André C. Arsenault

Synthetic self-propelled nanorotors

Self-powered completely synthetic nanorotors have been prepared from barcoded gold-nickel nanorods having the gold end anchored to the surface of a silicon wafer; constant velocity circular movements are observed when hydrogen peroxide fuel is catalytically decomposed to oxygen at the unattached nickel end of the nanorod.

Towards the synthetic all-optical computer: science fiction or reality?

The global race for the optically integrated photonic chip is driven by the prospective that miniaturization of optical devices and enhanced chip functionality may revolutionize the manufacture of optical circuits, and the futuristic dream of the all-optical computer may come true. The aim of this article is to take a brief yet critical look at some developments in microsphere self-assembly of colloidal photonic crystals and their technological potential from the perspective of research results that have recently emerged from our materials chemistry group. The focus of the discussion centers on the provocative vision of the “colloidal photonic crystal micropolis”, Fig. 1, which depicts the direction in which the colloidal photonic crystal research of our materials chemistry group is heading. It is intended to bring to the forefront the pointed question of whether the most recent versions of colloidal photonic crystals and their integration on chips, developed in our laboratory, can rise to the stringent specifications of structural perfection and optical quality, functionality and complexity that will be demanded for photonic crystal optical devices and optical circuits touted for next generation all-optical chip and telecommunication technologies.

Hinged nanorods made using a chemical approach to flexible nanostructures

The fabrication of multifunctional nanomaterials and their subsequent use for novel applications in various branches of nanotechnology has been under intense scrutiny. Particularly in the area of nanomechanics, the design of multicomponent nanostructures with an integrated multifunctionality would enable the construction of building blocks for nanoscale analogues of macroscopic objects. Here, we introduce a new class of flexible nanostructures: metallic nanorods with polyelectrolyte hinges, synthesized using layer-by-layer electrostatic self-assembly of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes on barcode metal nanorods followed by segment-selective chemical etching. Nanorods with hinges that consist of one polyelectrolyte bilayer display considerable flexibility, but with a greater number of bilayers the flexibility of the hinge is significantly reduced. Magnetically induced bending about the polymer hinge is illustrated through the incorporation of nickel segments into the barcodes and the application of an external fluctuating magnetic field.

P-Ink and Elast-Ink from lab to market

A notable trend these days amongst academics is the increasing tendency to transfer the fruits of their research to the marketplace through a large number of spin-off companies, all racing to develop, manufacture, and commercialize products. In this article we present a personal account of some of our recent research in the area of photonic crystals that over the course of the last five years has evolved from a laboratory curiosity to a commercializable technology. Two of these nanotechnology platforms, termed P-Ink and Elast-Ink, are both founded on active color tuning of opals, a capability that provides electrical and mechanical access to materials with any visible color, as well as invisible near-infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths. These actively tuned opals show considerable promise for new-generation full-color displays, surface coatings, biometric security and authentification devices.

Vapor swellable colloidal photonic crystals with pressure tunability

Polyferrocenylsilane gel photonic crystals have been reversibly swollen using solvent vapors, and exhibit precise pressure tunability over a wavelength range of greater than 100 nm.

Development of photonic crystal composites for display applications

— With an ever-increasing demand for bigger, brighter, and more-efficient displays, the research into new display technologies is consistently vibrant and groundbreaking. In this paper, a new type of display material based on the electrical actuation of photonic crystals is described. This material, called Photonic Ink, is capable of reflecting bright and narrow bands of color tunable throughout the entire visible spectrum as well as into the UV or NIR. P-Ink devices are switched at low voltage and display electrical bistability, leading to very low power consumption. The characteristics of the P-Ink material make it a viable option for color-based reflective-display devices.

Photonic crystal display materials

Opalux Incorporated has developed a technology called Photonic Ink (P-Ink). P-Ink comprises an electroactive photonic crystal which reflects a band of color that can be tuned throughout the whole visible spectrum by controlling the applied current or voltage. An overview of the P-Ink system and the latest results on this nanocomposite material will be given. In addition, results on Opaluxs 2nd generation P-Ink materials will be presented, with these offering significant increases in brightness, contrast, and switching speed.

P-Ink displays: flexible, low power, reflective color

Opalux’s P-Ink material represents a revolutionary step forward in display technology, offering the ability to reflect bright and vivid colors spanning the visible spectrum. By applying low power electric pulses, the color of this Photonic Color-based material can be selected at will, with the resulting electrically bi-stable color states requiring no power to maintain. It can be coated onto rigid and flexible substrates in scale, highlighting its potential to drive the development of bendable form factors for displays.

Smelling chemicals with a photonic nose

Figure 1. Diagram of the data analysis’ process for the photonic nose. The principal components in the final panel are the variables resulting from a mathematical procedure known as principal component analysis. Using mechanisms based on the modulation of electric, gravimetric and optical signals, artificial noses combine the response from a number of different sensors when the array in which they are located is exposed to one or more chemicals. Despite the existence of a few commercially available, portable electronic noses,1, 2 the development of cost-effective and versatile platforms remains a significant challenge. The photonic nose (P-Nose) is a sensing system that provides a viable alternative to existing devices. Created at the University of Toronto in Canada and currently under commercial development by Opalux Inc.,3 the technology combines inexpensive methods for large-scale production of materials known as photonic crystals, and a simple analysis routine based on colors in digital photographs.

5.2: Photonic Crystal Display Materials

Opalux Incorporated has developed a technology called Photonic Ink P-Ink. P-Ink comprises an active photonic crystal which reflects a band of color that can be tuned by controlling the applied current or voltage. All the individual spectral colors in the visible range can be reflected by a single P-Ink material. This provides an opportunity to create a wider range of primary colors than the conventional RGB system given the same numbers of pixels for color mixing. Other performance characteristics of P-Ink technology such as high reflectivity, fast switching speed, and low power consumption also suggest a promising candidate for next-generation full color reflective display applications.