CPS: Small: Collaborative Research: Automated and Robust Nano-Assembly with Atomic Force Microscopes

本研究的目的是开发一种基于原子力显微镜的网络物理系统，该系统可以实现纳米级组件（如纳米颗粒、碳纳米管、纳米线和dna）在纳米器件中的自动化、鲁棒和高效组装。该方法的前提是，在原子力显微镜中，通过对纳米级组件进行间歇局部扫描，可以实现自动化、鲁棒和高效的纳米组装。为了解决纳米部件在尖端推力作用下的时间和空间连续运动问题，我们提出了间歇局部扫描和间隔非均匀有理b样条等几何分析相结合的方法。这项研究的成功完成将为有效整合物理操作（推动和扫描）和计算（规划和模拟）提供基础理论和算法基础设施，以实现稳健、高效和自动化的纳米组装。由此产生的理论和算法也将适用于更广泛的网络物理系统。如果成功，这项研究将导致纳米级组装的飞跃，从原型演示到大规模生产。通过其综合研究、教育和推广活动，该项目将为从高中到研究生院的学生提供网络物理系统和纳米组装的先进知识，并将增加国内学生。对科学和工程的兴趣，从而加强我们在全球劳动力中的竞争力。

The objective of this research is to develop an atomic force microscope based cyber-physical system that can enable automated, robust and efficient assembly of nanoscale components such as nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, nanowires and DNAs into nanodevices. The proposed approach is based on the premise that automated, robust and efficient nanoassembly can be achieved through tip based pushing in an atomic force microscope with intermittent local scanning of nanoscale components. In particular, in order to resolve temporally and spatially continuous movement of nanoscale components under tip pushing, we propose the combination of intermittent local scanning and interval non-uniform rational B-spline based isogeometric analysis in this research.Successful completion of this research would lead to foundational theories and algorithmic infrastructures for effective integration of physical operations (pushing and scanning) and computation (planning and simulation) for robust, efficient and automated nanoassembly. The resulting theories and algorithms will also be applicable to a broader set of cyber physical systems. If successful, this research will lead to leap progress in nanoscale assembly, from prototype demonstration to large-scale manufacturing. Through its integrated research, education and outreach activities, this project will provide advanced knowledge in cyber-physical systems and nanoassembly for students from high schools to graduate schools and will increase domestic students? interest in science and engineering and therefore strengthen our competitiveness in the global workforce.