MRI: Development of an In situ Device for Integrated Nano-mechanical Electrical and Thermal Measurements

“这项奖励是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。”凯斯西储大学将开发一种多功能的最先进的原位测试和表征工具，用于在超高分辨率扫描电子显微镜（SEM）内同时测量纳米结构材料的纳米机械、电气和热（NMET）特性。扫描电镜有一个大的试样室，是理想的原位物理特性表征；该腔室配备了两个Kleindiek纳米机械手和一个微输送气体喷射系统，以纳米精度促进纳米级结构的运输、定位和组装。该仪器的开发将利用定制的传感器，在纳米级结构的原位机械应变过程中实现纳米牛顿力和亚纳米位移分辨率测量。此外，新型探针尖端将与加载/测试设备上的试样握把集成在一起，这将提供无与伦比的能力，在执行高分辨率成像的同时，对纳米结构、纳米工程复合材料和生物材料进行纳米级机械、热和/或电测量。改进表征纳米结构材料的方法有望导致对潜在物理的更好的基本理解，并且对纳米技术领域的进一步发展至关重要。该仪器的开发有望支持研究团队的工作，这些团队的工作涉及多个传统学科。这种独特的诊断工具的可用性将为俄亥俄州其他机构的研究人员和我们的合作者开辟新的沟通渠道。该仪器还将为本科生、研究生和博士后提供实验室体验和培训的机会。该仪器将集成到成像实验和纳米尺度机械或运输测量项目的实验课程中。

"This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5)."The Case Western Reserve University will develop a versatile state-of-the-art in situ test and characterization tool for simultaneous nano-mechanical electrical and thermal (NMET) property measurements in nanostructured materials inside a ultra-high resolution Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The SEM has a large specimen chamber that is ideal for in situ physical property characterization; the chamber is equipped with two Kleindiek nanomanipulators and a micro-delivery gas injection system that facilitate transportation, positioning and assembly of nanoscale structures with nanoprecision. The development of the instrument will utilize a custom built transducer that will enable nanoNewton force and subnanometer displacement resolution measurements during in situ mechanical straining of nanoscale structures. In addition, novel probe tips will be integrated with the specimen grips on the loading/testing apparatus, which will provide unmatched capability to perform simultaneous nanoscale mechanical, thermal and/or electrical measurements in nanostructures, nano-engineered composites and biological materials while performing high resolution imaging. Improved characterization methods for nanostructured materials is expected to lead to a better fundamental understanding of the underlying physics, and is critical to further developments in the field of nanotechnology. The development of the instrumentation is expected to support research teams whose efforts intersect more than one traditional discipline. Availability of this unique diagnostic tool will open new lines of communication with researchers at other Ohio institutions and our collaborators. The instrumentation will also provide an opportunity for laboratory experience and training for undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students. The instrumentation will be integrated into the laboratory courses for imaging experiments and for nanoscale mechanical or transport measurement projects.