Let’s introduce to our audience Dr. Sumant! Who are you? If you had to describe yourself in 1 sentence, what would you say?

I am a Materials Scientist and currently serve as the Group Leader of the Nanofabrication and Devices Group at the Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory. My work focuses on the synthesis of advanced carbon materials, such as diamond and graphene, and their application in developing energy-efficient systems. This includes creating highly efficient semiconductor chips by integrating other materials with diamond that efficiently dissipates heat, operate under low power and in harsh environmental conditions, as well as producing nanoscale lubricants that are durable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.

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What are the most 

A- Fascinating research

B- Impactful research

C- Fun and whimsical research

You are leading these days?

A: Making tiny micromachines out of diamonds.

B: Developing nanomaterials based solid lubricants that will replace conventional oil-based lubricants.

C: Nanotechnology kit that allows high school students to make nanowires in seconds without going into cleanroom. 

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Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds…Are you really working on achieving superlubricity (near zero friction) from nanodiamonds?

Our journey began with nanodiamonds and graphene, but has since expanded to include a variety of other 2D materials. In 2015, we demonstrated a groundbreaking discovery: when combined, graphene wraps around nanodiamonds and acts as nanoscale ball bearings, reducing friction between two sliding components to nearly zero—achieving what is known as superlubricity. This was the first evidence that superlubricity could be realized on a macroscopic scale.Since then, we have made significant advancements. Recently, we demonstrated that superlubricity is possible at an engineering scale, even in ambient air and at high temperatures and high contact pressures. This opens up the exciting possibility of replacing traditional oil-based lubricants with nanomaterial-based solid lubricants. These new lubricants are not only cheaper to produce and easier to apply to complex geometries, but they also last significantly longer and do not produce hazardous waste. 

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You have recently created a nanotechnology kit for high school students. What inspired you to do it?  

This idea was developed with my collaborator, Mike Zach, while we were working on another project involving electrically conducting nanodiamond synthesis in my lab at CNM. I constantly consider how we can simplify the explanation of nanotechnology for high school students to enhance their understanding and inspire them to pursue STEM disciplines. We devised a simple electrochemical cell consisting of two electrodes: one microfabricated with electrically conducting diamond layers and the other a metal electrode. Using a 9V battery, we connect these electrodes and insert them into a CuSO4 solution. When a potential difference is applied, the electrolyte solution reduces, depositing copper metal onto the electrically conducting diamond layer, which is only a few hundred nanometers thick. Since diamond is inert, the deposited copper layer can be peeled off with Scotch tape, forming copper nanowires in just a few seconds! This hands-on approach allows students to learn about electrochemistry, create nanowires themselves, and observe the results under an optical microscope. This idea won the R&D 100 award but the most exciting part for me was to see it in student’s eyes when they enjoy making their first nanowire with their own hand and understanding the concept of producing nanowires!

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AI…AI…AI…is AI doing anything useful in your field as a materials scientist?

While I am not an AI expert, as a Materials Scientist, I am witnessing the rapid impact AI is having on the materials field. Multiple groups around the world are leveraging AI in various projects, often referred to as accelerated discovery. AI algorithms can predict the properties and behaviors of new materials, drastically reducing the time required for experimentation. When combined with machine learning, these models can screen vast databases of materials to identify promising candidates for specific applications, such as batteries, catalysts, or structural materials.One such project involves automated synthesis, where researchers input target material properties (like electrical conductivity or mechanical properties), and a robot synthesizes the material—such as a polymer—with the desired characteristics by varying process parameters in a closed-loop system. While this technology is still in its early stages, the future holds the promise of developing super materials with extraordinary properties or creating specific drugs for treating certain diseases. Not only in materials synthesis but data analysis is another big area where AI is already making a big impact

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If you could design an experiment without any limitations of time or money… what would it be?

Design and produce a solid lubricant that will work in any mechanically moving system reducing friction related loss to near zeroMake semiconductor chip based on diamond that will be efficient,  requires less power, will work in any environmental conditions and will be much cheap to produce  

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If you could have a superhero power. What would it be?

To be able to move faster than light 

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Mystery dinner party…Dead or Alive, who would be 3 guests you would invite to your dinner party?

Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla, Charlie Chaplin  

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If you could leave a question for the next guest, what would that be? 

What challenges do you face in your field?