Project
Descriptions: ARCHIVES
- Materials
for Nanoscale Devices.
- Scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) project.
- Projects
in Nanotechnology.
- Fabrication
and testing of semiconductor chemical sensors.
- Exploring the Nano World with Scanning
Tunneling Microscopy.
- Software simulation tool for Quantum-dot
Cellular Automata.
- Nanoelectronic Devices Operating with
Single Electrons.
Further Information. Applications for these summer research
positions are due April 15. Teacher stipends are in the
amount of $2500 for 4 weeks and student stipends are $750
for 4 weeks.
- Materials
for Nanoscale Devices. In support of a research
program in advanced materials for nanoscale devices, Professor
Patrick Fay anticipates a position for a high school teacher
with background in chemistry or physics. The research
will focus on the measurement of low-frequency electronic
noise in semiconductor devices, and the use of the noise
spectra as a probe of surface effects in nanoscale devices.
A teacher involved in this project can expect to gain a
first-hand familiarity with electronic device measurement
and testing, as well as a keen insight into some of the
upcoming challenges for semiconductor devices as device
scaling continues into the nanometer regime.
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- Scanning
electron microscopy (SEM) project. SEM is an
important tool used for high resolution imaging in many
areas of science and engineering. Often, SEM images serve
as excellent motivational tools for K-12 students, as
the pictures are often very realistic in appearance. Common
subjects for the pictures are insects, crystals, diatoms,
etc. An older SEM that could be appropriate for using
in the classroom for demonstrations is available. It
is of desktop size and easily managed as a teaching tool. Investigating
the operation and use of this tool for classroom use
under the direction of Professor Gary Bernstein would
be an excellent experience for a teacher, and could lead
to interesting classroom demonstrations.
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- Projects
in Nanotechnology. Several additional projects
are available for teachers in the general area of nanotechnology.
They will be directed by Professor Wolfgang Porod. Specific
topics will be decided in discussion with individual
teachers to match their interests and experience. Possible
projects include directed reading and study of selected
topics in nanotechnology for inclusion in the classroom,
development of relevant lab exercises and student projects
for use in the classroom, and also research work in conjunction
with graduate students.
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- Fabrication
and testing of semiconductor chemical sensors. Various
sensors and gauges, from smoke detectors to Tsunami surveillance
system, have been widely used in our modern world. They
have shown increasing importance in further probing the
environment around us for knowledge and pre-warning etc. Chemical
sensors based on semiconductors are one of them. The
teacher who participates in this project under the supervision
of Professor Grace Xing will be trained to fabricate
simple ion sensitive semiconductor field effect transistors
(ISFET) on Si in the nanofabrication laboratory. The
teacher will test the response of the ISFETs to various
ions and molecules. The teacher will also work
closely with a graduate student and a REU student, who
work on GaN-based ISFET, comparing the sensor performance
and underlying science. This project requires the
teacher to interact with researchers from various disciplines,
including physics, chemistry and electrical engineer. The
research component will spread over 4-6 weeks and 1-2
weeks can be used in incorporating modern semiconductor
physics and interdisciplinary nano-technology in the
HS physics curriculum.
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- Exploring the Nano World with
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy. This project
will develop a mobile scanning tunneling microscopy station
which can be used to engage high school students in basic
exploration of nanoscale phenomena. An STM system designed
for this purpose will be the centerpiece, enabling students
to “see” atoms
on surfaces with this remarkable tool. The idea is
to capitalize on their sense of wonder and open up discussion
of the possibilities of science and engineering in the
nano regime. The teacher will need to become adept
at operation the instrument and running a session which
can spark curiosity in many different groupings of
students.
Directed by Craig Lent.
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- Software simulation tool
for Quantum-dot Cellular Automata. This
project involves modeling the behavior of electronic
circuits constructed from single molecules in the
new paradigm known as quantum-dot cellular automata.
See the website www.nd.edu/~qcahome.
In this approach, binary information is represented
by the charge configuration of individual molecular
cells. These cells are connected only through the
Coulomb interaction. This
represents a radical departure from transistor-based
electronics but hold much promise for realizing molecular
electronics. In order to explore the potential
of these ideas it is useful to develop simulation
tools that allow simple design and testing of small
circuits. This project involves developing a simulation
tool which can encapsulate the relevant physics and
provide others a chance to examine possible circuits,
architectures, and applications. The application
would be written in Matlab and distributed freely
on the internet. Ideally,
this project would become a long-term relationship,
constantly adding new features and improving the
tool. Directed by Craig
Lent.
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- Nanoelectronic Devices Operating
with Single Electrons. Single electrons represent the smallest
element that can be used to store and process information.
Positions will be available for teachers to work with
the group of Professor Gregory Snider on nanoelectronic
devices that operate using a single electron. The research
will involve the fabrication and measurement of nanoelectronic
device and will provide a wide range of experiences.
A teacher involved with this project will gain insight
into the issues involved in the ultimate scaling of devices.
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