General Information
The main purpose of this workshop is discussion recent advances, problems and prospects of the physics of low-dimensional materials with special focus on their applications in renewable energy, resource saving, low-carbon energy producing and some issues of the energy security.
Low-dimensional materials are the class of materials whose structural units are nanoscale low-dimensional systems such as quantum dots and wires, quantum fractal networks, nanotubes, fullerenes, graphene, etc.
Because of the quantum confinement effects the physical properties of such systems are completely different than those of bulk systems. Such materials are becoming firm ground for the development of the rapidly developing area, nanotechnology. Due to the unusual properties of low dimensional functional materials their potential to be used in energy- and resource saving technologies is tremendously high. Among most unusual low-dimensional functional materials two-dimensional crystal, so-called graphene has attracted much interest of physicists and engineers from different practical viewpoints. Probably this is the only materials having so many unusual physical properties. This materials is stronger than diamond, electrically and thermally more conductive than copper, optically transparent. Currently numerous practical applications of graphene in medicine, electronics, third generation solar cells, thermoelectricity, genetic analysis, construction materials, advanced optical devices etc. is extensively discussing in the literature. Another type of low-dimensional materials are so-called quantum networks, which can be considered as the basic units for many nanoscale network and discrete structures, such as polymer chains, microscopic electric circuits, mesoscopic waveguides, DNA double helix etc. Quantum dots are another kind of low-dimensional systems that are realized in laboratory conditions as the basic elements of many nanoscale devices. Nanoscale transistors, diodes, solar cells, thermo-elements and many other electronic devices can be constructed on the basis of quantum dots. Despite the great progress made in the study of low-dimensional materials their thermal, thermoelectric, mechanical, optical properties are still less-explored. Deep knowledge of such properties is the main factor for their successful functionalization. Functionalization here implies constructing of advanced devices on the basis of low-dimensional materials. Materials potentially enabling to achieve such goals are called functional materials. Thus the primary focus of the proposed meeting is to discuss of some less-explored and potentially advanced issues of the physics of low-dimensional functional materials and their application in energy saving, renewable and low-carbon energy. Talks and plenary discussions will be concentrated on the following topics:
1) Photovoltaic elements on the basis of low-dimensional materials;
2) Graphene, CNT and fullerene;
3) The role of quantum confinement and size effects in nanomaterials;
4) Particle and heat transport in low-dimensional nanoscale systems;
5) Thermoelectricity on low-dimensional materials;
6) Quantum networks and their applications;
7) Hydrogen and methane storage in low-dimensional materials.
Key note speakers and young researchers will discuss recent advances on the above issues and other relevant topics.
