Materials and devices for advanced transistors and olfactory sensors

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The research to be performed in this program focuses on a wide range of micro- and nano-electronic thin film materials and devices. Applications for these materials and devices include "standard" silicon based devices, olfactory sensors, ultrasonic transducers and microfluidic devices. The long range objective of my research program is to advance the state-of-the-art of micro- and nano-electrics devices through the application of materials based research to novel devices and applications. In the present proposal there are two tasks or projects within this program that are being undertaken. Current silicon devices are getting smaller and tolerances are now at the atomic level. This work expands the understanding of the physical and electronic properties of materials and devices what are so important to continued increase of device performance. The latest estimates suggest dimensions will scale to 11nm by 2020. High performance devices will require the introduction of high mobility semiconductors and the scaling of insulator thicknesses below 0.7nm. This research directly addresses the future scaling of transistors in the semiconductor industry. Training in this area will make students very desirable for academic or industrial (semiconductor-related) industries. Research is also undertaken on commercially fabricated silicon-based devices incorporating polymers to produce "programmable" olfactory sensors; an electronic nose. This work is applicable to many different industries including food and beverage (including spirits), agriculture (testing of spoilage in silos), and the automobile industry (emissions). This sensor is fabricated using a standard chip technology making it relatively inexpensive. Very large, "mega-pixel" systems can be fabricated that contain many different polymers making the device "programmable". This array system is extremely flexible and can be applied to any industry where in the sensing of volatile odors is required. Students involved in these studies will be uniquely trained in a multitude of cross-disciplinary areas making them highly desirable in academia or industry.