Nanoscale integration is revolutionizing the way we live, in the same way that the development of the semiconductor-based integrated circuit (computer chip) did. The development of the chip required the capability to integrate a large number of resistors, capacitors, diodes, and transistors on a single platform. Once developed, the chip enabled countless innovations. CINT envisions similarly transformational technologies will ultimately emerge from nanomaterials integration.

While nanoscale materials exhibit extraordinary physical, chemical, and/or biological properties, isolated or individual nanoscale materials are scientifically interesting but rarely make a significant technological impact. Building blocks comprised of individual nanoscale materials are commonly integrated with other materials into architectures that amplify their properties (up-scaling) or lead to new ensemble behaviors (emergent phenomena). By surveying the integrated environments of greatest potential impact and developing our fundamental understanding of the principles that govern these integrated properties and behaviors, we can capitalize on the greatest potential for nanomaterials to have an enduring impact on scientific and technological innovations.

Quantum Materials Systems

The Quantum Materials Systems (QMS) Thrust has deep, integrated expertise in the areas of quantum materials (QM), quantum information sciences (QIS), and microelectronics. We engage in novel research and support user needs in materials synthesis, materials characterization, quantum measurements, and the theoretical understanding of quantum phenomena to better address fundamental science questions related to quantum phenomena. The focus areas for the QMS thrust include: 1) elucidating and utilizing interactions between QIS systems and the environment, 2) precisely controlling the preparing QMs and QIS systems, 3) discovering emergent phenomena in QMs under various excitations, and 4) integrating QMs in solid-state architectures for applications at the macroscale.

Key integration science challenges include:

• Elucidating and utilizing interactions between quantum systems and the environment at multiple scales (e.g., quantum sensed nuclear spin resonance).
• Preparing quantum materials in a precisely controlled manner.
• Discovering emergent phenomena in quantum materials under various excitations.
• Integrating quantum materials in solid-state architectures for application at the macroscale.

In-Situ Characterization and Nanomechanics

The In-situ Characterization and NanoMechanics (ICNM) Thrust aims to accelerate the discovery and manufacturing of novel materials by understanding the mechanisms that drive nanomaterials evolution and degradation. ICNM utilizes near-real-world characterization environments, including relevant temperatures, pressures, irradiation, plasma fluxes, surface corrosion/chemical interactions, and external fields (e.g. electrical/magnetic bias, or strain). The vision of ICNM Thrust is to develop and implement advanced experimental tools, modeling methods, and customized machine learning (ML) algorithms to quantitatively measure, deeply comprehend, and accelerate the understanding of the continuum-of-states exhibited by real-world materials in complex environments.

Key integration science challenges include:

• How defects and crystal distortions alter the electronic and/or mechanical properties in nanostructured materials.
• How coupling between electronic and mechanical behaviors affects the functionalities of integrated nanostructures.
• How we understand and control energy transfer across interfaces and over multiple length scales.

Nanophotonics and Optical Nanomaterials

The Nanophotonics and Optical Nanomaterials (NPON) Thrust seeks to detect, understand and control fundamental photonic and electromagnetic interactions in nanostructured optical and heterogeneous materials. To enable technologies that impact national priorities, we design, discover and implement optical nanomaterials and photonics phenomena, with cultivated capabilities grouped in four research directions: 1) Precision Synthesis and Hetero-Integration; 2) Optoelectronic, Nonlinear and Quantum Metasurfaces; 3) Multimodal Optical Characterization and Control, and 4) Quantum Chemical Modeling and Quantum Optics Theory Enabled by Machine Learning and Large-Scale Simulations. The RDs reflect the world-leading expertise of NPON staff and our partnerships with affiliate scientists, especially from the Laboratory for Ultrafast Materials and Optical Science (LUMOS) and affiliated theorists.

Key integration science challenges include:

• Advancing synthesis and integration to access materials and structures predicted to afford a desired
  functionality.
• Moving beyond quantum-size control to multiscale interaction control for collective and emergent
  electromagnetic phenomena.
• Realizing multifunctional behavior in hybrid photonic nanostructures and metasurfaces.
• Developing theoretical and characterization techniques at extreme length and time scales to address hierarchical coupling, transport, and transfer phenomena.

Soft, Biological, and Composite Nanomaterials

The Soft, Biological, and Composite Nanomaterials (SBCN) Thrust explores the organizational principles of multi-scale assembly development of bioinspired, soft, and hybrid nanocomposites. The thrust leverages experimental, computational, and advanced characterization expertise to address key questions in functionally integrated systems that require a deep understanding of structure and the coordinated interactions of components across multiple length scales. SBCN addresses this challenge by focusing on four key research directions; 1) computational materials science, 2) synthesis and fabrication of building blocks, 3) directed assembly and advanced manufacturing, and 4) soft materials characterization. The scientific goals of the thrust are accomplished through a robust internal science program coupled to collaborative interactions with a diverse community of CINT users.

Key integration science challenges include:

• Designing interfaces and controlling their interactions across multiple dimensions, length and time scales.
• Self- and active-assembly of soft and hybrid nanostructured materials.
• Developing new characterization tools and optical probes for detection and imaging.
• Theory and simulation to understand and predict the behavior of hierarchical structure and dynamics of soft matter systems.