Electronic transport in DNA-based single molecular devices

该项目的目标是创建DNA单分子连接器件，并应用最近开发的单分子分子传输连接(MTJ)系统，在许多变量的精确控制下测量它们的机电性能。本项目将通过理论计算和模拟相结合的方法，阐明依赖于分子结构的电导行为的内在输运机制，并获得关于单DNA结器件中电荷传输增强和调节的重要结论。智慧的优点是发展一种综合的方法，利用电工程、化学和物理来开发DNA单分子结器件，并在单分子水平上控制和测量变量，包括DNA与电极的接触以及由于弯曲、取向和水和反离子条件引起的DNA的各种结构。AFM纳米光刻和改进的基于SPM的MTJ技术将使一种新的测量方法成为可能。这项拟议的工作有望对DNA单分子结中的电子传输有详细和深入的了解，并为将DNA分子作为功能元件纳入电子器件迈出重要的一步。更广泛的影响是，本科生、少数族裔和高中生通过各种招聘计划参与新兴跨学科领域的研究机会，以培养下一代科学家和工程师。在与DNA损伤和突变相关的自然生理条件下，通过单个DNA分子装置测量和理解电子传输将具有从电子、生物医学、环境到人类健康的广泛应用。

The objective of this program is to create DNA single molecule junction devices and measure their electromechanical properties under precise controls of a number of variables applying the recent developed single molecule molecular transport junction (MTJ) system. In combination of theory computation and modeling, this project will elucidate the intrinsic transport mechanisms of molecular structure-dependent conductance behaviors and gleaning important conclusions regarding the enhancement and tuning of charge transport in single DNA junction devices.The intellectual merit is to develop a comprehensive approach that utilizes electrical engineering, chemistry and physics in the development of DNA single molecule junction devices and control and measure the variables, including DNA-electrode contact and a rich variety of structures of DNA caused by bending, orientations and water and counterions conditions, at the single molecular level. AFM nanolithography and modified SPM-based MTJ technique will enable a new measurement approach. The proposed work is expected to gain a detailed and in-depth understanding of electronic transport in DNA single molecule junctions and provide a major step towards the incorporation of DNA molecules as functional elements in electronic devices.The broader impacts are the participation of undergraduate, minority, and high school students to research opportunities in the emerging interdisciplinary fields through various recruiting programs to train the next generation scientists and engineers. The measurement and understanding of electronic transport through single DNA molecular devices under the native physiological conditions relevant to the damage and mutation in DNA will have applications ranging from electronic, biomedical, environmental to human health.