Tunneling Spectroscopy for Nanofabricated Biochemical Sensors

这一集成系统方案专注于纳米级分子隧道结的科学和工程，以创造新型的化学-生物传感器。这项跨部门、跨学科的研究计划解决了对低成本、便携式传感设备的新概念的需求，这些设备可以防止环境危害和有毒的化学-生物制剂。这项研究将研究用于固态传感器设备的纳米级隧道结和非弹性电子隧道谱(IETS)。与现有概念相比，这项工作的优势包括：(1)灵敏度低至单分子水平，(2)全固态结构，允许集成到复杂的混合系统中，(3)有利于低成本制造的设备设计，以及(4)未知分子试剂的光谱识别。这项研究将探索纳米制造技术与原子层化学的新组合，以设计1-2 nm间距的金属-分子-金属隧道结，这些结将被掺杂模型化合物，并用IETS进行光谱识别。该研究项目的智力优势是分子器件的基础科学，包括了解分子-电极化学相互作用和通过单分子器件的电荷传输。特别是，需要实验数据来连接单分子隧道结中的物理性质和电学测量。IETS提供了一种纳米连接中分子结构的探针，这将促进基于分子的设备的科学和工程。该研究项目的更广泛影响对基于分子设备的未来技术具有重大意义，这些设备可以实现低成本、无处不在的传感器，保护公众免受环境危害和有毒化学-生物制剂的影响。此外，研究计划将通过多媒体演示与普通公众互动，展示纳米技术的具体例子。

0601269WillisAbstractThis integrative systems proposal focuses on the science and engineering of nanofabricated molecular tunnel junctions to create novel chemical-biological sensors. The cross-departmental, interdisciplinary research program addresses the need for new concepts in low cost, portable sensing devices that can protect against environmental hazards and toxic chemical-biological agents. The research will investigate nanofabricated tunnel junctions and inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy (IETS) for solid state sensor devices. The advantages of this work over existing concepts include: (1) sensitivity down to the single molecule level, (2) all solid state construction that allows integration into complex hybrid systems, (3) a device design that is conducive to low cost manufacturing, and (4) spectral identification of unknown molecular agents. The research will investigate a novel combination of nanofabrication techniques with atomic layer chemistry to engineer 1-2 nm spaced metal-molecule-metal tunnel junctions that will be doped with model compounds and investigated with IETS for spectral identification. The intellectual merits of the research program are the underlying science of molecular devices, including the understanding of molecule-electrode chemical interactions and charge transport through single molecule devices. In particular, there is a need for experimental data to connect physical properties and electrical measurements in single molecule tunnel junctions. IETS provides a probe of molecular structure in nanofabricated junctions that will advance the science and engineering of molecule-based devices. The broader impacts of the research program are significant for future technologies based on molecular devices that enable low cost, ubiquitous sensors that protect the public from environmental hazards and toxic chemical-biological agents. In addition, the research program will interact with the general public through a multimedia presentation to demonstrate a concrete example of nanotechnology.