[Seminar] Nanomechanics for probing the physics of 2D materials by Prof. Peter Steeneken

Nanomechanics for probing the physics of 2D materials

The dynamics of suspended 2D materials has received increasing attention during the last decade, yielding new techniques to study and interpret the physics that governs the motion of these atomically thin layers. This has led to new insights into the role of thermodynamic and nonlinear effects as well as the mechanisms that govern dissipation and stiffness in these resonators.

In this presentation I will show that resonant 2D membranes have emerged both as sensitive probes of condensed matter physics in ultrathin layers, and as sensitive elements to monitor small external forces or other changes in the environment [1]. Examples include investigations into the thermal transport and thermodynamics in 2D, the detection of phase transitions in magnetically and electronically ordered materials, and the use of linear and nonlinear dynamics to investigate dissipation mechanisms. Finally, I will discuss how resonant membranes and magnetically levitating resonators [2] might find application in next-generation sensors.

[1] P.G. Steeneken, R.J. Dolleman, D. Davidovikj, F. Alijani and H.S.J. van der Zant, Dynamics of 2D Material Membranes (2021), https://arxiv.org/abs/2105.07489.

[2] X. Chen, A. Keşkekler, F. Alijani, and P.G. Steeneken , Rigid body dynamics of diamagnetically levitating graphite resonators, Applied Physics Letters 116, 243505 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0009604.

Biography Prof. Peter Steeneken

Peter Steeneken received the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degree in experimental solid state physics from the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. In 2002, he joined Philips Research and NXP Research in Eindhoven, as an industrial scientist focusing on the modeling, characterization and reliability of CMOS MEMS devices for sensors, actuators and RF applications.

Since 2013, he is professor of Applied Nanophysics at the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience in Delft and since 2017 he is full professor at TU Delft’s Precision and Microsystems Engineering Department, chairing the section Dynamics of Micro and Nanosystems.

Prof. Steeneken currently leads the sensors workpackage of the Graphene Flagship and the large national project Plantenna on plant-based sensor technology. He has authored more than 100 journal and conference publications and holds 44 granted US patents. His research focuses on bridging the gap between fundamental physics and applications, with a focus on high frequency nanomechanical sensor devices.

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