Commercial applications of nanotechnology require reliable
and cost-effective methods to mass-fabricate various nanostructured materials
and devices. Atomic-scale contacts between metal electrodes have been created
mechanically by breaking a fine metal wire and by separating two metal
electrodes in contact. The breaking and separating are usually controlled by an
apparatus involving stepping motor or piezoelectric transducer. The contacts
fabricated by the mechanical methods cannot be removed from the apparatus, and
they are, therefore, not suitable for most applications. A non-mechanical method
that anodizes an aluminum wire locally with an atomic force microscope has been
reported, but the use of the atomic force microscope makes it impossible for
mass-production.
Researchers at ASU have invented a self-terminated method to
fabricate atomic-scale contacts and molecular-scale gaps between metal
electrodes. This method can quickly and reliably mass-produce large arrays of
atomic-scale contacts and gaps for various applications, including chemical and
biological sensors, magnetoresistive sensors and molecular electronic and
optoelectronic devices. This invention can turn these applications into
commercial products.
Potential Applications
- Fabrication of molecular sensors for use in chemical and
biological applications
- Capable of rapid detection of hydrogen molecules in a
fuel cell or hydrogen-fueled system
- Construction of heavy metal ion sensors for use of early
detection of trace metal contaminants on site
- Biosensor construction where a single molecular binding
event is converted into an electrical signal. This is useful in a number of
applications including, antigen detection, nucleic acid sequencing, food
inspection and early warning systems for biodefense
Benefits and Advantages
- High sensitivity
- Low sample concentration detection
- Fast response time
- Low power consumption
- Ease of integration into other microelectronics
- Ability to mass manufacture
- Miniaturization of sensors
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For more information about the inventor(s) and their
research, please see
Dr. Tao's
directory webpage
Dr. Tao's laboratory
webpage
Dr.
Tao's Biodesign directory webpage
