Graphene-based Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Energy Systems

– Nitrogen-doped Graphene & Graphene-MOF nanomaterial research

– Stability of the new set of nanomaterials for electrochemical reactions

– Half-cell/Single cell characterization of performance stability research

– Cells, Module and System characterization study

Advanced Energy Systems and Microdevices Laboratory’s energy researches are focused on the new synthesis and characterization of nitrogen-doped graphene nanomaterials for electrochemical energy systems and industrial applications, including the nanoelectrode materials for batteries (Li-ion and Solid State Batteries) and non-platinum group metal catalysts for fuel cells and electrolyzers (PEM, SOFC, Electrolyzer) and their applications. New graphene-based nanomaterials have a huge potential due to the very low raw material cost compared to other precious materials in many applications spanning from catalytic devices in filtering systems or petroleum processing systems to electrochemical systems such as fuel cells or metal-air batteries. The major research activities of the lab include 1) synthesizing new graphene-based nanomaterials for new energy systems from the sources of carbon materials (eg. Graphene) with the addition of nitrogen, transition metals, and porous materials to modify the characteristics and enhance the electrochemial performance of the synthesized nanomaterials, 2) characterizing the physical, chemical and electrochemical properties of the new synthesized catalysts by XPS, Raman, SEM, TEM, XRD, RRDE and electrochemical testing station, and 3) investigating the reaction mechanism of the new synthesized catalysts through experimental methods for a fundamental understanding of the reaction mechanism. We are getting research supports from or collaborating with Brookhaven National Laboratory- Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN), Princeton University – The Princeton Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials (PRISM), Rutgers XPS facility center, Montclair State University – Material Characterization Laboratory and NJIT Otto York Center for Material characterizations for a top-notch technology supports for characterizations. The research will provide a substantial pathway to the new cost-effective and fuel-efficient energy conversion system for the next generation energy society.

Nano Biochip for disease detection, diagnosis and monitoring

– Biochip projects for detections of multiple biomarkers in a single chip

– Self-separation of plasma from whole blood flow in a unique straight microchannel (no pump and no centrifugal or gravitational forces)

– microscale flow dynamics with fluid and particles interactions. (gel particles)

– Nanofluidics on nanoimprinting applications

We are also applying the micro and Nano technology and new materials to the research for biochip micro devices for non-invasive disease detection and diagnosis usingboth innovative sensing technology and unique microchip design developed in the lab, with the collaborations with researchers at nearby medical research centers and Brookhaven National Laboratory. Cancer is one of the major causes of non-accidental death in human. Early detection and diagnosis of the disease allows clinician to take suitable treatment and to improve the patient’s survival rate. The micro biochip helps to diagnose the cancer at earlier stages with its innovative and state of the art ‘sensing technology’- to identify the existence of cancer antibodies in the micro volume of blood sample. When the blood flows through the micro channels of the biochip, the cancer antigens interact with the pre-coated cancer antibodies in the micro channel. The biochip detects the existence of antigens by sensing the antigen-antibody interaction. The sensing technology provides both qualitative and quantitative results of cancer antigens in blood sample. Thus we can diagnose both the existence and the severity of cancer using the micro biochip. The institutes collaborated in this research are Princeton University-The Princeton Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials (PRISM),  NNIN- National Nano technology Infrastructure Network (Penn state university), BNL-Brookhaven National laboratory, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, Hackensack Medical Centers and Weill Cornell Medical School and NJIT MFC-Micro fabrication Center.

(Abonics, Inc. spun off from this research in May 2018 has been pursuing the external funding from federal agencies, private foundations and angels.