MRI: Development of multifunctional scanning probe microscope for nanofabrication and nanomaterials research

新不伦瑞克罗格斯大学将利用重大研究仪器计划(MRI)、化学研究仪器和设施计划(CRIF)、材料研究部(DMR)和MPS多学科活动办公室(OMA)颁发的这一奖项，开发具有电化学站和能够进行浸笔纳米光刻(DPN)的光学显微镜的扫描探针显微镜(SPM)。扫描探针显微镜方法是可用的最强大和最通用的显微工具类别之一。它们可以用于简单的地形成像，更复杂的化学、物理、生物和机械表征，以及纳米光刻和纳米操纵。人们对能够惠及多个领域的新型多功能SPM的需求日益增长。为此，拟议的开发将涉及设计、获取和集成各种组件，以制造多功能扫描探针显微镜仪器。该计划是开发一种新型的扫描电子显微镜仪器，配备有浸笔式纳米光刻模块、光学显微镜、外部电气/电化学仪器和温度/气体/液体控制器，以便能够分析各种生物/纳米材料。新开发的多功能SPM还将用于在实验室课堂上进行演示，以及在罗格斯大学举办的K-12实验室体验。邻近地区许多大学的教职员工和学生都可以使用SPM。该提案旨在加强各个层面的研究和教育，特别是在无机-有机杂化材料、多功能材料和有机钠离子电池纳米材料等领域的研究。该系统将用于研究光学天线、半导体铁电子学和石墨烯薄膜生产。它还将用于生物纳米研究，包括细胞-细胞和细胞-底物相互作用、细胞迁移、干细胞分化、蛋白质错误折叠、酶特性/优化以及生物聚合物制造，同时保持体内类似环境。利用SPM针尖作为电极，与电极夹持器和探针台相结合，可以精确地分析靶材料的电学性质(如电导、电阻、电容、缺陷)。该系统还可用于使用不同的电化学技术分析样品的电化学特性，如腐蚀、氧化还原现象和沉积。

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation program (MRI), the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities program (CRIF), The Divsion of Material Research (DMR) and the MPS Office of Multidisciplinary Activities (OMA), Rutgers University-New Brunswick will develop a scanning probe microscope (SPM) with an electrochemical station and optical microscope capable of doing dip-pen nanolithography (DPN). Scanning probe microscopy methods are among the most powerful and versatile classes of microscopic tools available. They can be used for simple topographic imaging, more sophisticated chemical, physical, biological and mechanical characterization, and for nanolithography and nanomanipulation. There is a growing need for new multifunctional SPMs that can benefit multiple fields. To this end, the development proposed will involve the design, acquisition, and integration of various components to make a multifunctional SPM instrument. The plan is to develop a new type of SPM instrument equipped with a dip-pen nanolithography module, an optical microscope, an external electrical/electrochemical instrument and a temperature/gas/liquid controller to allow the analysis of various bio/nano materials. The newly-developed multifunctional SPM will also be used for demonstrations in laboratory classes and for K-12 laboratory experiences hosted at Rutgers. Access to the SPM will be made available to faculty and students at the numerous colleges in the neighboring area. The proposal is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels, especially in areas such as studies of inorganic-organic hybrid materials, multi-functional materials, and nanomaterials for organic sodium ion batteries. The system will be used to investigate optical antennae, semiconductor ferroelectronics and graphene film production. It will also be used in bio-nano research including cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions, cell migrations, stem cell differentiations, protein misfolding, enzyme characterization/optimization, and biopolymer fabrication while maintaining an in vivo-like environment. By using the SPM tip as an electrode and combining it with an electrode holder and probe station, the electrical properties of target materials (e.g., conductance, resistance, capacitance, defects) can be analyzed precisely. The proposed system will also be available for analyzing the electrochemical characteristics of samples such as the corrosion, redox phenomenon, and deposition using different electrochemical techniques.