Integrated Circuits Comprising Patterned Functional Liquids

Abstract

Solid-state heterostructures are the cornerstone of modern electronics. To enhance the functionality and performance of integrated circuits, the spectrum of materials used in the heterostructures is being expanded by an increasing number of compounds and elements of the periodic table. While the integration of liquids and solid-liquid interfaces into such systems would allow unique and advanced functional properties and would enable integrated nanoionic circuits, solid-state heterostructures that incorporate liquids have not been considered thus far. Here solid-state heterostructures with integrated liquids are proposed, realized, and characterized, thereby opening a vast, new phase space of materials and interfaces for integrated circuits. Devices containing tens of microscopic capacitors and field-effect transistors are fabricated by using integrated patterned NaCl aqueous solutions. This work paves the way to integrated electronic circuits that include highly integrated liquids, thus yielding a wide array of novel research and application opportunities based on microscopic solid/liquid systems.

Emerging Electron Microscopy Techniques for Probing Functional Interfaces in Energy Materials

“…Preparation of intact lithium electrode– and dendrite–electrolyte interfaces by this technique was recently demonstrated, as shown in Figure a,b . Cryo‐FIB techniques also allow intact interfaces on devices to be rapidly revealed for direct cryo‐scanning electron microscopy (cryo‐SEM) imaging, spectroscopy, and three‐dimensional structural analysis, as has been demonstrated for many systems . This direct characterization can be paired with preparation for cryo‐STEM to provide a host of information about these interfaces at different length scales …”

“…[46] Cryo-FIB techniques also allow intact interfaces on devices to be rapidly revealed for direct cryoscanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) imaging,spectroscopy,a nd three-dimensional structural analysis,a sh as been demonstrated for many systems. [46,[126][127][128][129][130][131][132][133] This direct characterization can be paired with preparation for cryo-STEM to provide ah ost of information about these interfaces at different length scales. [46] Samples produced by cryo-FIB lift-out are then transferred to the cryo-STEM, allowing nanoscale imaging and spectroscopic mapping to be performed on the intact interfaces,a ss hown in Figure 8c-f for the dendrite-electrolyte interfaces discussed previously.Inthis case,avoiding the washing steps and preserving the native structure and chemistry of the dendrites and their interfaces enabled two distinct dendrite types to be identified on the lithium metal anode,o ne composed primarily of lithium metal and the other of lithium hydride.I na ddition, an extended solidelectrolyte interphase (SEI) layer an order of magnitude thicker than generally thought was discovered.…”

Wettability Engineering for Studying Ion Transport in 2D Layered Materials

“…[ 19,20 ] While future advances are expected to reduce achievable feature size in printing technology, the patterned integration of low‐viscosity electrolytes on the micrometer scale likely demands alternative approaches. [ 21 ]…”

An Evolvable Organic Electrochemical Transistor for Neuromorphic Applications

“…A far less explored synaptic mimic was first published in 1960 in the form of a memistor—a three‐terminal device wherein the conductivity across a resistor is modulated by reversible electroplating of a more conductive metal on the resistor surface . While the memistor is a very interesting early exploration of machine learning, each device requires the encasement of a highly concentrated sulfuric acid solution in glass and thus presents great difficulties for miniaturization, mass production, and compatibility with the established microfluidic platform as well as with emerging liquid microfabrication technologies . Analog electronic devices simulate neuroplasticity by exhibiting either an increase, referred to as potentiation, or a decrease, referred to as depression, in the sensitivity of the output signal to the stimuli delivered at the input terminal.…”