Technical / Research - Page 2

Researchers from Rice University say that have plans to create Graphene based quantum dots - which could enable single-molecule sensors and could lead to ultra-small transistors and on-chip communications with semiconductor lasers.

Quantum dots are vacancies (wells) that can confine excitons—bound electron-hole pairs—in a semiconductor to achieve properties that are superior to those of bulk materials. The Rice University researchers have added a new twist—leaving a single layer of carbon in the bottom of the well. The researchers reasoned that by removing islands of hydrogen from both sides of the sheets, tiny wells of conductive graphene, surrounded by the graphene insulator, will be left behind that could be used as quantum dots.

Via EETimes

University Of Utah researchers have developed a method to form pristine carbon nanotubes and graphene films without using expensive and time consuming post processing steps and systems The graphene ribbon has a width in the range of 1 to 20 nanometers. The graphene nanoribbons are induced to curl into carbon nanotubes by atomic deposition.

via BeforeItsNews

Researchers from Rice University has used theoretical models to determine that graphene can transmit thermal energy in waves. Given the elastic properties of graphene, long waves of the acoustic kind seem to work best. Because the scattering properties of graphene are low, such waves can go fast and far, unobstructed by each other or by imperfections in the material.

Via PhysOrg

Researchers from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in the US have shown in 3 studies that Graphene should be the nanomaterial of choice to strengthen composite materials used in everything from wind turbines to aircraft wings.

The studies found that composites infused with graphene are stronger, stiffer and less prone to failure than composites comprised of carbon nanotubes and other nanoparticles.

via Merid.org

Professors from the University of South Florida has found a way to make circuits out of Graphene - using tiny nanoscale defects. They made strips of broken atomic rings in the Graphene, and these have metallic properties - they can act like tiny 'wires'.

Via Engadget

AIXTRON today announced an order for one Black Magic deposition system from Purdue University’s Birck Nanotechnology Center in West Lafayette, IN, USA. The order is for a 2 inch wafer configuration system for the deposition of carbon nanomaterials and high-k oxides by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The order was received in the fourth quarter of 2009 and the system will be delivered in the second quarter of 2010.

Associate Professor Peide Ye of Purdue University comments, “The Black Magic CVD/PECVD platform is vital to our ongoing advanced CMOS device characterization research projects. This first-of-a-kind dual-configuration CVD system will allow us to not only to carry out CNT and graphene deposition but also to prepare high-k oxides by ALD in-situ. Having this unique capability at Birck means that we will be able to optimise carbon/oxide-based materials for the next-generation device channels. The advantage of preparing the oxide in-situ directly after channel growth is that it potentially eliminates contamination and trapped charge, leading to cleaner channel/oxide interfaces and better device performance.”

Researchers from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute got a $1 Million grant for a three-year study on a new coating (based on Graphene) for nanosensors that can be used for Oil or Gas exploration. The grant was given by the Advanced Energy Consortium.

Koratkar and colleagues are investigating how the flow of water, steam, or certain gasses over surfaces coated with carbon nanotubes or graphene can generate small amounts of electricity. The researchers seek to explain this phenomenon — which has been observed but is not yet fully understood — and use their findings to create tiny self-powered devices that travel through naturally occurring cracks deep in the earth and can help uncover hidden pockets of oil and natural gas.

Via Rensselaer