NER: Nanotube Circuit Fabrication Using Patterned Graphene

这项提议的目的是研究一种制造纳米级电子电路的新方法。该方法是在TiC或铂的衬底上选择性地沉积石墨层，然后进行光刻图案，然后通过加热诱导图案化层卷曲成小直径的管。这种方法允许复杂和大规模集成电路，包括分支元件，具有组成管状元件的手性受控。对纳米管的复杂电路进行图案化，通过基于取向设置单个组件的方向来控制手性，以及形成复杂的电路拓扑结构的能力将构成电子学的一场革命，因此将产生广泛的社会影响。可以说，如果没有这样的突破，纳米管将不会用于电子产品。我们的教育目标是为年轻科学家提供一个令人兴奋的研究环境和职业发展机会。研究的跨学科性质将为他们提供接触不同学科的机会，包括物理学、材料科学、化学和工程学。所有三个参与小组都有强调本科生研究的良好记录。总体而言，该项目有可能在电路纳米制造方面取得突破。同时，我们将在一个令人兴奋的领域培训年轻科学家，强调合作和跨学科研究。

The objective of this proposal is to investigate a new approach for fabricating nanoscale electronic circuits. The approach is to selectively deposit, then lithographically pattern, layers of graphitic carbon on substrates of TiC or Pt, then induce the patterned layers to roll up into small-diameter tubes by heating. This approach allows complex and massively integrated circuits, including branching elements, with controlled chirality of the constituent tube-like elements. The ability to pattern complex circuits of nanotubes, control chirality by setting the direction of individual components based on orientation, and to form complex circuit topologies would constitute a revolution in electronics, and would therefore have a broad societal impact. Arguably, without a breakthrough of this sort, nanotubes will not be useful for electronics. Our educational objective is to provide an exciting research environment and opportunities for career advancement for young scientists. The cross-disciplinary nature of the research will provide them with exposure to different disciplines, including Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry, and Engineering. All three participating groups have strong track records of emphasizing undergraduate research. Overall, this project has the potential to yield a breakthrough in the nanofabrication of circuits. In concert, we will train young scientists in an exciting field that emphasizes collaborative and cross-disciplinary research.