Electrochemical Transistor Design for Neuromorphic and Biosensing Applications

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are the building blocks of bioelectronic circuits. They are uniquely able to transduce and amplify biological/neurological signals. Further, unlike traditional semiconductor materials, they display synaptic-like behavior similar to living neuronal circuits. Students engaged in this project will establish, test,  and optimize OECT fabrication protocols. This will include designing device layouts in CAD software, fabricating shadow masks, vacuum deposition of metal electrodes by thermal or electron beam means, solution deposition of organic semiconductors with spin or blade coating, patterning/encapsulating metal and organic layers, characterizing device layer dimensions/morphology, measuring device current-voltage behavior. 

Name of research group, project, or lab
Paulsen Lab
Why join this research group or lab?

Students should join this lab if they desire to be part of  a young and energetic team studying cutting edge materials for electronic, biomedical, and energy applications. This project provides the opportunity to learn many fabrication and measurement tools used in research and industry. Adequate progress on this project will ensure co-authorship on papers employing the OECTs developed.

Logistics Information:
Project categories
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Electrical Engineering
Materials Science & Engineering
Physics & Astronomy
Student ranks applicable
First Year
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Student qualifications

Qualified students will have a willingness to develop skills with computer aided design (Solid Works, Fusion 360, etc), vacuum and solution deposition of nanometer scale thin films, thin film metrology, electrical characterization. Being unafraid to make and learn from mistakes is crucial. 

Hours per week
1 credit / 3-6 hours
2 credits / 6-12 hours
3 credits / 12+ hours
Compensation
Research for Credit
Paid - General
Paid - Work-Study Required
Number of openings
2
Techniques learned

CAD, laser cutting, high vacuum thermal/e-beam deposition, spin-coating, blade-coating, profilometry, atomic force microscopy, DC current-voltage measurements, AC impedance spectroscopy.

Project start
1/13/2025 (or early if student prefers)
Contact Information:
Mentor
bpaulse2@nd.edu
Assistant Professor
Name of project director or principal investigator
Bryan Paulsen
Email address of project director or principal investigator
bryanpaulsen@nd.edu
2 sp. | 9 appl.
Hours per week
1 credit / 3-6 hours (+2)
1 credit / 3-6 hours2 credits / 6-12 hours3 credits / 12+ hours
Project categories
Materials Science & Engineering (+5)
Aerospace and Mechanical EngineeringChemical and Biomolecular EngineeringChemistry and BiochemistryElectrical EngineeringMaterials Science & EngineeringPhysics & Astronomy