GRK 2803:  Scalable 2D-Materials Architectures (2D-MATURE): Synthesis and Processing, Characterization and Functionality, Implementation and Demonstration

• Subject Area: Electrical Engineering and Information Technology ; Materials Science ; Condensed Matter Physics ; Fluid Mechanics, Technical Thermodynamics and Thermal Energy Engineering ; Process Engineering, Technical Chemistry
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 461605777

Two-dimensional (2D) materials, like graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) as the most prominent examples, have extraordinary properties that are of high interest for a wide range of electronic applications. Existing lab-scale synthesis and processing methods include chemical synthesis and exfoliation for small 2D flakes with functionalized surfaces that can be further processed through printing and coating techniques as well as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) for wafer-scale, extended 2D materials, which can be used as synthesized or transferred to arbitrary, even flexible target substrates. Their technological implementation, however, is lacking behind due to a considerable gap in both scalable processing technologies and device architectures, and fundamental understanding of associated interfacial phenomena.The main goal of the DFG International Research Training Group / NSERC Collaborative Research and Training Experience program Scalable 2D-Materials Architectures (2D-MATURE) is thus to establish a combined view on scalable synthesis and processing routes for 2D materials units – 2D flakes and extended 2D materials – to advance their unconventional combination and implementation in application-oriented, scalable architectures, and to develop a profound understanding of the emerging interface functionality to enable and test their applicability in practical showcase devices.The IRTG 2D-MATURE will address these challenges in two ways:i) Through the research program, the diverse 2D-MATURE team of advanced early career and established researchers will• Develop scalable synthesis and processing routes for 2D materials with high yield and control • Characterize, understand and manipulate their interface-controlled functionality• Implement these 2D materials and combinations thereof in realistic device architectures and demonstrate their potential in showcase applications ii) Through the training program of 2D-MATURE, the next generation of researchers will be trained within an enriching interdisciplinary, international, and intersectoral environment, providing knowledge and skills in high demand by academia and the industry 4.0 workplace.These research and training tasks will be carried out by a collaborative team of Principal Investigators (PIs) representing the disciplines of electrical, mechanical and chemical engineering as well as physics and chemistry from the University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany) and the University of Waterloo (Canada), that both host leading international centers for nanotechnology research with a long tradition of connecting fundamental and engineering science. The team is completed by one PI from the RWTH Aachen University (Germany). 2D-MATURE will benefit from the applicants’ unique expertise and cutting-edge facilities and also build on existing partnerships to industry and non-university research centers.

• DFG Programme: International Research Training Groups
• International Connection: Canada
• Applicant Institution: Universität Duisburg-Essen
• IRTG-Partner Institution: University of Waterloo
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Gerd Bacher
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Michael Horn-von Hoegen; Professor Dr. Peter Kratzer; Professor Dr. Axel Lorke; Professorin Dr. Franziska Muckel; Professorin Dr. Rossitza Pentcheva; Professorin Dr. Marika Schleberger; Professor Dr. Christof Schulz; Professorin Dr.-Ing. Doris Segets; Professor Dr.-Ing. Andrei Vescan; Professor Dr. Hartmut Wiggers
• IRTG-Partner: Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Michael Pope