About

MNTL is a University Laboratory pursuing the advancement of Li-ion battery technology from the micro and nanotechnology materials’ research perspective. With a fully equipped laboratory, MNTL develops innovative materials for electrochemical cells and sensors.

Research

Thin Film Technology
MNT Lab’s aim is to correlate physical and electrical behavior of thin films and related devices with process parameters, to identify and to model the relevant mechanisms. Metals, semiconductors and insulators are under study. Last years, MNT Lab is also focused on 2D materials.
Thin film growth and device fabrication
With the support of MNT Lab clean room facility and tools such as PVD, LPCVD, spin-coaters, electrophoretic deposition, a large variety of materials can be deposited on various substrates. In addition, MNT Lab is equipped with a 1-μm-resolution photolithography station that enables thin film devices fabrication, such as thin film transistors, diodes, capacitors, etc.
Materials and device characterization
A variety of electrical characterization methods including DLTS, Hall mobility, quantum efficiency and low-temperature (cryostat) probe station are used in order to characterize materials and devices.
Applications
Among others, applications such as Thin Film Transistors, Single Layer Graphene FET’s, photovoltaic cells and Schottky diodes are studied.
Energy storage technology
During the last 5 years, MN Lab is very active on New Generation Lithium-ion cells and especially at the silicon anode technology. Along with our strategic partner CERTH and under an ESA-funded project, MN Lab developed 1 Ah cells delivering more than 200 Wh/kg with excellent properties at low temperatures down to -40 °C. This collaboration has led to the application of a collaborative patent.
Electrode and cell development
In MNT Lab, an extensive research of next generation electrodes takes place mainly by depositing silicon or silicon/graphene mixtures on various current collectors either by PVD methods or slurries. In addition, within MNT Lab there is a complete infrastructure including a four-hand Argon filled glovebox for the fabrication of test cells.
Electrochemical characterization
The electrochemical characterization bench comprises equipment such as battery testers and potentiostat/galvanostat with Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy capabilities enabling many techniques.
Microsensors Technology
MNT Lab is developing and characterizing microsensors, more specifically with novel 2D materials such as graphene and graphene oxide, with low-temperature processes so as to enable the technology transfer to flexible and low-cost materials.
Material and Device Development
With the aid of large-area microtechnology and less expensive techniques such as electrophoretic deposition and spin coating, any sensors can be fabricated.
Device characterization
A fully automated chemical sensing test bench with the possibility to heat up the devices up to 150 °C, enables the characterization of chemical sensors.

Services

The MNTLab has an ISO 4 Clean Room, 4-hand Glovebox and all the necessary equipment to perform the fabrication and electrical characterisation of Li-ion cells, semiconductor devices & sensors, the electrical characterisation of photovoltaic (PV) devices and the deposition of thin films.

Funded Projects

Academic Partners

Industrial Partners