Unlocking the Future of Material Science with Artificial Lattice Engineering

Introduction

Two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene and other Van der Waals crystals, are at the forefront of next-generation technologies. Their unique properties—extreme thinness, high electrical conductivity, and mechanical strength—make them highly sought after in industries ranging from electronics to quantum computing. However, one of the major barriers to fully exploiting their potential is the difficulty in manipulating these materials at the macroscopic scale. Our patented technology offers an innovative system for disassembling two-dimensional crystals into macroscopic monolayers and reassembling them into custom artificial lattices, enabling the precise control and use of these materials in advanced applications.

Limitations of Traditional Fabrication Techniques

Today’s techniques for working with 2D materials often fall short when it comes to scalability and precision. Methods for creating monolayers of Van der Waals crystals, while effective at the laboratory scale, struggle to meet the requirements for large-scale manufacturing. Furthermore, the ability to manipulate these materials into new lattice structures opens up possibilities for custom-engineered materials with entirely new properties. Unfortunately, existing tools don’t offer the level of control needed to unlock these advanced capabilities, limiting the practical applications of 2D materials in real-world devices.

A Novel Approach to 2D Material Engineering

Our patented system is designed to address these challenges by providing a method to disassemble two-dimensional Van der Waals crystals into macroscopic monolayers and reassemble them into custom artificial lattice structures. This breakthrough technology allows for the creation of entirely new materials with tailored electrical, thermal, and optical properties, expanding the use of 2D materials beyond their current applications.

The ability to create artificial lattices from reassembled 2D monolayers enables the design of materials that can be fine-tuned for specific functions. Whether for use in transistors with enhanced performance, sensors with unprecedented sensitivity, or quantum computing applications requiring precise lattice structures, this technology opens the door to a new era of material customization and innovation.

Key Advantages

Scalable and Precise: The system allows for the manipulation of 2D materials at a macroscopic scale, making it feasible for large-scale manufacturing.
Tailored Material Properties: By reassembling 2D crystals into artificial lattices, new materials can be engineered with specific, desired properties for specialized applications.
Broad Industrial Application: From semiconductors to advanced optics and quantum computing, this technology offers vast potential across multiple high-tech sectors.
Next-Level Innovation: It enables the creation of entirely new classes of materials that were previously unattainable, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in nanotechnology and material science.

An Opportunity to Lead in Advanced Material Manufacturing

Licensing this technology allows companies in the nanotechnology, electronics, and semiconductor industries to lead the charge in creating next-generation materials. By offering the ability to manipulate and customize 2D materials at scale, this system provides a competitive edge in the race to develop more efficient, powerful, and innovative devices.

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Abstract
Claims

Systems and methods for generating one or more single crystal monolayers from two-dimensional van der Waals crystals are disclosed herein. Example methods include providing a bulk material including a plurality of van der Waals crystal layers, and exfoliating one or more single crystal monolayers of van der Waals crystal from the bulk material by applying a flexible and flat metal tape to a surface of the bulk material. In certain embodiments, the one or more single crystal monolayers can be assembled into an artificial lattice. The present disclosure also provides techniques for manufacturing flexible and flat metal tape for generating one or more single crystal monolayers from two-dimensional van der Waals crystals. The present disclosure also provides compositions for creating a macroscopic artificial lattice. In certain embodiments, the composition can include two or more macroscopic single crystal monolayers adapted from a bulk van der Waals crystal, where the single crystal monolayers are configured for assembly into an artificial lattice based on one or more properties.

1. A method for generating one or more single crystal monolayers from two-dimensional van der Waals crystals, comprising:

providing a bulk material comprising a plurality of van der Waals crystal layers; and

exfoliating one or more single crystal monolayers of van der Waals crystal from the bulk material by applying an flexible and flat metal tape to a surface of the bulk material;

wherein the flexible and flat metal tape has a surface root-mean-square roughness of less than 2 nm.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the flexible and flat metal tape has a surface root-mean-square roughness of less than 1 nm.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal comprises air-stable metals, including coinage metals.

4. The method of claim 4, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium, Coper, Nickel, and Chromium.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising assembling the one or more single crystal monolayers into an artificial lattice.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the exfoliating comprises:

pressing the flexible and flat metal tape on to a surface of the bulk material; and

removing the flexible and flat metal tape off the surface to form a single crystal monolayer on the metal surface.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the flexible and flat metal tape comprises a thermal release tape having a layer comprising a soluble protection layer and a metal layer, and wherein the removing further comprises:

heating the tape;

dissolving the protection layer in a solvent; and

dissolving the metal layer in an etchant solution.

8. A method for manufacturing flexible and flat metal tape for generating one or more single crystal monolayers from two-dimensional van der Waals crystals, comprising:

forming a layer of metal having a surface root-mean-square roughness of less than 2 nm on an ultra-flat wafer;

depositing a soluble polymer on the metal layer; and

removing the metal layer and the polymer layer from the ultra-flat wafer.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the forming comprises depositing a metal having a surface root-mean-square roughness of less than 1 nm.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the forming comprises depositing a metal having a surface root-mean-square roughness in the range of about 0.3 to about 0.5 nm.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium, Coper, Nickel, and Chromium.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the ultra-flat wafer is selected from the group consisting of a silicon wafer, a germanium wafer, a mica wafer, a single crystal semiconductor wafer, and a super-polished surface.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the depositing comprises coating the metal layer with the polymer.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the protection layer comprises a polymer adapted to be soluble in water or an organic solvent.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the protection layer is selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble polyvinylpyrrolidone or an organic solvent-soluble polypropylene carbonate or polycarbonate or polycaprolactone.

16. A composition for creating a macroscopic artificial lattice, comprising:

two or more macroscopic single crystal monolayers adapted from a bulk van der Waals crystal;

wherein the single crystal monolayers are configured for assembly into an artificial lattice based on one or more properties.

17. The composition of claim 16, wherein the one or more properties includes nonlinear optical properties.

18. The composition of claim 16, wherein a first of the two or more macroscopic single crystal monolayers has an orientation difference from a second of the two or more macroscopic single crystal monolayers, wherein the first and single crystal monolayers are adapted for reassembly into an artificial lattice.

19. The composition of claim 18, wherein the orientation difference is about 180 degrees.

20. The composition of claim 16, wherein a first of the two or more macroscopic single crystal monolayers and a second of the two or more macroscopic single crystal monolayers are configured to create one of a single crystal heterobilayer or a single crystal heteromultilayer.

Title

Systems and methods for disassembling two-dimensional van der waals crystals into macroscopic monolayers and reassembling into artificial lattices

Inventor(s)

James Hone, Fang Liu, Xiaoyang Zhu, Sang Hoon Chae

Assignee(s)

Columbia University in the City of New York

Patent #

20210172087

Patent Date

June 10, 2021