MRI: Acquisition of an Instrument for Nanoscale Manipulation and Experimental Characterization

这项主要研究仪器（MRI）补助金提供资金，以获得最先进的纳米操纵和可视化系统，用于功能纳米结构和微/纳米器件和系统的原型设计，表征和性能评估的科学研究和培训。该系统将提供纳米分辨率，扫描电子显微镜（SEM）兼容的操作能力，使一些关键的纳米级实验研究，以支持正在进行的研究在以下每个领域：1）纳米结构和纳米复合材料的纳米级拉伸测试; 2）高功率横向RF MEMS开关和PZT纳米纤维的表征; 3）开发用于新型纳米/微米尺度操作的6-DOF设计方法; 4）微化学系统的自底向上原型和实验表征; 5）复杂流体的纳米流变表征; 6）基于光子晶体的纳米传感器技术的原型/表征; 7）活细胞与其微环境的相互作用的纳米级表征; 8）材料老化期间机电性质演变的纳米分辨率映射;和9）用于传感器应用的基于胶体探针的技术的发展。这些研究领域的努力将极大地受益于可控的三个-三维纳米级操纵与该系统提供的同时可视化能力。这项工作的更广泛的影响将是加强对关键纳米现象的理解，这些现象是由该赠款资助的仪器所实现的直接实验表征的结果。直接受这种能力影响的研究项目跨越许多关键的新兴纳米/微米技术领域，包括：纳米材料开发/表征，纳米/微米传感器和执行器，以及微化学和微微机械系统。此外，该系统将促进越来越多的教师，高级研究人员，研究生和本科生在这些研究领域的工作之间的跨学科合作，并将有力地补充本科和研究生的纳米技术教育举措在我们的研究所。

This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant provides funding to acquire a state-of-the-art nanomanipulation and visualization system for scientific research and training in prototyping, characterization, and performance evaluation of functional nanostructures and micro/nanoscale devices and systems. This system will provide nanometer-resolution, scanning electron microscope (SEM)-compatible manipulation capability, enabling a number of critical nanoscale experimental investigations in support of ongoing research in each of the following areas: 1) Nanoscale tensile testing of nanostructures and nanocomposites; 2) Characterization of high power lateral RF MEMS switches and PZT nanofibers; 3) Development of 6-DOF design methodologies for novel nano/microscale manipulation; 4) Bottom-up prototyping and experimental characterization of microchemical systems; 5) Nano-rheological characterization of complex fluids; 6) Prototyping/characterization of photonic crystal-based nano-sensor technology; 7) Nanoscale characterization of the interactions of living cells with their microenvironment; 8) Nanometer resolution mapping of electromechanical property evolution during material aging; and 9) The development of colloidal probe-based techniques for sensor applications.Efforts in these research areas will greatly benefit from the controllable three-dimensional nanoscale manipulation with simultaneous visualization capabilities provided by this system. The broader impact of this effort will be the enhanced understanding of critical nanoscale phenomena developed as a result of the direct experimental characterization enabled by the instrumentation funded by this grant. The research projects directly impacted by this capability span many key emerging nano/microtechnology areas, including: nanomaterials development/characterization, nano/micro sensors and actuators, and micro-chemical and micro-micromechanical systems. In addition, this system will promote interdisciplinary collaborations among an increasing number of faculty, senior research personnel, and graduate and undergraduate students working in these research areas, and will strongly complement undergraduate and graduate educational initiatives in Nanotechnology at our Institute.