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2005 IMSURE Research Projects
The IMSURE program is committed to offering
students challenging and unique research opportunities that explore
the diverse, interdisciplinary nature of micro/nano technology.
Students will be fully immersed in the research laboratory,
collaborating with their faculty mentors and teams and using
state-of-the-art equipment. These projects will fully engage the
student and provide the opportunity to see how biomedical, physical
and engineering knowledge is applied in real life to produce
significant and tangible final results.
Each project is overseen by one of UCI’s faculty members. The
faculty have broad and significant experience in multiple
disciplines, and are nationally recognized for their contributions
and publications in the fields of micro/nano technology. They are
also exceptionally committed to developing the role of
undergraduates in the research process and will be acting as mentors
to their assigned students, coaching them through the research
process.
Students will select their top 5 project choices from over 25
available research initiatives, and every effort will be made to
assign participants to one of their five project choices. Below are
overviews of the exciting projects to choose from, including the
faculty members involved, techniques used, project prerequisites,
and related publications.
The following faculty-mentored research projects are available during the
2005 IMSURE Program. They are divided by general area of application
of micro/nano technologies. Select a link for an overview of the
project, associated faculty mentors, project prerequisites, and
related publications.
Biomedical
1) Axon Guidance Using Microfluidic Devices
2) Cell Encapsulation for Tissue Engineering
3) Cell Migration in Microfluidic Devices
4) Chemistry in Nanovolumes
5) Combinatorial Bioassays in Droplet Arrays for Monitoring Astronaut Health during Space Travel
6) Electrochemiluminescence Microscopy
7) Micro- and Nano-Technologies for Implantable Devices
8) Portable Optical Coherence Tomography Instruments for the Detection and Management of Thermal, Chemical and Biological Injury
9) Ultrasonic Atomization and Application to Nanoparticles
Electronics
10) A Miniature Facility for Dynamic Measurement of Gas Damping
11) Design of High-Speed Integrated Circuits for Broadband Communications Infrastructure
12) Fabrication of Electrodes with Nano-Size Gap Using Electroless Nickel Plating
13) MEMS Micro-Mirrors: From Design to Experimental
14) Micro-Platform for Protein Crystallization in Nanoliter Volume
15) Platform for Constructing DNA-Based Molecular Electronics
16) Spin Transport and Dynamics in One-Dimensional Nanostructures
Materials
17) Dielectrophoretic Separation Systems
18) Low-Cost Techniques and Tools for Building Nanostructures
19) Low-Resistance High-Transmittance Contact to p-GaN for High-Brightness LED
20) Mechanical Properties of Carbon MEMS
21) Molecular Electronics
22) Nanocrystalline Materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Electrolytes
23) Nanoscale Electrode Development for Fundamental Studies of Mixed Ionic and Electronic Conductors as High Temperature Fuel Cell Components
24) Polymer Nanowire Growth Using Electrochemical Step Edge
25) Thin Film Dielectrics by Pulsed Deposition CVD
26) Thin Film Synthesis of Micro-Scale Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Sensors
27) All-fiber Acousto-optic Spectrometer
28) IrOx Derived Biosensors
29) MEMS Angle Measuring Gyroscopes
30) MEMS-based Totally Implantable Semicircular Canal Prosthesis
31) Semiconducting Nanowires as Nanoelectronic Building Blocks
32) Tailoring Nanocircuits for New Applications
Biomedical
 | Project
#1: Axon Guidance Using Microfluidic Devices
Faculty
Mentor: Professor Noo Li Jeon, Biomedical Engineering
Description:
The goal of this project is to develop a new microfluidic device to
culture Xenopus neurons and use it to study the effect of various
chemicals in guiding growth cone navigation. You will learn to
fabricate microfluidic devices as well as isolate and culture
Xenopus retinal ganglion cells.
Prerequisites: This
project is appropriate for students who have finished their
sophomore level of an engineering curricula. Students should have
completed general chemistry and physics through electromagnetics.
Project #2: Cell
Encapsulation for Tissue Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Professor Abraham P. Lee, Biomedical Engineering
Description:
Using microfluidic chip technologies, it is possible to control the
encapsulation of cells into polymer microcapsules. The technology
also enables the control of the composition of nutrients and growth
factors such that the cells are “happy” and able to multiply and
form tissue engineering “scaffolds”. This project will offer you
hands-on experience in designing, fabricating, and testing the chips
for cell encapsulation. It will also provide experience in cell
culture and cell biology techniques. You will also be exposed to
Labview programming, CAD tools, and CNC machining.
Prerequisites: One
year of physics and one year of chemistry.
Recommended Web sites and publications:
Paper on Cell Encapsulation: http://biomint.eng.uci.edu
Project
#3: Cell Migration in Microfluidic Devices
Faculty
Mentor: Professor Noo Li Jeon, Biomedical Engineering
Description:
The goal of this project is to use microfluidic chip technologies to
study the behavior of cancer cells in various anti-cancer drugs. The
student will learn to fabricate microfluidic devices and culture
breast cancer cells. She will learn and use combination of
microtechnology and biology tools such as cell culture. The student
will perform time-lapse experiments and analyze the migration data.
Prerequisites: This
project is appropriate for students who have finished their
sophomore year engineering classes including a year equivalent of
general chemistry and physics.
Project #4: Chemistry in
Nanovolumes
Faculty Mentor: Professor Mark Bachman, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Description:
Nanovolume chemistry is an emerging area of interest in the life
sciences. By performing chemistry experiments in small drops of less
than 100 nanoliters each, one can increase the number of experiments
performed, reduce the cost per experiment, and increase the speed of
research. However, small volume systems have many problems that must
be dealt with. Large surface to volume ratios make surface phenomena
a dominant concern, from surface adsorption, surface contamination,
surface tension, and evaporation. This project explores methods for
designing and building small devices that can enable small volume
chemistry to be performed.
Prerequisites: Students
should have some aptitude and interest in mechanical construction,
electrical circuits, and basic chemistry.
Project
#5: Combinatorial Bioassays in Droplet Arrays for Monitoring
Astronaut Health during Space Travel
Faculty Mentor: Professor Abraham P. Lee, Biomedical Engineering
Description:
In anticipation of the long duration space travel to put humans on
Mars, it is critical to develop methods to monitor the health of the
astronauts that travel for several years at a time. You will assist
in the development of a microfluidic chip that consumes small
quantities of reagents and requires minute sample sizes. This
project focuses on a lab-on-a-chip platform that will generate an
array of picoliter droplets each containing sample or reagent for
multiple bioassays. You will develop control interfaces for a
manipulation system to control droplet array generation, allowing
splitting, and merging of droplets with a LabviewTM electronic
interface. Control parameters include syringe pump flow rates,
on-chip electrode voltages, and chip temperatures. You will be
exposed to Labview programming, electrical instrumentation, and
microfluidic device designs.
Prerequisites: One
year of physics and one year of chemistry.
Recommended Web sites and publications:
Papers in Special Issue on Droplets in Microfluidics (Lab on a Chip
vol. 4, no. 4). : http://biomint.eng.uci.edu
Project
#6: Electrochemiluminescence Microscopy
Faculty Mentor: Professor James P. Brody, Biomedical Engineering
Description:
The goal of this project is to develop a high-resolution nano-scale
imaging system using nano-fabricated electrodes,
electrochemiluminescence, and sensitive optics. This will allow the
construction of nanoscale biomolecular images. The resolution of
this system is not limited by the optical wavelength, but rather by
the size of the electrode exciting the electrochemiluminescent tag.
Expected results are, in the short term, better understanding of
electrochemiluminescence at the nano-scale and, in the long term, a
new method of imaging biological samples. Students will learn skills
in electrochemistry, nano fabrication, optics, computer data
acquisition and control, and data analysis.
Prerequisites: This
project is appropriate for students who have finished their
sophomore level of an engineering curricula. Students should have
completed general chemistry and physics through electromagnetics.
Recommended Web sites and publications:
Conference publication: http://brodylab.eng.uci.edu/~jpbrody/lee2004spie.pdf
Project
#7: Micro- and Nano-Technologies for Implantable Devices
Faculty
Mentor: Professor William C. Tang, Biomedical Engineering
Description:
Examine and develop technologies based on micro- and nano-fabrication
to achieve ultra-miniaturized and ultra-low-power devices for
biomedical implant applications. Future impacts include real-time
health monitoring, semi-automated or automated early diagnoses and
therapeutic deployment, and adaptive human performance enhancement.
Students will be introduced to micro- and nano-fabrication
techniques in general, and will learn certain aspects of how the
technology can be put to practical use through well-defined,
hands-on research in understanding, designing, and analyzing novel
device concepts. Research topics include novel approaches in
designing micro implants, modeling and analysis techniques, material
biocompatibility, ultra-low-power strategies in wireless
communication links and overall system optimization. Fabrication and
assembly research will be integral to students’ research
experiences.
Prerequisites: Preferred
Junior standing in Engineering, Biological Sciences, or Chemistry
Project #8: Portable
Optical Coherence Tomography Instruments for the Detection and
Management of Thermal, Chemical and Biological Injury
Faculty
Mentor: Professor Zhongping Chen, Biomedical Engineering
Description:
Develop portable optical coherence tomography (OCT) instruments for
imaging and to quantify burn injury. Skin wounds, inhalation/burn
airway injury and toxic gas inhalation injury are major health
hazards for military personnel. OCT is a non-invasive technique that
images tissue structure up to a depth of 2 mm with high spatial
resolution (2~10) mm; this project will combine biomedical imaging
with MEMS technology to develop a lightweight, high-speed,
high-resolution OCT device. Students will be exposed to basic optics
and MEMS technology in the context of biomedical imaging and have
hands-on experience of fiber optics systems.
Project
#9: Ultrasonic Atomization and Application to Nanoparticles
Faculty
Mentor: Professor Chen S. Tsai, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Description:
Develop a novel advanced atomization technique capable of
efficiently producing uniform precursor drops (<10 micron in
diameter)through the use of a silicon-based ultrasound-modulated
two-fluid (UMTF)atomization nozzle, and apply it to nanoparticles
synthesis and processing of bio-nano dispersions. Such precursor
drops can be processed at much lower temperatures and pressure,
allowing efficient and inexpensive production of nanoparticles from
heat-sensitive precursor materials such as proteins and DNA. The
project will establish (1) the design methodology, fabrication, and
testing techniques for silicon MEMS-based high-frequency (>1 MHz)
ultrasonic nozzles, and (2) novelty, manufacturability, and
commercial potential of their applications to nanoparticles
synthesis and spray drying of colloidal bio-dispersions through UMTF
atomization and ambient pressure processing. Students will benefit
by acquiring and practicing high-tech knowledge through team
research, and by gaining familiarity with MEMS-based
microfabrication facilities and high-frequency electronic and
ultrasonic equipment.
Prerequisites: Physics
and Mechanics in particular.
Electronics
| Project
#10: A Miniature Facility for Dynamic Measurement of Gas
Damping
Faculty Mentor: Professor Andrei M. Shkel, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Description:
Design a facility to test nonlinear dynamics and coupled-physics
phenomena using base excitation, a piezo-actuator providing
stepped-sine excitation to the MEMS package and a laser Doppler
velocimeter coupled to a microscope to sense velocity response. A
thermally controlled vacuum enclosure will be constructed with a
glass viewport for optical observation of the microsystems's
response to a variety of ambient pressures and temperatures.
Prerequisites: At
least junior-level Electrical or Mechanical Engineering major.
Project
#11: Design of High-Speed Integrated Circuits for Broadband
Communications Infrastructure
Faculty Mentor: Professor Michael M. Green, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Description:
Use simulation and extraction tools to predict the behavior of
high-speed CMOS and BiCMOS integrated circuits being designed. Once
the physical layout is finished, the circuit is fabricated using a
local foundry, and the chip is tested. This research has a direct
impact on high-speed communications infrastructure (e.g.,
fiber-optic broadband) and is of interest to both academic
researchers and local industry. Students will be trained in specific
tasks, including physical layout and simulation of each circuit
block.
Prerequisites: General
understanding of operation, design, and utilization of integrated
circuit modules, including multi-stage amplifiers, operational
amplifiers, and logic circuits.
Project
#12: Fabrication of Electrodes with Nano-Size Gap Using
Electroless Nickel Plating
Faculty Mentor: Professor Peter J. Burke, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Description:
Electrodes with a separation of few nanometers are an effective, yet
expensive, tool for studying electrical properties of single and
multiple atoms. Electroless or autocatalytic nickel plating is a
simple and inexpensive technique to make such electrodes through
metal deposition on substrate without an external source. Two
electrodes with a gap of 1-2 microns are patterned with conventional
lithography, immersed in an electroless nickel plating bath, and
plated with nickel until the gap narrows, monitored by a simple
circuit. You will learn how to make a mask and wafer for the
electrodes pattern using equipment such as 20:1 Reduction High
Resolution Maskmaking, KarlSuss Aligner, E-beam evaporator,
Lock-in-Amplifier, SEM, and Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor
Deposition. You will learn how electroless plating works and how to
control deposition rate.
Prerequisites: Prior
electronics and chemistry coursework.
Project
#13: MEMS Micro-Mirrors: From Design to Experimental
Faculty
Mentor: Professor Andrei M. Shkel, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Description:
Facing demand for increased speed and bandwidth, the Internet and
other technologies are turning to fiber optics, which permit higher
speed and data capacity. In fiber optic networks, data are carried
by light, which is immensely faster than electrons, the carriers in
electrical networks, and has much greater bandwidth since many
frequencies can be transmitted at the same time along the same path.
This research project will design, test, and implement MEMS optical
actuators.
Prerequisites: At
least junior level Electrical or Mechanical Engineering major.
Project
#14: Micro-Platform for Protein Crystallization in Nanoliter
Volume
Faculty Mentor: Professor
Guann-Pyng "G.P." Li, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Description:
Develop an advanced micro-platform for performing one of the most
difficult assays in molecular biology—the crystallization of
macro-molecular biomolecules. The technology may enable the rapid
crystallization and structure determination of critically important
proteins such as those responsible for the toxicity of anthrax or
SARS. The project’s short-term goal is to explore the use of
advanced micro-integration technology for constructing a
micro-instrument capable of chemical experiments in miniscule
droplets of solution. The engineering work represents a major
challenge in micro-integration technology because the platform
combines micro-fluidics, micro-optics, micro-sensors, and
micro-electronics with conventional instrumentation and software.
You will learn skills in nanofabrication, micro-optics,
microelectronics, computer data acquisition and control, data
analysis, and understanding of protein structures.
Project #15: Platform
for Constructing DNA-Based Molecular Electronics
Faculty Mentor: Professor
Guann-Pyng "G.P." Li, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Description:
Develop an advanced micro-platform for performing DNA computing—the
electronic programmable construction of DNA on silicon substrate
with microelectronics. The technology may enable the rapid formation
of millions of DNA sequences on demand with low volume consumption
of base pairs. The project’s short-term goal is to explore the use
of advanced micro-fluidic technology for constructing a DNA
computing platform, which can perform chemical experiments in nano-droplets
of solution, leading to dramatically faster DNA sequencing, reduced
sample consumption, and integration with standard microelectronics.
You will learn skills in nano-fabrication, micro-sensor,
microelectronics, computer data acquisition and control, data
analysis, DNA computing and DNA construction at the nano-scale.
Project #16: Spin
Transport and Dynamics in One-Dimensional Nanostructures
Faculty
Mentor: Professor Jia
"Grace" Lu, Chemical Engineering & Materials Science
Description:
Research on new physical aspects of the quantum states and dynamic
behavior of single-electron spins in one-dimensional (1D) systems
using a 1D nanowire/nanotube weakly coupled to ferromagnetic
electrodes to inject and detect polarized spins. These nanoscale
hybrid structures will be used to test various theoretically
predicted phenomena, such as spin injection, diffusion, and
accumulation, with the ultimate goal of applying single-electron
spin as a binary state in applications for magnetic field sensing,
data storage, quantum computing, and sensitive directional infrared
detector arrays. You will learn device design, low temperature
transport measurements, and nanofabrication, including
photolithography, ebeam lithography, and other cleanroom processing
techniques.
Prerequisites: Modern
Physics is required. Knowledge of Solid State Physics can be learned
along the way.
Recommended Web sites and publications:
Paper on Nano-junction -- Spin-dependent tunneling and Coulomb
blockade by Nicolas Feltin : http://www.nano-tek.org/articles/art007.html
Homepage of Magnetoelectronics: http://www.magnetoelectronics.com/
Materials
| Project
#17: Dielectrophoretic Separation Systems
Faculty Mentor: Professor
Marc J. Madou, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Description:
You will get hands-on practical experience in designing and
implementing a dielectrophoretic separation system.
Dielectrophoretic force is applied to particles within a fluid
through application of nonuniform AC or DC electric fields.
Dielectrophoresis is one of the few methods of exerting a
significant force onto uncharged microscale and submicron particles
without moving the fluid medium. There is a great need for
high-throughput separation systems,especially for separation of
micro and nanoscale particles. Possible uses for this technology
include separation of carbon nanotubes (All current methods of
creating carbon nanotubes create a mixture of semiconducting and
metallic nanotubes.), separation of cells for improved assay
performance, and separation of contaminants from fluids.
Prerequisites: Basic
engineering and science training.
Project
#18: Low-Cost Techniques and Tools for Building
Nanostructures
Faculty Mentor: Professor
Mark Bachman, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Description:
By controlling the shapes of materials at sizes comparable to
molecules, one can affect huge changes on the material’s bulk
physical, chemical and electrical properties. This project will
focus on developing MEMS-enabled micro-tools for nanotechnology
fabrication, specifically (1) a microfurnace capable of growing
carbon nanotubes, and (2) a soft-lithography system for imprinting
nanometer imprints on surfaces. The students will learn about
nanofabrication techniques and develop skills in designing and
building tools for nanotechnology.
Prerequisites: Students
should have some aptitude and interest in mechanical construction,
electrical circuits, and computer programming.
Project
#19: Low-Resistance High-Transmittance Contact to p-GaN for
High-Brightness LED
Faculty Mentor: Professor Henry P. Lee, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Description:
High-power, green to UV, GaN LED shows promise for new functions,
from illumination to biomedical diagnosis and treatment. Project
goals include: 1) Develop contact technology for high-power GaN LED
for both regular-size front-emitting LED and large-area LED (mm by
mm back-side flip-chip bonding), and 2) Develop electrically-based
thermal measurement to evaluate temperature-related LED performance,
particularly those related to high current operation, at both chip
and packaged levels. A low-resistance, high-reflectance contact
design for a high-power flip-chip LED will be fabricated at the INRF,
with device characterization in the Fiber-Optics and Compound
Semiconductor Laboratory. You will practice device fabrication using
process tools such as photolithography; reactive ion etching and
electron-beam deposition of metals; and electrical and optical
measurement, such as I-V, light versus current, and spectral
measurement, using a semiconductor parameter analyzer, optical
spectrometer, high current pulse source transient measurement and a
probe station. Data acquisition and analysis will use Labview,
Origin, and Metlab.
Project #20: Mechanical
Properties of Carbon MEMS
Faculty Mentor: Professor
John LaRue & Professor Richard Nelson, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Description:
Measure the mechanical properties of glassy carbon for use in MEMS
and NEMS (Microelectromechanical Systems and Nanoelectromechanical
Systems) applications, characterizing properties including thermal
and elasticity coefficients, density, morphology, bonding strength
to other materials, and electrical conductivity. Glassy carbon can
provide a lower spring constant for micro-springs, improved
conformality, and chemical resistance, lower voltages for portable
devices such as microspectrometers for hyperspectral imaging and RF
switches for radios. These have major military, consumer, and
industrial applications. You will learn: 1)Material characterization
techniques for micro and nano-sized samples, 2) Methods for glassy
carbon formation and two-dimensional patterning, 3)Structural and
mechanical applications of glassy carbon in MEMS and NEMS devices,
and 4) How to work collaboratively with faculty, post-docs, and
other students.
Prerequisites: An
introductory physics or materials science course would be helpful.
Otherwise, a short introduction to the relevant materials science
will be provided, as needed.
Project
#21: Molecular Electronics
Faculty Mentor: Professor Wilson Ho, Physics & Astronomy
Description:
Molecular electronics holds great potential for communication and
sensing, including modern warfare applications. Materials such as
C60 have the potential to replace silicon in reduced-size electronic
circuits. Students will fabricate and measure organic monolayers and
thin films with lateral dimensions as small as 20 nm, using STM to
measure their field effect transistor (FET) geometry and effects of
a discrete number of dopants and impurities on nanostructure
conductivity. You will be exposed to a range of nanoscience
experimental techniques, including high-vacuum equipment, sub-micron
and nanofabrication techniques, as well as electrical measurement
methods, programming in C++, two-dimensional Autocad, and
interfacing instruments with a PC.
Project
#22: Nanocrystalline Materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC)
Electrolytes
Faculty Mentor: Professor
Martha L. Mecartney, Chemical Engineering & Materials Science
Description:
Nanocrystalline oxides can display anomalously enhanced ionic
conductivity at very fine grain sizes. This summer research project
will focus on fabricating electrolyte materials with a range of
grain sizes down to the nanometer scale, assessing the
microstructure using scanning electron microscopy and x-ray
diffraction, and analyzing the ionic conductivity. The goal is to
develop materials for solid oxide fuel cell electrolytes that are
more efficient than current oxides.
Prerequisites: Grade
of B or better in an Introduction to Materials Science and
Engineering course. An added plus is scanning electron microscopy
experience and an undergraduate course in ceramics, but these are
not required as we will train you over the summer.
Recommended Web sites and publications:
Materials Science Paper: http://www.sciencedirect.com/sdarticle.pdf
Materials Science Paper: http://www.ipme.ru/e-journals/RAMS/no_1604/brossmann/brossmann.pdf
Project
#23: Nanoscale Electrode Development for Fundamental Studies
of Mixed Ionic and Electronic Conductors as High Temperature Fuel
Cell Components
Faculty Mentor: Professor
Daniel Mumm, Chemical Engineering & Materials Science
Description:
Fuel cell systems have enormous potential for revolutionizing power
production and utilization, and promise dramatic improvements
relative to existing power production systems in energy efficiency
and environmental impact. Despite the macroscopic scale of these
systems, the performance is dictated by processes occurring on the
nanoscale. Emerging solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems incorporate
a class of ceramics with mixed ionic and electronic conduction (MIEC)
as electrodes, but our understanding of ionic transport in these
materials is incomplete. This project is aimed at developing a
platform for studying these transport mechanisms, through patterning
nanoscale electrodes on MIEC surfaces. By varying distances between
electrodes, and measuring the effects on conductivity, a detailed
understanding of the mixed ionic and electronic conduction may
emerge. You will make use of photolithography and electron-beam
lithography instruments to define electrode patterns at appropriate
length scales, and will subsequently use high-temperature furnace
systems interfaced with electronic probes to measure conduction
behavior under conditions relevant to SOFC technology. This project
would be fairly unique in that it provides a bridge between nano-fabrication
approaches and electrochemical power systems that operate at very
high temperature (up to 1000°C).
Prerequisites: Students
should have taken an introductory Materials Science course;
additional instruction in electrochemistry is highly desired.
Recommended Web sites and publications:
Recommended Publications: 1) H.L. Tuller (2000), "Ionic
Conduction in Nanocrystalline Materials," Solid State Ionics
131, 143-157. 2) P. Heitjans and S. Indris (2003), “Diffusion and
Ionic Conduction in Nanocrystalline Ceramics,” Journal of Physics:
Condensed Matter 15, R1257R1289. 3) P. Knauth (2002), “Defect and
Transport Properties of Nanocrystalline Ceramics and Thin Films,”
Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry 6, 165-171. [Erratum:
Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry 6, 290.] 4) M. de Ridder,
A.G.J. Vervoort, R.G. van Welzenis and H.H. Brongersma (2003), “The
Limiting Factor for Oxygen Exchange at the Surface of Fuel Cell
Electrolytes,” Solid State Ionics 156, 255-262.:
Project
#24: Polymer Nanowire Growth Using Electrochemical Step Edge
Faculty
Mentor: Professor Reginald "Reg"
M. Penner, Chemistry
Description:
Step edges present on a graphite surface will be exploited to
template the growth by electrodeposition of electronically
conductive polymer nanowires composed of poly(thiophene) and poly(pyrrole).
These polymer nanowires are expected to possess interesting and
useful properties, including an ultra-fast switching time and a
redox state-dependent volume. Consequently, they have the potential
to function as nano-actuators, and as gates in transistors. Because
of their intrinsic porosity, polymer nanowires may also be useful
for chemical sensing. Initial work will focus on understanding the
relationship between the growth conditions and properties of the
resulting nanowires, including their diameter, diameter uniformity,
conductivity, and mechanical properties. This work will depend on
the following experimental techniques: 1) electrochemistry, 2)
scanning electron microscopy, and 3) basic, two-terminal electrical
measurements.
Project
#25: Thin Film Dielectrics by Pulsed Deposition CVD
Faculty
Mentor: Professor Martha L.
Mecartney, Chemical Engineering & Materials Science
Description:
You will study CVD deposited nanoscale ZrO2 thin films for
dielectric applications. You will learn principles and applications
of Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), the use of microstructural
analysis tools, such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray
Diffraction (XRD), and how to conduct thin film dielectric
measurements. The project's goal is to determine the effectiveness
of pulsed deposition CVD for obtaining uniform thin films of ZrO2
for dielectric applications. This project is in collaboration with
Professor Susan Krumdieck at the University of Canterbury, New
Zealand.
Prerequisites: Grade
of B or better in an Introduction to Materials Science and
Engineering course. An added plus is scanning electron microscopy
experience and an undergraduate course in ceramics, but these are
not required as we will train you over the summer.
Recommended Web sites and publications:
Recommended Readings: 1. Krumdieck SP, Sbaizero O, Bullert A, and
Raj R. Solid yttria-stabilized zirconia films by pulsed chemical
vapor deposition from metal-organic precursors JOURNAL OF THE
AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY 85 (11): 2873-2875 NOV 2002 2. Krumdieck S,
Raj R Growth rate and morphology for ceramic films by pulsed-MOCVD
SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY 141 (1): 7-14 JUN 4 2001 :
Project
#26: Thin Film Synthesis of Micro-Scale Solid Oxide Fuel
Cells
Faculty Mentor: Professor
Daniel Mumm, Chemical Engineering & Materials Science
Description:
A number of technologically important systems, including
electrolyzers, oxygen sensors and fuel cell based portable power
devices make use of thin film multi-layers of electrode and
electrolyte materials. In these systems, the resistance of the
electrolyte is the primary performance-limiting issue. Fabricating
systems with ultra-thin film electrolytes offers the potential for
greatly enhancing conductivity by reducing ohmic loss. However, as
thicknesses decreases, conduction mechanisms may change – such
that there is an optimal thickness that is dependent upon the
intrinsic properties of the material. This project is focused on
developing thin film fuel cell structures that allow us to evaluate
different materials as thin film electrolytes. You will make use of
thin film deposition systems combined with advanced lithography
techniques to define thin film fuel cell structures. These systems
will be tested using high-temperature test stands at the National
Fuel Cell Research Center (NFCRC), co-located at UCI.
Prerequisites: Students
should have taken an Introductory Materials Science course;
additional instruction in electrochemistry is highly desired.
Recommended Web sites and publications:
Recommended Publications: 1) C.D. Baertsch, K.F. Jensen, J.L. Hertz,
H.L. Tuller, S.T. Vengallatore, S.M. Spearing, and M.A. Schmidt
(2004), "Fabrication and Structural Characterization of
Self-Supporting Electrolyte Membranes for a Micro Solid-Oxide Fuel
Cell," Journal of Materials Research 19, 2604-2615. 2) S. Kim
and J. Maier (2004), "Partial Electronic and Ionic Conduction
in Nanocrystalline Ceria: Role of Space Charge," Journal of the
European Ceramic Society 24, 1919-1923. :
Sensors
| Project
#27: All-fiber Acousto-optic Spectrometer
Faculty Mentor: Professor Henry P. Lee, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Description:
Develop an Ultra-Compact Spectrometer for environmental and
biochemical sensing through acousto-optic mode coupling in a
single-mode optical fiber incorporating an acousto-optic tunable
filter and a semiconductor photodetector. The student will fabricate
a Si fixture using photolithographic techniques and a combination of
wet and dry etching techniques. Spectrometer performance will be
characterized in the Fiber-Optics and Compound Semiconductor
Laboratory. You be trained in mask design, photolithography,
reactive ion etching, and anisotropic chemical etching, and will be
exposed to fiber processing techniques such as cleaving, splicing,
and gluing, as well as fiber-optic measurement techniques.
Project
#28: IrOx Derived Biosensors
Faculty Mentor: Professor
Marc J. Madou, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Description:
Using melt-oxidized Ir wires, a series of sensors will be
demonstrated: pH, CO2, and urea. The first two will be combined in
one sensor for use in fermentors and intended to perform as well or
better than commercial devices while being much smaller and more
durable. The urea sensor will be used in dialysis to stop the
treatment once all urea has been washed from a patient¹s blood. The
students will be exposed to the science of miniaturization as
applied to a series of simple electrochemical sensors. They will
learn how to fabricate and test their own sensors.
Prerequisites: Basic
engineering and science training.
Project
#29: MEMS Angle Measuring Gyroscopes
Faculty Mentor: Professor
Andrei M. Shkel, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Description:
You will develop a MEMS-based rate-integrating gyroscope, a very
tiny mass on a very tiny suspension system, made to oscillate. As a
gyroscope-equipped object (airplane, satellite, etc.) rotates, the
gyroscope’s stable oscillation line remains fixed, allowing
measurement of the object’s rotation angle. MEMS-based gyros’
small size enables things not previously possible, such as totally
implantable vestibular prostheses, interactive pointing devices for
consumer electronics, security systems, highly interactive personal
transportation systems, or smart munitions.
Prerequisites: At
least junior level Electrical or Mechanical Engineering major.
Project
#30: MEMS-based Totally Implantable Semicircular Canal
Prosthesis
Faculty Mentor: Professor
Andrei M. Shkel, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Description:
Using micro-accelerometers and micro-gyroscopes as an
electrostimulatory prosthesis capable of sensing head acceleration
forces for individuals who suffer from vestibular disorders. The
project combines two advanced inertial MEMS technologies,
micro-gyroscopes and micro-accelerometers, in a cochlear implant.
Prerequisites: At
least junior-level Electrical or Mechanical Engineering major.
Project
#31: Semiconducting Nanowires as Nanoelectronic Building
Blocks
Faculty Mentor: Professor
Jia "Grace" Lu, Chemical Engineering & Materials Science
Description:
This project studies the electrical, optical, and chemical sensing
properties of individual single-crystal semiconducting nanowires,
configured as field effect transistors. For example, ZnO is a II-VI
compound semiconductor with a wide and direct band gap of 3.37 eV.
They demonstrate (i) high sensitivity to toxic gases such as NO2,
NH3, and CO, and (ii) strong polarization dependent
photoconductivity. Work involves obtaining n-type and p-type
nanowires with uniform electrical property, and fabricating
vertically aligned field effect transistors and logic gates in order
to fully utilize the scaling advantage of these nanomaterials. In
addition, magnetic doping in ZnO nanowires is being explored to
study low-dimension ferromagnetic ordering, with the goal to develop
efficient spin injector and spin transistor. You will experience
chemical vapor deposition synthesis of nanowires and nanotubes,
device fabrication and characterization, transport measurements, and
scanning probe techniques.
Prerequisites: Modern
Physics is required. Knowledge of Solid State Physics can be learned
along the way.
Project
#32: Tailoring Nanocircuits for New Applications
Faculty
Mentor: Professor Philip Collins, Physics & Astronomy
Description:
The Collins Research Group focuses on electronic circuits built out
of novel, nanometer scale materials. At the nanometer scale,
properties tend to differ significantly than those for bulk
materials because of quantum effects and the confinement of
conduction electrons. This permits very unusual electronic devices
useful for practical applications such as sensors, or research
applications in physics at the nanoscale. Many of our current
projects involve chemical modification of nanowires connected into
circuits. You will pursue an independent project in which you will
measure circuit behavior before, during, and after exposure to
reactive gases or liquids, and will be exposed to all aspects of the
project, including growth and synthesis of nanowires, fabrication of
chips in UCI cleanrooms, atomic force microscopy, and circuit
measurement and characterization.
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