Nanoscale Manufacturing of Sensors and Devices Using Large-scale Directed Assembly of Nanoelements

Monday, January 31, 2011

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
115 Teer Building, Duke University

Presenter

Ahmed Busnaina

Dr. Ahmed Busnaina is the W.L. Smith Professor, and Director of the NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing (CHN), from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.

Abstract: The transfer of nano-science accomplishments into technology is severely hindered by a lack of understanding of barriers to nanoscale manufacturing. The NSF Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing (CHN) is developing tools and processes to conduct fast massive directed assembly of nanoscale elements by controlling the forces required to assemble, detach, and transfer nanoelements at high rates and over large areas. The center has developed templates with nanofeatures to direct the assembly of carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles (down to 10 nm) into nanoscale trenches in a short time (in seconds) and over a large area (measured in inches).   Recently, a fast and highly scalable process for fabricating 3-D nanostrcutures been developed using nanoparticles. The particles are precisely assembled from a suspension and then fused in a room temperature process creating nanoscale structures. The center has developed many applications where the technology has been demonstrated. For example, the nonvolatile memory switches using (SWNTs) or molecules assembled on a wafer level. A new biosensor chip (0.02 mm2) capable of detecting multiple biomarkers simultaneously and can be in vitro and in vivo with a detection limit that’s 200 times lower than current technology. The center is developing the fundamental science and engineering platform necessary to manufacture a wide array of applications ranging from electronics, energy, and materials to biotechnology.