CAREER: Nanoelectrochemical systems on silicon

智力优势：提出的职业研究的主要目标是通过微电子学和电化学的结合实现纳米电化学系统，以实现低成本，高通量的台式纳米制造。PI提出了一种高度非常规但强大的候选方案来实现这种纳米电化学器件。自上而下制造的硅CMOS（互补金属氧化物半导体）芯片作为控制纳米加工的功能衬底。这种新的范例扩展了CMOS技术的作用，超越了传统的计算、信号处理和通信领域，走向了定向纳米组装和纳米制造。本研究将发展两种方法：(1)用于纳米组装的CMOS：电场操纵和组装已经合成的纳米结构；(2)用于纳米制造的CMOS：直接在CMOS上控制不同类型纳米线的电化学生长。内置集成电路将促进实时反馈控制的组装和增长，并可以重复使用的前端电路的传感。该研究为多种纳米材料在同一硅片上的非均质集成提供了一条直接途径。作为概念的证明，PI计划实现一个纳米电化学传感器，用于生物分析，主要是检测神经递质，以及实际样品中痕量重金属离子的环境传感。更广泛的影响：这项研究如果成功，将通过化学和生物传感、高速电子、能源产生和存储设备等领域的创新和产品开发，对经济和社会产生巨大影响。作为综合教育和推广计划的一部分，PI将实施四项关键举措：(i)本科课程中基于项目的学习倡议；（ii）自下而上纳米制造研究生课程；（iii）本科生跨学科研究经验；（iv）面向公众的基于网络的模块。少数民族和代表性不足群体参与的计划包括：(i)为塔夫茨大学和西蒙斯学院（一所全女子本科院校）的女学生提供暑期和学期的研究机会；（ii）通过塔夫茨大学STEM多样性中心为代表性不足的群体提供暑期实习机会；（iii）通过在梅德福和马尔登地区当地高中的学生教师指导计划和研讨会，为K-12和社区外展提供机会。

Intellectual Merits: The main objective of the proposed career research is the realization of nanoelectrochemical systems through a marriage of microelectronics and electrochemistry for low-cost, high-throughput bench-top nanofabrication. The PI proposes a highly unconventional yet powerful candidate to realize such nanoelectrochemical devices ? that of top-down fabricated silicon CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) die as functional substrate for controlled nanofabrication. This new paradigm extends the role of CMOS technology beyond conventional areas of computation, signal processing and communication towards directed nanoassembly and nanofabrication. The proposed research will develop two approaches: (1) CMOS for Nanoassembly: Electric field manipulation and assembly of already synthesized nanostructures and (2) CMOS for Nanofabrication: Controlled electrochemical growth of different types of nanowires directly on CMOS. Built-in integrated circuits will facilitate real-time feedback control for assembly and growth, and can be reused as front-end circuits for sensing. The research provides a direct path for heterogeneous integration of multiple nanomaterials on same silicon chip. As a proof of concept, the PI plans to implement a nanoelectrochemical sensor for bioanalysis, primarily detection of neurotransmitters, and environmental sensing of trace heavy metal ions in actual samples.Broader impacts: The research, if successful, will have tremendous economic and societal impact through innovation and product development in areas of chemical and biological sensing, high-speed electronics, and devices for energy generation and storage. The PI will implement four key initiatives as part of the integrated education and outreach plan: (i) Project-based learning initiatives in undergraduate courses (ii) Graduate level course on Bottom-up nanomanufacturing, (iii) Interdisciplinary research experience for undergraduates, and (iv) Web based modules for public audience. Plans for participation of minorities and under-represented groupa include: (i) Summer and semester long research opportunities for women students from Tufts University and Simmons College, an all-women undergraduate institution (ii) Summer internship opportunities for under-represented groups advertised through the Center for STEM Diversity at Tufts University and (iii) K-12 and community outreach through student teacher mentorship programs and seminars at local high-schools in the Medford and Malden areas.