Nanofabrication and Tools - MTO Spark Tank

Quick Overview

This presentation by Dr. Huanan Zhang from DARPA/MTO discusses advancements in nanofabrication and tools, highlighting the increasing complexity of inorganic materials and the challenges in precisely controlling their atomic composition, structure, and uniformity. It contrasts conventional thin-film deposition techniques (PVD and CVD) with the need for new approaches to synthesize complex, atomically precise inorganic materials, drawing parallels to biological systems like protein synthesis.

Key Points: Nanofabrication is advancing towards increasingly complex inorganic materials with precise atomic composition, structure, and uniformity. Conventional thin-film deposition techniques like Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) are suitable for simple materials but struggle with complex structures. The question posed is how to precisely control the atomic composition, structure, and uniformity of these complex inorganic materials. Biological systems, specifically protein synthesis, offer a model for achieving precise control over complex molecular structures. The presentation suggests that understanding and applying principles from biological material synthesis could lead to new capabilities in inorganic material synthesis. Challenges include the vulnerability of microsystems to environmental threats like acids, bases, and salts, which can degrade material performance and longevity. Building chemical resilience in microsystems requires a fundamental and integrated approach, potentially leveraging insights from biological processes.

Context: The presentation, given by Dr. Huanan Zhang, Program Manager at DARPA/MTO, focuses on the evolution of nanofabrication and the tools used to create advanced materials. It highlights a shift from simpler materials like Germanium and Gallium Nitride to more complex structures such as complex oxides and intercalated superconductors. This shift necessitates new methods for material synthesis that offer greater control over atomic composition and structure, a challenge that the presenter suggests can be informed by biological processes.