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| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S85696/01 |
| Title: |
BASIC TECHNOLOGY: Nanorobotics - Technologies for Simultaneous Multidimensional Imaging & Manipulation of Nanoobjects |
| Principal Investigator: |
Dr M Howarth |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-investigator: |
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| Project Partner: |
| Indian Institute of Science |
Nanomagnetics Ltd |
National Physical Laboratory |
| QinetiQ (Malvern) |
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| Department: |
Materials Research Institute |
| Organisation: |
Sheffield Hallam University |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research |
| Starts: |
01 February 2005 |
Ends: |
31 July 2009 |
Value (£): |
294,805
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Control Systems Engineering, Integration and Autonomy |
Microsystems |
| Robotics, Assembly, and Automatic Handling |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary |
Novel miniaturised piezo-controlled nanopositioning and nanomanipulation systems, with intelligent mechanical and electronic sensors and control, will be designed and constructed to form a multipurpose NANOLAB to be integrated into the specimen chambers of transmission electron microscopes. Special features of the new nanorobotics technologies will include
(i) Integration of TEM nanopositioning with in-situ laser interferometry : for sub nm-accuracy measurements of displacements (enabling evaluation of force) with visual observation up to 1 million magnification
(ii) 5-Degree-of-freedom actuation : Translation in all three cartesian directions xyz will enable a (e.g. tip-shaped) test object to be brought into contact with a (e.g. substrate surface) target object for dynamical mechanical (nanoindentation), chemical and electrical (including STM) testing at the contact point. Additionally rotation in one, possibly two directions, will enable in-situ 3D reconstruction of observed nanostructures by nanotomography; Novel nanotools will be developed for nanoscale manipulation of objects whilst imaging with the TEM.
(iii) Intelligent nanorobot control : High-power vision based computing will allow (near) real-time tracking and automated control of the position and function of the nanorobot arm with respect to a possibly moving target by means of fast image processing algorithms. This feature qualifies our device as a "nanorobot".
We will test our nanorobotics NANOLAB in some of the most promising application areas, including manipulation of fullerenes, magnetic particles, biomaterials/scaffolds, semiconductor and MEMS devices
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| Final Report Summary |
This Basic Technology Project has been a multidisciplinary collaboration between Sheffield University (SU), Sheffield Hallam University (SHU), and Nottingham University (NU). We have brought together UK-expertise in the areas of TEM, SPM, Microrobotics, and Image Processing, establishing a new NanoLAB Centre (SU)
Novel miniaturised piezo-controlled nanopositioning and nanomanipulation systems, with intelligent mechanical and electronic sensors and control, have been designed and constructed to form a multipurpose NANOLAB which is integrated into transmission electron microscopes.
The key technology developed includes:
1. A miniaturised TEM-compatible nanopositioner, capable of programmable 3D motion along 3 independent Cartesian axes, and mechanical stability for atomic-resolution positioning, imaging and analysis of nanostructures within the TEM. It is a flexible modular platform for the attachment of a range of functional nanotools, both for TEM and in future other analytical instrumentation
2. TEM nanoindenter: Very high stiffness instrument with integrated tuneable force sensor. Enables real-time deformation of individual nanostructures, with determination of local force, mean pressure and stress
3. TEM triboprobe: Programmable nanoscale motion in 3D enables world-wide unique in-situ TEM nanofriction and nanofatigue testing capability, with future wide-ranging applications in nanotribology
4. TEM nanorotation drive: Unique TEM rotation-translation drive with 7 Degree-of-Freedom movement. A chosen nanoobject can be rotated through an entire 360 deg., enabling for the first time eucentric nanotomography of nanoobjects with no missing angle, and applications in 3D nanometrology, 3D nanotesting and nanofabrication (Patent)
5. Nanotomography: novel image processing and tomographic reconstruction methods have been developed for X-ray emission tomography, atomic resolution tomography, and electron beam tomographic nanofabrication
6. TEM-STM drive: With NU, an entirely novel miniaturised TEM-STM drive has been constructed, designed for extremely low current noise
7. TEM nanoelectrical drive: Miniaturised drive for combined electro-mechanical testing of nanostructures
8. Intelligent vision control: With SHU, a real-time vision control system using fast image processing algorithms and digital video camera has been developed for automated closed-loop control of TEM nanopositioning. A chosen nanostructure can now be tracked in real-time and positioned using a computer mouse
9. Advanced functional nanotools: A range of nanoprobes for mechanical and electrical testing of individual nanoobjects have been developed, including a novel electrical probe (Patent) with exceptional low-contact resistance enabling high-quality electrical characterisation of nanostructures
10. Nanoscale welding with solder: A new method of welding individual nanoobjects together into circuits using nanovolumes of solder deposited using in-situ electrical probes (Patent).
These new NANOLAB technologies, with world-leading capability, will open up new frontiers in the scientific evaluation of the real-time properties of interacting nanostructures. First applications include the manipulation and dynamical mechanical testing of nanoparticle clusters, nanocomposites and MEMS/NEMS components; nanopatterning of nanowires and nanotips; 3D tomography of nanoparticles and probes; accurate electrical testing of individual metal nanowires; nanowelding with the smallest soldering to date; and the real-time nanofatigue and tribology of surface carbon
Outputs of the Basic Technology Project include the new technologies listed above, two patents, 54 technical publications, organisation of 13 scientific meetings, >35 presentations and the training of 14 young researchers in the new field
A Translation Grant has been awarded to support the key Researchers and Collaborators as they bring the Nanorobotics technologies to applications in new science and industry
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| Further Information: |
www.nanomanipulation.org |
| Organisation Website: |
http://www.shu.ac.uk |
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