IEEE Nanotechnology Council
Advancing Nanotech for Humanity
IEEE

Distinguished Lecturers 2017

IEEE Nanotechnology Council (NTC) Distinguished Lectures for 2017

Talks by NTC Distinguished Lecturers can be requested by: IEEE student branches;  NTC or member Society Chapters; NTC and member Society Conferences; conferences of other IEEE Societies not members of the NTC for major plenary/keynote (based on availability of funding). Please contact the presenter directly to arrange for a presentation.

Husam Alshareef
King Abdullah University of Science & Technology
Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
Email: husam.alshareef@kaust.edu.sa

Distinguished Lecturer Talk Titles:

  1. Oxide Semiconductors for Transparent Electronics
  2. Nanoelectronic Materials & Devices
  3. Nanostructured Electrodes for Energy Storage Applications
  4. Supercapacitors/Microsupercapacitors

Synopsis: Indium-Free Fully Transparent Electronics Deposited Entirely by Atomic Layer Deposition
The field of transparent electronics based on metal oxide conductors and semiconductors has attracted much attention recently, because it is expected that fabrication of fully transparent devices will not only enable higher performance displays, but will also usher in a new era of transparent electronics and sensors. However, the limited work on fully transparent circuits has almost exclusively relied on indium tin oxide (ITO), indium doped zinc oxide (IZO) or other indium-containing oxides. It is well-known that indium supplies have been a constant concern for the display and touch screen industries, thus it is necessary to demonstrate high-performance fully transparent TFTs using alternative transparent oxides. In light of the above facts, we demonstrate robust processes for fully-transparent electronics fabrication with the following features: (1) A unique multilayer semiconductor channel composed of alternating layers of hafnium oxide (HfO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO), which gives significant improvement in the electrical stability of our devices; (2) entirely indium-free transistors (gate, SD, channel, dielectric are all indium-free); (3) all-oxide, truly fully-transparent devices and circuits (no metals, only transparent oxide conductors and semiconductors); (4) single deposition technique (ALD) for all materials, which means uniform and conformal deposition is possible on both planar and three-dimensional device architectures; (5) maximum process temperature of 160°C which allowed us to demonstrate the process on both rigid glass and flexible substrates. A variety of circuits including inverters, rectifiers, and ring oscillators are demonstrated using this technology.

 

Ozgur B. Akan
Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey
Email: akan@ku.edu.tr

Distinguished Lecturer Talk Titles:

  1. Fundamentals of Molecular Information and Communication Science
  2. Communication Theoretical Understanding of Nervous Nanonetworks
  3. Fundamentals of Molecular Communications and Nanonetworks
  4. Internet of Bio-Nano Things

Synopsis: Molecular communication (MC) is the most promising communication paradigm for nanonetwork realization since it is a natural phenomenon observed among living entities with nanoscale components. Since MC significantly differs from classical communication systems, it mandates reinvestigation of information and communication theoretical fundamentals. The closest examples of MC architectures are present inside our own body. Therefore, in this talk, we will present the existing literature on intrabody nanonetworks and different MC paradigms to establish and introduce the fundamentals of molecular information and communication science. we will highlight future research directions and open issues that need to be addressed for revealing the fundamental limits of this science. Although the scope of this development encompasses wide range of applications, we will particularly emphasize its significance for life sciences by introducing potential diagnosis and treatment techniques for diseases caused by dysfunction of intrabody nanonetworks.

 

Supriyo Bandyopadhyay
Virginia Commonwealth University
Email: sbandy@vcu.edu

Distinguished Lecturer Talk Title: Spintronics, nanomagnetic computing

Abstract: The lectures will consist of various aspects of spintronics, including but not limited to spin-based computing, spin transport in nanostructures, spintronic sensors, spintronic photodetectors etc. Additionally, the lectures may address the burgeoning field of straintronics pioneered by the nominee and a colleague. Straintronics relates to reorienting the magnetization of shape anisotropic nanomagnets with mechanical strain generated by tiny electrical voltages. This effect can be exploited to implement nanomagnetic logic systems and memory with unprecedented energy efficiency.

Walter Hu
University of Texas at Dallas
Email: Walter.Hu@utdallas.edu

Distinguished Lecturer Talk Titles:
1: Nanoimprinted polymeric and perovskite photovoltaics: effects of geometry on 3D chain alignment and performance enhancement.
2: Quantum confinement effects in top-down nanowire devices and application in ultrasensitive biosensing

Abstract, Talk 1: Nanostructure is the core enabling technology for future semiconductor manufacturing and emerging nanotechnology applications in renewable energy and medicine. For example, nanostructures of conjugated polymer has greatly enhanced the performance of organic photovoltaic devices (OPV). The performance of OPV is greatly determined by the nanoscale morphology of the donor/acceptor heterojunctions and the molecular orientation/crystallinity in the photoactive layer. A vertically bicontinuous and interdigitized heterojunction between donor and acceptor has been regarded as one of the ideal structures to enable both efficient charge separation and transport. In this talk, I will present our work of using nanoimprint lithography (NIL) as a new approach to simultaneously control both the heterojunction morphology and polymer chains in OPV. We found that nanoimprint procedure changes the initial edge-on alignment in non-imprinted P3HT to a vertical orientation which favors the hole transport, with an organization height over 170 nm and width in the range of 60- 210 nm. Better chain alignment improves hole mobility in P3HT nanogratings to be 0.03 cm2/Vs. It is also found that NIL enables stronger chain alignments in high molecular weight (MW) P3HT, showing its potential to release the benefits of high MW polymers that are not suitable for bulk heterojunction devices due to severe chain entanglement. These findings are further proved by increases in power conversion efficiency of OPVs using imprinted P3HT/PCBM nanostructures. Finally, I will show the initial results of using NIL to pattern perovskite nanostructures with improved crystallinity, which is very promising to further improve the performance of perovskite photovoltaics.

Jin-Woo Kim
Univ. of Arkansas, USA
Email: jwkim@uark.edu

Distinguished Lecturer Talk Title: Engineering Programmable Nanoscale Building Blocks for Epitaxial Self-Assembly of Advanced Materials

Abstract: Epitaxial assembly of multiple molecular/nanoscale particles (NPs) into multifunctional structures with arbitrary sizes and shapes has the potential to transform many fields of research, ranging from optoelectronics and nanophotonics to nanomedicine. Self-assembly has emerged as a powerful and practical strategy for controlled synthesis of such multifunctional, hierarchical NP structures. Despite the promise and recent progress, the accurate, scalable, and high-rate epitaxial assembly of heterogeneous nanocomponents into multifunctional nanostructures with “customized” shapes and sizes still remains a challenge. Our research group focuses on a transformative research to develop a nano-building block toolbox (“nanotoolbox”) for “programmable and customizable” self-assembly of bio-hybrid multifunctional nanostructures. This is accomplished with our novel technology that enables controls over the number and geometric configurations of functional ligands, including DNA, RNA and peptides, on various NPs. This presentation will discuss the fundamental challenges to epitaxial self-organization of NP nanoarchitectures, and present our strategies to realize the control and functionality necessary to overcome the challenges. Also, it will discuss the future directions for research in the field and their promise in applications through examples such as multifunctional and multimodal contrast nanoagents for advanced nanotheranostics that could catalyze a paradigm shift in medicine.

 

Larry Nagahara
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
Email: Larry.Nagahara@jhu.edu

Distinguished Lecturer Talk Title: Convergence of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Perspectives in Oncology:  Innovative Ways to Fight Cancer

Abstract: For more than 45 years, the U.S. government declared a “war on cancer” and committed to investing in laboratory and clinical research in order to understand the causes of cancer and thereby aid its diagnosis, treatment, and cure. Despite enormous advances and important improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of many cancers, the “war” has in significant ways progressed less than originally hoped. The complexity of the disease is evident in the dynamic and evolving course the disease takes during its progression and response treatment. Harnessing the power of nanotechnology could lead to a paradigm shift in the way we understand and ultimately and treat cancer. Novel and multi-functional nanodevices capable of detecting cancer at its earliest stages, pinpointing its location within the body, delivering anticancer drugs specifically to malignant cells, and determining if these drugs are effective is a vision shared by many scientists, engineers and clinical researchers. Recently, in-vivo nanobiosensors are able to detect tumors and metastatic lesions that are far smaller than those detectable using current, conventional technologies. Functionalized nanoparticles have delivered promising multiple therapeutic agents to tumor sites in order to simultaneously attack multiple points in the pathways involved in cancer. This lecture will describe in details some of the advances achieved these past several years and the challenges that nanotechnology faces for eliminating cancer.

 

James E. Morris
Portland State University
Portland, OR USA
Email: j.e.morris@ieee.org

Distinguished Lecturer Talk Titles:

  1. Nanopackaging: Nanotechnologies for Microelectronics Packaging

Nanotechnologies offer a variety of materials options for reliability improvements in microelectronics packaging, primarily in the applications of nanoparticle composites, or in the exploitation of the superior properties of carbon nanotubes and graphene. Nanocomposite materials are studied for resistors, high-k dielectrics, electrically conductive adhesives, conductive “inks,” underfill fillers, and solder enhancements, while CNTs and graphene may also find thermal, interconnect, and shielding applications. The talk will focus on these materials technologies, with some discussion of nanoparticle and CNT properties, a brief “Introduction to Electronics Packaging,” and some cautionary remarks on EHS issues in nanotechnologies manufacturing.

  1. Electrical Properties in Discontinuous Metal Thin Films

The initial nucleation and growth process of ultrathin metal films on insulating substrates produces an array of discrete metal nanoparticle islands due to the weak metal-to-substrate adhesion. Despite the lack of metallic continuity, such films are electrically conductive due to electron tunneling across the nm-scale gaps between islands. Essentially the films consist of an array of coulomb blocks, and the energy required to charge an individual island gives rise to an electrostatic activation energy as in SET structures. The presentation will discuss the calculation of this energy, with relevance to SETs, and a variety of experimental properties with potential applications, leading to a conduction model which explains all these apparently contradictory observations.

  1. Nucleation and Growth of Ultrathin Metal Films

The discrete nanoparticle island structure of metal thin films on insulating materials, e.g. IC metal interconnect on SiO2, is predicted by classical thermodynamics. However, the numerical values involved require an atomistic treatment to predict some counter-intuitive observations. Both models will be reviewed in the presentation which will then focus on the effects of electrical charges on the process, effects typically neglected despite their dominance in controlling film structure and properties in real systems.

Note: Topics #2 and #3 can be combined on request.

 

Hark Hoe Tan
Australian National University
Email: hoe.tan@anu.edu.au

Distinguished Lecturer Talk Title: Semiconductor Nanowires for Optoelectronics and Energy Applications

Abstract: Semiconductor Nanowires are considered as building blocks for the next generation electronics and photonics.  Nanowires due to their nanoscale dimensions alleviate issues of lattice mismatch and in principle allow one to grow nanowires of any material on any substrates. Two main growth methods are used to grow epitaxial nanowires, vapor liquid solid (VLS) growth mechanism using catalysts such as gold and selective area epitaxy.  This talk will cover how to growth nanowires and control their size, shape and composition including growth of heterostructures and quantum structures. This talk demonstrate excellent electronic and optical properties in a wide variety of III_V semiconductor nanowires including enhancing the light emission by using quantum well tubes and plasmonics. Optoelectronic devices such as nanowire lasers, nanowire solar cells and nanowire terahertz detectors will be discussed.  Future prospects of nanowires for optoelectronic device applications and photocatalysis will be discussed.

 

 

Yonhua (Tommy) Tzeng
National Cheng Kung University
Email: tzengyo@mail.ncku.edu.tw

Distinguished Lecturer Talk Title: Carbon Nanotechnology Materials and Devices

Abstract: Many sp2 bonded or sp3 bonded nanoscale carbons exhibit unique and excellent physical and chemical properties for practical applications. Rapidly advancing synthesis, processing, fabrication, integration, and mass production technologies make nanoscale carbons available and affordable to broad scientific and industrial communities, while more new forms of nanoscale carbons are being discovered or synthesized in the laboratory.  Both amorphous, crystalline, and hybrid forms of nanoscale carbons have been proven to be scientific and technologically significant.  This lecture will emphasize on crystalline, including nanocrystalline and ultrananocrystalline nanoscale carbons and review innovative manufacturing technologies and applications of 0-D carbon quantum dots, 1-D carbon nanotube, 2-D graphene, 3-D nanodiamond, and hybrids based on them. Examples to be given include intrinsic and doped graphene and its derivatives as well as fullerene and carbon nanotube based innovative nanoelectronics and nanophotonics. Intrinsic and doped nanodiamond and ultrananocrystalline diamond providing combined excellent properties for electrochemical, electronic, optical, tribological and biomedical applications will also be addressed. Applications of hybrids of ultrananocrystalline diamond and sp2 bonded nanoscale carbons, for example, for lithium ion battery electrodes will be presented. Nanoscale carbons are multidisciplinary materials offering us abundant opportunities of a greater future.

 

 

John T.W. Yeow
Univ. of Waterloo, Canada
Email: jyeow@uwaterloo.ca

Distinguished Lecturer Talk Title: Nanodevices for Biomedical Instruments

Abstract: The emergence of minimally invasive diagnostics and therapeutics in modern high-tech medicine has generated an unmet demand in miniaturized biomedical devices. There exist a definite need for clinical diagnostic and treatment instruments that are based on micro and nanotechnologies. In the past decade, micromachining technology and nanomaterials are making big impacts in many fields, especially in the field of biomedical engineering. The small size and low mass provided by micro/nanodevices make medical instruments portable, power efficient, and, in many cases, more effective. This talk will focus on the current development of the state-of-the-art miniaturized X-ray CT machines, endoscopic imaging devices, MEM-based confocal microscope and nanosensors.

The talk will also include an introduction of the IEEE Nanotechnology Magazine. Part of the effort is to promote the magazine to students.