Electrons, Vacuum and Very Small Things

Abstract:If one end of a piece of metal is kept over fire, you probably will not want to hold the other end! In contrast, Alireza Nojeh’s research team has discovered that in certain types of conducting nanostructures, heat can be confined (the “Heat Trap” effect). As a result, these materials can be heated very efficiently using a beam of light, with potential applications in clean energy. Based on this finding, the research team has created a new device for the conversion of sunlight to electricity. In this talk, Nojeh will discuss the Heat Trap effect in the context of the interplay between vacuum and materials in the field of electronics.
Speaker: Alireza Nojeh is an associate professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of British Columbia and a 2014-2015 Wall Scholar at the Peter Wall Institute. His work has focused on optoelectronic modulators, high electron mobility transistors and electron emission from carbon nanotubes. His research interests are in nanostructures, particularly based on carbon nanotubes; solid-state and vacuum electronics; electron emission phenomena; interactions of electrons and photons with nanostructures; and the conversion of light and heat to electricityFor the spring 2015 Wall Wednesdays Afternoon Series, view the bookmark. Attendees receive 15% off their first purchase before and after the talk.Peter Wall Ideas Lunch & Wine Bar, University Centre, UBC Lower Level, Room 176, 6331 Crescent Road, Vancouver