CAREER: Nanoelectronic and Nanophotonic Characterization of Hybrid Hard and Soft Materials

这一职业项目致力于补充扫描探针显微镜(SPM)技术，在硅表面共价纳米标记聚合物和生物分子，并制定综合研究和教育计划。一种方法探索反馈控制光刻作为一种方法，用于在环境条件下随后的湿化学中模板化氢钝化的硅表面，以及第二种方法，称为液体纳米光刻(LPN)，试图使用导电AFM从溶液中直接将有机分子图案化为硅表面。除了纳米光刻，该项目还探索了创新的依赖频率的纳米电子和纳米光子表征方案。纳米级阻抗谱(NIS)将被开发来描绘通过导电AFM针尖的电流对变频施加偏压的响应的相位和幅度响应。实际上，NIS将提供一张纳米尺度的空间地图，显示软硬混合材料的频率相关电子行为。对于光活性材料，在样品照明下，光电流将通过导电的AFM针尖检测；而从电致发光材料发出的光子将通过光电二极管和电流前置放大器进行测量。这些研究想法的基本要素将被纳入一个全面的跨学科纳米级教育和推广计划。为了促进研究生和本科生之间的跨学科互动，这项研究包括与其他学术部门的教职员工和行业代表进行国内和国际合作。%该项目解决与技术相关的材料科学主题领域的基础研究问题。面向本科生和未被充分代表的少数族裔的接触将通过一个面向本科生和少数族裔实习的纳米技术研究体验项目来解决，该项目是由PI通过西北大学纳米科学和工程中心共同组织的。此外，PI还参与开发新的基于网络的纳米材料课程。然后，这一本科课程将被用于为K-12学生、非理科专业的学生和国内外普通公众开发纳米材料世界模块。该项目的范围将使学生在材料合成、加工和表征方面面临新的挑战和研究方法。该项目的一个重要特点是高度重视教育，并将研究与教育相结合。***

This CAREER project addresses complementary scanned probe microscopy (SPM) techniques for covalently nanopatterning polymer and biological molecules on silicon surfaces with an integrated research and education plan. One approach explores feedback controlled lithography as a means for templating hydrogen passivated silicon surfaces for subsequent wet chemistry in ambient conditions, and a second approach, termed liquid phase nanolithography (LPN), attempts to pattern organic molecules onto silicon surfaces directly from solution using conductive AFM. In addition to nanolithography, this project explores innovative frequency dependent nanoelectronic and nanophotonic characterization schemes. Nanoscale impedance spectroscopy (NIS) will be developed to delineate the phase and amplitude response of current through a conductive AFM tip in response to a variable frequency applied bias. NIS would provide, in effect, a nanoscale spatial map of the frequency dependent electronic behavior of hybrid hard and soft materials. In the case of photoactive materials, photocurrent will be detected through the conductive AFM tip under sample illumination; whereas, photons emitted from electroluminescent materials will be measured with a photodiode and current preamplifier. The basic elements of these research ideas will be incorporated into a comprehensive interdisciplinary nanoscale education and outreach program. In an effort to induce interdisciplinary interactions among graduate and undergraduate students, the research includes domestic and international collaborations with faculty and industrial representatives from other academic departments. %%% The project addresses fundamental research issues in a topical area of materials science having technological relevance. Outreach to undergraduates and underrepresented minorities will be addressed through a Research Experience for Undergraduates and Minority Internships in Nanotechnology program that the PI is co-organizing through the Northwestern University Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center. Additionally, the PI is involved in developing new web- based nanomaterials coursework. This undergraduate coursework will then be adapted for the development of a nanomaterials world module for K-12 students, non-science majors, and the general public both domestically and abroad. The scope of the project will expose students to new challenges and research approaches in materials synthesis, processing, and characterization. An important feature of the project is the strong emphasis on education, and the integration of research and education. ***