NIRT- GOALI: Solution-Based Dispersion, Sorting, and Placement of Carbon Nanotubes

该提案是响应纳米科学与工程计划NSF05-610，类别NIRT而收到的。这项研究的目的是开发和研究基于溶液的方法来分散、分类和放置碳纳米管。该方法是基于碳纳米管与DNA的杂交体的形成，这种杂交体已被证明是有效的分散剂，具有分离纳米管的能力，并导致带电胶体颗粒的分散，从而允许放置技术的发展。总体目标是发展以下能力：1)将碳纳米管以规定的密度和方向放置在衬底上的给定位置。2)将非均质碳纳米管样品分类为其所有组成类型。3)设计可控放置和分离的实验条件。4)预测碳纳米管/DNA杂交体的结构。由于其优异的电学和机械性能，碳纳米管在复合材料中的强化元件、纳米电子学中的半导体通道和生物传感器等各种应用中具有巨大的潜力。也许实现这种潜力的最大障碍是处理它们的困难，特别是通过解决方案的途径。关键问题是有效的色散，根据长度，直径和电子特性进行分选，以及在衬底上的控制放置。如果找到处理碳纳米管的有效方法，将导致具有重大经济和健康效益的新材料和设备的开发。研究这个问题所需的潜在现象，需要我们解决纳米尺度科学和工程中的几个基本问题。参与该计划的研究生和本科生将接受包括生物科学、化学工程、力学、物理学和材料科学在内的高度跨学科研究的教育。

This proposal was received in response to Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF05-610, category NIRT. The objective of the research is to develop and study solution-based methods for dispersion, sorting, and placement of carbon nanotubes. The approach is based on the formation of hybrids of carbon nanotubes with DNA that have proven to be effective dispersants, have the ability to separate nanotubes, and result in a dispersion of charged colloidal particles that allow the development of placement techniques. The overall goals are to develop the ability to:1) Place carbon nanotubes at a given location on a substrate with prescribed density and orientation. 2) Sort a heterogeneous sample of carbon nanotubes into all its constituent types.3) Design experimental conditions for controlled placement and separation.4) Predict structure of carbon nanotube/DNA hybrids.Because of their superlative electrical and mechanical properties, carbon nanotubes have great potential for use in applications as varied as strengthening elements in composites, semiconducting channels in nanoelectronics, and as biosensors. Perhaps the biggest obstacle in the way of realizing this potential is the difficulty in processing them, especially via a solution route. Critical problems are effective dispersion, sorting according to length, diameter, and electronic character, and controlled placement on a substrate. If effective ways are found to process carbon nanotubes, it will result in the development of new materials and devices with significant economic and health benefits. Study of the underlying phenomena required for successful work on this problem will require us to tackle several fundamental problems in nanoscale science and engineering. Graduate and undergraduate students participating in the program will be educated in highly interdisciplinary research including biological sciences, chemical engineering, mechanics, physics, and materials science.