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The
next generation of devices requires positioning of nanoparticles, nanowires,
and nanotubes with sub-100nm resolution on a substrate with multiple
types of structures and materials. There are many different processes
for producing nanoparticles, nanowires and nanotubes in solid, liquid
and gas phases. Therefore, it is necessary that methods exist to position
particles from all phases if we wish to be successful in integrating
multiple materials and structures. My research focuses on positioning
nanoparticles that arise from the liquid phase.
Nanoparticles
are widely produced or often easily dispersed in a solution. The goal
of this research is to be able to pattern nanoparticles in the gas phase
that originate in solution. Electrospraying the solution creates an
aerosol of nanoparticles. Once a nanoparticle aerosol forms, the aerosol
is transported to a nanoparticle assembly module that houses a chip,
which contains a charge pattern. The nanoparticles are positioned onto
predefined locations using our existing nanoxerography technique. We
have been able to demonstrate this with a number of organic and inorganic
materials at a sub-100 nm resolution.
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