Center for Functional Nanomaterials

Center for Functional Nanomaterials is a United States Department of Energy Office of Science Nanoscale Science Research Center located at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York. Its mission is to advance the science of functional nanomaterials, providing state-of-the-art capabilities for fabrication, synthesis, and characterization to a global user community. The facility operates as a collaborative resource, enabling fundamental and applied research in areas critical to energy security and technological innovation.

Overview

Established in 2007, the center is one of five Nanoscale Science Research Centers built by the DOE to provide open-access, premier research infrastructure. It is integrated within the larger Brookhaven National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary laboratory managed by Brookhaven Science Associates for the Department of Energy. The center's scientific focus is on understanding and controlling how nanomaterial structure determines function, with research spanning from fundamental condensed matter physics to applications in catalysis, quantum information science, and photonics. Its work supports the broader missions of the Office of Basic Energy Sciences and contributes to national initiatives in advanced manufacturing and renewable energy.

Research programs

The scientific portfolio is organized into interdisciplinary research themes that leverage the center's specialized facilities. The Soft and Bio-Nanomaterials program investigates self-assembly, polymers, and biomimetic systems for applications like drug delivery and organic electronics. The Electronic Nanomaterials program focuses on quantum materials, two-dimensional materials like graphene, and novel semiconductor nanostructures for next-generation optoelectronics and quantum computing. The Catalysis and Interfaces program explores nanocatalysts and in situ characterization for energy conversion processes, including photocatalysis and electrocatalysis for fuel cells. These programs are supported by theory and simulation efforts conducted in collaboration with institutions like Stony Brook University and the Flatiron Institute.

User program and facilities

As a DOE user facility, it operates a peer-reviewed proposal system, granting access to scientists from academia, industry, and national laboratories worldwide. Key experimental resources include a comprehensive Nanofabrication Facility with cleanroom spaces for electron-beam lithography and molecular beam epitaxy. The Probe Microscopy Facility houses advanced scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy instruments. The Electron Microscopy Facility offers transmission electron microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy capabilities. Major characterization tools are integrated with leading Brookhaven National Laboratory facilities, including the National Synchrotron Light Source II and the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, enabling multi-scale analysis from atomic structure to macroscopic properties.

Scientific achievements

Research has yielded significant advances in nanomaterial synthesis and understanding. Notable work includes pioneering studies on the self-assembly of block copolymer templates for creating ultra-dense magnetic memory arrays. Scientists have made breakthroughs in understanding quantum dot photoluminescence and developing novel perovskite nanomaterials for high-efficiency solar cells. The center has contributed to the design of highly active and selective nanocatalysts for carbon dioxide reduction and hydrogen production. Its researchers have also achieved atomic-scale imaging of catalytic reactions in real time and developed new two-dimensional materials with unique electronic properties, publishing findings in high-impact journals like *Science* and *Nature*.

Leadership and organization

The center is directed by Charles T. Black, a noted expert in nanofabrication and polymer science. It is structured into scientific divisions aligned with its research programs, each led by a group leader. The management team oversees operations, safety, and strategic planning, working closely with the Brookhaven National Laboratory directorate and the United States Department of Energy. An external scientific advisory committee, comprising experts from institutions like MIT, Stanford University, and IBM, provides guidance on scientific direction and facility development. The center employs a diverse staff of scientists, engineers, and technical support personnel, and fosters collaborations with universities, including the nearby Stony Brook University and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

Category:Brookhaven National Laboratory Category:Research institutes in New York (state) Category:United States Department of Energy national laboratories Category:Buildings and structures in Suffolk County, New York Category:2007 establishments in New York (state)