Strain-controlled thermoelectric properties of phosphorene-carbon monosulfide hetero-bilayers

The application of strain to 2D materials allows manipulating the electronic, magnetic, and thermoelectric properties. These physical properties are sensitive to slight variations induced by tensile and compressive strain and the uniaxial strain direction. Herein, we take advantage of the reversible semiconductor-metal transition observed in certain monolayers to propose a hetero-bilayer device. We propose to pill up phosphorene (layered black phosphorus) and carbon monosulfide monolayers. In the first, such transition appears for positive strain, while the second appears for negative strain. Our first-principle calculations show that depending on the direction of the applied uniaxial strain; it is possible to achieve reversible control in the layer that behaves as an electronic conductor while the other layer remains as a thermal conductor. The described strain-controlled selectivity could be used in the design of novel devices.

Highly sensitive VOC detectors using insect olfactory receptors reconstituted into lipid bilayers

This paper reports a volatile organic compound (VOC) sensor based on olfactory receptors that were reconstituted into a lipid bilayer and used in a specifically designed gas flow system for rapid parts per billion (ppb)–level detection. This VOC sensor achieves both rapid detection and high detection probability because of its gas flow system and array design. Specifically, the gas flow system includes microchannels and hydrophobic microslits, which facilitate both the introduction of gas into the droplet and droplet mixing. We installed this system into a parallel lipid bilayer device and subsequently demonstrated parts per billion–level (0.5 ppb) detection of 1-octen-3-ol in human breath. Therefore, this system extends the various applications of biological odorant sensing, including breath diagnosis systems and environmental monitoring.

Improved Pulse-Controlled Conductance Adjustment in Trilayer Resistors by Suppressing Current Overshoot

In this work, we demonstrate the enhanced synaptic behaviors in trilayer dielectrics (HfO2/Si3N4/SiO2) on highly doped n-type silicon substrate. First, the three dielectric layers were subjected to material and chemical analyses and thoroughly investigated via transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The resistive switching and synaptic behaviors were improved by inserting a Si3N4 layer between the HfO2 and SiO2 layers. The electric field within SiO2 was mitigated, thus reducing the current overshoot in the trilayer device. The reset current was considerably reduced in the trilayer device compared to the bilayer device without a Si3N4 layer. Moreover, the nonlinear characteristics in the low-resistance state are helpful for implementing high-density memory. The higher array size in the trilayer device was verified by cross-point array simulation. Finally, the multiple conductance adjustment was demonstrated in the trilayer device by controlling the gradual set and reset switching behavior.

Titania Based Nano-ionic Memristive Crossbar Arrays: Fabrication and Resistive Switching Characteristics

Introduction: Intrinsic resistive switching properties of Pt/TiO2-x/TiO2/Pt crossbar memory array has been examined using the crossbar (4×4) arrays fabricated by using DC/RF sputtering under specific conditions at room temperature. Materials and Methods: The growth of filament is envisaged from bottom electrode (BE) towards the top electrode (TE) by forming conducting nano-filaments across TiO2/TiO2-x bilayer stack. Non-linear pinched hysteresis curve (a signature of memristor) is evident from I-V plot measured using Pt/TiO2-x /TiO2/Pt bilayer device (a single cell amongst the 4×4 array is used). It is found that the observed I-V profile shows two distinguishable regions of switching symmetrically in both SET and RESET cycle. Distinguishable potential profiles are evident from I-V curve; in which region-1 relates to the electroformation prior to switching and region-2 shows the switching to ON state (LRS). It is observed that upon reversing the polarity, bipolar switching (set and reset) is evident from the facile symmetric pinched hysteresis profile. Obtaining such a facile switching is attributed to the desired composition of Titania layers i.e. the rutile TiO2 (stoichiometric) as the first layer obtained via controlled post annealing (650oC/1h) process onto which TiO2-x (anatase) is formed (350oC/1h). Results: These controlled processes adapted during the fabrication step help manipulate the desired potential barrier between metal (Pt) and TiO2 interface. Interestingly, this controlled process variation is found to be crucial for measuring the switching characteristics expected in Titania based memristor. In order to ensure the formation of rutile and anatase phases, XPS, XRD and HRSEM analyses have been carried out. Conclusion: Finally, the reliability of bilayer memristive structure is investigated by monitoring the retention (104 s) and endurance tests which ensured the reproducibility over 10,000 cycles.

Multi-Level Cell Properties of a Bilayer Cu2O/Al2O3 Resistive Switching Device

Multi-level resistive switching characteristics of a Cu2O/Al2O3 bilayer device are presented. An oxidation state gradient in copper oxide induced by the fabrication process was found to play a dominant role in defining the multiple resistance states. The highly conductive grain boundaries of the copper oxide—an unusual property for an oxide semiconductor—are discussed for the first time regarding their role in the resistive switching mechanism.