"IDBR:" Development of High Speed Electronic-Readout Based Nano-Bio-Mechanical System

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This award is for developing a Bio-SNFUH: an instrument for imaging soft biological samples non-destructively under physiological conditions with Scanning Near-Field Ultrasound Holography (SNFUH) combined with Scanning Probe Microscopy of the sample surface. Bio-SNFUH will be capable of non-destructive nanoscale 3-D tomography of buried and embedded sub-structures in cells and tissues. The project will combine the investigator's innovation of MOSFET-embedded microcantilevers with on-chip integrated lock-in and electronic readout, to make Bio-SNFUH a parallel and high-throughput imaging toolset, capable of fast scanning and rapid analysis of soft and biological structures.In addition to the instrument's scientific impacts, Bio-SNFUH will be an integral part of the university's new multi-user, multifaceted and 24/7 access NUANCE Center (Northwestern University Atomic and Nanoscale Characterization Experimental Center) and will be housed within the NIFTI (Nanoscale Integrated Fabrication, Testing and Instrumentation) user facility. Plans to broaden the usage of Bio-SNFUH include short courses, web-based content delivery, extensive hands-on training and educational initiatives, including undergrad research projects.