Metal tips act as ‘alligator clips’ on semiconductor nanorods
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Categories |
Semiconductors, Nanocrystals, Microelectronics |
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Development Stage |
Development of technology in various directions, including wiring to electrical circuits |
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Patent Status |
U.S. patent application filed |
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Market Size |
Nanoelectronics market $1.8 billion in 2005, to reach $ 4.2 billion by 2010. |
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Gold-tipped nanocrystals – nanodumbells – for nano sized transistors
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Building blocks for miniature computers, nanosensors for chemical and biological molecules, and for biomedical applications
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Prototypes of gold-tipped rods and tetrapods demonstrated in the lab.
Our Innovation
A simple solution, phase reaction for controlled selective growth of gold and other metal tips onto semiconductor rods and tetrapods (structures with four arms or legs).
Key Features
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Gold tips provide a method for wiring nanocrystals into miniature electronic circuits
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Provide good electrical contact for speedy and faultless communication channels
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Tips are natural anchor points to serve as recognition elements for directed self-assembly
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Self-assembly schemes can be used for the parallel wiring of billions of nanorods onto nano-electronic circuits, vastly increasing computer speed and memory
Development Milestones
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Expanding method to additional semiconductor materials and metals
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Investigating approaches for wiring of nanodumbells is in progress
The Opportunity
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Nanoelectronics includes advanced technology developments, such as molecular electronics, self-assembly using biotechnology, and quantum computing. These developments are expected to emerge in the post-2014 timeframe. These will be ten times more powerful than first generation nanoelectronics, providing a quantum leap in the electronics market over the next 10 years followed by another massive increase in capabilities in the 10 to 20 year horizon.
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