Collaborative Research: Multi-Level Behavior, Material Scalability and Energy Efficiency of 1-D Phase-Change Nanostructures

技术：该项目的目标是探索超大规模低维二元/三元相变硫化物纳米结构中的基本材料行为。该项目旨在为利用纳米级相变系统开发未来一代信息技术产生深入的知识，由两个主要部分组成：(I)一维硫化物纳米线的多能级相变行为的探索，发现未来电子系统中超高密度信息处理的机理和技术途径，以及(Ii)深尺度物理维度的二元/三元硫化物的最终材料可扩展性和能效的研究。结合多个Co-Pi的不同技术专长，该团队计划在行业合作伙伴的大力支持下，使用实验和计算方法对大规模材料系统中的相变现象建立全面的理解。基于材料相变行为的信息技术概念被认为是这十年微电子工业中最成功的创新之一，导致了一种有前景的主流后硅技术。如果成功，这项拟议的研究将通过产生大量需要的知识来突破公认的技术障碍：能效和可扩展性，从而对这项重要技术产生实质性影响。非技术性：这项研究为研究生和本科生提供了在纳米科学、材料工程、纳米制造和计算纳米技术方面获得跨学科研究经验的机会。这些努力扩大了代表不足的群体在这两所大学的研究项目中的参与。外展活动包括在纽约州北部的科技谷和大西雅图地区为K-12学生现场演示纳米级科学和工程技术。通过期刊出版物和在国际会议上的演讲传播研究成果，并将其纳入两所大学的新课程开发，将确保对科学、教育和普通公众产生广泛影响。

Technical: The objective of the project is to explore fundamental materials behavior in ultra-scaled low-dimensional binary/ternary phase-change chalcogenide nanostructures. Aiming at generating in-depth knowledge for developing future-generation information technologies using nanoscale phase-change systems, the project is composed of two major parts: (i) exploitation of multi-level phase transition behavior in one-dimensional chalcogenide nanowires, discovering mechanism and technology pathway towards ultra-high-density information processing in future electronic systems, and (ii) investigation of ultimate materials scalability and energy efficiency in binary/ternary chalcogenides with deeply-scaled physical dimensions. Combining multiple Co-PI's different technical expertise, the team plans to build up comprehensive understandings of phase-change phenomena in aggressively scaled materials systems using both experimental and computational approaches with strong support from industry partner. The concept of information technology based of phase-change behavior in materials is recognized as one of the most successful innovations in microelectronics industry in this decade, leading to a prospective main-stream post-silicon technology. If successful, the proposed research would bring in substantial impact in this important technology by generating largely demanded knowledge to break through the well recognized technical barriers: power-efficiency and scalability.Non-technical: The research opens opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to acquire interdisciplinary research experience in nanoscale sciences, material engineering, nanofabrication, and computational nanotechnology. The efforts broaden participation of under-represented groups in research programs at the two universities. Outreach activities comprise on-site demonstration of nanoscale scientific and engineering techniques for K-12 students in the Tech Valley of upstate New York and the greater Seattle Area. The dissemination of research results by journal publications and presentations at international conferences, and its inclusion in new curriculum development at both universities will ensure broad impacts to scientific, educational, and general public communities.