NER: Shaping and Assembly of Hybrid Architechtures by Nanotemplating

这项研究工作将探索一种全新的方法，通过结合两种最近开发的纳米制造方法来创建由独特形状的多个纳米单元组成的体系结构。我们将使用掠射角沉积(GREAD)来创建纳米模板，用于随后的高度定向纳米管(Mahon)的多方向组装，弯曲成预定义的形状并放置在独特的配置中，这是目前可用的传统技术无法实现的。这种混合方法将提供一种潜在的革命性战略，将一维纳米单元组装和集成到微型和更大长度的体系结构中，应用于纳米电子、传感器和微/纳米机电系统。Mahon是基于一种衬底选择生长技术，该技术在化学预选的表面上创建垂直取向的碳纳米管(CNT)。在这个项目中，我们将使用由形状和周期可控的纳米管和纳米孔组成的GREAD结构来引导碳纳米管的生长，通过马洪来控制纳米管束的形状和位置，并最终控制单个纳米管。我们将创建三个测试体系结构来探索混合格雷-马洪技术的广泛潜力。具体地说，我们将(A)迫使碳纳米管生长出具有预期非凡机械性能的锯齿形纳米弹簧阵列，用于纳米致动器和分子筛分。(B)通过纳米级孔口在硅芯片上创建排列整齐的单个纳米管阵列。这种结构将革命场发射极技术。(C)创造由硅基材料和碳纳米管组成的相互连接的三维结构，用于纳米级晶体管和组装生物材料的支架。设计这种有组织的结构将为未来的智能设备、传感器和微处理器铺平道路。该项目任务本身的跨学科性质将为培训研究生和本科生在纳米技术方面的新制造方法提供肥沃的土壤。特别是，学生将接触到纳米结构生长、纳米制造和表征，为他们提供独特的背景和工具集，使他们能够发展成为创新的科学家和工程师。

This research effort will explore a completely new approach for creating architectures comprised of uniquely shaped, multiple nanoscale units by combining two recently developed methods for nanofabrication. We will employ glancing angle deposition (GLAD) to create nanotemplates for subsequent multidirectional assembly of highly oriented nanotubes (MAHON), bent into predefined shapes and placed in unique configurations, which is unachievable by conventional techniques currently available. This hybrid approach will provide a potentially revolutionary strategy to assemble and integrate one-dimensional nanoscale units into micro- and larger length-scale architectures for applications in nanoelectronics, sensors, and micro/nano-electromechanical systems. MAHON is based on a substrate-selective growth technique that creates vertically oriented carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on chemically preselected surfaces. In this project we will use GLAD architectures comprised of nanopillars and nanoorifices with controllable shapes and periodicities to guide CNT growth by MAHON to control the shape and placement of nanotube bundles, and ultimately individual nanotubes. We will create three test architectures to explore the wide potential of the hybrid GLAD-MAHON technique. Specifically, we will (a) force CNTs to grow zig-zag shaped nanospring arrays with expected extraordinary mechanical properties useful for nanoactuators and molecular sieving. (b) create arrays of aligned individual nanotubes on a Si-chip through nanoscale orifices. Such architectures will revolutionize field emitter technology.(c) Create interconnected three-dimensional structures comprised of silicon-based materials and CNTs for nanoscale transistors and scaffolds for assembling biomaterials.Engineering such organized architectures will pave the way for future smart devices, sensors, and microprocessors. The inherently interdisciplinary nature of the tasks in this project will provide a fertile ground for training graduate and undergraduate students in new manufacturing methods in nanotechnology. In particular, the students will be exposed to nanostructure growth, nanofabrication, and characterization equipping them with a unique background and toolset for them to evolve into innovative scientists and engineers.