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

罗格斯大学新不伦瑞克分校获得了主要研究仪器项目（MRI）、化学研究仪器和设施项目（CRIF）、材料研究部门（DMR）和MPS多学科活动办公室（OMA）的资助，将开发一种带有电化学站和光学显微镜的扫描探针显微镜（SPM），能够进行浸笔纳米光刻（DPN）。扫描探针显微镜的方法是其中最强大的和通用类的显微镜工具。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作。对能够使多个领域受益的新型多功能spm的需求日益增长。为此，提出的发展将涉及设计、获取和集成各种组件，以制造多功能SPM仪器。该计划是开发一种新型的SPM仪器，配备一个浸笔纳米光刻模块，一个光学显微镜，一个外部电气/电化学仪器和一个温度/气体/液体控制器，以允许分析各种生物/纳米材料。新开发的多功能SPM还将用于罗格斯大学的实验课演示和K-12实验室体验。邻近地区众多学院的教师和学生都可以使用SPM。该提案旨在加强各级的研究和教育，特别是在无机-有机混合材料、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的生产。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、酶表征/优化和生物聚合物制造，同时保持体内样环境。利用SPM尖端作为电极，结合电极支架和探针站，可以精确分析目标材料的电学特性（如电导、电阻、电容、缺陷等）。该系统还可用于分析样品的电化学特性，如腐蚀、氧化还原现象和使用不同的电化学技术的沉积。

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.