Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | EP/K009451/1 | |
| Title | Suspended graphene and carbon nanotube device arrays by bottom-up assembly | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Nuclear Fission and Fusion(Nuclear Fission, Nuclear supporting technologies) 3%; Not Energy Related 95%; Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Hydrogen, Other infrastructure and systems R&D) 2%; |
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| Research Types | Basic and strategic applied research 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry) 25%; PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics) 50%; PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials) 25%; |
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| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Dr A Vijayaraghavan No email address given Computer Science University of Manchester |
|
| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | EPSRC | |
| Start Date | 01 June 2013 | |
| End Date | 30 November 2015 | |
| Duration | 30 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £100,304 | |
| Industrial Sectors | No relevance to Underpinning Sectors | |
| Region | North West | |
| Programme | NC : Physical Sciences | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Dr A Vijayaraghavan , Computer Science, University of Manchester (100.000%) |
| Industrial Collaborator | Project Contact , University of Cambridge (0.000%) Project Contact , Northwestern University, USA (0.000%) |
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| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | ||
| Abstract | Low-dimensional allotropes of carbon, namely the 1D carbon nanotubes (CNTs)and 2D graphene, posses a fantastic combination of superlative electronic, mechanical and optical properties. Despite the fact that high-performance nano-carbon devices have been demonstrated, they have yet to make a mark for themselves in real-world applications. The primary barrier to commercialization lies in the limited reproducibility and scalability of conventional (top-down) technologies when extended to nano-scale objects, to fabricate electronic devices, sensors, actuators, and other such architectures. While these conventional routes have yielded testable proof-of-concept devices, we would need a new, unconventional approach to fabricate these devices on a large scale at high integration densities. Simultaneously, such a method must be compatible with existing CMOS technology despite their unconventional nature, in order to achieve commercial viability and technological co-existence.In the case of CNTs, the most promising approach is the bottom-up integration of active CNT elements into pre-defined locations using alternating-current (A/C) dielectrophoresis (DEP). DEP can be used in combination with CNT sorting methods such as density-gradient ultracentrifugation (DGU) to produce high-density arrays of only-semiconducting or even single-chirality CNT devices, making it the only commercially viable technique that can overcome the polydispersity problem in CNTs for device applications. Due to strong counteracting surface-tension forces during drop drying, DEP-based device fabrication has so far been limited to substrate-supported devices, i.e., where the active nano-carbon element has to lie on a substrate upon deposition and not freely suspended between the two electrodes.In almost every case of CNT or graphene electronics-based device that has been studied to date, suspended devices have significantly outperformed substrate-supported devices. Devices such as resonators can only function in suspended configuration. Since every atom in a CNT or graphene is a surface atom, the properties and performance of nano-carbon devices are severely perturbed by interactions with substrates. Typical effects include heavy doping, lower mobility due to enhanced scattering, higher 1/f noise and consequently lower signal to noise ratios, and lower sensitivity in sensor applications since some surface area is obscured by the substrate.We will carry out first attempt at large-scale bottom-up assembly and integration of nano-carbon spin-valves, comprised of ferromagnetic electrodes and graphene/CNT spin-channel, which will demonstrate a viable route for future nano-electronic circuits based on quantum-computing. A spin-valve is formed by tailoring the source and drain electrodes to switch at different fields. The substrate-gate will be used to modulate the spin current. The suspended configuration is expected to eliminate substrate-scattering and improve the spin-coherence length.NEMS devices, such as resonators for mass-sensors, are only possible with suspended CNT/Graphene devices, which hold great promise owing to the excellent combination of mechanical and electronic properties of CNT/graphene; however, an array of such resonators is required to have high quality factor, and this project will demonstrate a scalable route to fabricating such resonator arrays.The devices proposed in this project, particularly nano-carbon based sensors, are critical components in future energy and environment based industries. A number of leading UK and global companies are currently seeking next-generation sensors for such applications, for example, hydrogen sensors, sensors for high-radiation environments like nuclear reactors or sensors for detection of trace quantities of toxic or environmentally hazardous gasses in emissions | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 26/09/13 | |
