CAREER: InN nanowire based multifunctional nanocantilever sensors

职业：基于纳米线的多功能纳米反杠杆传感器本职业研究的目标是设计、制造和利用基于纳米线的多功能v形纳米反杠杆（VNC）传感器来检测环境条件下的分析物分子，并研究电信号在神经元中的传播。实现这一目标的方法包括：(i) v形InN NWs的设计、生长和表征，（ii）利用v形NWs制造VNC传感器阵列，（iii）研究VNC的结构和机电特性，（iv）使用VNC传感器进行多模态分子检测，以及(v)研究神经元中的电信号传播。该项目的成功将导致技术的发展，这些技术将在国防、国土安全、环境监测、医疗诊断、药物发现、扫描探针显微镜和神经医学等各个领域产生重大影响。知识价值：该项目活动预计将为NEMS传感器开发一种可行且廉价的制造方法，目前严重依赖昂贵的电子束或离子束光刻。基于偏转感应门控的新型转导方法提供了一种创新的解决方案，解决了基于MEMS的集成电路的可扩展性和大规模集成的关键问题。本项目采用的多模态检测技术可显著提高分析物检测方案的可靠性。凭借其小尺寸、低功耗和高灵敏度，VNC传感器可以很容易地与新兴技术集成，如能量收集和射频识别设备，从而产生小型化的下一代系统和组件，能够在很长时间内远程工作。使用VNC探针阵列测量神经元电信号的方法可以导致神经学和神经科学的重大进步，通过开辟非传统的方法来快速和纳米级表征神经元信号在体内的传播。更广泛的影响：在教育和推广活动中，PI计划在整个项目期间每年至少有一名本科生和一名高中生参与该项目。此外，他还将招募一名少数民族高中生或大学生参加该校的SCAMP项目，参与该项目。项目活动需要一个科学部门和三个工程部门之间的合作和跨学科研究，这将大大拓宽所有参与的学生的科学和技术知识。研究成果和活动将通过南卡罗来纳公民报的讲座传播给更广泛的受众。开发一个研究网站，并开发一门研究生课程。

CAREER: InN nanowire based multifunctional nanocantilever sensorsThe goal of this CAREER research is to design, fabricate, and utilize InN nanowire (NW) based multifunctional V-shaped nanocantilever (VNC) sensors for detection of analyte molecules in ambient conditions, and investigation of electrical signal propagation in neurons. The approach to attain this goal involves: (i) Design, growth, and characterization of V-shaped InN NWs, (ii) Fabrication of VNC sensor arrays utilizing the V-shaped NWs, (iii) Investigation of structural and electromechanical properties of the VNCs, (iv) Multimodal molecular detection using the VNC sensors, and (v) Investigation of electrical signal propagation in neurons. Success of this project will lead to the development of technologies that can have overarching impacts in the diverse fields of defense, homeland security, environmental monitoring, medical diagnosis, drug discovery, scanning probe microscopy, and neuro-medicine. Intellectual merit: The project activities are anticipated to lead to the development of a viable and inexpensive fabrication approach for NEMS sensors that at present relies heavily on expensive electron-beam or ion-beam lithography. The novel transduction method based on deflection induced gating offers an innovative solution that addresses the critical issues of scalability and large scale integration in MEMS based integrated circuits. The multimodal detection technique to be utilized in this project can significantly enhance the reliability of analyte detection scheme. With their small size, low power consumption, and high sensitivity, the VNC sensors can be easily integrated with emerging technologies such as energy harvesting and radio frequency identification devices giving rise to miniaturized next generation systems and components capable of working remotely over very long durations. The approach for the measurement of electrical signals in neurons using an array of VNC probes can lead to significant advancement of neurology and neuro-science, by opening up non-traditional means for rapid and nanoscale characterization of neuronal signal propagation in-vivo. Broader Impacts: In the educational and outreach activities, the PI plans to involve at least one undergraduate and one high school student to work on this project every year throughout its duration. Separately, he will also recruit one minority high school or undergraduate student to work on the project by participating in the SCAMP program of the university. The project activities entail collaborative and interdisciplinary research between one science and three engineering departments, which will significantly broaden the scientific and technical knowledge of all the students involved. The research results and activities will be disseminated to a broader audience through lectures in the South Carolina Citizen?s School of Nanotechnology program, development of a research website, and development of a graduate course.