Our paper presented a systematic review of the
state-of-the-art research in ZnO nanostructures, which have
the unique physical properties to serve as the future building
blocks for electronic, optoelectronic,
spintronic, chemical sensing devices, etc. This class of
frontier materials has attracted tremendous interest and is
being intensively studied by many research groups around the
world.
Does it describe a new discovery, methodology, or
synthesis of knowledge?
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“Our paper provides a comprehensive review on a new class of nanomaterials which have wide applications in many aspects.”
|
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This paper is more in the style of a review, reporting the
recent achievements on the various synthesis methods and
characterizations of ZnO nanomaterials.
Could you summarize the significance of your paper in
layman's terms?
Our paper provides a comprehensive review on a new class of
nanomaterials which have wide applications in many aspects. We
had cited the latest works reported by frontier researchers.
The review presented, in depth, the novel synthesis and
physical property characterizations of ZnO nanostructures,
which are of the highest scientific value to researchers
already in or planning to enter this field.
How did you become involved in this research, and were
there any obstacles along the way?
We did an extensive literature search before starting this
branch of research. We envisioned that this class of
nanomaterials will emerge as one of the most versatile and
functional materials, and that much waits to be understood and
explored. Under this motivation, we have focused our
investigation on semiconductor nanowires, such as the metal
oxides, trying to learn, in depth, their fundamental
properties as well as how to develop their potential
applications.
There were, of course, obstacles along the path of
research. We were not trained as materials scientists or
chemists. In the beginning, to learn how to synthesize and
optimize the growth conditions took a long time.
In addition, we were not in an institute which provided a
wide range of top-notch research equipment and technical
support. Thus, we had to fully utilize and tailor the limited
resources we had in order to produce work that contribute to
this dynamic field.
Are there any social or political implications for your
research?
Definitely. This research has far-reaching implications.
The ability to synthesize nanoscale building blocks, then to
assemble and integrate them into larger structures with unique
properties in mechanical strength, electrical transport,
optical guiding, and even fluid dynamics, will change the way
materials and devices are produced and applied in the future.
Jia Grace Lu, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Physics
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA, USA
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