CAREER: Fundamental and Device-Oriented Approach to Energy Efficient Carbon Nanoelectronics

本研究的目的是研究新型器件和纳米材料中能量耗散的基本方面，重点是碳电子学。该方法将研究碳纳米管和石墨烯中的能量损失和开关机制，这两种材料具有很强的内在电学和热学特性，但必须在器件环境中理解。智能优势：今天电子产品的能源使用范围从移动设备（mW）到大型数据中心（GW）。能量耗散始于纳米级晶体管，这种晶体管的效率低得惊人，而且会以热能的形式浪费大量电能。这项工作将通过(1)研究远程声子在寻找最节能介质中的作用，(2)探索雪崩作为替代开关机制，(3)开发焦耳加热和热击穿模型，以及(4)通过电测量和红外热成像验证它们，来检查碳纳米电子学中的能量耗散。从这项研究中获得的基础知识也将扩展到所有基于电荷的纳米电子学。更广泛的影响：优化电子产品的能量消耗将影响广泛的技术，并将影响美国目前10%的用电量。这一领域的进展在后cmos时代至关重要，而且对环境也有重大影响。这个项目将训练学生思考能量耗散的基本原理，将吸引少数民族和女性，并鼓励本科生发表。与当地教师和工程开放日的合作将吸引当地K-12学生，而与nanoHUB的合作将吸引全球观众。为了在课堂上测试纳米电子学，将建立一个远程（网络支持的）探针站，最终允许世界上任何人访问进行尖端设备测量。

The objective of this research is to examine fundamental aspects of energy dissipation in novel devices and nanomaterials, with focus on carbon electronics. The approach will study en-ergy loss and switching mechanisms in carbon nanotubes and graphene, which have great intrin-sic electrical and thermal properties, yet must be understood within in a device context. Intellectual Merit: Energy use in electronics today ranges from mobile devices (mW) to massive data centers (GW). Energy dissipation begins with nanoscale transistors, which are sur-prisingly inefficient and waste significant power as heat. This work will examine energy dissipa-tion in carbon nanoelectronics by (1) studying the role of remote phonons to find the most energy-efficient dielectrics, (2) exploring avalanche as an alternative switching mechanism, (3) developing models for Joule heating and thermal breakdown, and (4) validating them against electrical measurements and infrared thermal imaging. The fundamental knowledge derived from this research will also extend to all charge-based nanoelectronics. Broader Impacts: Optimizing energy dissipation in electronics will impact a wide range of technologies, and up to 10% of U.S. electricity use today. Progress in this area is crucial in a post-CMOS world, and has great environmental implications as well. This project will train students to think about fundamentals of energy dissipation, will engage minorities and women, and encourage undergraduates to publish. Work with local teachers and the Engineering Open House will engage local K-12 students, while a collaboration with the nanoHUB will reach a global audience. A remote (web-enabled) probe station will be built for testing nanoelectronics in class, eventually allowing access for anyone in the world to do cutting-edge device meas-urements.