The ability to control the synthesis of nanostructures such as nanowires and nanotubes
is crucial t
o the success of next-generation nanotechnology devices. One promising approach for efficiently controlling fabrication is to functionalize nanoscale building blocks such that they will self-assemble under the appropriate conditions.


We employ a combination of ab initio total energy calculations and classical molecular dynamics (MD) calculations to investigate the possible self-assembly of nanoscale objects into chains and wires. Our results suggest a new technique for bringing nanoscale objects together to form ordered, ultra high-aspect ratio nanowires.


For more information about this work, please see 1.Z. Wu and J. C. Grossman, “Prediction of Ultra-High Aspect Ratio Nanowires from Self-Assembly,” NanoLetters 8, 2697 (2008).

 

Nanowire Self-Assembly

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