The fabrication,characterization and functionalization in molecular electronics

Developments in advanced manufacturing have promoted the miniaturization of semiconductor electronic devices to a near-atomic scale,which continuously follows the‘top-down’construction method.However,huge challenges have been encountered with the exponentially increased cost and inevitably prominent quantum effects.Molecular electronics is a highly interdisciplinary subject that studies the quantum behavior of electrons tunneling in molecules.It aims to assemble electronic devices in a‘bottom-up’manner on this scale through a single molecule,thereby shedding light on the future design of logic circuits with new operating principles.The core technologies in this field are based on the rapid development of precise fabrication at a molecular scale,regulation at a quantum scale,and related applications of the basic electronic component of the‘electrode-molecule-electrode junction’.Therefore,the quantum charge transport properties of the molecule can be controlled to pave the way for the bottom-up construction of single-molecule devices.The review firstly focuses on the collection and classification of the construction methods for molecular junctions.Thereafter,various characterization and regulation methods for molecular junctions are discussed,followed by the properties based on tunneling theory at the quantum scale of the corresponding molecular electronic devices.Finally,a summary and perspective are given to discuss further challenges and opportunities for the future design of electronic devices.

CAE-integrated Fabrication of Functionally Graded Components

A typical contemporary computerized product develop me nt workflow is outlined in Fig.1. Product geometry information is first prep ared with computer-aided design (CAD) software. The CAD format can then be com municated to other downstream-computerized applications like, computer-aided e ngineering analysis (CAE), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and/or rapid prot otyping. Since design may need to be modified to incorporate new requirements, a loop back path is also depicted in Fig.1. The design engineers will check ac cording to their experience, result of physical test and CAE simulation to decid e whether redesign is needed or not. If the design passes all tests, its pr ototype or product can be produced. Otherwise, the current practice is to chang e its geometry and/or select a more appropriate material. The iteration repeat s until the latest version satisfies the engineering specification and customer requirements. Note that the material is homogeneous in the part to be designed. With the advent of functionally graded material (FGM) research, a new workflow will become possible. Components incorporating FGM’s can be designed to achieve levels of performance superior to that of homogeneous materials by combining the desirable properties of each constituent phase. Theoretically, the material composition can be tailo red within a component to achieve local control of properties; for example, form ability, corrosion resistance, hardness, toughness, and so on. By such local co ntrol, monolithic components can be created that integrate the function of multi ple discrete components, saving part count, space, weight, and enabling concepts that would otherwise be impractical. Controlling the spatial distribution of p roperties via composition will allow for control of the state of the entire comp onent (the state of residual stress in a component). There are various methods p roposed to produce FGM components. In particular, solid freeform fabrication ( SFF) methods are commonly used to directly fabricate an FGM part in an additive fashion directly from a computer controlled, layer-by-layer, additive process in which a standard CAD is sliced into a series of horizontal planes. Common SF F techniques being investigated include three-dimensional printing (3DP), Lamin ate Object Manufacturing (LOM), Extrusion Freeform Fabrication (EFF), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and even Stereolithography (SL). Fig.1 Current CAE design workflow Fig.2 Proposed CAE design workflow for FGM Albeit the feasibility to fabricate FGM components, one gap still needs to be fi lled for real life FGM product design; namely, where and how to grade the compon ent. This paper will, thus, address issues on incorporating FGM for design impr ovement. Rather than changing the geometry or reselecting a new material, a FGM approach can be employed in design enhancement as shown in Fig.2. The same geo metry and material is retained except that functional property in needed regions is selectively reinforced. As in conventional workflow, CAE simulation is perf ormed after CAD modelling. CAE simulation is preferred since physical test is v ery expensive and most of them are destructive. Moreover, the experience of the engineers may not be accurate. More importantly, the result of CAE simulation is used in this research to produce a stress intensity map for selective reinfor cement. The map will be converted to tool path control signals for generating FG component via SFF machine. On the implementation side, SolidWorks is used fo r CAD modeling, COSMOS/Works is used for CAE simulation. The model is then selec tively reinforced according to the simulation result to produce a FGM enriched p ath plan to drive the Z-corp machine. Case studies are performed to verify the approach. The preliminary result is positive. Future extension to material oth er than starch and plaster powders and enhancement other than stress distributio n may be explored. In conclusion, a CAE-based methodology for FGM product des ign

Aligned carbon nanotube containing scaffolds for neural tissue regeneration

Neuropathologies include the deterioration and damage of the nervous system,especially neurons present in the brain,spinal cord and peripheral nervous system.Damage or alternations in neurons makes their structure and functionality abnormal.Every year over 90,000 people get affected by neurodegenerative diseases in the USA.Among all the neurological pathologies,

Electrospinning of Neat Graphene Nanofbers

Macroscopic assembly of graphene sheets has renovated the preparation of neat carbonaceous fbers with integrating high performance and superior functionalities,beyond the pyrolysis of conventional polymeric precursors.To date,graphene microfbers by the liquid crystalline wet-spinning method have been established.However,how to reliably prepare continuous neat graphene nanofbers remains unknown.Here,we present the electrospinning of neat graphene nanofbers enabled by modulating colossally extensional fow state of graphene oxide liquid crystals.We use polymer with mega molecular weight as transient additives to realize the colossal extensional fow and electrospinning.The neat graphene nanofbers feature high electronic quality and crystallinity and exhibit high electrical conductivity of 2.02×10^(6) S/m that is to be comparable with single crystal graphite whisker.The electrospinning of graphene nanofbers was extended to prepare large-area fabric with high fexibility and superior specifc electrical/thermal conductivities.The electrospinning of graphene nanofbers opens the door to nanofbers of rich two-dimensional sheets and the neat graphene nanofbers may grow to be a new species after conventional carbonaceous nanofbers and whiskers in broad functional applications.