Description:
The fabrication of nanoscale materials (by both bottom-up and top-down routes) has been driven by miniaturization of devices and the limitations of Si COMS technology. Research using one-dimensional nano-wires and nanotubes to fabricate nanodevices has demonstrated their potential applications, including field effect transistors, nano-biosensors, solar cells, and nano-generators; however, by and large these devices have been fabricated using a single nano-wire or an array of nano-wires assembled in a complicated, multi-step process. The mass-production of nano-structured devices remains a challenging issue.
Tailoring nano-structures into networks, furthermore, will be the foundation os constructing nano and micro devices. Many methods for accomplishing such tailoring have been done at high temperatures, and very few efforts have been made to use low temperature chemical routes to fabricate nanowire networks. Those that have been tried have yielded qualities still in need of improvement. PSU researchers have recognized that new methods are required for the synthesis of one-dimensional nano-structures and the assembly of of nanometer scale two dimensional ordered superstructures or complex architectures, and that the specific assemblages of which need to be compatible with current microelectronics layer-by-layer manufactured technology.
PSU researchers have developed methods for synthesizing two dimensional square networks with uniform nano-wires, identical chemical composition, and accurate interconnected points for fabrication integrated electronics and optics nanoscale devices by a one-step chemical reaction.