Metamaterials of the Future

With rising energy demands, even the most efficient devices waste a lot of energy due to material limitations. What if we could engineer a new class of materials to tackle this problem and drastically reduce energy waste? Dr. Abbes Tahraoui and Dr. Hans Tornatzky explore the promise of meta materials to revolutionize energy use.

PDI’s research into two-dimensional (2D) materials supports the development of next-generation devices while exploring the fundamental science behind these ultra-thin structures. By studying materials like graphene, we can create layered van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures that unlock entirely new properties — phenomena that don’t occur in single materials alone. This work not only advances sustainable technology but also deepens our understanding of these remarkable materials at the atomic level.

Graphene and other 2D materials are incredibly thin layers, just one or a few atoms thick, that hold big promise for making future devices more efficient. By stacking these ultra-thin layers, we can create new ‘meta materials’ with unique properties that can’t be found in single layers alone. For example, when we combine graphene with other layers, we open up possibilities for creating more efficient devices that use less energy and work faster.

2D materials are ideal for exploring hetero-material systems, revealing insights into layer interactions and enabling the discovery of high-efficiency and novel applications. Unlike conventional 2D structures (e.g., quantum wells in blue lasers), 2D materials have no dangling bonds, eliminating the need for passivation and enhancing stability. They also avoid lattice mismatch issues, allowing seamless integration. These advantages make 2D materials versatile candidates for next-generation applications in optoelectronics, energy harvesting, and beyond.

Our work takes two approaches: miniaturizing devices to outperform Moore’s Law and using new 2D materials to replace traditional silicon. While bringing experimental materials into real-world use remains challenging, combining smaller device structures with 2D materials allows us to unlock new functionalities. By engineering nanoscale features in these materials, we enhance their ability to harvest and convert energy, leading to more sustainable, high-performance electronics.

Epitaxial growth of 2D materials opens avenues for creating devices that consume less energy and rely on sustainable power sources. By combining graphene, hexagonal BN, and Te-based semiconductors, we explore how interlayer interactions, defect engineering, and lattice matching contribute to improved device performance. These materials hold promise not just for energy-efficient devices but for applications like quantum computing and sensing technologies, paving the way for the next generation of sustainable electronic devices.