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Large Area Scanning-Probe Nanofabrication Platform

大面积扫描探针纳米加工平台

基本信息

批准号：
EP/K024485/1
负责人：
Lu Shin Wong
金额：
$ 0.9万
依托单位：
University of Manchester
依托单位国家：
英国
项目类别：
Research Grant
财政年份：
2013
资助国家：
英国
起止时间：
2013 至无数据
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FK024485%2F1
关键词：
Large Area Scanning Probe Nanofabrication

项目摘要

Thoroughout history, our ability to manipulate matter has always been one of the cornerstones of human progress, from the synthesis of drug molecules by chemical reactions, to the building of the largest skyscrapers. Currently, there is great interest in nanotechnology, the science of constructing and studying objects at nanometre scales (a billionth of a metre). Research in this area has shown that when materials are reduced down to this size scale, or have alterations to their shape at this length, entirely new properties can arise that are radically different from when they exist in a bulk form. By finding ways of harnessing these unusual properties, new technologies can be developed for improved electronic devices, medical tools and even construction materials.Further progress in this area, however, requires the extension of our ability to construct objects at this scale over large areas while still maintaining nanometre scale control of the process. Such a capability would enable the production of large networks of nano-sized objects, which would allow new research into how these objects behave in relation to each other, rather than as individual objects on their own. The large area construction would also show how it would be possible to produce many objects at once, which will be important if they need to be made on an industrial scale.Although large-area high-resolution patterning is possible using methods adapted from the electronics industry such as the processes that are used to make computer microchips, they have a number of disadvantages. They rely on harsh methods, for example high temperatures and corrosive chemicals, that limit the types of materials that can be used. As a result, it is often difficult to produce devices with complex designs made up of different materials. In particular, these methods are not compatible with delicate molecules from biology, such as DNA and proteins.In this proposal, we wish to set up a type of instrument that uses "scanning probes". Each of these probes consists of a very sharp, nanometre-wide, tip that can be coated with a variety of chemical compounds. The instrument is also able to control the movement of this probe with nanometre precision. Thus, by moving this probe tip across a surface, it is possible to "write" nano-scale patterns by depositing the compound coated on the probe on to that surface. The movement of the probe can be controlled by the user, so it is possible for the user to write complex patterns such as circuits and even pictures. For this particular instrument, the major advantage over other older designs is that it is able to use many probes, thousands or even millions, simultaneously. In doing so, it is therefore possible to write patterns with a wide range of chemical compounds, over large areas of surface with nanometre control. This would spark new research into many areas of science, from the production of highly miniaturised electronic devices for computing to disease diagnosis; efficient batteries for power storage; and surgical implants that can control the behaviour of tissues and cells.

纵观历史，从通过化学反应合成药物分子，到建造最大的摩天大楼，我们操纵物质的能力一直是人类进步的基石之一。目前，人们对纳米技术产生了极大的兴趣，纳米技术是一门在纳米尺度（十亿分之一米）构建和研究物体的科学。该领域的研究表明，当材料缩小到这种尺寸，或者改变这种长度的形状时，可能会出现与它们以散装形式存在时截然不同的全新特性。通过寻找利用这些不寻常特性的方法，可以开发出新技术来改进电子设备、医疗工具甚至建筑材料。然而，这一领域的进一步进展需要我们扩展在大面积上构建如此规模物体的能力，同时仍保持对过程的纳米级控制。这种能力将能够产生由纳米尺寸物体组成的大型网络，这将允许对这些物体彼此之间的行为方式进行新的研究，而不是作为单独的物体本身。大面积构造还将展示如何同时生产许多物体，如果需要以工业规模制造它们，这将非常重要。尽管使用电子工业的方法（例如用于制造计算机微芯片的工艺）可以实现大面积高分辨率图案化，但它们有许多缺点。它们依赖于苛刻的方法，例如高温和腐蚀性化学品，这限制了可以使用的材料类型。因此，通常很难生产由不同材料制成的具有复杂设计的设备。特别是，这些方法与生物学中的精致分子（例如 DNA 和蛋白质）不兼容。在本提案中，我们希望建立一种使用“扫描探针”的仪器。这些探针中的每一个都由非常锋利的纳米宽尖端组成，尖端可以涂有各种化合物。该仪器还能够以纳米精度控制该探针的运动。因此，通过在表面上移动该探针尖端，可以通过将涂覆在探针上的化合物沉积到该表面上来“写入”纳米级图案。探头的移动可以由用户控制，因此用户可以编写电路甚至图片等复杂图案。对于这种特殊的仪器，与其他旧设计相比的主要优点是它能够同时使用许多探头，数千甚至数百万。因此，通过这样做，可以通过纳米控制在大面积的表面上写入具有多种化合物的图案。这将引发许多科学领域的新研究，从用于计算的高度小型化电子设备的生产到疾病诊断；用于电力存储的高效电池；以及可以控制组织和细胞行为的外科植入物。