Researcher(s)
- Wilkin Galindo, Electrical Engineering, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Dennis Prather, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware
Abstract
The evolution of technology is hurtling toward a future of potential possibilities. Rapid advancements in nanofabrication, manufacturing materials with nanometer dimensions, are paving the way for next-generation technologies such as advanced mobile devices, displays, satellites, and line-of-sight communications. To put the minuscule scale of a nanometer into perspective, imagine a marble as a nanometer and the earth as one meter. Besides working on a small scale, nanofabrication is about innovating more energy-efficient, fast, intelligent, and compact devices.
The research is dedicated to discovering new designs or methods in the fabrication process that can conserve energy and enhance the speed of components. An essential requirement for producing such high-performance components is their freedom from impurities, a standard we rigorously adhere to.
Components are handled carefully and produced in a clean room with highly precise equipment. The components are designed with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programs and patterned onto silicon wafers through an extensive process. The process includes coating the substrate, patterning it, depositing material, etching material, and analyzing it after each step for imperfections.
To usher in the next generation of technology, we must delve into the workings of the microscopic world, which necessitates an understanding of self-assembly. The concept of self-assembly in nanoparticles, where a disordered system organizes itself into an ordered structure or pattern, such as DNA, is a pivotal aspect of our innovative approach. We leverage this understanding to design new materials with desired properties, such as carbon nanotubes. These nanotubes, with their exceptional strength, lightweight, and electrical properties, are a crucial step toward the next generation of technology. We have only begun to explore the myriad applications of carbon nanotubes.