A premium is placed on size, weight, and flexibility in power system design for most microsystems. Our focus is to develop the materials and devices that are compatible with these microsystem constraints by exploiting the potential opportunities afforded to us through nanostructured materials and nanotechnology.
Examples of technologies that we are targeting include carbon nanotubes for high-density storage in lithium ion batteries, semiconductor quantum dots for high-efficiency thin film solar cells, nanotube doped polymeric films for microelectronic PEM fuel cells and microactuators, nanoporous graphite for ultra or supercapacitors, and silicon carbide, gallium nitride and indium phosphide alpha and betavoltaic devices.

The work of the 3000 sq. ft. NanoPower Research labs are supported by the 15,000 sq. ft. cleanroom, new 14 M$ NYSTAR center in microsystems, and recent addition of a Ph.D. program in microsystems.

The NanoPower Research Labs has a vibrant on-going research collaboration with the Power and On-Board Propulsion Division at the NASA Glenn Research Center and the DOE supported National Renewable Energy Lab. This partnership is dedicated to developing nano-sat and next-generation space power systems. We are also currently supported through research programs with DOE, DARPA, and the NSF. The NanoPower Research Labs is also supporting the research needs of the private sector and currently has joint research programs with Kodak, Verimetra, Viatronix, and Phoenix Innovations, Inc.