Genetic algorithms for the design of planar THz antenna (2022)
Journal Article
Fenlon, V., Cooke, M., Mayock, J., Gallant, A., & Balocco, C. (2022). Genetic algorithms for the design of planar THz antenna. Journal of Applied Physics, 132, https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0120128

This paper proposes a genetic algorithm for the design of passive components operating at THz frequencies and its experimental validation using an exemplar patch antenna. The patch antenna is based on an SU8 substrate, with a binary array describing... Read More about Genetic algorithms for the design of planar THz antenna.

Tilting micromirror platform based on liquid dielectrophoresis (2021)
Journal Article
Frozanpoor, I., Cooke, M., Alvarez-Ruiz, D., Ambukan, V., Gallant, A., & Balocco, C. (2021). Tilting micromirror platform based on liquid dielectrophoresis. Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, 332(2), Article 113177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2021.113177

This study presents an electrically actuated tilting micro platform based on liquid dielectrophoresis with three axes movement using three droplets situated 120° apart from each other. The interdigitated electrodes produce a non-uniform electric fiel... Read More about Tilting micromirror platform based on liquid dielectrophoresis.

Continuous Droplet-Actuating Platforms via an Electric Field Gradient: Electrowetting and Liquid Dielectrophoresis (2021)
Journal Article
Frozanpoor, I., Cooke, M. D., Ambukan, V., Gallant, A. J., & Balocco, C. (2021). Continuous Droplet-Actuating Platforms via an Electric Field Gradient: Electrowetting and Liquid Dielectrophoresis. Langmuir, 37(21), 6414-6422. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c00329

This work develops a technology for actuating droplets of any size without the requirement for high voltages or active control systems, which are typically found in competitive systems. The droplet actuation relies on two microelectrodes separated by... Read More about Continuous Droplet-Actuating Platforms via an Electric Field Gradient: Electrowetting and Liquid Dielectrophoresis.

Programmable droplet actuating platform using liquid dielectrophoresis (2021)
Journal Article
Frozanpoor, I., Cooke, M., Racz, Z., Bossons, I., Ambukan, V., Wood, D., …Balocco, C. (2021). Programmable droplet actuating platform using liquid dielectrophoresis. Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, 31(5), https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6439/abf032

Droplet motion has been a long-standing interest in microfluidics as it is often limited by the high operating voltages, which hampers the development of consumer applications. Forces generated by liquid dielectrophoresis (L-DEP) can enhance surface... Read More about Programmable droplet actuating platform using liquid dielectrophoresis.

Optical properties and carrier dynamics in Co-doped ZnO nanorods (2020)
Journal Article
Sivan, A. K., Galán-González, A., Di Mario, L., Tappy, N., Hernández-Ferrer, J., Catone, D., …Martelli, F. (2021). Optical properties and carrier dynamics in Co-doped ZnO nanorods. Nanoscale Advances, 3(1), 214-222. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0na00693a

The controlled modification of the electronic properties of ZnO nanorods via transition metal doping is reported. A series of ZnO nanorods were synthesized by chemical bath growth with varying Co content from 0 to 20 atomic% in the growth solution. O... Read More about Optical properties and carrier dynamics in Co-doped ZnO nanorods.

Cobalt-Doped ZnO Nanorods Coated with Nanoscale Metal-Organic Framework Shells for Water-Splitting Photoanodes (2020)
Journal Article
Galan Gonzalez, A., Sivan, A. K., Hernández Ferrer, J., Bowen, L., Di Mario, L., Martelli, F., …Atkinson, D. (2020). Cobalt-Doped ZnO Nanorods Coated with Nanoscale Metal-Organic Framework Shells for Water-Splitting Photoanodes. ACS Applied Nano Material, 3(8), 7781-7788. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.0c01325

Developing highly efficient and stable photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting electrodes via inexpensive, liquid phase processing is one of the key challenges for the conversion of solar energy into hydrogen for sustainable energy production. ZnO... Read More about Cobalt-Doped ZnO Nanorods Coated with Nanoscale Metal-Organic Framework Shells for Water-Splitting Photoanodes.

Computer Aided Patterning Design for Self-Assembled Microsphere Lithography (SA-MSL) (2019)
Journal Article
Lees, R., Cooke, M., Balocco, C., & Gallant, A. (2019). Computer Aided Patterning Design for Self-Assembled Microsphere Lithography (SA-MSL). Scientific Reports, 9, Article 12849. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-48881-z

In this paper, we use a finite difference time domain solver to simulate the near field optical properties of self-assembled microsphere arrays when exposed to an incoherent light source. Such arrays are typically used for microsphere lithography whe... Read More about Computer Aided Patterning Design for Self-Assembled Microsphere Lithography (SA-MSL).

Metal-insulator-metal diodes based on alkyltrichlorosilane self-assembled monolayers (2019)
Journal Article
Jin, J., Wang, L., Zheng, Z., Zhang, J., Hu, X., Lu, J. R., …Balocco, C. (2019). Metal-insulator-metal diodes based on alkyltrichlorosilane self-assembled monolayers. AIP Advances, 9(6), https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5100252

This paper reports on the experimental investigation of metal-insulator-metal (MIM) diodes based on alkyltrichlorosilane self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with different alkyl chain lengths. The insulating SAM is sandwiched between two metal contacts,... Read More about Metal-insulator-metal diodes based on alkyltrichlorosilane self-assembled monolayers.

Controlling the growth of single crystal ZnO nanowires by tuning the atomic layer deposition parameters of the ZnO seed layer (2019)
Journal Article
Galan-Gonzalez, A., Gallant, A., Zeze, D. A., & Atkinson, D. (2019). Controlling the growth of single crystal ZnO nanowires by tuning the atomic layer deposition parameters of the ZnO seed layer. Nanotechnology, 30(30), Article 305602. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6528/ab186a

Semiconducting nanowires (NWs) offer exciting prospects for a wide range of technological applications. The translation of NW science into technology requires reliable high quality large volume production. This study provides an in-depth investigatio... Read More about Controlling the growth of single crystal ZnO nanowires by tuning the atomic layer deposition parameters of the ZnO seed layer.

A simplified model to estimate thermal resistance between carbon nanotube and sample in scanning thermal microscopy (2017)
Journal Article
Nazarenko, M., Rosamond, M. C., Gallant, A. J., Kolosov, O. V., Dubrovskii, V. G., & Zeze, D. A. (2017). A simplified model to estimate thermal resistance between carbon nanotube and sample in scanning thermal microscopy. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 50(49), Article 494004. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6463/aa900e

Scanning thermal microscopy (SThM) is an attractive technique for nanoscale thermal measurements. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) can be used to enhance a SThM probe in order to drastically increase spatial resolution while keeping required ther... Read More about A simplified model to estimate thermal resistance between carbon nanotube and sample in scanning thermal microscopy.

Field imaging near to the surface of terahertz reflective optics using a vector network analyzer (2017)
Journal Article
Hajji, M., Hammler, J., Zeze, D., Balocco, C., & Gallant, A. J. (2017). Field imaging near to the surface of terahertz reflective optics using a vector network analyzer. Applied Optics, 56(31), 8746-8750. https://doi.org/10.1364/ao.56.008746

A vector network analyzer-based quasi-optical measurement system that is suitable for mapping electric field intensity and phase near to the surface of terahertz reflective optics is presented. The system uses a fixed five parabolic mirror and transm... Read More about Field imaging near to the surface of terahertz reflective optics using a vector network analyzer.

Model for large-area monolayer coverage of polystyrene nanospheres by spin coating (2017)
Journal Article
Chandramohan, A., Sibirev, N., Dubrovskii, V., Petty, M., Gallant, A., & Zeze, D. (2017). Model for large-area monolayer coverage of polystyrene nanospheres by spin coating. Scientific Reports, 7, Article 40888. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep40888

Nanosphere lithography, an inexpensive and high throughput technique capable of producing nanostructure (below 100 nm feature size) arrays, relies on the formation of a monolayer of self-assembled nanospheres, followed by custom-etching to produce na... Read More about Model for large-area monolayer coverage of polystyrene nanospheres by spin coating.

Switchable Spoof Surface Plasmon Polariton Slow Light Structures (2016)
Conference Proceeding
Klein, A. K., Zeze, D., Balocco, C., & Gallant, A. (2016). Switchable Spoof Surface Plasmon Polariton Slow Light Structures.

Photonic-Crystal Based Enhancement Of Terahertz Spectroscopy In Microfluidic Cells (2016)
Conference Proceeding
Klein, A. K., Hammler, J. M., Zeze, D., Balocco, C., & Gallant, A. J. (2016). Photonic-Crystal Based Enhancement Of Terahertz Spectroscopy In Microfluidic Cells.

Free-Space Permittivity Measurement at Terahertz Frequencies with a Vector Network Analyser (2016)
Journal Article
Hammler, J., Gallant, A. J., & Balocco, C. (2016). Free-Space Permittivity Measurement at Terahertz Frequencies with a Vector Network Analyser. IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science & Technology, 6(6), 817-823. https://doi.org/10.1109/tthz.2016.2609204

A simple system, based on a vector network analyzer, has been used with new numerical de-embedding and parameter inversion techniques to determine the relative permittivity (dielectric properties) of materials within the frequency range 750–1100 GHz.... Read More about Free-Space Permittivity Measurement at Terahertz Frequencies with a Vector Network Analyser.

Polymer-Based Micro-Golay Cells For THz Detection (2016)
Conference Proceeding
Stefanova, P., Hammler, J., Klein, A., Gallant, A., & Balocco, C. (in press). Polymer-Based Micro-Golay Cells For THz Detection.

We report on the design, simulation and fabrication of polymer-composite micro-Golay cells for THz and far-infrared detection. Preliminary experimental results showed that the cell’s mechanical, thermal and optical properties make it an excellent can... Read More about Polymer-Based Micro-Golay Cells For THz Detection.

Microfabrication of SU-8 Fresnel lenses for THz imaging (2016)
Conference Proceeding
Hajji, M., Pan, Y., Hammler, J., Zeze, D., Balocco, C., & Gallant, A. (in press). Microfabrication of SU-8 Fresnel lenses for THz imaging. In Proc. SPIE 9747. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2208664

Micro fabricated spoof surface plasmon polariton structures for THz applications (2015)
Conference Proceeding
Klein, A., Pan, Y., Balocco, C., Zeze, D., & Gallant, A. (2015). Micro fabricated spoof surface plasmon polariton structures for THz applications. . https://doi.org/10.1109/irmmw-thz.2015.7327855

Free-space material characterisation at terahertz frequencies using a vector network analyser (2015)
Conference Proceeding
Hammler, J., Gallant, A., & Balocco, C. (2015). Free-space material characterisation at terahertz frequencies using a vector network analyser. . https://doi.org/10.1109/ursi-at-rasc.2015.7302827

While dielectric properties of many materials have been extensively characterised at low frequencies and into the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum, published information is much sparser in the THz region. Knowledge of permittivity is... Read More about Free-space material characterisation at terahertz frequencies using a vector network analyser.

Effect of Wood’s Anomalies on the THz Transmission Spectra of Free- Standing Metallic Hole Arrays (2015)
Conference Proceeding
Hill, C., Klein, A., Balocco, C., Wood, D., & Gallant, A. (2015). Effect of Wood’s Anomalies on the THz Transmission Spectra of Free- Standing Metallic Hole Arrays. In 2015 40th International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz waves (IRMMW-THz), Hong Kong, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1109/irmmw-thz.2015.7327803

A free-standing periodic array of subwavelength rectangular apertures has been designed to exhibit peak transmission which is dominated by localized aperture resonance in the THz region. By varying the incident angle, Wood's anomalies can be introduc... Read More about Effect of Wood’s Anomalies on the THz Transmission Spectra of Free- Standing Metallic Hole Arrays.