List of J-component Topics

ECE 1006-Introduction to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

The titles are not limited to the following topics. You are totally free to choose your j-
component topics but make sure that the topics are relevant to the course. You may do
(1) Simulation (2) Experimental work (c) Literature survey on advanced topics.

1. Nanophysics/Chemistry: Simulation of quantum tunneling process in resonant

tunneling diode or single electron transistor or any systems of your wish.

2. Nanophysics/Chemistry: Why the lotus-leaf is considered to be super-

hydrophobic? Identify physics behind it and some applications related to this
phenomenon.

3. Nanophysics/Chemistry: Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is one of the important

semiconductors being used in different applications. Demonstrate with the help
of Research Associate (RA), how TiO2 can be used to self-clean the wall?

4. Nanophysics/Chemistry: One of the important unusual properties of

nanomaterials is its increased in surface to volume ratio. How is this property
being exploited in different applications in physics and chemistry?

5. Energy: How Nanoscience (NS) and Nanotechnology (NT) can help converting
solar energy efficiently into electricity? Suggest a cost-effective technology or
find earth abundant materials or novel materials to make it possible with the
help of NS and NT.

6. Energy: How Nanoscience (NS) and Nanotechnology (NT) can help converting
solar energy efficiently into useful fuels that could replace the current fossil
fuels? Suggest a cost-effective technology or find earth abundant materials or
novel materials to make it possible with the help of NS and NT.

7. Energy: It has been suggested that the fuel cell technology using solar hydrogen
or solar methanol will mitigate global warming. Using NS and NT, propose a
cost-effective route to make fuel cell using earth abundant materials.

8. Nanoelectronics: Sooner or later, Light Emitting Diodes (LED) will replace all
fluorescence-based lamps as part of providing sustainable energy solutions to
the society. What is the contribution of NS and NT in achieving high efficient
LEDs to power our homes and offices?

9. Nanoelectronics: Survey or simulate some possible transistors with novel

materials that can replace the current silicon based field effect transistors (FET).
Examples: Carbon nanotube FET or graphene based FET, Quantum Dots based
single electron transistor.

10. Molecular Electronics: Organic light emitting diodes based television (Curved
OLED or normal OLED) or smart phones (Active Matrix OLED) incorporate
conducting organic or polymer materials. What is the role of NS and NT in this
field?
11. Nanomagnetism: The latest external passport size hard disk is with more than
1 terabyte (TB) storage. It is more compact with high storage density and easily
portable. Analyze the contributions of NS and NT to make such a compact disc
and their physics behind it.

12. Nanosensors: Propose some novel nano-optical sensors to sense some toxic
substances or anything of your wish. You may also identify nanosensors based
on some other physical phenomena.

13. Nanofabrication: The latest microprocessor that is available on the market is

22 nm FinFET microprocessor. Scientists are trying to shrink the size of the
transistors down to 22 nm to pack more transistors in order to make alive
Moore’s law. Analyze the technology that has been used to make 22 nm size
and the technology that is being used to shrink the size down to 22 nm?

14. Nanofabrication: DNA has generally been used to identify genetical

information of a person. But DNA can also be used as a mask to fabricate
nanopattern of extremely smaller size than being achieved with the
conventional optical lithography. Identify such DNA tools and motivate about
it.

15. Nanobiotechnology: Propose a novel way to treat or diagnosis cancer cells

without side effects using nanomaterials and nanotechnology.

16. Nanobiotechnology: Several medical kits are nowadays available to early

diagnosis some of the diseases without visiting the doctor. Identify such medical
kits using nanomaterials or technology and motivate how nanotechnology helps
enabling point-of-care testing system. Examples: Pregnancy kit, lab on a chip,
etc.

17. Nanocharacterization: With the help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM),

how one can make an image of a non-conducting material. Remember that SEM
is generally good for conducting materials.

18. Nanocharacterization: Suggest an optical microscopy that should make an

image of nanostructures smaller than 100 nm resolution. As the conventional
optical microscopy resolution is diffraction-limited at around 200 nm size
ranges.

19. Nanocharacterization: Demonstrate the size and shape dependence of

quantum dots’ or metal nanoparticles’ optical properties such as aborbance,
transmittance, etc. Get help from research associates (RA).

20. Nanomechanical: What are the unusual mechanical properties of CNT and how
are they being transformed technologically into making some commercially
available useful products such as tennis rackets, bicycles, car parts, etc.

21. Nano Solution to Clean energy, Clean air, Drinking water, E-waste and
recyling, Plastic waste and recycling