Leeds EPSRC Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Research Equipment Facility

该提案旨在提供显著的外部访问（总计***天超过3或4?? ?）到最先进的仪器以及纳米技术研究人员的适当专业知识，专门研究无机纳米系统和无机/有机混合系统/即生物纳米技术。无障碍设施将包括相互关联的基本技术的协同（一站式）组合，用于表征和结构和设备制造：环境和低压扫描电子显微镜（ESEM和LVSEM）；原子力显微镜（AFM）；透射电镜（TEM）；x射线光电子能谱；聚焦离子束（FIB）和电子束光刻（EBL）以及相关的洁净室访问。我们认为，与零敲碎打地提供许多单独的专业活动相比，这种综合分析方法最终将在全面的科学理解和生产力方面提供更有成效的服务。我们也相信，作为一个集团，我们拥有综合的经验和设施，可以成功和高效地提供全面的综合服务。此外，我们还将提供一些独特的专业设施，如：可变温度，特高压STM；用于四点电气测量的组合SEM和4 STM纳米探针；组合TEM-STM支架（Nanofactory）； Nanoman虚拟现实AFM/纳米操纵器；和磁性镊子。该提案的另一个专长是为那些参与以生命科学/物理科学接口（LSI）为中心的快速发展领域的英国学者提供高质量的纳米科学研究。基于研究经费，利兹是一个主要的LSI机构（来源：LSI影响研究/ EPSRC 2005），利兹集团拥有一个适当的和不断扩大的知识库，这可以为外部EPSRC的研究人员带来额外的好处。此外，它将使我们能够优化特定于混合材料分析和改性的技术和方法，这些技术和方法通常由于固有的低图像对比度和辐射以及真空引起的化学和结构损伤问题而难以研究。

This proposal aims to provide significant external access (a total of *** days over 3 or 4?? years) to state-of-the-art instrumentation as well as appropriate expertise for nanotechnology researchers specialising in both inorganic nanosystems and also in hybrid inorganic/ organic systems / i.e. bionanotechnology. Accessible facilities will include a synergistic ( one stop shop ) combination of inter-related basic techniques for both characterisation and structural and device fabrication: environmental and low voltage scanning electron microscopy (ESEM and LVSEM); atomic force microscopy (AFM); transmission electron microscopy (TEM); X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS); focused ion beam (FIB) and electron beam lithography (EBL) together with associated cleanroom access. We believe that this integrated analytical approach will ultimately provide a much more productive service both in terms of overall scientific understanding and also productivity, as opposed to the piecemeal provision of many separate specialist activities. We also believe that, as a grouping, we possess the combined experience and facilities to deliver this fully integrated service successfully and efficiently. In addition we would also offer access to some unique specialist facilities such as: a variable temperature, UHV STM: a combined SEM and 4 STM Nanoprober for four point electrical measurements: a combined TEM-STM holder (Nanofactory): a Nanoman virtual reality AFM/ Nanomanipulator: and Magnetic tweezers. A further specialism of the proposal would be to enable high quality nanoscience research for UK academics who are involved in the rapidly expanding area centred around the life science/physical science interface (LSI). Based on research grants, Leeds is a major LSI Institution (source: LSI Impact Study / EPSRC 2005) and the Leeds grouping possesses an appropriate and expanding knowledge-base which can be of additional benefit to external EPSRC-based researchers. Furthermore, it will allow us to optimize techniques and methods specific to the analysis and modification of hybrid materials that are generally difficult to study due to the problems of intrinsically low image contrast and radiation and vacuum-induced chemical and structural damage,