MRS 2017 – Symposium NM4—Atomically Thin, Layered and 2D Non-Carbon Materials and Systems

Layered materials at the few-atom-thick limit provide enormous possibilities for fundamental and applied sciences at an unprecedented scale. Examples of such systems include, but are not limited to elemental 2D sheets beyond graphene, such as silicene, borophene, phosphorene, and stanene; binary oxides and chalcogenides of a range of transition and beyond-transition-metal elements such as MoS₂, WSe₂, Bi2Se₃, InSe, MnO₂; and complex compounds such as Bi₂SrTa₂O₉, Cu₂Br(In)₂, CuInSe and MXenes. These materials represent a broad variety of semiconducting, insulating and metallic families of 2D materials that are unique, novel and demonstrate a spectacular range of new physics and applications, such as spin-momentum-locked superconductivity and topological quantum Hall effect. Hybrids of 2D materials have also led to new designs of functional devices, such as ultra-thin photovoltaic cells and band-to-band tunneling transistors. In addition to this, powerful fabrication approaches are now able to synthesize artificially stacked or naturally grown hybrid/heterostructures and intercalated architectures with unprecedented and exquisite scientific and engineering outcomes, ranging from the formation of superlattices to intriguing quantum Hall effects, and to the formation of new artificial solids through van der Waals epitaxy. The physics, chemistry, biology, materials science and several engineering communities are defining new fundamental and applied discoveries in the 2D flatland. Spectacular new progresses in synthesis approaches, sophisticated new detection and characterization techniques, and state-of-the-art applications in nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, sensing, detection, actuation, energy sciences, and biotechnology have clearly defined this area of research as one of the most exciting directions in contemporary materials science and technology. This symposium will attempt to bring together a diverse range of experts in the area of 2D materials science and engineering, who have recently or regularly been at the center-stage of the 2D materials revolution, emphasizing on work that focuses on 2D material beyond graphene. With a mix of rising stars and established leaders in the field as invited speakers, the symposium will attempt to capture the latest and most impactful developments and at the same time, enable delegates to receive a deeper perception of how this rich field is rapidly evolving, where the biggest challenges lie, and what the future outlooks are. As in the past, this symposium is expected to generate one of the largest audiences in the Fall meeting, giving young scholars an unprecedented opportunity to immerse themselves in one of most rapidly growing and impactful fields of contemporary science.