MRI: Acquisition of nanomanipulator system for collaborative undergraduate research at Santa Clara University

摘要目的研究纳米材料体系的电学性质，包括电阻变化材料、碳纳米纤维、纳米管和聚合物纳米胶囊。通过将系统与Zyvex Instruments纳米操纵器的纳米级尖端连接到外部测试设备上，直接测量系统的性能。因此，测量和扫描电子显微镜成像可以同时进行。需要解决的智能问题包括用于先进非易失性存储器的电阻变化材料的可扩展性；基于碳纳米纤维/S和纳米管的互连中微结构、电阻和可靠性之间的关系；以及聚合物纳米胶囊内溶解分子的化学环境的尺寸相关性。这些主题对于数字电子学的持续发展和化学传感器的潜在发展具有非常重要的意义。广泛的影响这项研究将加强圣克拉拉大学的本科生教育，并提高旧金山湾区的纳米技术研究能力。在圣克拉拉大学的本科生研究项目中使用纳米操纵器将为理工科学生提供职业生涯早期的高级培训。纳米操纵器的独特能力也将成为圣克拉拉大学和旧金山湾区研究机构之间合作的焦点，提供两个互补的好处；圣克拉拉大学的本科生将接触到仅由圣克拉拉大学无法支持的纳米级研究，合作机构将获得纳米操纵器系统的最先进能力。

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this research is to study the electrical properties of nanoscale material systems, including resistance-change materials, carbon nanofibers, nanotubes, and polymer nanocapsules. The properties of the systems are measured directly by contacting the systems with the nanometer-sized tips of a Zyvex Instruments nanomanipulator, which is connected to external test equipment. Measurements and SEM imaging can thus be done simultaneously.Intellectual MeritIssues to be addressed include the scalability of resistance-change materials for advanced nonvolatile memory; the relationship between microstructure, electrical resistance and reliability in interconnects based on carbon nanofiber/s and nanotubes; and the size dependence of the chemical environment for solubilized molecules inside polymer nanocapsules. These topics are of high importance for the continued advancement of digital electronics and the potential development of chemical sensors.Broader ImpactThe broader impact of this research will be enhanced undergraduate education at Santa Clara University, and improved nanotechnology research capability in the Bay Area. Use of the nanomanipulator in undergraduate research projects at Santa Clara University will provide science and engineering students with advanced training at an early stage in their careers. The unique capabilities of the nanomanipulator will also serve as a focal point for collaborations between Santa Clara Universit and research institutions in the Bay Area, providing two complementary benefits; Santa Clara University undergraduates will gain exposure to nanoscale research that cannot be supported solely by Santa Clara University, and collaborating institutions will gain access to the state-of-the-art capabilities of the nanomanipulator system.