Nanoscale Particle Imaging using Near-Field Subwavelength Measurements in a 3-D Cylindrical Array of Nanometer Sized Probes

本研究的目的是构建具有纳米级间距的三维圆柱形探针阵列。这将为纳米级成像提供一个独特的机会，而不会遇到使用短波辐射的挑战，也不会受到从光谱信息推断三维结构的限制。该方法是利用当前深亚微米CMOS集成电路技术中可用的互连来构建纳米尺寸探针的近场成像三维圆柱形阵列，纳米级物体可以放置在其中，并使用亚波长电磁辐射进行成像。本研究的智力价值源于探针阵列和腔体的制造挑战，以及将纳米颗粒和生物分子传递到成像部位的润湿技术的发展。此外，解码来自3-D传感器探针的测量信号，以产生纳米尺寸物体的结构信息，在数学上是具有挑战性的。该研究将对蛋白质组学和纳米粒子研究产生广泛的影响。在RCBS蛋白数据库中，共有25种疾病和112个基因簇，没有编码蛋白的三维结构信息；由于无法复制所需的蛋白质折叠条件，许多编码蛋白质从未在自然界中被发现，也无法合成。开发所提出的探针设备将允许大规模平行筛选必要的发现蛋白质折叠条件，潜在地导致许多疾病的治疗。这项研究的各个方面将纳入K-12教育倡议，并将积极寻求代表性不足的群体的参与。

Proposal 0725643The objective of this research is to construct 3-D cylindrical probe arrays with nanoscale spacing between the probes. This will provide a unique opportunity for nanoscale imaging without the challenges of using short wavelength radiation or the limitations of inferring 3-D structure from spectroscopic information. The approach is to use the interconnect available in current deep submicron CMOS integrated circuit technology to construct a near-field imaging 3-D cylindrical array of nanometer sized probes, into which nanoscale objects can be placed to be imaged using subwavelength electromagnetic radiation. The intellectual merit of this research stems from challenges in the fabrication of the probe array and cavity, and development of the wetting technology to deliver nanoparticles and biomolecules to the imaging site. In addition, the decoding of the measured signals from the 3-D sensor probes, to produce structural information about nanometer-sized objects is mathematically challenging.This research will have broad impact in proteomics and nanoparticle research. In the RCBS Protein Data Bank, there are a total of 25 diseases and 112 gene clusters without 3-D structural information available for the encoded proteins; many of the encoded proteins have never been found naturally and cannot yet be synthesized, due to inability to duplicate the protein folding conditions required. Developing the proposed probe device will allow the massively parallel screening necessary to find the protein folding conditions, potentially leading to many disease cures. Aspects of this research will be incorporated into K-12 educational initiatives, and participation of underrepresented groups will be actively sought.