SGER: Exploratory Research: Integration of Multiscale Nanowire Devices and their Thermoelectrical Characterization

本项目的主要目标是实现基于导电纳米线的多尺度电子器件的制备，并利用自组装、介电泳法和聚焦离子束纳米光刻等纳米制造原理对其进行表征。目标包括以下任务：(A)将纳米线分层集成到多尺度电子设备中，以及(B)根据Seebeck系数和热导率来表征单个纳米线。自组装技术和介电泳将结合起来控制单个纳米线，并将它们吸引到所需的微电极对中。基于钢笔的金属纳米墨水焊接或电子束金属沉积技术将被采用，以增强金属电极和纳米线之间的导电性。聚焦离子束将被用来定义纳米结构，如纳米加热器/纳米温度计，以帮助表征单独的纳米线。这项拟议工作的重要性在于，对纳米线的热学和电学性质的研究将为热电设备提供基础数据库，这反过来又有助于开发替代能源。所提出的集成方法将为制造大规模和多尺度的纳米线热电器件提供一种实用的手段。这项拟议的工作产生了关于一维纳米结构的Seebeck系数和Peltier系数的重要信息。该项目中研究的纳米制造和纳米材料性能的研究成果将有助于在北德克萨斯大学最近成立的机械和能源工程系建立一个新的研究和教育项目。将通过德克萨斯数学与科学学院的计划，系统地努力招募少数族裔参加这一研究项目。在这个项目中有很高经济需求的有才华的本科生被确保成功，因为他们参与了这里提出的各种研究经验。

The main goal of this project is to realize the fabrication of multiscale electric devices based on conducting nanowires and their characterization by using nanomanufacturing principles such as self-assembly, dielectrophoresis, and focused ion beam nanolithography. The objectives include the following tasks:(a) hierarchical integration of nanowires into multiscale electric devices, and(b) characterization of individual nanowires in terms of Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity.The self-assembly technique and dielectrophoresis will be combined to control individual nanowires and attract them into desired pairs of microelectrodes. Fountain pen-based metal nanoink soldering or electron-beam metal deposition techniques will be adapted to enhance the conductivity between metal electrodes and nanowires. Focused ion beam will be used to define a nanostructure such as nanoheater/nanothermometer for aiding the characterization of individual nanowires. The importance of the of the proposed work lies in the fact that the investigation of thermal and electric properties of nanowires will provide a fundamental database for thermoelectric devices, which in turn contributes to developing alternative energy sources. The proposed integration method will provide a practical means for nanomanufacturing massive and multiscale nanowire-based thermoelectric devices. The proposed work yields significant information on the Seebeck and Peltier coefficients of one-dimensional nanostructures. The research outcomes of nanomanufacturing and properties of nanomaterials investigated in the project will contribute to establishing a new research and education program in the recently established Mechanical and Energy Engineering Department at the University of North Texas. A systematic effort will be made to recruit minorities to this research project through the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science program. Talented undergraduate students with a high degree of financial need in this program are ensured of success as they are engaged in the various research experiences proposed herein.