ACNP: Photovoltaics

The Advanced Carbon Nanotechnology Consortium (ACNC) formed by four research institutions and an industry research partner will conduct research and development toward practical applications of carbon-based nanostructurcd materials and devices that will result in breakthrough technologies beneficial to the US national defense. The three thrust areas on which ACNC will focus arc 1) advanced chemical and biological sensors and devices; 2) novel highly efficient energy conversion devices; 3) advanced electronic devices and special function displays. Specifically, diamond/carbon nanostructures will be developed for biological and chemical sensors and devices that include carbon derived nanotubes, electrodes and microtips for detection of toxic chemical agents in a liquid medium and explosive chemical species in air. Within the second thrust area, a new energy conversion source utilizing thermal~electric energy conversion devices based on diamond/carbon vacuum field emitter nanostructures will be developed to achieve novel power/cooling systems with high conversion efficiency, cleanliness, environmental friendliness and battlefield ergometrics. The third thrust area will include development of carbon derived cold cathode electron emitters and gated field emission devices with high reliability, robustness, high perfonnance and efficiency, and high emitting current for high-power high-RF advanced electronics, pulsed power source, miniature light-weighted novel microwave tube technology such as the traveling wave tube, and radiation-temperature-immune high power microwave vacuum integrated amplifiers and logic gates thereby significantly reducing the weight, power and size of systems. The technology for IR-emission displays will be developed for use in IR imaging/sensing equipment. Three different approaches will be investigated for these sources: alternating current thin film electroluminescent displays, polymer light emitting displays, and diamond micro-resistor arrays. In addition to application in IR displays, these IR emitting materials may be useful for medical, biological and chemical applications. The multidisciplinary and co\1aborative research and development program will be led by Vanderbilt University that will provide overall program coordination and develop advanced carbon-derived field emission devices. Efforts of the University of Kentucky will be focused on biological and chemical sensing, North Carolina State University wi1l develop energy conversion devices, the University of Florida will work on implementation of IR and related displays and the International Technology Center will develop nanocarbon structures for applications in biological and electronic devices. ITC will also identify and work with industry partners to transition the technologies into advanced development programs and/or manufacturing. While every team member is responsible for a particular research topic, close collaboration between team members with unique expertise in different thrust areas will be crucial for the success of the program. The program also ensures strong interaction generally with US industry and government laboratories and specifically with the Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate of the Anny Research Laboratory to achieve the mission. The consortium also provides training and education for students/researchers to meet the above challenges. Page C-l