Research
CHN’s research is broken down into four thrust areas, in addition to Education & Outreach- Manufacture Nanotemplates and Nanotubes
- High-rate Assembly and Transfer
- Proof of Concept Testbeds: Memory Device and Biosensor
- Societal Impacts
CHN Overview Presentation (pdf)
Thrusts 1 & 2: Nanotemplate-enabled High Rate Manufacturing
Once developed, CHN’s nanotemplates will be integrated as tooling for an economically realistic production process. The nano-building blocks will be guided to self-assemble over large areas in high-rate, scaleable, commercially viable processes such as injection molding and extrusion. CHN researchers have successfully assembled both carbon nanotubes and 50-nm polystyrene latex particles on gold microwires and nanowires. Polymers have been assembled onto gold wires using elecrostatically addressable templates, which show a strong potential for high-rate manufacturing. The center is working on the synthesis of singlewall nanotubes with the desired size, functionality, and solubility for high-rate manufacturing. Chemical guides are being developed for self-alignment and registration.
Any nanomanufacturing process needs to consider the vital issues of reliability and failure. In order to mitigate the defects that may occur during fabrication, CHN is addressing three related functions: preventing failure, removing defects, and developing fault tolerance and self-repair. Among the challenges the center faces are selectively removing impurities and being able to clean nanostructures without destroying them. CHN researchers have designed and fabricated innovative MEMs based devices that can characterize nanowires, nanotubes, nanorods, and nanofibers. They have identified and overcome limitations during fabrication and integration of micro- and nanoscale systems. The center has effectively removed particles from nanotubes films without disturbing the nanotubes themselves. Additionally, experiments have shown that particles as small as 50 nm can be successfully removed from template trenches.
One CHN approach to developing nanoscale manufacturing processes uses multi-scale modeling. This method combines Monte Carlo analysis, molecular dynamics, ab initio Density Functional theory, continuum modeling, and finite element methods. In the center’s first year, researchers used this approach to explore electric-field-assisted assembly, and developed computer codes to explore the self-assembly of organic molecules. Ab initio Density Functional calculations revealed important characteristics of certain nanowires as well as the structure and electronic properties of cyclacene-based single wall nanotubes.
Thrust 3: Proof of Concept Testbeds: Memory Device and Biosensor
To demonstrate the commercial application and usefulness of the nanotemplates, as well as the wide range of possible products, CHN is developing two practical devices. In both cases, the center is working closely with partner companies, a step CHN considers vital to manufacturing success and product realization. The first testbed is a single-wall carbon nanotube memory chip, a nonvolatile memory device with extremely higher density than silicon chips. Currently, carbon nanotube (CNT) switches must made from belts of nanotubes. Manufacture via template will allow the fabrication of a single CNT electromechanical switch. The potential market for this product is estimated to be $100 billion. The center’s partner in this endeavor is Nantero, the first company to manufacture CNT computer memory chips. CHN’s second testbed is a biosensor for rapid (8-10 minutes) detection of antibody molecules, requiring only a small sample. The nanotemplate, a functionalized nanopatterned polymer surface, would create a sensor that would bind with specific amino acid sequences, forcing the antibody to face upwards from the surface. Triton Systems, now conducting FDA tests on nanoparticles to locate and destroy cancer tumors, is the center’s collaborator on the biosensor project.
Thrust 4: Societal Impacts
As nanoscience and nanomanufacturing design an exciting future, a number of pressing additional questions need to be answered. Concurrently with its technical research, CHN is unique in its active assessment of the environmental, economic, regulatory, and ethical impacts of nanomanufacturing. The center has established a Societal Issues Advisory Committee. Aware of the potential hazards in their nanomanufacturing work, CHN researchers are developing environmentally benign processes and products. Green engineering and sustainability concepts are being incorporated in the center’s ongoing work. CHN is gathering data, the first of its kind, on workplace and environmental exposures, baseline health indicators, and possible health problems of workers involved in developing this new technology.
The economics of each nanoprocess under development – its fiscal feasibility and the costs of scale up – are studied. The center develops technical cost models for each process to determine economic and environmental tradeoffs. As the center identifies nanomanufacturing risks to workers and the public at large, law- and policymakers will need to add to regulations governing such areas as manufacturing, health, and safety. Because the development of nanotechnology and nanomanufacturing will most likely be swifter than legal controls can be effectively and intelligently designed, CHN takes the responsibility onto itself for the ethical development and application
Information on the Nanotechnology and Society Research Group
