In order to achieve our mission, the COINS research strategy integrates 6 major thrust areas: Synthesis, Simulation, Characterization, Instrumentation, Integration, and Society. Each of these thrusts plays a critical role in the successful development of our two main goals, (1) environmental monitors that can be worn in a bracelet rather than a backpack and that run for weeks rather than hours, and (2) tagging, tracking, and locating devices that consume less that 100 microwatts of power, have wireless RF communication with at least a 5-10 m range, can detect both chem/bio weapons and environment (for orientation), and is mobile.

To realize these goals, the COINS objective is to develop, characterize, and integrate a new nanomechanical detection platform that combines nanoscale sensing, power, electronics, wireless communication, and mobility into a single platform. This platform for advanced nanomechanical detection applications (PANDA) will serve as the cornerstone with which COINS is able to realize its two main goals, personal and community-based environmental monitoring, and tagging tracking and locating.

In order to build the integrated PANDA platform, important advances six major thrust areas will be necessary. These six thrusts – synthesis, simulation, characterization, instrumentation, integration, and society – must remain closely coupled with the five central technology components of PANDA – sensing, power, electronics, communication, and mobility. For example, the nanoscale sensor technology that is ultimately used in the platform must meet both the sensing requirements of TTL and environmental monitoring and the maximum power consumption requirements set forth by that technology component. This combined goal requires advances in both the synthesis thrust (controlled nano-growth for NEM-FET) and the integration and systems thrusts (minimizing leakage, balancing power needs).