CAREER: A Research and Education Program in Surface Tension Driven Fluidic Assembly of Functional Nano-Scale Components

这一职业计划的研究目标是开发一种方法来组装功能性纳米级组件(50-500 nm)，以经济高效和高度并行的方式形成三维(3D)网络、结构和阵列。提出的策略是基于表面张力驱动的流体自组装。由于在流体介质中搅拌的化学图案化的纳米级组件之间的界面自由能最小化而产生的结构的组装。具体的职业目标是(A)开发基于纳米焊料的组装以形成3D集成电子网络；(B)开发基于纳米环氧树脂的组装以制造3D机械结构；(C)表征用于组装的化学功能化纳米元件以及导致组装的3D结构；以及(D)通过量化产量和制定克服缺陷的策略来设计坚固、功能强大的组装。该职业计划的教育目标是显著影响约翰·霍普金斯大学(JHU)本科生的职业生涯，以及巴尔的摩公立学校的大量少数族裔学生。在JHU，国际和平研究所建议开发一门新的实验室课程，名为“微纳米制造的新方法”，将培训学生学习新兴的纳米制造方法。PI将继续扩大他实验室的本科生研究，从而用发现和发明的喜悦来振兴课堂教育。国际和平协会计划加强与巴尔的摩公立学校教师的合作，这些教师参加了2004年夏天在他的研究实验室举办的题为“微和纳米技术：未来一瞥”的研讨会。具体目标包括将研讨会扩大为为期三天的活动，在巴尔的摩公立学校举行技术演示，邀请特殊学校的学生参与研究，并鼓励本科生研究人员指导高危学校的学生。拟议的研究计划将极大地影响纳米制造、纳米电子、纳米机电系统(NEMS)和纳米医学领域。正在开发的战略使具有成本效益的、平行的、纳米制造3D系统的方法成为可能。目前还不存在这样的方法。所提出的3D电子网络具有高密度、短互连和高互连。这些功能将使3D纳米电子和神经形态设备的设计成为可能。正在开发的3D机械结构将对NEMS和纳米医学的新兴领域产生重大影响，因为这些结构(A)具有高表面积与体积比，允许与周围介质进行大范围的相互作用，(B)具有小的形状因数，(C)可以使其复杂和各向同性。这些特性对于药物输送系统、用于磁共振成像(MRI)的纳米磁线圈、早期诊断设备以及用于人体的球形感官阵列的设计特别有吸引力。

The research objective of this CAREER program is to develop a methodology to assemble functional, nano-scale components (50-500 nm), to form three-dimensional (3D) networks, structures and arrays in a cost-effective and highly parallel manner. The strategy proposed is based on surface tension driven fluidic self-assembly. The assembly of structures that result from the minimization of interfacial free energy between chemically patterned nano-scale components that are agitated in a fluidic medium. The specific CAREER objectives are (a) to develop nano-solder based assembly to form 3D, integrated electrical networks; (b) to develop nano-epoxy based assembly to fabricate 3D mechanical structures; (c) to characterize chemically functionalized nano-components used for assembly, and the 3D structures that result on assembly; and (d) to design robust, functional assemblies by quantifying yields, and generating strategies for overcoming defects. The educational objectives of the CAREER program are focused on significantly impacting the careers of undergraduate students at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), and the large numbers of minority students in Baltimore public schools. At JHU, the PI proposes to develop a new laboratory course titled, "Novel methods in micro- and nano-fabrication" that will train students in emerging methods of nano-manufacturing. The PI will continue to expand undergraduate research in his laboratory, thereby invigorating classroom based education with the joy of discovery and invention. The PI plans to strengthen collaborations with the Baltimore public school teachers that participated in a workshop in his research laboratory in the summer of 2004 titled, "Micro and Nanotechnology: A Glimpse into the Future". Specific goals include expanding the workshop to a three-day event, holding technology demonstrations at Baltimore public schools, inviting exceptional school students to participate in research, and encouraging undergraduate researchers to mentor at-risk school students.The proposed research plan will greatly impact the fields of nano-manufacturing, nano-electronics, nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS) and nano-medicine. The strategy being developed enables a methodology for cost-effective, parallel, nano-manufacturing of 3D systems. At the present moment no such methodology exists. The 3D electronic networks being proposed have high densities with short interconnects and high interconnectivity. These features will enable the design of 3D nano-electronic and neuromorphic devices. The 3D mechanical structures being developed will significantly impact the emerging fields of NEMS and nano-medicine since these structures (a) have a high surface area to volume ratio that allow for large interactions with the surrounding media, (b) have small form factors, and (c) can be made complex and isotropic. These characteristics are especially attractive for the design of drug delivery systems, nano-magnetic coils for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), early diagnostic devices, and spherical sensory arrays for use in the human body.