Scalable Self-Assembly of Colloidal Nanoparticles

该研究项目旨在发展对强大的纳米制造技术的基本理解，该技术将自下而上自组装的简单性和成本效益与自上而下微制造的可扩展性和兼容性相结合。 直径小于100 nm的胶体纳米粒子的自发组织在开发具有前所未有的电子、光学、磁性和机械性能的实用器件方面具有极大的科学兴趣和相当大的技术重要性。 该研究有三个目标：（1）阐明在简单的旋涂过程中形成不寻常的非紧密堆积纳米颗粒组装体的基本机制，（2）组装用于超高密度磁记录的铁磁纳米颗粒阵列，以及（3）通过使用周期性金属纳米结构开发超灵敏的化学和生物传感器。如果成功，这项工作将在从磁记录介质到生物传感器的广泛领域取得重大突破。 胶体纳米颗粒的可扩展组装将推进许多其他领域，从高效太阳能电池到生物微量分析，其中大面积周期性纳米结构的创建非常重要。 紧密结合的教育计划侧重于开发几个推广活动，以教育K-12学生以及公众对迷人的仿生学和自下而上的纳米制造。 佛罗里达自然历史博物馆的“蝴蝶雨林中心”将创建一个教育展示，以传播在大闪蝶翅膀和蝴蝶眼睛上发现的迷人的纳米结构和相关的独特功能，沿着如何使用纳米粒子自组装来模仿这些纳米结构涂层。 来自代表性不足群体的高中生直接参与研究计划将通过大学的成功计划来寻求。

This research project aims to develop fundamental understanding of a robust nanomanufacturing technology that combines the simplicity and cost benefits of bottom-up self-assembly with the scalability and compatibility of top-down microfabrication. Spontaneous organization of colloidal nanoparticles with diameter smaller than 100 nm is of great scientific interest and considerable technological importance in developing practical devices with unprecedented electronic, optical, magnetic, and mechanical properties. The research has three objectives: (1) elucidate the basic mechanisms by which unusual nonclose-packed nanoparticle assemblies form during a simple spin-coating process, (2) assemble ferromagnetic nanoparticle arrays for ultra-high density magnetic recording, and (3) develop ultra-sensitive chemical and biological sensors by using periodic metallic nanostructures.If successful, this work will lead to significant breakthroughs in a wide spectrum of fields ranging from magnetic recording media to biosensors. The scalable assembly of colloidal nanoparticles will advance many other areas not covered by this proposal ranging from highly efficient solar cells to bio-microanalysis, where the creation of large-area periodic nanostructures is important. The closely integrated educational plan focuses on developing several outreach activities to educate K-12 students as well as general public on fascinating biomimetics and bottom-up nanomanufacturing. An educational display for the Florida Museum of Natural History's "Butterfly Rainforest Center" will be created to disseminate the fascinating nanostructures and the associated unique functionalities found on morpho butterfly wings and butterfly eyes, along with how to mimic these nanostructured coatings using nanoparticle self-assembly. Direct participation of high school students from underrepresented groups in the research program will be sought through a successful program at the university.