Sarin molecule interacting with Ge-terminated (111) facet of a SiGe quantum dot. DoD Problem: DoD needs novel detection and identification methods of chemical and biological (CB) sensing must advance fundamental understanding of materials, devices, and technologies capable of correctly categorizing and identifying CB agents. Solution: A nanosensor to detect the lowest possible quantity of organophosphate using quantum physics concepts operating at the quantum frontiers. Outcomes/Benefits: Through ab-inito quantum and molecular dynamics calculations, molecules are attracted by pyramidal silicon germanium quantum dots (QDs) where physisorption occurs without any chemical reaction. Sarin diffuses over SiGe surfaces through a small barrier of 87meV, while keeping a gap of about 3.4Å. SiGe quantum dots were fabricated using RTCVD and PLD. The sensor is expected to be the most sensitive, selective, and practical. A MEMS porotype that incorporates the nanosensor is being developed. The project has received an additional year of funding to continue. Contact Information: North Carolina Central University, PI: Abdennaceur Karoui Phone: 919-274-9411, Email: [email protected]Exploring Chemical and Bio-Sensors Operating the Quantum Frontiers
06/27/2017 12:07 AM
Sarin molecule interacting with Ge-terminated (111) facet of a SiGe quantum dot. DoD Problem: DoD needs novel detection and identification methods of chemical and biological (CB) sensing must advance fundamental understanding of materials, devices, and technologies capable of correctly categorizing and identifying CB agents. Solution: A nanosensor to detect the lowest possible quantity of organophosphate using quantum physics concepts operating at the quantum frontiers. Outcomes/Benefits: Through ab-inito quantum and molecular dynamics calculations, molecules are attracted by pyramidal silicon germanium quantum dots (QDs) where physisorption occurs without any chemical reaction. Sarin diffuses over SiGe surfaces through a small barrier of 87meV, while keeping a gap of about 3.4Å. SiGe quantum dots were fabricated using RTCVD and PLD. The sensor is expected to be the most sensitive, selective, and practical. A MEMS porotype that incorporates the nanosensor is being developed. The project has received an additional year of funding to continue. Contact Information: North Carolina Central University, PI: Abdennaceur Karoui Phone: 919-274-9411, Email: [email protected]