NanoTechnology: Materials, Processes & Devices

Research that includes:

  • Development of nanostructure fabrication technology
  • Nanomagnetics, Microphotonics
  • CMOS Integrated Nanowires/Nanotubes (CMOS-Inn)

BPN490: QES: Microfluidic Reactors for Controlled Synthesis of Monodisperse Nanoparticles

E. Yegan Erdem
2013

The goal of this project is to design a microfluidic system to synthesize monodispersed nanoparticles. Two microreactors are designed for controlled synthesis of monodisperse nanoparticles. Our first microreactor works by mixing two reagents inside a droplet to synthesize nanoparticles whereas the second microreactor is designed to achieve monodispersity by having thermally isolated zones for nucleation and growth processes and incorporating a two phase flow system to assure uniform reaction conditions. This reactor is fabricated in silicon and it is capable of handling high...

BPN469: Ultra-Short Channel 1D-2D Compound Semiconductor on Insulator (XOI) FETs

Steven Chuang
Kuniharu Takei
2013

Recently, compound semiconductor on insulator(XOI)has risen as a promising platform for next generation high performance electronics, as it inherits advantages from both SOI and high mobility III-V materials. In order to test the performance limit of this platform, we plan on fabricating ultra-short channel XOI FETs. This project will involve various controlled experiments to better understand the underlying physics of XOI FETs, thus allowing us to progress towards the ultimate XOI FET.

Project end date: 08/16/13

BPN659: High Performance Flexible Integrated Circuits Using Carbon Nanotube Networks

Chuan Wang
Kuniharu Takei
Toshitake Takahashi
2013

In this Project, we report the use of high-purity semiconducting carbon nanotube networks and 2-dimensional III-V nanomembranes for high-performance integrated circuits on mechanically flexible substrates for digital, analog, and radio-frequency applications. We have demonstrated high-performance carbon nanotube thin-film transistors (TFTs) with on-current, transconductance, and field-effect mobility up to 15 uA/um, 4 uS/um, and 50 cm2/Vs. Using such devices, digital logic gates with superior bending stability have been demonstrated. We have also employed a self-aligned device...

BPN629: Large-Scale Carbon Nanotube Network Active Matrix Circuitry for Flexible and Stretchable Electronics

Toshitake Takahashi
Kuniharu Take
Chuan Wang
2013

In this project, we will explore a promising approach for large-scale flexible and stretchable electronics using semiconductor-enriched carbon nanotube (CNTs) solution. In conventional flexible devices, organic materials or amorphous silicon have been intensively explored, but its inherently low electrical performance limits the range of potential applications. Here, we use solution-based approach in which semiconductor-enriched CNTs (99 %) are deposited uniformly on wafer-scale flexible polyimide (PI) substrate or Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate at room temperature, and obtain...

BPN658: QES: Nano-Composite Capacitor for High Performance Energy Storage

Anju Toor
2013

The goal of this project is to design and develop an innovative nanoparticle/polymer composite material and then apply this nanocomposite to the development of a supercapacitor module with high energy and high power density. A new technique for creating films of core/shell nanoparticles in a polymer matrix could allow cost effective fabrication of capacitors with enhanced energy storage capacity as compared to conventional devices. The module can serve as efficient energy storage for back-up power in buildings and for hybrid/electric vehicles where lack of fast recharging time,...

BPN720: Selective Chemical Detection with Full Atom-Thick Material Platform

Joanne C. Lo
2013

Selective chemical sensing has a wide range of application in health and environmental monitoring. A small and flexible sensor that can detect a wide range of chemicals with precision can enable a host of new inventions, including clothing that detects environmental pollutants and soldier helmets that sense hazardous gases. Two-dimensional materials, such as graphene and molydenum disulfide, have many sought-after properties that will enable the creation of such a sensor. This project utilizes theses unique properties, such as high electron mobility and voltage-tunable optical...

BPN686: Spatially Controlled Growth of III-V Semiconductors Toward Low-Cost and High-Efficiency PVs

Daisuke Kiriya
Maxwell Zheng
Rehan Kapadia
Zhibin Yu
2013

So far, extensive research has been carried out for III-V semiconductor materials from crystal growth to device fabrications. The reason for this is that III-V shows the highest energy conversion efficiency due to high absorption coefficient and optimal and direct band gap. However, there is problem for III-V applications, which is the high cost of raw materials. We are exploring a method which addresses this limitation. High optical quality crystals have been grown on selected tiny areas to make array of crystals such as on metal foils. This should be useful as a PV without any loss...

BPN517: Facile Synthesis of Nanostructures for Renewable Energy and Gas Sensing Applications

Kevin Limkrailassiri
2013

Oxide semiconductors have been attracting great interest for renewable energy and sensing applications due to their earth- abundance, stability, and cost-effectiveness. In this project, we explore cupric oxide (CuO) nanowires, which are grown in highly dense and vertically aligned arrays via thermal oxidation of copper foil in ambient air. This material shows great promise for photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution owing to a desirable electronic band gap and exceptional light-trapping properties. Initial results reveal a photocurrent comparable to other high-performing oxide...

BPN625: Direct Growth of High Quality III-V Semiconductors on Metal Foils for Low-Cost, High-Efficiency PVs

Maxwell S. Zheng
Zhibin Yu
Rehan Kapadia
2013

The intrinsic advantages of III-V semiconductors for solar cells have been hobbled by the lack of low-cost substrates and processes, which has thus far limited market success of III-V solar cells. Here at Berkeley we are exploring a non-traditional approach which addresses these drawbacks. High optical quality polycrystalline InP films have been grown on non-epitaxial molybdenum substrates. Remarkably, these films with micron-sized grains have similar photoluminescence qualities as single- crystalline InP, and show great promise for high-efficiency, low-cost solar cells....

BPN750: Multi-Gas Detecting Chemical Sensor Platform

Hiroshi Shiraki
2014

Chemical sensitive field effect transistors (CS-FET), which are conventional MOSFETs without gate electrodes will be fabricated and applied for low energy consumption, highly sensitive, small size, multi-gas detecting chemical sensors. The work functions of transition metal oxides (TMOs) deposited onto the channels of the CS-FETs can be manipulated by the adsorption of chemicals onto their surfaces. These changes cause a change in the surface potential of the underlying Si channel, leading to the current modulation of the devices. By selecting appropriate TMOs, different chemicals...