Yang

University of Kentucky

Understanding electromechanical interaction in nano-semiconducting structures on the micro/nano scale is critical for successfully manufacturing innovative nanodevices which function reliably and for continuous growth of optoelectronics and biomedical industries. To date, very little is understood about physical properties of nano-semiconducting structures at the nanoscale. This makes it difficult to optimize structural design and to improve the performance and reliability of nanodevices and nanosystems.

This project focuses on the characterization and modeling of the electromechanical interaction on the nanoscale in nano-semiconducting structures. The principal objectives are: 1) to characterize the size-dependence of the electromechanical interaction in ZnO and ZnS nanofilms, 2) to determine the characteristic thickness yielding electromechanical coupling in ZnO and ZnS nanofilms, 3) to model and quantify the electromechanical behavior of ZnO and ZnS nanofilms on the micro/nano scale, and 4) to build future workforce vital to Kentucky nanotechnology industry by training graduate students with both experimental and numerical simulation skills essential in the characterization and design of nanomaterials. This study ventures into an emerging research, which can produce the breakthroughs needed for the applications of nanoscale smart structures in biomedical engineering, optoelectronics and military. The research results will help the researchers at the University of Kentucky seek federal funding to establish a strong research program in the electromechanical characterization of low-dimensional semiconducting materials.