NER: Shaping and Assembly of Hybrid Architechtures by Nanotemplating

这项研究工作将探索一种全新的方法，通过结合两种最近开发的纳米纤维方法，创建由独特形状的多个纳米级单元组成的架构。 我们将采用掠射角沉积（GLAD）来创建纳米模板，用于随后的高度取向的纳米管（MAHON）的多方向组装，弯曲成预定义的形状并放置在独特的配置中，这是目前可用的传统技术无法实现的。这种混合方法将提供一种潜在的革命性策略，将一维纳米级单元组装和集成到微米和更大的长度尺度架构中，用于纳米电子学，传感器和微/纳机电系统。MAHON基于一种衬底选择性生长技术，该技术在化学预选表面上产生垂直取向的碳纳米管（CNT）。在这个项目中，我们将使用由纳米柱和纳米孔组成的GLAD架构，这些纳米柱和纳米孔具有可控的形状和周期性，通过MAHON来引导CNT生长，以控制纳米管束的形状和位置，并最终控制单个纳米管。我们将创建三个测试架构，以探索混合GLAD-MAHON技术的广泛潜力。具体来说，我们将（a）迫使碳纳米管生长锯齿形纳米弹簧阵列，具有预期的非凡的机械性能，可用于纳米致动器和分子筛。(b)在硅芯片上通过纳米尺度的小孔制造排列整齐的纳米管阵列。这种架构将彻底改变场发射技术。(c)创建由硅基材料和碳纳米管组成的互连三维结构，用于纳米级晶体管和组装生物材料的支架。设计这种有组织的架构将为未来的智能设备，传感器和微处理器铺平道路。 在这个项目中的任务固有的跨学科性质将提供一个肥沃的土壤，培养研究生和本科生在纳米技术的新制造方法。 特别是，学生将接触到纳米结构生长，纳米纤维和表征装备他们一个独特的背景和工具集，让他们发展成为创新的科学家和工程师。

This research effort will explore a completely new approach for creating architectures comprised of uniquely shaped, multiple nanoscale units by combining two recently developed methods for nanofabrication. We will employ glancing angle deposition (GLAD) to create nanotemplates for subsequent multidirectional assembly of highly oriented nanotubes (MAHON), bent into predefined shapes and placed in unique configurations, which is unachievable by conventional techniques currently available. This hybrid approach will provide a potentially revolutionary strategy to assemble and integrate one-dimensional nanoscale units into micro- and larger length-scale architectures for applications in nanoelectronics, sensors, and micro/nano-electromechanical systems. MAHON is based on a substrate-selective growth technique that creates vertically oriented carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on chemically preselected surfaces. In this project we will use GLAD architectures comprised of nanopillars and nanoorifices with controllable shapes and periodicities to guide CNT growth by MAHON to control the shape and placement of nanotube bundles, and ultimately individual nanotubes. We will create three test architectures to explore the wide potential of the hybrid GLAD-MAHON technique. Specifically, we will (a) force CNTs to grow zig-zag shaped nanospring arrays with expected extraordinary mechanical properties useful for nanoactuators and molecular sieving. (b) create arrays of aligned individual nanotubes on a Si-chip through nanoscale orifices. Such architectures will revolutionize field emitter technology.(c) Create interconnected three-dimensional structures comprised of silicon-based materials and CNTs for nanoscale transistors and scaffolds for assembling biomaterials.Engineering such organized architectures will pave the way for future smart devices, sensors, and microprocessors. The inherently interdisciplinary nature of the tasks in this project will provide a fertile ground for training graduate and undergraduate students in new manufacturing methods in nanotechnology. In particular, the students will be exposed to nanostructure growth, nanofabrication, and characterization equipping them with a unique background and toolset for them to evolve into innovative scientists and engineers.