Marija Drndic

Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Electron beams constitute powerful tools to shape materials with atomic resolution. I will describe experiments that push the limits of device size to atomic scale in 2D materials and expand their function and precision, while addressing fundamental questions about structure and properties at atomic scales. Experiments include fabrication of nanoribbons and field-effect-transistors from novel two-dimensional materials down to sub-nm widths and the ultrafast, all-electronic detection and analysis of biomolecules with nanopores. As molecules are driven through nanopores in solution, they block the ion current flow resulting in current reductions from which molecule’s physical and chemical properties are inferred. DNA, proteins, microRNA and other biomolecules can be analyzed. The temporal, spatial resolution and sensitivity in these experiments have been improved over the last few years thanks to advanced materials, device designs and new electronics.