CARBON NANOTUBES FOR SCANNING PROBE MICROSCOPY

纳米技术在生物工程中的前景取决于成像能力 以及在分子和原子水平上操纵物质。拟议的努力 寻求开发一种新一代并行制造技术 碳纳米管扫描探针，原子分辨率高，寿命长，性能优越 耐撞击性，以及化学和生物测绘的潜力。方法是 基于定向碳纳米管阵列的模板合成。自组织 纳米模板的性质及其与硅微加工技术的兼容性 实现碳纳米管的平行对准和精确定位，以及 将它们集成到扫描探头微制造过程中。第一阶段将 演示概念验证。第二阶段将优化技术，建造和 测试碳纳米管探头样机。第三阶段将把这项技术商业化。 建议的商业应用： 提议的技术可能使新一代探头能够 高分辨率高纵横比扫描探针显微镜和操作。潜力 应用领域包括生物工程纳米技术、健康科学、 材料科学、信息技术、半导体制造等。

Prospects of nanotechnology in bioengineering depend on a capability of imaging and manipulating matter at the molecular and atomic level. The proposed effort seeks to develop a technology for parallel manufacturing of a new generation of carbon nanotube scanning probes with atomic resolution, extended lifetime, superior crash-resistance, and potential for chemical and biological mapping. The approach is based on templated synthesis of aligned carbon nanotubes arrays. Self-organized nature and compatibility of nanotemplates with silicon microfabrication technology enable parallel alignment and precision positioning of carbon nanotubes, as well as their integration into the process of scanning probes microfabrication. Phase I will demonstrate the proof-of-concept. Phase II will optimize the technology, build and test prototype carbon nanotube probes. Phase III will commercialize the technology. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: Proposed technology can potentially enable new generation of probes for high resolution high aspect ratio scanning probe microscopy and manipulation. Potential area of applications include bioengineering nanotechnology, health science, materials science, information technology, semiconductor manufacturing, etc.