CAREER: Hybrid Nanomaterials for Multi-Functional Sensors - Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocomposite Thin-Films for Device Applications

智力价值这项研究的目标是能够同时检测多种物理现象，例如应用于气溶胶检测、国土安全和医疗现场诊断工具。该方法是在一种基于半导体的单片异质结构中使用混合纳米材料来实现多功能传感器。研究了两类量子受限半导体纳米材料：化学反应合成的胶体量子点和应变层外延生长的STranski-Krastanow量子点。需要解决的重大挑战是：i)合成用于光电子器件有源区的胶体量子点/聚合物纳米复合薄膜，以及ii)合成纳米复合薄膜，其特征是将不同的纳米材料嵌入具有原子锐利界面、掺杂能力和电接触层的聚合物或半导体中。使用混合纳米材料生长系统合成的多光谱光电二极管阵列将被演示以完成所提议的项目。针对多功能传感器的混合纳米材料器件异质结构的研究，侧重于环境应用，涉及2005年NSF的两个优先领域：纳米科学/工程和环境生物复杂性。提出的混合纳米材料生长系统通过建立原子薄纳米复合层的合成技术来增强研究基础设施。拟议的活动通过促进本科生研究和加强杜克大学电气和计算机工程光子学研究生课程，在促进发现的同时促进学习。拟议的活动还通过学生工程师网络扩大了代表不足的少数群体在科学和工程领域的参与，加强了研究星期六学院和传统上的黑人学院和大学招生的机会。最后，将通过科学出版物和国家科学基金会支持的TeachEngineering ering.com数字图书馆，广泛传播拟议活动的成果。

Intellectual MeritThe objective of this research is to enable simultaneous sensing of multiple physical phenomena for application to aerosol detection, homeland security, and medical field-diagnostic tools, for example. The approach is to use hybrid nanomaterials in a monolithic, semiconductor-based heterostructure for multi-functional sensors. Two classes of quantum-confined semiconductor nanomaterials are considered; colloidal quantum dots synthesized by chemical reactions and Stranski-Krastanow quantum dots grown by strained-layer epitaxy. The grand challenges to be addressed are: i) synthesis of colloidal quantum dot/polymer nanocomposite thin-films for optoelectronic device active regions, and ii) synthesis of nanocomposite thin-films featuring disparate nanomaterials embedded in polymers or semiconductors with atomically-sharp interfaces, dopant incorporation capability, and electrical contact layers. A multi-spectral photodiode array synthesized using a hybrid nanomaterial growth system will be demonstrated to culminate the proposed project. Broader ImpactsThe investigation of hybrid nanomaterial device heterostructures for multi-functional sensors with emphasis on environmental applications addresses two 2005 NSF Priority Areas, nanoscale science/engineering and environmental biocomplexity. The proposed hybrid nanomaterial growth system enhances research infrastructure by establishing synthesis techniques for atomically-thin nanocomposite layers. The proposed activities advance discovery while promoting learning by enabling undergraduate research and enhancing the Duke University Electrical and Computer Engineering photonics graduate curriculum. The proposed activities also broaden the participation of underrepresented minorities in science and engineering through the Student Engineers Network, Strengthening Opportunities in Research Saturday Academy and Historically Black College and University student recruitment. Finally, the broad dissemination of results from the proposed activities will be accomplished through scientific publications and the NSF-supported TeachEngineering.com digital library.