Dr. Elena Pinilla-Cienfuegos
Elena Pinilla-Cienfuegos is Associate Professor at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and leads the Photonics and Innovative Nanomaterials Lab at the Nanophotonics Technology Center. Her research focuses on nanophotonics, functional nanomaterials and the development of unconventional nanofabrication approaches for their integration into photonic and optoelectronic devices. In particular, her work explores high-resolution patterning and deterministic integration of nanoparticles and emerging materials, including 2D and spin-crossover materials, with applications in sensing, spectroscopy, integrated photonics and optomechanics. She has extensive experience in soft lithography, nanoparticle patterning and hybrid nanofabrication strategies. She is also Vice-President of the Spanish Royal Physics Society (RSEF).
Talk:
Title:Soft Lithography for Nanoparticle Patterning: From Fundamentals to Nanophotonic Applications
Abstract:
Nanoparticle (NP) patterning with nanoscale precision is an important building block for modern nanophotonics, enabling the control of light–matter interactions at the nanoscale. In this talk, I will introduce the fundamental concepts behind NP patterning and soft lithography, with particular emphasis on scalable and cost-effective fabrication strategies. I will present a versatile soft-lithography approach for patterning individual NPs over large areas with high fidelity, as well as for their deterministic positioning onto photonic nanostructures. The method relies on elastomeric stamps to transfer and organize NPs into well-defined architectures, enabling controlled, single-step deposition of individual entities. I will discuss the main fabrication steps, the role of key process parameters, and practical aspects of optimizing the patterning process, together with its compatibility with different nanoparticle materials and substrates. Finally, I will illustrate how these fabrication strategies can be used to tailor optical responses through selected examples in surface-enhanced spectroscopy, metasurfaces, and engineered light–matter interactions. The talk will provide both an introduction to soft-lithography-based NP patterning and an overview of its potential for the development of advanced nanophotonic platforms.