Dehlinger D.A., Sullivan B.D., Esener S., Heller M.J.
University of California San Diego, US
Keywords: electric field, nanofabrication, nanoparticles, self-assembly, thin films
Electric Field Assisted Self-Assembly of Functionalized Nanoparticles into Multiple Layer Thin Films
Michael J. Heller, Benjamin Sullivan and Dietrich Dehlinger
Departments Bioengineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering
University California San Diego La Jolla, CA 92093
Reconfigurable microarray devices and technology can be used for the electric field assisted hierarchical assembly of nanocomponents into higher-order nanostructures, nanocomposite materials and integrated devices. Reconfigurable electronic microarray devices are able to instantaneously produce any given x-y geometry at the micron scale level while controlling the parallel z-dimension assembly of nanocomponents within the geometry. Electronic microarrays are produced by a top-down process (photolithography) and have been developed primarily for DNA diagnostic applications. In addition to DNA diagnostic applications, these devices have demonstrated ability to transport any type of charged molecule or nanostructure to or from any site on the array. This includes other self-assembling macromolecules such as peptides and proteins; cells; polymeric and metallic nanoparticles (quantum dots); and even micron-scale semiconductor components (LEDs). CMOS microarrays have now been used to demonstrate the rapid 3D assembly of nanoparticles and quantum dots into more than 20 alternating layers. Competing passive LBL nanofabrication processes are at least one to two orders of magnitude slower; are non-parallel and are not x-y reconfigurable in real time.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Technical Proceedings of the 2006 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 1
Published: May 7, 2006
Pages: 389 - 392
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Nanoparticle Synthesis & Applications
ISBN: 0-9767985-6-5