During TetraNET ZnO tetrapods will be synthesized with tailored properties as the building blocks of the platform. A scalable combustion route will be used to control size, arm aspect ratio, crystallinity, and surface chemistry; the tetrapods will self-assemble into networks (ZnO TNs) forming the interconnected architecture required for neuromorphic in-sensor preprocessing. Functionalization will apply carbazole-based monolayers from solution, with optional local plasma treatments (low-temperature, atmospheric pressure) to tune surface states, and nanoparticle beam decoration (gas-aggregation source) to create semiconductor/metal composites where needed. These steps target electronic/chemo/UV response windows, enabling stable multi-level states, short-/long-term plasticity, and low-bias operation. Key challenges—size/morphology consistency, functionalization compatibility, and long-term stability—will be addressed by tight control of thermal/chemical parameters during growth, calibrated monolayer deposition with coverage/anchoring checks, and plasma/NP process windows verified by spectroscopy and electrical screening. Process feedback from structural (SEM/AFM/XRD) and electronic tests will iteratively refine synthesis/functionalization to deliver reproducible ZnO TNs aligned to the latency/energy targets of WP4.
