David Carroll
Director, Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials
More information
Expertise
- Nanotechnology
- Green technology
- Solar/photovoltaic cells
- “Green” lighting/light bulb alternatives
- Thermoelectrics
- Nanotechnology and medicine/tumor eradication
- Environmental/health effects of carbon nanotubes
Current research
- Biomedical nanotechnologies
- Thermoelectric Power Felt
- Organic solar cells
- Nanocomposite-based display and lighting technologies
Teaching
- Professor of physics
- Adjunct professor of biomedical engineering
- Adjunct professor of cancer biology
Education
- BS, N.C. State University
- PhD, Wesleyan University
- Postdoctoral associate, University of Pennsylvania
- Research associate, Max-Planck-Institut für Metallforschung
Selected Publications
- Published more than 200 articles in scholarly journals: Physical Review Letters, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Applied Physics Letters, Advanced Materials, NanoLetters
- Editor-in-chief of the journal Engineering
Using technology at a nanoscopic scale, Dave Carroll and his research team aim to provide solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems: the need for affordable “green” or alternative energy sources and reliable treatments for deadly cancers.
In the green technology field, Carroll’s research has yielded a new class of flexible, affordable solar cells; several replacements for energy-burning incandescent and dangerous compact fluorescent light bulbs; and a fabric that can power a cell phone using the caller’s body heat. In the medical field, Carroll has developed nanotechnology that heats tumors until they die. Another nano-scale treatment helps surgeons regulate pressure in arms and legs during reconstructive surgery – greatly reducing the risk of amputation. He holds 12 patents and has been quoted in Discover magazine, the Raleigh News & Observer and WFDD.
David Carroll on:
the expense of green technology …
“It comes at a pretty high price to be green. … We’ve known how to build the ‘smart house,’ it’s just been too expensive.”
making an efficient solar cell …
“On a rooftop, you have a lot of visible sunlight and heat from the infrared radiation. The solar-cell industry has for the most part ignored the heat.”
creating the best light bulb alternative …
“If you have a lighting source that does not create heat as a byproduct and can illuminate a space as well as or better than any other solution, think about how much it can lower costs – and environmental impact – in every office building.”
