Lung cell exposed to gold nanoparticles,
image obtained by hyperspectral optical microscopy
By Rodrigo Capaz
Director of the Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory
Nanotechnology consists of the set of applications that derive from the possibility of manipulating materials at the nanometer scale, that is, one billionth of a meter. This is very close to the scale of interatomic distances in the matter. In other words, we are talking about the ability to study and manipulate matter almost on the atomic scale.
This ability is one of the most important achievements of humanity in recent years and has opened the door to almost limitless possibilities in the search for technological solutions to the most important problems on our planet and the sustainable development of societies. In fact, in the myriad of behaviours that the interactions between atoms and molecules offer us, solutions can be found for some of the central questions that we seek to solve, such as the search for new sources of renewable energy, the production of materials that are less aggressive to the environment, and the continued development of faster and more powerful computers.
At the turn of the century, realizing nanotechnology as a strategic area, several countries created national initiatives to promote this area. Brazil joined early on in this collaborative effort, with a truly global bias, and also developed a set of actions to boost nanoscience and nanotechnology.
Today, CNPEM plays a leading role in the research and development of nanotechnology in Brazil and in Latin America. With its facilities open to external users, we provide access to differentiated research infrastructure to all those who have a good idea to explore the matter at the nanoscale, but who often do not have the means to execute it in their institutions.
In a very similar way to what happened in the recent past with nanotechnology, several countries around the world are developing their “quantum initiatives”, that is, integrated R&D programs to make a qualitative leap in the area of Quantum Technologies, one of the strategic research themes. at CNPEM. And in several aspects of Quantum Technologies, advances in nanotechnology become increasingly necessary, as they allow increasingly fine control of matter. In many cases, we need to control matter, not at the atomic scale, but the scale of individual electrons, through its attributes (such as charge and spin), where quantum effects are dominant. The integration of researchers, engineers and technicians with vast experience and available resources for handling and understanding matter, and their interactions at the smallest scales is present at CNPEM and is essential to place Brazil in this new scientific and technological scenario.
LNNANO IS IN A NEW PHASE
Entering a new phase, the Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory, LNNano moved to a new direction in 2021 and reorganized its functional structure into three Divisions (Nanomaterials, Devices and Nanobiotechnology), each with its set of Laboratories. With the resources provided by the FNDCT for the year 2022, it will be possible to make significant, solid and sustainable investments in expanding the capacity to contribute to the various R&D programs of CNPEM.
I had my training in the area of Condensed Matter Physics, an area of Physics that also seeks to understand matter from its fundamental constituents, and therefore already makes a natural interface with nanotechnology. So, when the great nanotechnology “boom” appeared at the turn of the century, it was a natural direction to move in this area.
Over the years I have worked mainly with carbon nanomaterials (like graphene and carbon nanotubes), but also with other 2D materials, semiconductor nanostructures, and organic devices, always trying to build bridges between theory and experiment. I am a theoretical physicist by training, but I enjoy interacting with experimental researchers.
It is a privilege to be at CNPEM at the moment and it has been very gratifying and pleasant to participate in the discussions on the scientific policy of the Center. I hope to be able to contribute to LNNano’s pursuit of excellence in all its areas of activity.
Rodrigo Capaz holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro and a Ph.D. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was a full professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro’s Institute of Physics, is a 1A researcher with CNPq, and was a visiting researcher at U. C. Berkeley and LNNano between 2020 and 2021. Among his management experience, he was coordinator of Inmetro’s Theoretical Nanometrology Laboratory, a member of the CNPq Physics and Astronomy Advisory Committee, member of the IUPAP Commission on Semiconductors (C8), member and then President of the Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Committee of the Brazilian Society of Physics. Capaz is currently Vice President of the Brazilian Society of Physics.