Zechariah Mengrani

Profile

Project Title: Bio-molecular Nanocarbon Junctions for Low-power Computing.

Supervisor: Professor Matteo Palma

Content: Nanotechnology is a field of study focusing on the manipulation of matter on the atomic, molecular and supramolecular scale. It is a field where innovation and development are constantly occurring. A target area of research in this field is with regards to electronic devices. The drive to achieve smaller devices with stronger capabilities has been increasing, with the development of key components on the molecular scale a key deliverable. The fabrication of such devices requires new methodologies moving away from the conventional top-down techniques currently utilized in industry.

Research effort regarding this topic will be focused on developing future functional nanomaterial devices through the combination of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), alongside the utilization of other molecules. Wrapping CNTs with DNA in solution will be an important step into the creation of these devices. DNA has been selected due to the functionalization and characterization ability it exhibits alongside the compatibility it displays with CNTs. By investigating the properties of these DNA wrapped carbon nanotubes (DNA-CNTs) and the functionalization of these DNA-CNTs, their use as building blocks for single molecular devices can be achieved. From the development of DNA-CNTs, molecular junctions can be formed. For these devices to succeed, consistent electrical measurements need to be achieved with the junction exhibiting strong integrity. Scope for these devices include in bio-sensing, optoelectronics and energy storage.

Funding: Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) Studentship

Research