Collaborative Research: Large-Scale Nanomanufacturing of Well-Positioned and Highly Aligned DNA Wires from a Capillary Bridge

该项目的研究目标是开发简单而可靠的方法，用于大规模生产由DNA或基于DNA的纳米复合材料组成的定位良好的纳米结构材料，这些材料在大面积（即大规模）上具有前所未有的规律性。高度有序DNA的后续功能化可以作为纳米电子器件中多种潜在应用的多功能材料。本项目将追求三个具体的研究目标：(1)通过控制蒸发液体的流动来产生高度有序的DNA和基于DNA的纳米复合材料结构。(2)开发一种可靠且可扩展的策略，将单个纳米级构建块（即DNA）集成到高密度的功能二维器件中。通过执行两个连续的蒸发诱导自组装，可以创建高度有序的二维DNA纳米线阵列。(3)了解有序结构的形成机制。预测周期性的长度尺度、高度和宽度，并将其与实验观测结果进行比较，是认识结构形成的关键。这项研究具有变革性，因为它寻求大规模生产高密度功能纳米器件和纳米电路，建立在位置良好、高度有序的DNA或DNA纳米复合材料上，用于纳米电子学、纳米技术和生物技术，从而将基础科学发现转化为有用的技术。该研究项目将与纳米科学和纳米工程教育相结合。教育方面的努力包括招收女本科生，招收高中教师和学生（以少数民族为重点）在夏季进行为期一周的研究，以及由高中女实习生制定DNA和基于DNA的纳米复合材料的课程计划。

The research objective of this project is to develop simple yet robust methods for massively producing well-positioned nanostructured materials composed of DNA or DNA-based nanocomposites, which possess unprecedented regularity, over a large area (i.e., large scale). Subsequent functionalization of highly ordered DNA can serve as multifunctional materials for a variety of potential applications in nanoelectronic devices. Three specific research goals will be pursued throughout this proposed project: (1) Produce highly ordered structures of DNA and DNA-based nanocomposites by controlling the flow of an evaporating liquid. (2) Develop a reliable and scalable strategy for integrating individual nanoscale building blocks (i.e., DNA) into functional two-dimensional devices with high density. By performing two consecutive evaporation-induced self-assemblies, it is possible to create highly ordered 2D DNA nanowire arrays. (3) Understand the formation mechanisms of ordered structures. The ability to predict the length scale of periodicity, height, and width and compare them with experimental observations is key to the understanding on the structure formation. This research is transformative in that it seeks to mass produce high-density functional nanodevices and nanocircuits, built upon well-positioned, highly ordered DNA or DNA nanocomposites for use in nanoelectronics, nanotechnology, and biotechnology, thereby transitioning fundamental scientific discoveries into useful technologies. The research project will be integrated with nanoscience and nanoengineering education. The educational efforts include recruitment of female undergraduate students, recruitment of high school teachers and students with an emphasis on minority in summer to perform one week of research, and development of lesson plans on DNA and DNA-based nanocomposites by high-school female interns.