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One-Step Synthesis of Fluorescent Graphene Quantum Dots  Through Pyrolysis of Amino Acids
One-Step Synthesis of Fluorescent Graphene Quantum Dots Through Pyrolysis of Amino Acids
Highlight · Aug 21, 2017

One-Step Synthesis of Fluorescent Graphene Quantum Dots Through Pyrolysis of Amino Acids

Jiao Chen, New Mexico Highlands University

Outcome: We have developed a novel method for the synthesis of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) by using two amino acids, which are non-toxic natural materials containing nitrogen groups for easy surface modification. The synthesis process was easy, efficient and no toxic chemicals were involv
A Pressure-Induced Emergence of a Weyl Semimetal Phase in Pb1-xSnxTe
A Pressure-Induced Emergence of a Weyl Semimetal Phase in Pb1-xSnxTe
Highlight · Aug 21, 2017

A Pressure-Induced Emergence of a Weyl Semimetal Phase in Pb1-xSnxTe

J. Kim & N. Kioussis (California State University Northridge), DMR-1205734(PREM) T. Liang & Nai Phuan Ong (Princeton University)

Outcome: In collaboration with experimental studies at Princeton University we have carried out ab initio calculations to examine the effect of pressure on the topological phase diagram of Pb1-xSnxTe. The calculations reveal that the ferroelectric polarization, which breaks crystal inversi
Polymer/Carbon Spheres Composites for Device Applications
Polymer/Carbon Spheres Composites for Device Applications
Highlight · Aug 21, 2017

Polymer/Carbon Spheres Composites for Device Applications

Idalia Ramos, University of Puerto Rico at Humacao

Intellectual Merit: Carbon-based materials have attracted scientific interest due to their promise to revolutionize the electronics industry. Carbon Spheres (CS) were produced via hydrothermal carbonization of sucrose. A Schottky diode was fabricated using a composite of the highly conduct
Partnering to Develop Photovoltaic Research
Partnering to Develop Photovoltaic Research
News · Aug 18, 2017

Partnering to Develop Photovoltaic Research

The University of Texas at El Paso and the University of California, Santa Barbara have joined forces to create a research and education program that, according to UTEP, “will combine materials science and engineering research to develop new materials for photovoltaic applications, or solar panels.”
Integrated 3D printing with in-situ functionalization of piezoelectric nanocomposites
Integrated 3D printing with in-situ functionalization of piezoelectric nanocomposites
Highlight · Apr 5, 2017

Integrated 3D printing with in-situ functionalization of piezoelectric nanocomposites

Yirong Lin (University of Texas at El Paso)

Our research supported by the NSF PREM project studied the synthesis, fabrication, and characterization of advanced materials for sensing, energy harvesting, and storage. Our integrated 3D printing with in-situ functionalization of piezoelectric nanocomposite enabled us design nanocomposit
New Fullerene Derivatives for Electron Transporting Materials in Inverted Planar Perovskite Solar Cells
New Fullerene Derivatives for Electron Transporting Materials in Inverted Planar Perovskite Solar Cells
Highlight · Apr 5, 2017

New Fullerene Derivatives for Electron Transporting Materials in Inverted Planar Perovskite Solar Cells

Luis A. Echegoyen (University of Texas at El Paso)

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs), have shown a remarkable increase in photoconversion efficiency (PCE), from 3.8%  in 2009, to 22.1% in 2016. The good electron transporting and solution processable properties of most fullerene derivatives make them the most popular electron transporting mater
Development of chemical and biological sensors: Synthesis of Plasmonic Nanoparticles and Multispectral Imaging Nanostructures
Development of chemical and biological sensors: Synthesis of Plasmonic Nanoparticles and Multispectral Imaging Nanostructures
Highlight · Jul 6, 2016

Development of chemical and biological sensors: Synthesis of Plasmonic Nanoparticles and Multispectral Imaging Nanostructures

Students: Melissa Kerr, Faculty Advisor:  Fei Yan

How? Synthesizing and isolation of ultra-small gold nanoparticles with a specific shape or structure. We have developed a facile approach for shape-controlled synthesis of gold nanoparticles using KBr and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) as the reducing agent. 
What happens to photogenerated charges in semiconductor nanowires?
What happens to photogenerated charges in semiconductor nanowires?
Highlight · Jul 6, 2016

What happens to photogenerated charges in semiconductor nanowires?

Students: Mizrain Ramirez, Kleyser Agueda Lopez, Malik Ko Faculty Advisor:  M. Wu 

How? We use optical microscopy to determine the dynamics of photo-generated charges in individual semiconductor nanowire hetero-structures.
Investigation of Indium Free Transparent Conducting Oxides for Application in Photovoltaics
Investigation of Indium Free Transparent Conducting Oxides for Application in Photovoltaics
Highlight · Sep 11, 2015

Investigation of Indium Free Transparent Conducting Oxides for Application in Photovoltaics

Dr. Ramana Chintalapalle Research Group

Transparent conducting oxide play a key role in photovoltaic (PV) devices. There has been much recent interest in finding alternative indium (In) free TCOs and even better performing alternative candidates to substitute for standard ITO.  The driving factors are: scarcity, unintended inter
Synthesis of Fullerene Derivatives for Potential Applications in OPV Devices
Synthesis of Fullerene Derivatives for Potential Applications in OPV Devices
Highlight · Sep 11, 2015

Synthesis of Fullerene Derivatives for Potential Applications in OPV Devices

Dr. Luis Echegoyen's Research Group

We have separated Sc3N@D5h-C80 from Sc3N@C68 based on their chemical reactivity differences using the p-toluenesulfonyl tosyl hydrazone of phenyl butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). We also performed for the first time the synthesis and characterization of five PCBM methano