MRI: Acquisition of the NanoFrazor - a unique AFM-based nanolithography tool to support multidisciplinary research and promote nanoscience in South Carolina and beyond

来自重大研究仪器项目的这一奖项支持该项目，该项目以从SwissLitho收购NanoFrazor Explorer纳米仪器为中心，该仪器将在南卡罗来纳大学主持。纳米技术领域的进步加速了材料科学、计算和信息处理、光子学、生物学、化学和医学等众多不同研究学科的发展。以负担得起和有效的方式定制纳米级结构和图案的能力，特别是采用自上而下的方法，在所有领域都是非常理想的。NanoFrazor的用户友好性将加快优化纳米/微设备的进程，使其在生物传感、信息处理、能源储存、二氧化碳捕获等领域得到实际应用，并为研究新材料和回答广泛领域的基本科学问题提供独特的工具。它的远程访问能力和简单的操作程序也使其成为培训和外联的理想工具。首席研究人员与南卡罗来纳州立博物馆建立了伙伴关系，并计划了一系列公共和教育外展活动，利用NanoFrazor向普通公众和K-12学生推广纳米技术和纳米科学。基于NanoFrazor系统中的加热尖端原子力显微镜的热扫描探针光刻工具能够在成像和构图方面达到纳米级的分辨率，同时克服电子束光刻(EBL)技术的缺点。NanoFrazor的独特能力将加强和支持多学科领域的研究，包括物理、材料科学、化学、生物医学工程、电气工程、化学工程、机械工程，甚至材料计算理论。它将为在广泛的材料中进行精确和可控的纳米标记化和纳米尺度研究打开机会，包括那些以前被传统的EBL纳米制造技术排除的材料，如聚合物、金属-有机骨架和蛋白质自组装纳米结构。它有可能启动以前不可行的多学科合作研究，并将南卡罗来纳大学置于国家地图上，以满足纳米科学、工程和技术的需求。其直观的操作和简单的培训要求将吸引广泛的用户基础。通过收购NanoFrazor可以实现以下目标：(1)将纳米制造能力扩展到以前被EBL排除在外的材料类别；(2)增强正在进行的跨多个学科的纳米研究；(3)实现跨多个学科的新的纳米研究；(4)鼓励部门和大学之间的合作研究；以及(5)通过涉及NanoFrazor的外联活动促进纳米技术。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This award from the Major Research Instrumentation program supports this project centered on the acquisition of the NanoFrazor Explorer nanopatterning instrument from SwissLitho to be hosted at the University of South Carolina. Advancements in the field of nanotechnology are responsible for accelerating development in numerous and diverse research disciplines including materials science, computation and information processing, photonics, biology, chemistry, and medicine. The ability to customize nanoscale structures and patterns, especially with a top-down approach, in an affordable and efficient manner, is highly desirable in all fields. The user-friendliness of the NanoFrazor will expedite the process of optimizing nano/micro-devices for practical applications in biosensing, information processing, energy storage, CO2 capture, etc., as well as provide a unique tool to study novel materials and answer basic scientific questions in a wide range of fields. Its remote access capability and simple operation procedures also render it an ideal tool for training and outreach. The Principal Investigators have established a partnership with the South Carolina State Museum and plan a set of public and educational outreach activities that utilize the NanoFrazor to promote nanotechnology and nanoscience to the general public as well as K-12 students.The thermal scanning-probe lithography tool based on heated-tip atomic force microscopy in the NanoFrazor system is capable of achieving nanoscale resolution in imaging and patterning while overcoming the shortcomings of the electron-beam lithography (EBL) technique. The NanoFrazor's unique capabilities will enhance and enable multidisciplinary research in areas including physics, material science, chemistry, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and even material computational theory. It will open up opportunities of precise and controlled nanopatterning and nanoscale studies in a wide range of materials including those previously excluded by traditional EBL nanofabrication techniques, such as polymers, metal-organic frameworks, and protein self-assembled nanostructures. It has the potential to jump-start previously unfeasible multidisciplinary collaborative research and put the University of South Carolina on the national map for serving the needs of nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. Its intuitive operations and simple training requirement will appeal to a wide user base. The following objectives can be achieved through the acquisition of the NanoFrazor: (1) expand nanofabrication capability to material classes previously excluded by EBL; (2) enhance ongoing nanoscale research across a wide range of disciplines; (3) Enable new nanoscale research across a wide range of disciplines; (4) encourage collaborative research between departments and universities; and (5) promote nanotechnology through outreach activities involving NanoFrazor.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.