NanoTweezer-Raman System for Direct Single Particle Identification and Characterization of Interaction Forces

我们正在申请一种能够进行拉曼光谱分析的Nanotweezer，用于悬浮纳米颗粒的直接原位化学分析，并测量其与表面的单独相互作用。这是一个独特的最先进的系统，将使我们的实验室和其他人能够在纳米技术和生物工程领域进行尖端研究。探测纳米颗粒的化学性质及其表面物理性质的能力将使我们能够研究广泛的生物医学和环境相关系统。与原子力显微镜（AFM）等其他技术相比，该技术的一个主要优点是它不需要特殊的样品制备，也不需要物理粒子操作。此外，AFM可用于表征1-10个颗粒/天，而Nanotweezer可在几小时内表征多达1000个颗粒。具有拉曼能力的纳米镊子将是全世界学术实验室中的第一个;因此，对这一系统的资助将为加拿大研究界带来最先进的设备和专门知识。NanoTweezer的独特技术与拉曼光谱相结合，开辟了目前不存在的无数研究可能性。因此，在我们的实验室尖端的Nanotweezer和其他纳米粒子表征工具的存在将确保为我们的学生和其他人一个独特的培训环境。

We are requesting a NanoTweezer with the capability to perform Raman spectroscopy for the direct, in situ chemical analysis of suspended nanoparticles and measurement of their individual interactions with a surface. This is a unique state-of-the-art system that will allow our laboratories and others to produce cutting-edge research in the areas of nanotechnology and bioengineering. The ability to probe the chemical properties of nanoparticles and the physical properties of their surfaces will allow us to study a wide range of systems of biomedical and environmental relevance. A major advantage of this technology over others such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) is that it requires no special sample preparation and no physical particle manipulation. Also, whereas AFM may be used to characterize 1-10 particles/day, the NanoTweezer can characterize up to ~1000 particles in a few hours. The NanoTweezer with Raman capability would be the first of its kind in an academic laboratory worldwide; thus, funding of this system will bring state-of-the art equipment and expertise to the Canadian research community. The unique technology of the NanoTweezer combined with Raman spectroscopy opens a myriad of research possibilities that are currently non-existent. Thus, the presence of the cutting-edge NanoTweezer and other nanoparticle characterisation tools in our laboratories will ensure a unique training environment for our students and others.