Resistive heating of microline resistors was used to activate vapor-deposition synthesis of silicon nanowires and carbon nanotubes in a room-temperature chamber. The process is compatible with on-chip microelectronics and eliminates the necessity of postsynthesis assembly of nanostructures to form more complicated devices. The process is localized, selective, and scalable. The synthesized nanowire dimensions are 30-80 nm in diameter and up to 10 m in length, while nanotubes 10-50 nm in diameter and up to 5 m in length have been demonstrated. Growth rates of up to 1 m/min for silicon nanowires and up to 0.25 m/min for carbon nanotubes were observed. This method facilitates the integration of nanotechnology with larger-scale systems.
Electric-field assisted growth and self-assembly of intrinsic silicon nanowires, in-situ, is demonstrated. The nanowires are seen to respond to the presence of a localized DC electric field set up between adjacent MEMS structures. The response is expressed in the form of improved nanowire order, alignment, and organization while transcending a gap. This process provides a simple yet reliable method for enhanced control over intrinsic one-dimensional nanostructure placement and handling.
This work investigates the formation of silicon/multiwalled carbon nanotube/silicon heterojunctions by in situ synthesizing carbon nanotubes between two heavily doped, suspended silicon microstructures that are separated 5–10μm apart using the techniques of localized heating and electric-field-assisted self-assembly. The local electric field has the strength of 0.2–1V∕μm. Tip- and root-grown carbon nanotubes are observed to form two different heterojunction morphologies at the tips as the former stop to grow and the latter continue to grow as the growth tips of carbon nanotubes reach the cold silicon. Experimental measurements of the silicon/carbon nanotube/silicon system show linear current-voltage characteristics indicating Ohmic contact behavior.
Smart homes hold the potential for increasing energy efficiency, decreasing costs of energy use, decreasing the carbon footprint by including renewable resources, and transforming the role of the occupant. At the crux of the smart home is an efficient electric energy management system that is enabled by emerging technologies in the electricity grid and consumer electronics. This article presents a discussion of the state-of-theart in electricity management in smart homes, the various enabling technologies that will accelerate this concept, and topics around consumer behavior with respect to energy usage.
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