THUNDER BAY — A researcher at Lakehead University has received a $140,000 early Researcher Award from the Government of Ontario.
Maryam Ebrahimi is an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Department of Physics (Adjunct), and Canada Research Chair in low-dimensional nanomaterials.
With an additional $50,000 from the university, the five-year grant will support innovative research by Ebrahimi, as well as the growth of her team of graduate and undergraduate students.
She said the funding will help train highly qualified personnel at the Nanoscale Science Laboratory at LU.
Ebrahimi said the discovery of the unique properties of graphene "as a wonder material and the only two-dimensional material in nature" has revolutionized research in physics, chemistry and materials science.
She and her team will look to design and construct novel nanomaterials with tailored electronic, chemical, physical mechanical and other properties.
Nanomaterials are used in electronic devices including smart phones, LED displays, sensors, materials for administering drugs, energy and environmental applications.
Nano particles are so small they are undetectable by the human eye.
According to a statement from the university, the work underway in her lab provides a unique approach towards the design of robust one-atom-thick nanomaterials, artificial graphene, or the next generation of synthetic one-dimensional and two-dimensional materials for various applications.
Ebrahimi has conducted research around the world, including at the University of Toronto with Nobel Laureate Professor John Polanyi.
