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Directed Assembly of Block Copolymer Materials addresses the problem of assembling nano-structured objects into functional nanoscale systems. One of the current challenges of nanotechnology has been that while it is possible to create a variety of nanoscale components, the processes of self-assembly and the resulting products are plagued by defects. These defects preclude the use of the resulting structures in applications where perfect order in required (e.g. electronic devices or memory).
Researchers in Thrust 1 are investigating how to achieve functional assembly. Currently explored topics include (1) Self-assembly of block copolymers on nanopatterned substrates, (2) convergent assembly of pre-fabricated nanoscale elements on nanoscale patterns, and (3) biologically-directed assembly of nanowires and nanorods for development of innovative biosensors. This work has the potential to eliminate the occurrence of defects, and promises to yield addressable media, thereby overcoming some of the major obstacles facing the nanofabrication industry and paving the way for a new generation of commercial processes.
