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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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THE SCHOOL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Under the provisions of the regulations for the degree
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
on Thursday, September 1, 2016
1:00 PM
in MRDC 3515
will be held the
DISSERTATION PROPOSAL DEFENSE
for
Brian Beatty
"Application of Cellulosic Materials as Flexible Substrates for Two-Dimensional Electronic Heterostructure Devices"
Committee Members:
Prof. Eric Vogel, Coadvisor, MSE
Prof. Meisha Shofner, Coadvisor, MSE
Prof. Rosario Gerhardt, MSE
Prof. Faisal Alamguir, MSE
Prof. Manos Tentzeris, ECE
Abstract:
With the goal of creating a set of materials to enable flexible electronics, two-dimensional (2D) materials are incredibly capable. This family of nanomaterials comprises a suite of strong and flexible conducting, semiconducting, and dielectric materials. These materials, all compatible with one another, can be combined to enable an incredibly wide variety of behaviors and device structures. Designs for structures using 2D materials have been proposed or developed that allow for photovoltaic (PV) energy production, logic and general computing capabilities, and memory or data storage.
In this work, I propose that paper be considered as a promising substrate material for these flexible electronics, as it provides a variety of interesting benefits including environmental friendliness, flexibility, and low-cost. By mating pervasive flexible cellulose products with the new and exciting capabilities of 2D materials, we seek to help build a complete package of technologies for low-power electronics and computing applications.
There are a number of challenges to overcome when it comes to meshing these two materials systems. The surface properties of most papers have a great deal of roughness and texture, which can degrade performance of the 2D materials. Additionally, paper tends to be incompatible with most standard lithographic processes, requiring further processing to produce devices.
This work is intended to help improve understanding of the effects of surface and interface properties on the paper and 2D nanolayer system, develop additional methods and processes to produce functional test structures on cellulosic substrates, and optimize the electronic and mechanical properties via surface modification and interface engineering. To date, I have characterized the surface qualities of select paper substrates, determined preliminary methods to enable fabrication of structures directly on the final paper material, and performed initial electronic characterization of graphene-based transistors on cellulose.
This project aims to address the remaining challenges by working to develop new transfer and fabrication protocols for higher yields, utilizing surface coatings or different materials to allow for in situ fabrication or improved performance, and optimization via determination of failure mechanisms both mechanical and electrical.
As the world becomes more interconnected, everyday products and items are becoming smarter which is driving demand for low power and inexpensive computing technologies. A paper-based product would fit this need; inexpensive, environmentally conscious, and having a wide and tunable range of properties and possibilities.
