Technologies ellamey.com

        Array of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes grown using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition is intercalated with copper to create a composite which exhibits good thermal properties ideal for chip cooling.

       Array of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes grown using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition is intercalated with SiO2 to provide a bottom-up process for developing interconnects. These vertical interconnects are ideal for DRAM applications and three-dimensional architectures.

       The complex interaction between light and nanometer structures, like wires, has possibilities as new technology for devices and sensors. NAS researchers are studying light emission from a semiconductor nanowire-typically 10-100 nanometers wide and a few micrometers long-which functions as a laser. Lasers made from arrays of these wires have many potential applications in communications and sensing for NASA.

       Applied voltage draws a DNA strand and surrounding ionic solution through a pore of nanometer dimensions. The various DNA units in the strand block ion flow by differing amounts. In turn, by measuring these differences in ion current, scientists can detect the sequence of DNA units. Atomistic scale simulations performed on the NASA Columbia supercomputer (SGI Altix-3000) allow detailed study of DNA translocation to enhance the abilities of these sequencers. Solid-state nanopores offer a better temporal control of the translocation of DNA, and a more robust template for nano-engineering than biological ion channels. The chemistry of solid-state nanopores can be more easily tuned to increase the signal resolution. These advantages will results in real-time genome sequencing. Potential applications for NASA missions including astronaut health, life detection and decoding of various genomes.

       An engineered DNA strand between metal atom contacts could function as a molecular electronics device. Such molecules and nanostructures are expected to revolutionize electronics. Understanding the complex quantum physics involved via simulation guides design. For NASA, devices and sensors made from such molecules and nanostructures may be particularly useful when electrical power is limited.

        Carbon nanotubes is grown at Ames using a technique called chemical vapor deposition. CVD is ideal for growing large quantities (for composites) as well as for controlled growth on patterned substrates (for nanoelectronics).