Ultra-Low Power and Ultra-Sensitive Spintronic Nanowire Strain Sensor

本课题的研究目标是研究一种超低功耗、小型化、超高灵敏度的自旋电子纳米线应变传感装置。这一概念利用了两种不同的物理现象：(i)纳米级磁致伸缩材料中的应力诱导磁化旋转；（ii）由磁硬层/间隔层/磁软层组成的“自旋阀”异质结构纳米线的磁电阻变化，这是由软层磁化方向的旋转引起的。如果成功，这可能导致微型应变传感器的有效面积为0.1mm x 0.1mm，灵敏度超过最先进的技术，同时消耗的功率减少2-3个数量级。这种设备可能会对结构健康监测、压力、流量、声学和地震传感等多个领域产生重大影响。该项目将为博士生提供强大的多学科经验和指导，并将通过数学科学创新中心加强面向高中生的传感和能量收集创新研讨会。在夏季，未被充分代表的K-12学生将在VCU的里士满地区工程少数民族项目（RAPME）下接受为期一个月的培训，并在该项目下接受纳米制造方面的培训。

The research objective of this proposal is to investigate an ultra-low power, miniaturized, spintronic nanowire strain sensing device with an ultra-high sensitivity. This concept leverages two different physical phenomena: (i) stress induced magnetization rotation in nanoscale magnetostrictive materials; and (ii) change in the magneto-resistance of a "spin-valve" heterostructure nanowire consisting of magnetically-hard/spacer/magnetically-soft layers, which is induced by a rotation of the magnetization orientation of the soft layer.If successful, this could lead to a miniature strain sensor with an active area of 0.1mm x 0.1mm and with a sensitivity exceeding state-of-the-art, while consuming 2-3 orders of magnitude less power. Such a device could strongly impact several areas such as structural health monitoring, pressure, flow, acoustic and seismic sensing. This project will provide a strong multidisciplinary experience and mentorship for PhD students and will be leveraged to enhance innovative workshops on sensing and energy harvesting for high school students through the Math-Science Innovation Center. Under-represented K-12 students will be hosted for a month in summer under VCU's Richmond Area Program for Minorities in Engineering (RAPME) program and trained in nanofabrication under this project.