A new experiment for use in introductory nanotechnology courses is described. This experiment allows students to fabricate metallic wires with microscale lateral dimensions and nanoscale vertical dimensions. Fabrication occurs in the capillaries of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamps modified with hydrophilic polymers. This experiment provides students with an opportunity to conduct templateassisted electrodeposition of micro-and nanomaterials, utilizing a reusable template instead of the commonly used porous, anodic alumina oxide (AAO) membranes that require dissolution to examine the wires. Fabrication of the metal wires is accomplished via the reduction of metal cations in the channels of modified PDMS stamps. In addition, this experiment introduces students to characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and atomic-force microscopy (AFM). The microscale dimensions of the silver wires accommodate imaging with optical microscopy for institutions possessing limited characterization capabilities.

This manuscript describes a laboratory experiment that provides students with an opportunity to create conductive silver nanogrids using polymeric templates. A microcontact-printed polyvinylpyrrolidone grid directs the citrate-induced reduction of silver ions for the fabrication of silver nanogrids on glass substrates. In addition to template-directed nanofabrication, students gain experience using a sputter coater, a scanning electron microscope, and an atomic force microscope. Students are also introduced to elemental analysis using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Institutions with limited characterization capabilities can use a compound light microscope to view the structures reported in this manuscript.

This paper describes a laboratory exercise used to address the ongoing need for nanotechnology-related, hands-on laboratory experiences for undergraduate students. Determination of the electrochemical behavior of student-fabricated silver nanogrids is reported. Students successfully used cyclic voltammetry to analyze silver nanogrids printed using microcontact printing and subsequent metallization. The silver nanogrids exhibit electrochemical behavior similar to that of electrodes manufactured in industry. Additionally, optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used to assess nanogrid quality and dimensions.

This manuscript describes a laboratory exercise that allows students to use conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM) for the analysis of electrodeposited, metallic structures. In addition to nanoscale electrical characterization with CAFM, this laboratory exercise also provides students with an opportunity to explore nanofabrication by electrodepositing metallic structures in the channels of a patterned, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) template. The goals of this experiment include characterization of electrodeposited structures with atomic force microscopy (AFM), assessing the conductivity of the electrodeposited structures by acquiring conductivity images, and determining the method of electrical conduction using current–voltage (I–V) curves collected with CAFM.