Nanomanufacturing study yields results

ATLANTA, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Georgia Institute of Technology researchers say they've taken a major step toward high-volume production of new nanometer-scale structures.

The Atlanta-based researchers conducted the first systematic study of growth conditions that affect production of one-dimensional nanostructures from the optoelectronic material cadmium selenide.

Using results from more than 150 different experiments in which temperature and pressure conditions were systematically varied, researchers created a "road map" to guide future nanomanufacturing using the vapor-liquid-solid technique.

Previous Georgia Tech research mapped production conditions for nanostructures made from zinc oxide.

Together, the studies reportedly provide a foundation for large-scale, controlled synthesis of nanostructures that scientists say could play important roles in sensors, displays and other nanoelectronic devices.

"For the future of nanomanufacturing, we needed a systematic map to show the best conditions for producing these structures reproducibly with high yield," explained Zhong Lin Wang, director of Georgia Tech's Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. "This information will be necessary for scaling up production of these interesting structures for the applications that will be developed."

The results of the yearlong study appear in the journal Advanced Materials.