Tunneling CNT Device for Electronic and Sensing Applications

智力优势：纳米机电系统（NEMS）目前正在研究和开发用于各种应用，其中技术需求需要减小组件尺寸和成本，同时显著提高器件性能和功能。这些竞争因素在器件设计中提出了重大挑战。埃斯皮诺萨的小组最近构想了一种基于碳纳米管的悬臂纳米机电设备，该设备利用悬臂端隧穿电流提供的闭环反馈，将纳米管捕获在拉入状态。该项目将集中在器件动力学的研究，其应用于存储器和逻辑运算以及它们的大规模制造。与其他纳米机电系统相比，待研究的器件不依赖于货车范德华力来实现平衡配置，因此它在制造要求方面更加宽容。更广泛的影响：在这项工作中，我们建议制造和实验特性最近发明的碳纳米管为基础的悬臂梁纳机电系统。此外，一个自下而上的范例的基础上定向自组装的纳米结构将探索在制造阵列的设备。这些发展预计将影响纳米电子学和传感领域。该项目的教育和推广部分将侧重于为本科生和少数民族学生提供机会，通过与西北大学NSF-NSEC内的现有项目合作，参加为期9周的暑期实习。同样，在NEMS建模和制造模块将被添加到类PI目前教

Intellectual Merit: Nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) are currently being investigated and developed for various applications where technological demands require reduced component size and cost, while dramatically increasing device performance and functionality. These competing factors have presented significant challenges in device design. The Espinosa's group recently conceived a carbon-nanotube-based cantilever nanoelectromechanical device, which exploits the arrest of the nanotube in a pull-in state using the closed-loop feedback provided by the tunneling current at the cantilever end. This project will focus in the study of the device dynamics, its application to memory and logical operations as well as their large scale manufacturing. In contrast to other nanoelectromechanical systems, the device to be investigated does not rely on van der Waals forces to achieve the equilibrium configurations and therefore it is much more tolerant in terms of fabrication requirements. Broader Impact: In this work we propose to fabricate and experimentally characterize the recently invented carbon-nanotube-based cantilever nanoelectromechanical system. Moreover, a bottom up paradigm based on directed self-assembly of nanostructures will be explored in the manufacturing of arrays of devices. These developments are expected to impact the field of nanoelectronics and sensing. The educational and outreach component of this project will focus on providing opportunities to undergraduate and minorities students, through collaboration with existing programs within the NSF-NSEC at Northwestern University, to participate in 9-week summer internships. Likewise, modules on NEMS modeling and fabrication will be added to the classes the PI currently teaches