III-Nitride Heterojunction Field Effect Transistors for Biological Sensing

本研究的目的是开发GaN基生物改性场效应晶体管，用于检测生物分子，提高灵敏度，特异性，快速响应和稳定性。这些方法是：（1）通过具有受体的自组装单层使AlGaN表面功能化，以随机感测含水分析物中目标生物分子的结合;（2）制造和表征具有优化的表面化学的AlGaN/GaN异质结场效应晶体管用于生物感测;以及（3）开发AlGaN/GaN生物传感器用于模型蛋白质检测，作为使用选定的生物分子受体进行特异性结合的测试平台。本研究的学术价值包括：（1）提供了生物分子对AlGaN/GaN界面二维载流子浓度的影响的基本理解：（2）提供了用于受体分子附着的III族氮化物半导体表面的功能化过程;以及（3）提供AlGaN/GaN的优化设计。GaN异质结场效应晶体管生物传感器，其在水溶液中稳定地对特定的生化相互作用敏感，pH值和盐浓度。拟议的研究将促进生物传感技术，这是不可能对目前的硅基器件technology.Broader影响：这项拟议的技术将有很大的潜力，在各种各样的应用，从诊断，系统生物学，国家安全。将招募女性和代表性不足的少数民族研究生和本科生参加这项跨学科研究。推广活动包括在当地K-12教室进行演示和讲座，并通过“纳米生物技术夏令营”向高中生提供实验室图尔斯参观、演示、动手实验室课程和暑期实习。

The objective of this research is to develop GaN-based biologically modified field effect transistors for detection of biomolecules with improved sensitivity, specificity, fast response, and stability. The approaches are: (1) to functionalize AlGaN surface through a self-assembled monolayer with receptors to stochastically sense the binding of target biomolecules in aqueous analytes; (2) to fabricate and characterize AlGaN/GaN heterojunction field effect transistors with optimized surface chemistry for biosensing; and (3) to develop AlGaN/GaN biosensors for model protein detection as a testbed using selected biomolecule receptors for specific binding.Intellectual Merit:The intellectual merit of this research includes: (1) providing fundamental understanding of impact of surface property modulation by biomolecules on two dimensional carrier concentration at the AlGaN/GaN interface; (2) providing functionalization processes of III-nitride semiconductor surfaces for attachment of receptor molecules; and (3) providing optimized designs of AlGaN/GaN heterojunction field effect transistor biosensors that are sensitive to specific biochemical interactions stably in aqueous solutions across a range of pH and salt concentrations. The proposed research will facilitate the biosensing technology that is not possible on current Si-based device technology.Broader Impacts: This proposed technology will have great potentials in wide variety of applications ranging from diagnostics, system biology, to national security. Female and underrepresented minority graduate and undergraduate students will be recruited for participation of this interdisciplinary research. The outreach activities include demonstrations and lectures at local K-12 classrooms, and offering lab tours, demos, hands-on lab courses, summer internships to high school students through a "Nanobiotechnology Summer Camp".