MRI: Acquisition of a Dual-Beam Focused Ion Beam System for Nanostructutres that interface to Molecules

这项提案研究是“铣削”纳米结构的双光束聚焦离子束（FIB）系统的调节是该倡议的一部分。我们的大目标是发展研究能力和训练有素的工作人员，将制造纳米结构与设计分子结合起来。提出的基于分子的纳米结构的例子是用于分子电子学的纳米级电极间隙，用于单分子光学的纳米流体外壳，用于单分子电化学的探针，基于分子的传感器设备，用于核酸和蛋白质的纳米级介电泳陷阱和分选器，以及纳米结构的智能分子涂层。FIB的其他应用包括新型设备架构的原型设计，包括基于分子的传感器，制备用于电子显微镜分析的材料，FIB断层扫描和其他物理探针，以及纳米结构材料的制造和表征。更广泛的影响：FIB将对亚利桑那州立大学整合固态和分子纳米科学的主要新项目产生协同影响。通过IGERT，它将培养跨越化学-物理-工程-生物光谱的新型纳米科学家。培训和推广将利用INVSEE（科学和工程教育的交互式纳米可视化）建立的机制（http://INVSEE.ASU.EDU）。它还将用于科学教师培训项目（ACEPT及其后继项目AM-STEP）。亚利桑那科学中心的一个在线展示将有助于向公众介绍纳米科学的概念。

This proposal research is accommodation of a dual-beam focused ion beam (FIB) system for "milling" nanostructures is part of that initiative. Our broad goal is to develop a research competence and workforce trained in combining fabricated nanostructures with designer molecules. Examples of proposed molecule-based nanostructures are nanoscale electrode gaps for molecular electronics, nanofluidic enclosures for single molecule optics, probes for single-molecule electrochemistry, molecule-based sensor devices, nanoscale dielectrophoretic traps and sorters for nucleic acids and proteins, and nanostructured intelligent molecular coatings. Other applications of the FIB include prototyping novel device architectures, including molecule-based sensors, preparing materials for electron microscopy analysis, FIB tomography and other physical probes, and manufacture and characterization ofnanostructured materials.Broader Impacts: The FIB will have a synergistic impact on major new programs at Arizona State University that integrate solid-state and molecular nanosciences. Through the IGERT it will serve to train a new breed of nanoscientist, spanning the chemistry-physics-engineering- biology spectrum. Training and outreach will utilize mechanisms put in place by INVSEE (Interactive Nano-Visualization for Science and Engineering Education (http://INVSEE.ASU.EDU). It will also be used in science teacher preparation programs (ACEPT and its successor AM-STEP). An on-line display at the Arizona Science Center will help to bring the concepts of nanoscience to the general public.