Applied Materials and Sustainability Sciences (AMSS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Partners

 

We're partnering with Lam to simulate a key step in atomic-scale chip fabrication, an increasingly critical process that aims to remove single atomic layers from silicon surfaces, one at a time.

 

Our partnership with Samsung has focused on the etching of computer logic and memory patterns on microscopically thin layers of chips — key applications of plasma in chip fabrication.

 

For Applied Materials, we're developing new plasma diagnostics and modeling tools for key processing steps such as atomic-scale etching in microchip manufacturing.

 

Quantum Diamond

Photoluminescence with above-bandgap excitation in layered diamond

Bringing the World of
Quantum Physics into Light


With Princeton University, we're currently developing a next-generation diamond sensor with capabilities that range from imaging single molecules to guiding aircraft by detecting slight anomalies in the Earth’s magnetic field. This work is supported by a highly competitive three-year, $5.2-million award from the Department of Energy.

Robotic manufacturing arm using electrical energy

Electromanufacturing

PPPL is committed to advancing new technologies for a competitive U.S. manufacturing industry. Our researchers are investigating ways to electrify industrial processes using plasma. Our focuses include:

  • Using plasma to enhance the conversion of natural gas (methane) to hydrogen.
  • Using plasma or electric heating to produce ammonia from air and hydrogen.
  • Using electricity to produce useful chemicals and fuel from carbon dioxide.

Electricity could more efficiently produce chemicals like hydrogen, ethylene and ammonia; steel and cement; and even capture and chemically transform carbon dioxide and recycle plastics.

Current Projects

Energy Earthshot Research Center: Hydrogen Shot™

$5 million, Lead


Energy Earthshot Research Center: Industrial Heat Shot™

$1 million, partner to Oak Ridge National Laboratory


 

Sun rays bouncing off of Earth's atmospheric shield

Aerosol Science


Intentionally reflecting the sun's energy back to space could help cool the planet. Our researchers aim to study how clouds, light, and aerosols — small particles in the air — interact in controlled laboratory conditions, so that we can safely determine the science underpinning cooling strategies.  

Current Projects

Aerosol Dynamics

Gain a better understanding of aerosol-light-cloud dynamics


Aerosol Materials

Research and discovery around new, environmentally benign, scalable aerosol materials that may feature desirable properties for climate intervention science. This includes stratospheric aerosol injection and cirrus cloud thinning

Our Partners

We are partnering with Princeton University to manage two microelectronics centers and the Quantum Diamond Laboratory.
 

Our partnership with GFDL includes research into understanding the interactions between clouds, light and aerosols, or mixtures of solids and liquids in a gas.
 

With the Simons Foundation, we operate two small-scale chambers that enable the investigation of aerosols and atmospheric ice.
 

We partner with a range of DOE national laboratories on initiatives ranging from quantum computing to industrial efficiency.
 

Meet the Team

Microelectronics

Quantum Materials and Devices

Electromanufacturing

Aerosol Science for the Climate