NIRT: Molecular Sensing and Actuation by CMOS Nonvolatile Charges with Independently Addressed Nanoscale Resolution

本提案的目的是开发硅CMOS器件和流体分子之间的传感和驱动的纳米级分辨率。我们将通过存储在光刻图案浮栅中的非易失性电荷，嵌入在SiO2中的自组装金属纳米晶体，或基于扫描直接充电的表面陷阱来研究该界面的实现。非易失性电荷将以闪存方式与硅器件相互作用，就像数码相机和摄像机中扫描盘的商业技术一样。正、负非挥发性电荷将充当液体分子的吸引或排斥受体，如远端阳离子和阴离子端。我们会就不同的执行策略，探讨警队的规模和解决方案。我们将设计并进行现实的测试案例，包括单分子捕获/驱动荧光标记的DNA片段，以及基于表面电荷分布而不是全局属性（如大小和等电点）的蛋白质识别。我们还将研究微流控装置集成和自主操作的影响，尽管完整的系统设计超出了我们的范围。我们将制定预测模型和模拟工具套件，用于平衡分子结构及其在流体中环境离子电荷介导的环境中向表面电荷片的运动。从我们之前的NER工作（ECS-0210743）中，我们有初步的实验证据表明，我们在这个NIRT中提出的目标实际上是可以实现的。除了对硅器件和分子界面的智力研究外，这种新的界面概念的成功实施可能会彻底改变生物测量，生物医学显微镜和制药实践。通过电子受体在功能上模仿生物系统中的感觉、消化和免疫系统，可以设想新的分子驱动系统、不直接对流体施加偏倚的人工离子通道、蛋白质识别，以及最终对细胞水平疾病的生物医学治疗。与现有硅技术的紧密集成使大批量生产经济实惠。更广泛的影响纳米技术已经引起了我们社会的重大变革。硅器件和生物分子之间的成功界面不仅在智力上有趣且具有商业价值，而且还将具有许多社会和法律意义。技术开发人员和公众需要对这些影响有更全面的认识。除了我们现有的外展渠道将纳米技术发展渗透到K-12和本科教育中，以获得更广泛的认识和多元化的视角外，我们还制定了一个切合实际的计划，让法学院的专家来研究纳米技术在法律和社会方面的影响。一开始，技术开发人员需要了解政府监管的原因和风险的性质。然后，测试用例将为课程讨论协作设计。这些材料将从实用评价出发进行评估，根据理解水平进行扩散，然后推广到包括工程、非工程和高中课程在内的各种受众。我们还将向威尔斯学院（Wells College，一所距离康奈尔大学主校区30英里的女子学院）发起一项新的拓展计划，其形式包括交流研讨会、短期实习生期、以及独立小组对测试案例的评估。

INTELLECTUAL MERITSThe purpose of this proposal is to develop nano-scale resolution of sensing and actuation between silicon CMOS devices and molecules in fluids. We will investigate the implementation of this interface by nonvolatile charges stored in lithography-pattern floating gates, self-assembled metal nanocrystals embedded in SiO2, or surface traps with scan-based direct charging. The nonvolatile charge will interact with the silicon devices in the Flash memory manner as in the commercial technology of the scan disk in digital camera and camcorders. The positive and negative nonvolatile charge will serve as attractive or repulsive receptors like remote cation and anionic ends to the molecules in fluids. We will investigate the force magnitude and resolution by different implementation strategies. We will design and conduct realistic test cases including single molecule trapping/actuation of fluorescence labeled DNA fragments, and protein recognition based on surface charge distribution instead of global properties such as size and isoelectric point. We will also investigate the influence from microfluidic device integration and autonomous operations, though a complete system design is out of our scope. We will formulate predictive modeling and simulation tool suites for equilibrium molecular structures and their movement toward a surface charge sheet in an environment mediated by the ambient ion charges in fluids. From our preceding NER work (ECS-0210743), we have preliminary experimental evidence that the goals we propose in this NIRT are practically achievable.MAJOR APPLICATIONSIn addition to the intellectual studies on the interface of silicon devices and molecules, successful implementation of this new interface concept can potentially revolutionize the biological measurements, biomedical microscopy, and pharmaceutical practices. By functionally mimicking the sensory, digestive and immune systems in biological systems with electronic receptors, new systems for molecule actuation, artificial ion channels without applying bias to fluids directly, protein recognition, and eventually biomedical treatments for cell-level diseases can be envisioned. The tight integration with present silicon technology enables affordable production in large volumes.BROADER IMPACTSNanotechnology has caused major transformation in our society. Successful interface between silicon devices and biological molecules will not only be intellectually interesting and commercially valuable, but will also have many social and legal implications. The technology developers and the general public need more overall awareness on these impacts. In addition to our existing outreach channels to penetrate nanotechnology development to K-12 and undergraduate education for broader awareness and diversified perspectives, we have formulated a realistic plan to include law school expertise to study the legal and social implications. In the beginning, the technology developers need to be educated on reasons for government regulation and the nature of risk. Test cases will then be designed collaboratively for course discussions. These materials will be assessed from pragmatic evaluations, proliferated according to the level of understanding, and then promoted to various audiences including engineering, non-engineering and high school curriculum. We will also initiate a new outreach program to Wells College (a womens college 30 miles away from Cornell main campus) in the form of exchange seminars, short intern period for general awareness, and assessment of test cases from an independent group.