We demonstrate the piezoelectric effect on the responsivity of a metal-semiconductor-metal ZnO micro-/nanowire photodetector. Piezo-phototronic effect can enhance the detection sensitivity more than fivefold for pW levels light detection.
Abstract Developing wireless nanodevices and nanosystems are of critical importance for sensing, medical science, defense technology, and even personal electronics. It is highly desirable for wireless devices and even required for implanted biomedical devices that they be self‐powered without use of a battery. It is essential to explore innovative nanotechnologies for converting mechanical energy (such as body movement, muscle stretching), vibrational energy (such as acoustic or ultrasonic waves), and hydraulic energy (such as body fluid flow) into electrical energy, which will be used to power nanodevices without a battery. This is a key step towards self‐powered nanosystems. We have demonstrated an innovative approach for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy by piezoelectric zinc oxide nanowire (NW) arrays. The operation mechanism of the electric generator relies on the unique coupling of the piezoelectric and semiconducting properties of ZnO as well as the gating effect of the Schottky barrier formed between the metal tip and the NW. Based on this mechanism, we have recently developed a DC nanogenerator (NG) driven by the ultrasonic wave in a biofluid and a textile‐fiber‐based NG for harvesting low‐frequency mechanical energy. Furthermore, a new field, “nanopiezotronics”, has been developed, which uses coupled piezoelectric–semiconducting properties for fabricating novel and unique electronic devices and components. This Feature Article gives a systematic description of the fundamental mechanism of the NG, its rationally innovative design for high output power, and the new electronics that can be built based on a piezoelectric‐driven semiconducting process. A perspective will be given about the future impact of the technologies.
Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Twitter Facebook Reddit LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Reprints and Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Thomas Stöckli, Zhong Lin Wang, Jean-Marc Bonard, Pierre Stadelmann, André Châtelain; Plasmon excitations in carbon onions: Model vs. measurements. AIP Conf. Proc. 11 August 1998; 442 (1): 439–442. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.56486 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAIP Publishing PortfolioAIP Conference Proceedings Search Advanced Search |Citation Search
Electronic skin (e-skin) uses advanced electronics and sensor arrays to manufacture human-skin-like robotics skin. The creation of e-skin has been made possible due to various physics effects/mechanisms, innovative materials, structural designs, and advanced fabrication techniques. In this Perspective, we describe the current advances in and emerging uses of e-skin for closed-loop systems, with a view toward applications in smart robotics, Internet of Things, and human–machine interfaces.
Abstract Summary: A novel polystyrene‐encapsulated laponite composite system has been developed via a miniemulsion polymerization approach. The encapsulation mechanism and process parameters have been examined in detail using light‐scattering, sedimentation analysis, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WXRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The laponite was encapsulated through a miniemulsion polymerization process in which laponite was predispersed in the monomer phase. The stability of both the miniemulsion and the latex depends on initiation loci, premixing procedures, intensity and time of ultrasonification and the surfactants and co‐stabilizer used. Hydrophobicity of the laponite clay played a vital role in both the encapsulation of the clay and the stability of the latex. A quaternary ammonium salt, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), was mixed with the clay in the monomer phase prior to emulsification. As a result, the clay particles were hydrophobically modified and were intercalated. The hydrophobicity not only favored the clay dispersion in the oil droplets but also aided the entry of the monomer into the clay's intergalleries during polymerization. Meanwhile, CTAB helped stabilize the system when it was used in conjunction with the nonionic surfactant polyoxyethylene (40) isooctylphenyl ether (TX‐405). In this way, the laponite is effectively encapsulated within a polystyrene shell in a stable latex form. More importantly, the polymerization initiated in the intergalleries of the clay effectively expands the clay's platelet array to form an exfoliated structure. image
We propose a built-in self-test (BIST) procedure for nanofabrics implemented using chemically-assembled electronic nanotechnology. Several fault detection configurations are presented to target stuck-at faults, shorts, opens, and connection faults in nanoblocks and switchblocks. We also present an adaptive recovery procedure through which we can identify defect-free nanoblocks and switchblocks in the nanofabric-under-test. The proposed BIST, recovery, and defect tolerance procedures are based on the reconfiguration of the nanofabric to achieve complete fault coverage for different types of faults. We show that a large fraction of defect-free blocks can be recovered using a small number of BIST configurations. We also present simple bounds on the recovery that can be achieved for a given defect density. Simulation results are presented for various nanofabric sizes, different defect densities, and for random and clustered defects. The proposed BIST procedure is well suited for regular and dense architectures that have high defect densities
