“Into The Chip” A Look at Nanofabrication for the Future

• Roselyn Anokye-Agyei, Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware

• Dennis Prather, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware
• Ashish Kumar, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware
• Marco Moller de Freitas, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware

Nanofabrication is the process of creating structures and devices at the nanometer scale, typically less than 100 nanometers. This field combines techniques from physics, chemistry, and engineering to manipulate materials at the atomic and molecular levels to do so.  The advanced methods of lithography, etching, and depositing are utilized in the controlled setting of a Cleanroom to build structures with extreme precision, allowing for the creation of components that are significantly smaller and more efficient than those produced by conventional manufacturing techniques.

Key challenges in nanofabrication include achieving precise control over the size, shape, and placement of nanostructures, as well as ensuring their reproducibility and scalability for commercial production. Yet still, advances in nanofabrication technology continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, leading to innovations in various fields, including quantum computing, flexible electronics, and nanomedicine.

The ability to fabricate at the nanoscale has enabled the creation of devices with enhanced performance characteristics that are not possible with larger-scale manufacturing techniques. This includes applications in electronics, where smaller transistors lead to faster and more energy-efficient processors; in medicine, where nanoparticles can be used for targeted drug delivery; and in energy, where nanoscale materials can improve the efficiency of solar cells and batteries. As technology progresses, it holds the promise of revolutionizing industries and improving quality of life by enabling new solutions to complex problems.