Research in 2D materials boosted

Physics Materials

January 1st, 2019, DTU merges research on two-dimensional (2D) materials.

This will strengthen both the theoretical and experimental activities within 2D materials research. This applies both to activities based on the material graphene and to activities that focus on the optical, electronic and catalytic properties of other 2D materials.

"Bringing together activities at DTU Physics provides exciting opportunities for thinking about 2D materials with a broader scope than we do today. Our existing cross-departmental collaboration will undoubtedly be more extensive when we will work in the same department", says Peter Bøggild, professor at DTU Nanotech.

The ultra-thin two-dimensional materials have properties that make them relevant in many contexts. DTU's commitment to strengthening the research in this area is taking place while especially Asia in recent years has made heavy investments in 2D material technology. Investments in Europe and the US are lacking behind.

"It is a group of highly skilled researchers who are now invited into DTU Physics and ambitious research projects follow together with them - including parts of the Danish National Research Foundation's Center for Nanostructured Graphs (CNG) and a new VILLUM Young Investigator project," explains Jane Hvolbæk Nielsen, Head of department at DTU Physics.

"We are looking forward to getting new colleagues, harvesting scientific synergy and collecting funding for new activities and instruments that can investigate, manufacture and utilize this very special type of material, says Jane"

The formal transfer will take place on January 1st, 2019, but already now joint research projects are being prepared.

Key faculty at CNG

The CNG Center is headed by Antti-Pekka Jauho and is currently anchored at DTU Nanotech with activities spread at DTU Physics, DTU Fotonik, DTU Danchip / Cen and at Aalborg University. CNG is also active in the giant European Graphene Flagship, where leading European research teams work together to create a high-tech, knowledge-based European industry in 2D materials.

Read more about the CNG Center

Read more about the European Graphene flagship project

DTU Nanotech: Antti-Pekka Jauho, Peter Bøggild, Mads Brandbyge, Tim Booth and Luca Camilli (will move to DTU Physics 1.1.2019)

DTU Nanotech: Kristoffer Almdal and Sokol Ndoni (will moves to DTU Chemistry 1.1.2019)

DTU Physics: Kristian Sommer Thygesen

DTU Fotonik: Nicolas Stenger and Peter Uhd Jepsen

DTU Danchip / Cen: Thomas Willum Hansen

Aalborg University: Thomas Garm Pedersen

2D materials at DTU Physics

At DTU Physics, Kristian Sommer Thygesen, Karsten Wedel Jacobsen, Thomas Olsen, Ib Chorkendorff, Jens Nørskov and Jakob Kibsgaard work on different 2D materials both experimentally and theoretically and with interests in optical, electronic and catalytic properties.

Read more about Luca Camilli's VILLUM Young Investigator project

Read more about Kristian Sommer Thygesen's ERC grant for 2D materials

About 2D materials

The first one-atom thin material consisting of carbon atoms, called graphene, was isolated in 2004. Since then, thousands of materials have been discovered that, like graphene, are two-dimensional. The ultra-thin materials have a wide range of exciting properties that make them relevant to energy, catalysis, environment, health, communication technology, quantum information, internet of things, sensors, electronics, corrosion protection and photonics.