24-04-2012, 01:22 PM
NANODEVICES, NANOELECTRONICS, AND NANOSENSORS
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VISION
In the broadest sense, nanodevices are the critical enablers that will allow mankind to
exploit the ultimate technological capabilities of electronic, magnetic, mechanical, and
biological systems. While the best examples of nanodevices at present are clearly
associated with the information technology industry, the potential for such devices is
much broader. Nanodevices will ultimately have an enormous impact on our ability to
enhance energy conversion, control pollution, produce food, and improve human health
and longevity.
CURRENT SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS
Current Scientific Advances
In the past decade, our ability to manipulate matter from the top down, combined with
advances and in some cases unexpected discoveries in the synthesis and assembly of
nanometer-scale structures, has resulted in advances in a number of areas. Particularly
striking examples include the following:
· The unexpected discovery and subsequently more controlled preparation of carbon
nanotubes and the use of proximal probe and lithographic schemes to fabricate
individual electronic devices from these materials (Iijimi 1991; Guo et al. 1995; Tans
et al. 1997; Bockrath et al. 1997; Collins et al. 1997; Martel et al. 1998)
· The ability in only the last one or two years to begin to place carefully engineered
individual molecules onto appropriate electrical contacts and measure transport
through the molecules (Bumm et al. 1996; Reed et al. 1997)
Current Technological Advances
A number of examples of devices in the microelectronics and telecommunications
industries rely on nanometer-scale phenomena for their operation. These devices are, in a
sense, “one-dimensional” nanotechnologies, because they are micrometer-scale objects
that have thin film layers with thicknesses in the nanometer range. These kinds of
systems are widely referred to in the physics and electronics literature as two-dimensional
systems, because they have two classical or “normal” dimensions and one quantum or
nanoscale dimension.
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
The exploration and fabrication of nanodevices requires access to sophisticated and
sometimes expensive tools. More and better access to such equipment as well as rapid
prototyping facilities is needed. Of equal importance is the recognition that success in
nanodevices will draw upon expertise from a broad range of traditional disciplines.
Therefore, it is imperative that programs be established that facilitate and strengthen
cross-fertilization among diverse disciplines and that allow rapid adoption of new
methods across field boundaries.
R&D INVESTMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
Nanodevices are in some ways the most complicated nanotechnological systems. They
require the understanding of fundamental phenomena, the synthesis of appropriate
materials, the use of those materials to fabricate functioning devices, and the integration
of these devices into working systems. For this reason, success will require a substantial
funding level over a long period of time. There is strong sentiment for single investigator
funding as well as for structured support of interdisciplinary teams.
CONCLUSIONS AND PRIORITIES
Priorities in Research and Development
· Development of new systems and architectures for given functions
· Study of interfaces and integration of nanostructures into devices and systems
· Multiscale, multiphenomena modeling and simulation of complex systems
Integrated Nanotechnology in Microsystems
Advances in nanotechnology will have a profound effect on the future of integrated
microsystems. The integration of microelectronic, microelectromechanical, optical, and
chemical microsensors into “systems on a chip” is an area that may involve mechanical,
optical, and/or chemical functions as well. As illustrated in Figure 6.16, these advances
will make possible miniaturized systems that sense, think, talk (communicate), and act.
However, these microscale systems will only become a reality if enabled by the control
of performance at the nanoscale.
[attachment=20698]
VISION
In the broadest sense, nanodevices are the critical enablers that will allow mankind to
exploit the ultimate technological capabilities of electronic, magnetic, mechanical, and
biological systems. While the best examples of nanodevices at present are clearly
associated with the information technology industry, the potential for such devices is
much broader. Nanodevices will ultimately have an enormous impact on our ability to
enhance energy conversion, control pollution, produce food, and improve human health
and longevity.
CURRENT SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS
Current Scientific Advances
In the past decade, our ability to manipulate matter from the top down, combined with
advances and in some cases unexpected discoveries in the synthesis and assembly of
nanometer-scale structures, has resulted in advances in a number of areas. Particularly
striking examples include the following:
· The unexpected discovery and subsequently more controlled preparation of carbon
nanotubes and the use of proximal probe and lithographic schemes to fabricate
individual electronic devices from these materials (Iijimi 1991; Guo et al. 1995; Tans
et al. 1997; Bockrath et al. 1997; Collins et al. 1997; Martel et al. 1998)
· The ability in only the last one or two years to begin to place carefully engineered
individual molecules onto appropriate electrical contacts and measure transport
through the molecules (Bumm et al. 1996; Reed et al. 1997)
Current Technological Advances
A number of examples of devices in the microelectronics and telecommunications
industries rely on nanometer-scale phenomena for their operation. These devices are, in a
sense, “one-dimensional” nanotechnologies, because they are micrometer-scale objects
that have thin film layers with thicknesses in the nanometer range. These kinds of
systems are widely referred to in the physics and electronics literature as two-dimensional
systems, because they have two classical or “normal” dimensions and one quantum or
nanoscale dimension.
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
The exploration and fabrication of nanodevices requires access to sophisticated and
sometimes expensive tools. More and better access to such equipment as well as rapid
prototyping facilities is needed. Of equal importance is the recognition that success in
nanodevices will draw upon expertise from a broad range of traditional disciplines.
Therefore, it is imperative that programs be established that facilitate and strengthen
cross-fertilization among diverse disciplines and that allow rapid adoption of new
methods across field boundaries.
R&D INVESTMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
Nanodevices are in some ways the most complicated nanotechnological systems. They
require the understanding of fundamental phenomena, the synthesis of appropriate
materials, the use of those materials to fabricate functioning devices, and the integration
of these devices into working systems. For this reason, success will require a substantial
funding level over a long period of time. There is strong sentiment for single investigator
funding as well as for structured support of interdisciplinary teams.
CONCLUSIONS AND PRIORITIES
Priorities in Research and Development
· Development of new systems and architectures for given functions
· Study of interfaces and integration of nanostructures into devices and systems
· Multiscale, multiphenomena modeling and simulation of complex systems
Integrated Nanotechnology in Microsystems
Advances in nanotechnology will have a profound effect on the future of integrated
microsystems. The integration of microelectronic, microelectromechanical, optical, and
chemical microsensors into “systems on a chip” is an area that may involve mechanical,
optical, and/or chemical functions as well. As illustrated in Figure 6.16, these advances
will make possible miniaturized systems that sense, think, talk (communicate), and act.
However, these microscale systems will only become a reality if enabled by the control
of performance at the nanoscale.