A central objective of the LPN-PPPL research is to understand the synergistic roles of plasma and nanoscale materials processes in plasma-based synthesis of nanomaterials. This research strongly emphasizes characterization of equilibrium and non-equilibrium plasmas as well as synthesized nanomaterials. A large collection of diagnostics is used to examine the plasma and material synthesis mechanisms, providing a database to validate the models and simulations before they are integrated into a multiscale model of plasma synthesis. These techniques require advances and improved understanding in plasma physics and materials science. In this problem, the two sciences are not separable – the materials and plasma interact and evolve together.

The plasma physics challenge is to develop an understanding of non-equilibrium, atmospheric plasmas needed for nanomaterial synthesis. This challenge involves:
(1) control of the fluxes of plasma particles and heat that interact with the growing structures;
(2) understanding and control of the transport and separation of charged nanoparticles; and
(3) development of new scientific instruments to measure properties of these unique plasmas.

The materials science challenges are:
(1) understand the nucleation and growth of nanoparticles, including the role of catalyst nanoparticles; and the effects of the electromagnetic field generated in plasma on the catalytic reaction and the synthesis process;
(2) in-situ monitoring and characterization of the nanoparticles; and
(3) understanding and controlling the functionality of the produced nanomaterials for their integration into nanodevices.