Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology ("nanotech") materials and potential applications are expanding rapidly. Core issues that are addressed by PARC's nanotech work include materials fabrication and processing.

Focus Areas

• Nanowire growth — PARC researchers use the VLS (vapor-liquid-solid) technique to grow silicon nanowires. The primary goals of this research are to (1) fabricate high performance TFTs (thin film transistors) based on nanowire bundles; and (2) develop novel composite materials based on embedded nanowires.
   
• Printed nanoparticles for TFTs — PARC researchers are developing processing techniques to use nanoparticles or nanowires in large-area electronics. Jet-printed silver nanoparticles are used to make TFT backplanes. PARC researchers are also developing a printed-nanowire TFTs capability.
   
• Electronic structure — PARC researchers perform theoretical calculations of atomic and electronic structure of important organic and inorganic semiconductors, including surfaces and defects.
   
• Nanomaterial self assembly — PARC researchers are developing techniques for self-assembly of nanostructured materials, based on: Langmuir-Blodgett techniques for nanowires; blends of polymers and carbon nanoparticles; and self-assembled monolayers.