One of the oldest goals across the science is to watch atoms undergo reactions in real time. However, such observations are only meaningful if the object of interest is looked at in its natural environment. For most biological and materials sciences samples, this means in solution phase or dispersed in a liquid. Unfortunately, this restriction normally prohibits either reaching atomic spatial (10-10m) or ultrafast time (10-15sec) resolution. Here, two sample preparation techniques are shown providing a natural environment for experiments with high spatial and temporal resolution: a nanofluidic cell for electron microscopy, and a chip for serial time resolved x-ray crystallography. The nanofluidic cell was implemented into different transmission electron microscopes, and in initial experiments, the key features of the sample cell are shown, namely the ability to create stable ultrathin liquid layers of tuneable thickness within the harsh electron microscope vacuum. The option to directionally flow liquid through the sample cell opens the door to high throughput electron microscopy and on-the-fly sample exchanges with the option of triggering and influencing chemical reactions with external sample control. First applications highlight the impact of the nanocell: structural disintegration of gold nanorods exemplary for materials science, and amyloid fibrils, exemplary for biomedical applications. In future applications diffractive imaging with high time resolution is planned, and will complement the range of experiments within the fields of traditional transmission electron microscopy. The second half of this thesis presents a solid target for x-ray crystallography. The chip enables the arrangement of thousands of micrometer sized protein crystals in a regular array. The ability to prepare protein crystals in such a fashion is unique and permits serial in situ crystallography. Real time crystallography requires samples to be mounted in a saturated natural environment, i.e. under ambient pressure and temperature conditions. The crystallography chip fills this need while being easily integrated into a synchrotron beam line. In a first set of experiments, the chip design was refined and could prove functionality for static in situ structure analysis of protein systems. Based on this success, future time resolved experiments are under way and will show the full capability of this device.

The mechanisms of thermal transport in defect-free silicon nanostructures are examined using a combination of lattice dynamics (LD) calculations and the Boltzmann transport equation (BTE). To begin, the thermal conductivity reduction in thin films is examined using a hierarchical method that first predicts phonon transport properties using LD calculations, and then solves the phonon BTE using the lattice Boltzmann method. This approach, which considers all of the phonons in the first Brillouin-zone, is used to assess the suitability of common assumptions used to reduce the computational effort. Specifically, we assess the validity of: (i) neglecting the contributions of optical modes, (ii) the isotropic approximation, (iii) assuming an averaged bulk mean-free path (i.e., the Gray approximation), and (iv) using the Matthiessen rule to combine the effect of different scattering mechanisms. Because the frequency-dependent contributions to thermal conductivity change as the film thickness is reduced, assumptions that are valid for bulk are not necessarily valid for thin films. Using knowledge gained from this study, an analytical model for the length-dependence of thin film thermal conductivity is presented and compared to the predictions of the LD-based calculations. The model contains no fitting parameters and only requires the bulk lattice constant, bulk thermal conductivity, and an acoustic phonon speed as inputs. By including the mode-dependence of the phonon lifetimes resulting from phonon-phonon and phonon-boundary scattering, the model predictions capture the approach to the bulk thermal conductivity better than predictions made using Gray models based on a single lifetime. Both the model and the LD-based method are used to assess a procedure commonly used to extract bulk thermal conductivities from length-dependent molecular dynamics simulation data. Because the mode-dependence of thermal conductivity is not included in the derivation of this extrapolation procedure, using it can result in significant error. Finally, phonon transport across a silicon/vacuum-gap/silicon structure is modelled using lattice dynamics and Landauer theory. The phonons transmit thermal energy across the vacuum gap via atomic interactions between the leads. Because the incident phonons do not encounter a classically impenetrable potential barrier, this mechanism is not a tunneling phenomenon. The heat flux due to phonon transport can be 4 orders of magnitude larger than that due to photon transport predicted from near-field radiation theory.

When materials approach the size of few nanometers, they show properties which are significantly different from their bulk counterpart. Such unique/improved properties make them potential candidate for several emerging applications. At the reduced dimension, controlling the shape of nanocrystals provides an effective way to tune several material properties. In this regard, wet chemical synthesis has been established as the ultimate route to synthesize nanocrystals at ultra-small dimensions with excellent control over the morphology. However, the use of surfactant poses a barrier into efficient realization of its application as it requires a clean interface for better performance. Exercise of available cleaning protocols to clean the surface often leads to coarsening of the nanoparticles due to their inherent high surface curvature. For anisotropic nanomaterials, rounding of the shape is an additional problem. Anchoring nanomaterials onto substrates provides an easy way to impart stability. In this thesis, ultrathin Au nanowires, that are inherently unstable, have been shown to grow over a wide variety of substrates by in-situ functionalization. Use of nanomaterials as device component holds promise into miniaturization of electronics. But device fabrication in such cases require manipulation of nanomaterials with enhanced control. Dielectrophoresis offers an easy way to assemble nanomaterials in between contact pads and hence evolved as a promising tool to fabricate device with a good level of precision. Herein, directed assembly of ultrathin Au nanowires by dielectrophoresis, has been shown as an efficient strategy to fabricate devices based on the wires. Combining more than one nanocrystal, to form a heterostructure, often has the advantage of synergism and/or multifunctionality. Therefore, synthesis of heterostructure is highly useful in enhancing and/or adding functionalities to nanomaterials. There are several routes available in literature for synthesis of heterostructures. Newer strategies are being evolved to further improve performance in an application specific way. In that regard, a good understanding of mechanism of formation is crucial to form the desired product with the required functionality. For example, Au due to high electron affinity has been known to undergo reduction rather than cation exchange with chalcogenides. In this thesis, it has been shown that the final product depends on the delicate balance of reaction conditions and the system under study using CdS-Au as the model system. In yet another case, PdO nanotubes have been shown to form, on reaction of PdCl2 with ZnO at higher starting ratio of the precursors. In-situ generation of HCl provides an effective handle for tuning of the product from the commonly expected hybrid to hollow. Graphene has evolved as a wonder material due to its wide range of practical applications. Its superior conductivity with high flexibility has made it an important material in the field of nanoelectronics. In this thesis, an interesting case of packed crumpled graphene has been shown to sense a wide variety of strain/pressure which has applications in day to day life. The study reported in the thesis is organized as follows: Chapter 1 presents a general introduction to nanomaterials followed by the review of the available strategies to synthesize various 1D nanomaterials. Subsequently, a section on the classification of hybrid followed by the different synthetic protocols adopted in literature to synthesize them, have been provided. A review on the available methodologies for directed assembly of nanomaterials has been presented. Chapter 2 provides a summary of the materials synthesized and the techniques used for characterization of the materials. A brief description of all the synthetic strategy adopted has been provided. The basic principle of all the characterization techniques used, has been explained. A section explaining the principle of dielectrophoresis has also been presented. Chapter 3 presents a general method to grow ultrathin Au nanowires over a variety of substrates with different nature, topography and rigidity/flexibility. Ultrathin nanowires of Au (~2 nm in diameter) are potentially useful for various catalytic, plasmonic and device applications. Extreme fragility on polar solvent cleaning was a limitation in realizing the applications. Direct growth onto substrate was an alternative but poor interfacial energy of Au with most commercial substrates lead to poor coverage. In this chapter, in-situ functionalization of the substrates have been shown to improve Au nucleation dramatically which lead to growth of dense, networked nanowires over large area. Catalysis and lithography-free device fabrication has been demonstrated. Using the same concept of functionalization, SiO2 coating of the nanowires have been shown. A comparative study of thermal stability of these ultrafine Au nanowires in the uncoated and coated form, has been presented. Chapter 4 demonstrates an ultrafast device fabrication strategy with Au nanowires using dielectrophoresis. While dense growth of Au nanowires is beneficial for some applications, it is not so for some others. For example, miniaturization of electronics require large number of devices in a small area. Therefore, there is a need for methods to manipulate nanowires so as to place them in the desired location for successful fabrication of device with them. In this chapter, dielectrophoresis has been used for assembling nanowires in between and at the sides of the contact pads. Alignment under different conditions lead to an understanding of the forces. Fabrication of a large number of devices in a single experiment has been demonstrated. Chapter 5 presents a simple route to synthesize CdS-Au2Sx hybrid as a result of cation-exchange predominantly. Au due to high electron affinity has been shown in literature to undergo reduction rather than cation exchange with CdS. In this chapter, it has been shown that cation exchange may be a dominant product. The competition between cation exchange and reduction in the case of CdS-Au system has been studied using EDS, XRD, XPS and TEM. Thermodynamic calculation along with kinetic analysis show that the process may depend on a delicate balance of reaction conditions and the system under study. The methodology adopted, is general and may be applied to other systems. Chapter 6 presents an one pot, ultrafast microwave route to synthesize PdO hollow/hybrid nanomaterials. The common strategy to synthesize hollow nanomaterials had been by nucleation of the shell material on the core and subsequent dissolution of the core. In this chapter, a one step method to synthesize hollow PdO nanotubes, using ZnO nanorods as sacrificial template, has been shown. By tuning the ratio of the PdCl2 (PdO precursor) to ZnO, ZnO-PdO hybrid could be obtained using the same method. The PdO nanotubes synthesized could be converted to Pd nanotubes by NaBH4 treatment. Study of thermal stability of the PdO nanotubes has been carried out. Chapter 7 demonstrates a simple strategy to sense a variety of strain/pressure with taped crumpled graphene. Detection of ultralow strain (10-3) with high gauge factor is challenging and poorly addressed in literature. Taped crumpled graphene has been shown to detect such low strain with high gauge factor (> 4000). An ultra-fast switching time of 20.4 ms has been documented in detection of dynamic strain of frequency 49 Hz. An excellent cyclic stability for >7000 cycles has been demonstrated. The same device could be used to detect gentle pressure pulses with consistency. Slight modification of the device configuration enabled detection of high pressure. Simplicity of the device fabrication allowed fabrication of the device onto stick labels which could be pasted on any surface, for instance, floor. Hard pressing, stamping with feet and hammering shocks do not alter the base resistance of the device, indicating that it is extremely robust. Sealed arrangement of the graphene allowed operation of the device under water in detection of water pressure. Presence of trapped air underneath the tape enabled detection of air pressure both below and above atmospheric pressure.

Transparent electrodes (TEs) have become important components of displays, touch screens, and solar photovoltaic (PV) energy conversion devices. As electrodes, they must be electrically conductive while being transparent. Transparent materials are normally poor conductors and materials with high electrical conductivity, such as metals, are typically not transparent. From the few candidate materials, indium tin oxide (ITO) is currently the best available, but indium is an expensive material and ITO cost has risen with increasing demand. Therefore, alternative materials or methods are sought to encourage production needs of applications and help in reducing their price. This thesis presents and discusses results of experimental work for a method, field-directed chaining, to produce a TE device which is nanowire-based, with a figure of merit FoM= 2.39 x10E-4 Ohm E-1, comparable to ITO but with potential for far lower cost. Using electric field-directed chaining, multiple parallel long chains of metal nanowires are assembled on inexpensive transparent materials such as glass by field directed nanowire chaining, using methods first demonstrated in our laboratory. In this work, we have improved the fraction of functional chains, by tuning the field/voltage, a key step in increasing the FoM and lowering the cost. The effect of operating parameters on TE optical and electrical properties has been studied and identified as well. From experiments with twenty seven substrates, each with a range of electric field and nanowire concentration, the highest light transmission achieved is 78% and the lowest sheet resistance achieved is 100 Ohm/sq. Among all the operating parameters, the electric field has the most significant influence on the fraction of nanowire chains that are functional. In the operating range of electric field strength available to us, we observed a monotonic increase in the fraction of functional nanowire chains. We found a counter-intuitive change in TE properties in a sub-range of nanowire concentration, associated with a change in the structure of chained patterns. / Graduate

Les interactions organo-minérales contrôlent la stabilisation de la matière organique du sol. Les nanominéraux, résultant de l'altération continue des minéraux, précipitent à partir d'espèces ioniques à leur surface. Les derniers travaux de simulation en laboratoire se sont focalisés sur les nanophases de Fe et Al. Dans ce travail, des simulations en laboratoire ont été réalisées sur les processus d'altération de la biotite et les néoformations résultantes, après hydrolyse d’espèces dissoutes d'un système Si Fe Al Mg et K, en présence et en absence de C. La structure des phases a été caractérisée par TEM- EDX et Fe-EXAFS.En l'absence de C, des nanominéraux amorphes de 10-60nm sont formés, la composition étant contrôlée par le pH en fin d'hydrolyse. A pH4.2 et 7, leur composition est dominée par Fe, dont la polymérisation est perturbée par Al Si Mg et K. Inversement, à pH5, la polymérisation du Fe est limitée par la précipitation de grandes quantités de Si. En présence de C, les complexes organo-minéraux synthétisés sont des particules amorphes de 2-200nm. Leur taille augmente avec la teneur croissante en C jusqu'à un ratio métal/C de 1. La précipitation engendre 2 familles: (1) les petites particules chimiquement similaires à la solution de lixiviat; (2) les plus grosses fortement contrôlées par la teneur de C. La composition de ces dernières est dominée par Si lorsque C est faible, et par Fe lorsque C est élevé. Le changement de chimie entre les particules plus petites et plus grandes ainsi que le rôle de Si sont importants mais souvent négligés. Ainsi, ces résultats éclairent l'effet des variations de C sur l'affinité des espèces inorganiques dans les systèmes naturels / Organo-mineral interactions, due to the high reactivity of nanominerals, play a major role in soil organic matter stabilization. Nanominerals, which are the result of the continuous alteration of minerals, precipitate from ionic species at the mineral solution interface. In literature, only Fe and Al get emphasis with regard to batch-synthesized nanomineral studies. In this work, laboratory simulations were carried out on the post biotite alteration processes and the resulting neoformations after hydrolysis of the dissolved species from a Si Fe Al Mg and K system, in the presence and absence of C. New phases were characterized by TEM-EDX and EXAFS at the Fe K-edge.In C absence, 10-60nm sized amorphous nanominerals are formed whose composition is controlled by pH at the end of the hydrolysis. For pH4.2 and 7 phases, composition is dominated by Fe, whose polymerization is hindered by Al, Si, Mg and K. Conversely, at pH5, the overall presence of Fe is counteracted by precipitation of high amounts of Si. In C presence, precipitates are amorphous 2-200nm sized particles. This size increases with increasing C presence until a molar Metal:C=1. Precipitation resulted into two distinct size ranges. Smaller particles chemically resemble the leachate solution, while for larger particles it is influenced by C concentration. Composition of larger particles is dominated by Si at low C compositions while by Fe at higher ones. Interesting is the change in chemistry between smaller and larger particles as well as the role of Si often overlooked in other studies. Therefore, these results emphasize on effect of C variations on affinity of inorganic species in natural systems.

At the beginning of this thesis, basic and advanced device fabrication process which I haveexperienced during study such as top-down and bottom-up approach for the nanoscale devicefabrication technique have been described. Especially, lithography technology has beenfocused because it is base of the modern device fabrication. For the advanced device structure,etching technique has been investigated in detail.The characterization of FET has been introduced. For the practical consideration in theadvanced FET, several parameter extraction techniques have been introduced such as Yfunction,split C-V etc.FinFET is one of promising alternatives against conventional planar devices. Problem ofFinFET is surface roughness. During the fabrication, the etching process induces surfaceroughness on the sidewall surfaces. Surface roughness of channel decreases the effectivemobility by surface roughness scattering. With the low temperature measurement andmobility analysis, drain current through sidewall and top surface was separated. From theseparated currents, effective mobilities were extracted in each temperature conditions. Astemperature lowering, mobility behaviors from the transport on each surface have differenttemperature dependence. Especially, in n-type FinFET, the sidewall mobility has strongerdegradation in high gate electric field compare to top surface. Quantification of surfaceroughness was also compared between sidewall and top surface. Low temperaturemeasurement is nondestructive characterization method. Therefore this study can be a propersurface roughness measurement technique for the performance optimization of FinFET.As another quasi-1 D nanowire structure device, 3D stacked SiGe nanowire has beenintroduced. Important of strain engineering has been known for the effective mobility booster.The limitation of dopant diffusion by strain has been shown. Without strain, SiGe nanowireFET showed huge short channel effect. Subthreshold current was bigger than strained SiGechannel. Temperature dependent mobility behavior in short channel unstrained device wascompletely different from the other cases. Impurity scattering was dominant in short channelunstrained SiGe nanowire FET. Thus, it could be concluded that the strain engineering is notnecessary only for the mobility booster but also short channel effect immunity.Junctionless FET is very recently developed device compare to the others. Like as JFET,junctionless FET has volume conduction. Thus, it is less affected by interface states.Junctionless FET also has good short channel effect immunity because off-state ofjunctionless FET is dominated pinch-off of channel depletion. For this, junctionless FETshould have thin body thickness. Therefore, multi gate nanowire structure is proper to makejunctionless FET.Because of the surface area to volume ratio, quasi-1D nanowire structure is good for thesensor application. Nanowire structure has been investigated as a sensor. Using numericalsimulation, generation-recombination noise property was considered in nanowire sensor.Even though the surface area to volume ration is enhanced in the nanowire channel, devicehas sensing limitation by noise. The generation-recombination noise depended on the channelgeometry. As a design tool of nanowire sensor, noise simulation should be carried out toescape from the noise limitation in advance.The basic principles of device simulation have been discussed. Finite difference method andMonte Carlo simulation technique have been introduced for the comprehension of devicesimulation. Practical device simulation data have been shown for examples such as FinFET,strongly disordered 1D channel, OLED and E-paper. / At the beginning of this thesis, basic and advanced device fabrication process which I haveexperienced during study such as top-down and bottom-up approach for the nanoscale devicefabrication technique have been described. Especially, lithography technology has beenfocused because it is base of the modern device fabrication. For the advanced device structure,etching technique has been investigated in detail.The characterization of FET has been introduced. For the practical consideration in theadvanced FET, several parameter extraction techniques have been introduced such as Yfunction,split C-V etc.FinFET is one of promising alternatives against conventional planar devices. Problem ofFinFET is surface roughness. During the fabrication, the etching process induces surfaceroughness on the sidewall surfaces. Surface roughness of channel decreases the effectivemobility by surface roughness scattering. With the low temperature measurement andmobility analysis, drain current through sidewall and top surface was separated. From theseparated currents, effective mobilities were extracted in each temperature conditions. Astemperature lowering, mobility behaviors from the transport on each surface have differenttemperature dependence. Especially, in n-type FinFET, the sidewall mobility has strongerdegradation in high gate electric field compare to top surface. Quantification of surfaceroughness was also compared between sidewall and top surface. Low temperaturemeasurement is nondestructive characterization method. Therefore this study can be a propersurface roughness measurement technique for the performance optimization of FinFET.As another quasi-1 D nanowire structure device, 3D stacked SiGe nanowire has beenintroduced. Important of strain engineering has been known for the effective mobility booster.The limitation of dopant diffusion by strain has been shown. Without strain, SiGe nanowireFET showed huge short channel effect. Subthreshold current was bigger than strained SiGechannel. Temperature dependent mobility behavior in short channel unstrained device wascompletely different from the other cases. Impurity scattering was dominant in short channelunstrained SiGe nanowire FET. Thus, it could be concluded that the strain engineering is notnecessary only for the mobility booster but also short channel effect immunity.Junctionless FET is very recently developed device compare to the others. Like as JFET,junctionless FET has volume conduction. Thus, it is less affected by interface states.Junctionless FET also has good short channel effect immunity because off-state ofjunctionless FET is dominated pinch-off of channel depletion. For this, junctionless FETshould have thin body thickness. Therefore, multi gate nanowire structure is proper to makejunctionless FET.Because of the surface area to volume ratio, quasi-1D nanowire structure is good for thesensor application. Nanowire structure has been investigated as a sensor. Using numericalsimulation, generation-recombination noise property was considered in nanowire sensor.Even though the surface area to volume ration is enhanced in the nanowire channel, devicehas sensing limitation by noise. The generation-recombination noise depended on the channelgeometry. As a design tool of nanowire sensor, noise simulation should be carried out toescape from the noise limitation in advance.The basic principles of device simulation have been discussed. Finite difference method andMonte Carlo simulation technique have been introduced for the comprehension of devicesimulation. Practical device simulation data have been shown for examples such as FinFET,strongly disordered 1D channel, OLED and E-paper.

Cette thèse est principalement consacrée à l'étude des inhomogénéités de taille nanométrique dans les systèmes magnétiques désordonnés ou dilués. La présence d'inhomogénéités, souvent mise en évidence dans de nombreux matériaux, donne lieu à des propriétés physiques intéressantes et inattendues. La possibilité de ferromagnétisme à l'ambiante dans certains matéraux a généré un grand enthousiasme en vue d'application dans la spintronique. Cependant, d'un point de vue fondamental la physique de ces systèmes reste peu explorée et mal comprise. Dans ce manuscrit, on se propose de fournir une étude théorique complète et détaillée des effets des inhomogenéités de tailles nanométriques sur les propriétés magnétiques dans les systèmes dilués. Tout d'abord, on montre que l'approche RPA locale autocohérente est l'outil le plus adapté et fiable pour un traitement approprié du désordre et de la percolation. Nous avons implémenté cet outil et étudié dans un premier temps, les propriétés magnétiques dynamiques d'un modèle Heisenberg dilué (couplages premiers voisins) sur un reseau cubique simple. Nous avons reproduit précisémment la disparition de l'ordre à longue portée au seuil de percolation et comparé ce travail à des études précédentes. Dans le cadre d'un Hamiltonien minimal (modèle $V$-$J$) nous avons ensuite étudié en détails les propriétés magnétiques de (Ga,Mn)As (température critique, excitations magnétiques, stiffness,..). Nous avons obtenu de très bon accords avec les calculs textit{ab initio} et les résulats expérimentaux. Finalement, nous avons étudié les effets des inhomogénéités dans les sytèmes dilués. Nous avons montré, qu'inclure des inhomogenéités pourrait s'averer être une voie très efficace et prometteuse pour dépasser l'ambiante dans de nombreux matériaux. Nous avons pu obtenir une augmentation colossale de la température critique dans certains cas comparée à celle des systèmes dilués homogènes. Nous avons atteint une augmentation de 1600% dans certains cas. Nous avons également analysé les effets des inhomogénéités sur les courbes d'aimantations, elles sont inhabituelles et peu conventionelles dans ces systèmes. Les spectres d'excitations magnétiques sont très complexes, avec des structures très riches, et présentent de nombreux modes discrets à haute energie. De plus, nos calculs ont montré que la ``spin-stiffness" est fortement supprimé par l'introduction d'inhomogénéités. Il reste encore de nombreuses voies à explorer, ce travail devrait servir de base à de futures études théoriques et expérimentales des systèmes inhomogènes. / This thesis is mainly devoted to the study of nanoscale inhomogeneities in diluted and disordered magnetic systems. The presence of inhomogeneities was detected experimentally in several disordered systems which in turn gave rise to various interesting and unexpected properties. In particular, the possibility of room-temperature ferromagnetism generated a huge thrust in these inhomogeneous materials for potential spintronics applications. However, a proper theoretical understanding of the underlying physics was a longstanding debate. In this manuscript we provide a detailed theoretical account of the effects of these nanoscale inhomogeneities on the magnetic properties of diluted systems. First we show the importance of disorder effects in these systems, and the need to treat them in an appropriate manner. The self-consistent local RPA (SC-LRPA) theory, based on finite temperature Green's function, is found to be the most reliable and accurate tool for this. We have successfully implemented the SC-LRPA to study the dynamical magnetic properties of the 3D nearest-neighbor diluted Heisenberg model. The percolation threshold is found to be reproduced exactly in comparison with previous existing studies. Following this, we discuss the essential role of a minimal model approach to study diluted magnetic systems. The one-band $V$-$J$ model, has been used to calculate the Curie temperature and the spin excitation spectrum in (Ga,Mn)As. An excellent agreement is obtained with first principles based calculations as well as experiments. Finally we propose an innovative path to room-temperature ferromagnetism in these materials, by nanoscale cluster inclusion. We find a colossal increase in $T_C$ of up to 1600% compared to the homogeneous case in certain cases. Also the spontaneous magnetization is found to exhibit anomalous non-mean-field like behavior in the presence of inhomogeneities. In addition we observe a complex nature of the magnon excitation spectrum with prominent features appearing at high energies, which is drastically different from the homogeneous case. Our study interestingly reveals a strong suppression of the spin-stiffness in these inhomogeneous systems. The results indicate toward the strong complexities associated with the interplay/competition between several typical length scales. We believe this work would strongly motivate detailed experimental as well as theoretical studies in this direction in the near future.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In this thesis, structural and electrical characteristics are investigated around the thermally triggered semiconductor to metal transition in VO2 thin films. The films, the metallics electrodes, as well as SiO2 buffer layers have been deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering onto Si substrates. The crystallographic and morphological characteristics have been observed through measurements of X-Ray diffraction as a function of the temperature, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The nanoscale electrical characterization have been performed using a measurement system via nano-tips. The results of X-ray diffraction at room temperature revealed that the samples are polycrystalline and are strongly textured in the < 011 > direction, which is almost perpendicular to the substrate plane. The X-Ray diffraction spectra have been extracted at different temperatures to follow the crystallographic transition experienced by VO2 near the transition temperature. For films deposited on SiO2 (without electrodes) and the Ta electrode at temperatures below the critical temperature for the transition, the material presented in the monoclinic phase M1. Within the range of temperatures that comprises the transition occurs progressive appearance of the peak corresponding to the (110) plane of R rutile phase. Within a range at relatively higher temperatures, there is a coexistence of phases R and M1 and M2 may be the M2 monoclinic. As would be expected, the peak of rutile structure grows to the point of being virtually the only present when the temperature reaches about 80°C. The transition from one crystallographic film VO2 with Pd electrode was accompanied by diffraction measured at room temperature. The peak (011) of phase M1 is much smaller compared to the samples deposited on Ta electrode. However, contrary to the Ta electrode film which is likely to have grown in the shape of very small nano-grain or even amorphous form, the Pd electrode film is polycrystalline and highly textured. The transport properties during the electrical phase transition were investigated using injection of electrical current perpendicular to the sample plane. Films grown on Ta electrodes showed abrupt semiconductor-metal phase transitions in different nano-crystallites VO2. The IV characteristics of the film on the Pd electrode had an S-NDR region, specifically attributed to the formation of a filamentary current flow between the Pd probe and the electrode. The details of this phenomenon could not be established definitively, but if in fact the electrical transition is present in nano-crystallites measured, it was suggested that the origin of this conducting channel may be related to reminiscent earlier phase transitions. / Nesta tese, realizou-se uma investigação estrutural e elétrica em torno da transição semicondutor-metal desencadeada termicamente em filmes finos de VO2. Os filmes foram depositados por magnetron sputtering reativo, os eletrodos metálicos, bem como camadas buffers de SiO2 sobre os substratos de Si foram depositados por magnetron sputtering. As características cristalográficas e morfológicas foram evidenciadas através de medidas de difração de raios-X em função da temperatura e microscopia de força atômica (AFM), respectivamente. A caracterização elétrica, em nanoescala foi realizada utilizando-se um sistema de medidas via nano-ponteiras. Os resultados de difração de raios-X à temperatura ambiente revelaram que as amostras são policristalinas e estão fortemente texturizados com a direção < 011 > praticamente perpendicular ao plano do substrato. Os difratogramas em função da temperatura foram realizados para acompanhar a transição cristalográfica que o VO2 apresenta próximo a temperatura de 68°C. Para os filmes depositados sobre SiO2 (sem eletrodo) e sobre o eletrodo de Ta, em temperaturas abaixo da temperatura crítica para a transição, o material apresentou-se na fase monoclínica M1. Na faixa de temperaturas que compreende a transição, ocorre o surgimento progressivo do pico correspondente ao plano (110) da fase rutila R. Para uma faixa relativamente grande de temperaturas, há uma coexistência das fases M1 e R e, eventualmente da monoclínica M2. Como seria de se esperar, o pico da estrutura rutila cresce até o ponto de ser praticamente o único presente, quando a temperatura atingiu cerca de 80°C. A transição cristalográfica de um filme de VO2 com eletrodo de Pd foi acompanhada por medidas de difração à temperatura ambiente. O pico (011) da fase M1 é muito menor comparado ao das amostras depositadas sobre eletrodo de Ta. Porém, contrariamente ao eletrodo de Ta, que provavelmente tenha crescido na forma de nano-grãos muito pequenos ou mesmo na forma amorfa, o filme de Pd depositado é policristalino e bastante texturizado. As propriedades de transporte durante a transição de fase elétrica forma investigadas utilizando-se injeção de corrente elétrica perpendicular ao plano da amostra. Esta investigação, para os filmes crescidos sobre eletrodo de Ta, mostraram abruptas transições de fase semicondutor-metal em diferentes nano-cristalitos de VO2. As características I-V do filme com eletrodo de Pd apresentaram uma região com S-NDR, especificamente atribuída à formação de um regime filamentar de corrente entre a ponteira e o eletrodo de Pd. Os detalhes deste fenômeno não puderam ser estabelecidos de forma definitiva, mas se de fato a transição elétrica está presente nos nano-cristalitos medidos, sugeriu-se que a origem deste canal condutor pode estar relacionada com transições de fase anteriores e remanescentes.

Surface roughness exists at many length scales-from atomic dimensions to meters. At sub-micron scale, the distribution of roughness is largely dependent on the process that generates the surface through the mechanisms of material removal/addition involved and the process parameters. The focus of the research is to quantitatively characterize the evolution of sub-micron scale surface roughness in the mechanical, chemical and electrochemical material removal techniques and study the influence of roughness on the mechanical behavior of surfaces. High purity aluminum surfaces are subjected to surface dissolution techniques such as electropolishing, chemical etching and anodization. Owing to the lack of sufficient lateral resolution in conventional roughness measurement techniques and appropriate scale independent roughness characterization techniques, the effect sub-micron scale electrochemical inhomogeneities present on the surfaces have on the roughness evolution at various length scales has not been understood. In this work, the power spectral density method of roughness characterization is used to quantitatively evaluate the roughness length scales affected in the surface generation processes as a function of time. Results indicate that in the case of electropolishing, roughness is not uniformly reduced at all length scales. Further, cut-off frequencies are suggested to optimize the electropolishing process. In chemical etching, the nature of roughness produced is found to be dependent on the nature of the starting surface. The nature of surface and sub-surface structures produced in the initial stage of the anodization process, and the transition from a disordered to an ordered structure are studied. In order to study the mechanical behavior of surfaces as a function of surface roughness, a single asperity indentation is modeled using nanoindentation of micropillar produced by focused ion beam machining of aluminum surfaces. Load-displacement curves are constructed to show the transition from a single asperity deformation to bulk deformation as function of indentation depth. Additionally, indentation responses of polymer coated surfaces with varying degree of roughness that were produced by the aforementioned surface generation processes are studied. it is shown how high interface roughness gives rise to high scatter both in loading and unloading portions of the load-displacement curves. Finally, porous alumina surface generated by the anodization process discussed above is indented to simulate a multi-asperity interaction.

Micron scale robots going inside our body and curing various ailments is a technolog¬ical dream that easily captures our imagination. However, with the advent of novel nanofabrication and nanocharacterization tools there has been a surge in the research in this field over the last decade. In order to achieve locomotion (swim) at these small length scales, special strategies need to be adopted, that is able to overcome the large viscous damping that these microbots have to face while moving in the various bod¬ily fluids. Thus researchers have looked into the swimming strategies found in nature like that of bacteria like E.coli found in our gut or spermatozoa in the reproductive mucus. Biomimetic swimmers that replicate the motion of these small microorganisms hold tremendous promise in a host of biomedical applications like targeted drug delivery, microsurgery, biochemical sensing and disease diagnosis. In one such method of swimming at very low Reynolds numbers, a micron scale helix has been fabricated and rendered magnetic by putting a magnetic material on it. Small rotating magnetic fields could be used then to rotate the helix, which translated as a result of the intrinsic translation rotation coupling in a helix. The present work focussed on the development of such a system of nanopropellers, a few microns in length, the characterization of its dynamics and velocity fluctuations originating from thermal noise. The work has also showed a possible application of the nanopropellers in microrheology where it could be used as a new tool to measure the rheological characteristics of a complex heterogeneous environment with very high spatial and temporal resolutions. A generalized study of the dynamics of these propellers under a rotating field, has showed the existence of a variety of different dynamical configurations. Rigid body dynamics simulations have been carried out to understand the behaviour. Significant amount of insight has been gained by solving the equations of motion of the object analytically and it has helped to obtain a complete understanding, along with providing closed form expressions of the various characteristics frequencies and parameters that has defined the motion. A study of the velocity fluctuations of these chiral nanopropellers has been carried out, where the nearby wall of the microfluidic cell was found to have a dominant effect on the fluctuations. The wall has been found to enhance the average level of fluctuations apart from bringing in significant non Gaussian effects. The experimentally obtained fluctuations has been corroborated by a simulation in which a time evolution study of the governing 3D Langevin dynamics equations has been done. A closer look at the various sources of velocity fluctuations and a causality study thereof has brought out a minimum length scale below which helical propulsion has become impractical to achieve because of the increased effect of the orientational fluctuations of the propeller at those small length scales. An interesting bistable dynamics of the propeller has been observed under certain experimental conditions, in which the propeller randomly switched between the different dynamical states. This defied common sense because of the inherent deterministic nature of the governing Stokes equation. Rigid body dynamics simulations and stability analysis has shown the existence of time scales in which two different dynamical states of the propeller have become stable. Thus the intrinsic dynamics of the system has been found to be the reason behind the bistable behaviour, randomness being brought about by the thermal fluctuations present in the system. Finally, in a novel application of the propellers, they have been demonstrated as a tool for microrheological mapping in a complex fluidic environment. The studies done in this work have helped to develop this method of active microrheology in which the measurement times are orders of magnitude smaller than its existing counterparts.