I was part of the theoretical CompNano research group at Yachay Tech University.
My research interests in condensed matter focus on the topology of 2D materials such as graphene. These interests include material topology, topological defects, and applications of these materials to real-world problems!
TOPOLOGICAL DEFECTS: GRAPHENE
Structural irregularities in layered materials can heavily affect their properties. Some possible defects include topological defects, which can be induced by transforming part of the hexagonal carbon lattice to form non-hexagonal carbon rings!
In this study, we investigated the atomic and electronic structure and formation energies of graphene with patterned Stone–Wales defects (SWD) and flower-like defects (FLD).
Fig. Patterned defects on graphene!
Can we create a material that helps extract water?
There is a historical problem of inefficiency in water condensation processes. Some years ago, I was the PI in a small research group of talented undergraduate students studying how to improve water condensation on copper surfaces. This research was partially funded and supported by Yachay Tech University, Prof. Carlos Reinoso, Prof. Carlos Castillo Chavez, Prof. Fernando Albericio, Prof. Julio Armas, Prof. Andreas Griewank, and Prof. Alicia Sommer.
A coating was obtained as a result, and the patent process was initiated. The world-renowned project Water-Y plans to use the coating to help local communities access clean water for their crops!
I was selected as one of the MIT innovators under 35 in 2022!
We developed different types of coatings. Panel (e) shows the best performance. Under ideal conditions, experiments showed an improvement of up to sixfold (details cannot be provided while the patent process is ongoing).
Patent pending
The research involved different processes, including theory, design of the experiments (my main job!), experiments, data analysis, image treatment (as shown in the right picture), creation of a chamber for experiments, and many headaches! Some of the students who contributed most to different administrative and research parts of the project are Carlos Chipantiza, Cynthia Arias, Cristina Rubio, Jorge Vega, Ariel Cabrera et al.
Fun fact: during the pandemic, the laboratories were closed, and we wanted to test some ideas, so I created my own laboratory in my university dorm (but shhh!)
GRUPO EN ECUADOR!
-
Garzon, D. N., Cabrera-Loor, L., Gliozzi, J., Fronzi, M., Stampfl, C. and Pinto, H.P. (2026) ‘Symmetry guided band-gap opening via periodic topological defects in graphene’. arXiv:2605.11183.
-
Garzon, D. N. (2021) Electronic structure of novel graphene-based superlattices. Undergraduate thesis, Universidad de Investigación de Tecnología Experimental Yachay.