by novel approaches of synthesis via refluxing, hydrothermal treatment or microwave irradiation. The emission of synthesized QDs will be tuned in different regions of fluorescence spectrum depending on the used material and the sizes of core eventually core/shell structure regarding to required application. The toxicity of QDs is the primary factor that influences their biomedical application, thus it will be essential to evaluate the cell viability, morphology, oxidative stress and DNA damage and apoptosis. As one of the key steps in the preparation of QDs-based fluorescent probes, conjugation between QD and specific molecules shows great impact on the probe performance. Therefore, conjugation process and the labelling efficiency of selected biomolecules will be studied.
Tutor: Pekárková Jana, Ing., Ph.D.
The expansion of nanotechnology accelerated the development of new methods for deposition of TiO2 films. In particular, the fabrication of various titania nanostructured surfaces has got the scientists attention. The TiO2 nanostructures include mainly nanotubes, nanorods, nanowires, and nanodots as well as nanoporous films. All of these mentioned structures can be composed of pure phase or bi-phase TiO2, usually after transformation from amorphous phase depending on annealing temperature. These nanostructures may improve electron transport through the photocatalytic film as well as provide a large surface area for the adsorption of pollutant. In order to create self-organized 3D titania nanostructured layers with strong adhesion, mechanical stability and no defects, thus to ensure that the recombination rate of the photo-generated electron-hole pairs is lower; the anodic oxidation of titanium layer seems to be more convenient. This technique is a simple, highly reproducible and low-cost approach compared to expensive and time-consuming lithographic or epitaxial methods. Titanium layer can be anodized either directly or via anodic alumina oxide (AAO) serving as nanoporous template, which is easily dissolved by selective chemical etching after TiO2 nanostructures fabrication. Conventional TiO2 photocatalysis has barriers in practical remediation of organic pollutants due to the low efficiency in sunlight absorption. Increasing the photoinduced carriers’ separation rate and extending the absorption threshold of TiO2 were proposed to overcome the barriers in TiO2 photocatalysis. In general, visible light photocatalysis on TiO2 can be facilitated by introducing additional electronic states and higher activity can be realized by creating electronic interactions between TiO2 and modifying materials such as dye, noble metal, narrow band semiconductor, etc.
The topic is focused on development of numerical methods for rigorous simulation of electromagnetic wave propagation in arbitrary inhomogeneous media. Namely, we assume investigation of the techniques based on the expansion into plane waves and/or eigenmodes in combination with perturbation techniques. Developed techniques will applied to modeling of light scattering by selected biological samples. Requirements: - knowledge in fields of electrodynamics and optics corresponding to undergraduate courses - basic ability to write computer code, preferably in Matlab.
Tutor: Petráček Jiří, prof. RNDr., Dr.
The aim of this project is to determine parameters of traps in insulation layer of HFET/HEMT structures by analysis of its noise characteristics, mainly RTS (random telegraph signal) noise. Experimental work is based on measurement of temperature dependence of noise using helium cryostat and study of amplitude and mean time of capture and emission as a function of electric field intensity and charge carrier concentration in channel. These results will be used to improve generation-recombination model of noise origin and localization of traps.
Tutor: Pavelka Jan, doc. Mgr., CSc. Ph.D.
The thesis will put specific emphasis on application of advanced Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM – AFM, SNOM) techniques in Life Sciences imaging of biological and soft-matter object. Since biomolecules are not as robust as classical nanostructures, such as, for example, carbon nanotubes or metal nanoparticles, special precautions should be taken to avoid deformation of the molecules during the measurement
Tutor: Tománek Pavel, prof. RNDr., CSc.
Materials exhibiting high permittivity (dielectric constant, k) are needed for new applications, particularly in integrated circuits (ICs) using the 32 nm technology and in capacitors. In capacitors, high-k dielectrics are used in order to attain higher energy densities in capacitors and thus to reduce the size of capacitors themselves. In ICs manufacturing, the present drive toward smaller dimensions results in the thinning of insulating layers, accompanied by an unwanted increase of leakage currents. In order to prevent this effect, higher gate thicknesses are desired which, however, because of the necessity to keep the capacitance constant, should exhibit higher dielectric constant than the pure SiO2. Materials for ICs should be used within the current silicon technologies and, therefore, they must be able to sustain all manufacturing steps without being damaged. Suitable dielectrics are mostly transition metal oxides, e.g. ZrO2, HfO2, Al2O3, Y2O3, La2O3, Ta2O5 etc. Moreover, all materials considered must be thermodynamically stable on silicon for a long time. In case of dielectrics for capacitors, the use of multilayer ceramic chip capacitors again necessitates the use of material that can withstand sintering temperatures. The work on this topic will require experimental work in sample preparation and design, studies of the theory of high -k dielectrics and the measurement of electrical properties of developed material systems. What is available: measurement equipment for the frequency range 10-3 - 109 Hz and the helium cryostat for the temperature range 10 - 500 K.
Tutor: Liedermann Karel, doc. Ing., CSc.
Study of nano-objects behaviour is provided in level of quantum physics. Scientists are still working to understand and describe the interactions in the nanoworld therefore the research in this area belongs top topics that move knowledge toward using the phenomena in various areas and they probably become a base of future pikotechnology.
The subject of the research will be dielectric properties of nanocomposites for electrical insulation. These materials are based on thermosetting resins, mostly epoxides, containing finely dispersed SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3 or WO3 microfillers and nanofillers, eventually more complex chemical formulations. The presence of nanoparticles with dimensions of some 10 - 20 nm favorably affects the withstand capability of nanocomposites to partial discharges and electrical treeing and, hence, the breakdown strength as well as the degradation resistance. This in turn brings the possibility to manufacture electrical equipment (e.g. switchgear, vacuum interrupters) with smaller dimensions and weight and improved reliability. An important issue concerning all nanocomposites is the presence of a large number of interfaces. They are to due to the presence of nanoparticles with complex shapes (neither planar nor spherical). These interfaces exhibit a low stability, which may later cause substantial changes of electrical properties in the course of ageing. One of the objectives of the proposed research would therefore be to study the behavior of nanocomposites in the course of accelerated ageing. The work on this topic will require experimental work in sample preparation and design, studies of the relation between microphysical structure and electrical properties and the measurement of electrical properties of developed material systems. Equipment currently available in the Department of Physics: measurement equipment for the frequency range 102 - 109 Hz and Janis helium cryostat CCS-400/204 for the temperature range 10 - 500 K, as well as established software for measurement control. Purchased, yet not operated are Novocontrol ALPHA-AT high-resolution high-frequency analyzer with frequency range 3 Hz - 40 MHz and Nicolet 8700 FTIR-spectrometer with wave number range 7 400 - 350 cm-1.
Cracks creation in mechanical loaded solids is accompanied by origin of electromagnetic (EME) and acoustic (AE) signals. These signals can be used for study of cracks formation evolution, their characteristics finding and their localization. EME and AE methods are usable in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and civil engineering. The goal will be determination of cracks primary parameters and their localization in conventional materials and in modern composite materials for structural applications. Analysis of EME and AE signals origin and propagation will be performed in these materials and models will be suggested. The methodology for determination of selected primary parameters and cracks localization will be suggested and verified.
Tutor: Koktavý Pavel, prof. Ing., CSc. Ph.D.
Tutor: Průša Stanislav, doc. Ing., Ph.D.
Tutor: Varga Peter, prof. Dr., dr. h. c.
Methods, which enable displaying the entire 3D structure of the studied object in a non-destructive way are intensively studied in many scientific and industrial branches. Presently, (computed) tomography i.e. a method that gathers 3D information by reconstruction from 2D projections is mostly employed for the practical use. The topics of the dissertation work include study, application and improvements of X-ray micro-CT techniques for material analysis.