Nanotechnology. - University of Sheffield · The equivalent soft materials can produce sensors, such as switched mode power supplies. New read head technologies already use thin film

Professor Richard A L JonesDept of Physics and AstronomyThe University Of SheffieldHicks BuildingSheffield S3 7RHUnited [email protected]: +44 (0) 114 222 4530Fax: +44 (0) 114 222 8079

www.sheffield.ac.uk/northcampus

Nanotechnology.

This campus will include two prestigious newcentres, the ‘Kroto Research Institute’ and the‘Nanoscience & Technology Centre’ and comprisesthe UK’s largest dedicated multidisciplinary research facility. This ambitious new initiative willbuild on Sheffield’s reputation for leading edgeresearch in both science and engineering and keepSheffield at the forefront of research in convergenttechnologies; two important threads runningthrough the research are nanotechnology and theconvergence of the physical and biological sciences.

Part of Sheffield’s remit is to foster interdisciplinarywork of the highest quality in an environment that transcends many of the limitations inherent in traditional university organisations and structures. North Campus will build on the premise that reducing the barriers betweentraditional scientific and technological disciplinescan yield research advances that more conventional approaches cannot.

Two

NanotechnologyIn January 2005 The University OfSheffield celebrates one hundred years as a leading British academic institution.In this centenary year the University is undertaking a major expansion of its science and engineering facilities. The University has acquired a new site on which to locate its ‘North Campus’ a UK hub for multidisciplinary scienceand engineering.

Many scientists believe that the new science ofNanotechnology could revolutionise the material worldand offer all sorts of solutions to contemporary issues.

Nanotechnology investigates structures and materialson the nanoscale by manipulating atoms and moleculesto create new and intelligent materials. Many differentapplications are being investigated including smartskin for aircraft, skin grafts and artificial muscles, newlasers and display devices, and sensors; nanotechnologyeven promises to overcome the physical limits thatthreaten to stop computers getting faster.

Three

What isNanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary scienceencompassing everything from physics, chemistry,and electronics through to engineering and medicine.

The University Of Sheffield is particularly well-suitedto this area of research. It has a dynamicmultidisciplinary research culture, houses a numberof national facilities and initiatives and has goodworking relationships within the region with partnerUniversities in Leeds and York.

Sheffield’s acquisition of the “North Campus” siteand establishment of the “Kroto Research Institute”and the “Nanoscience & Technology Centre”represents a major investment in further improvingits already outstanding facilities for nanotechnology:

• EPSRC National Centre for III-V Technologies

• Nanofabrication suite include focused ion beamand electron beam lithography

• EPSRC/RSC Chair in Nanoscale AnalyticalChemistry

• Outstanding nanoscale analysis andcharacterisation equipment, includingInterdisciplinary Nanoscale CharacterisationFacility (afm, snom, uhv-stm, SAXS, laser confocalmicroscopy) and EPSRC FEGTEM facility

Sheffield’s emphasis on research led teaching willensure a supply of the trained manpower neededfor the new technology-based industries to succeed.The University Of Sheffield MSc Course inNanoscale Science and Technology, run jointly with the University of Leeds, was one of the first such courses in the world.

Healthcare Speciality chemicals AerospaceTissue engineering Nanosizing chemistry Electronic Nanotechnology

Nanosizing chemistry Soft nanotechnology Soft nanotechnology

Soft nanotechnology Molecular electronics Molecular electronics

Pharmaceuticals ElectronicsTissue engineering Molecular electronics

Nanosizing chemistry Nanomagnetism

Soft nanotechnology Electronic Nanotechnology

ContentsThe multidisciplinary nature of nanotechnology means that thereare specialist applications for many different sectors. The chartbelow cross-refers subject area to industrial context.

Five

ElectronicNanotechnology

Investigation

Facilities include the EPSRC National centre for III-Vtechnologies, the leading provider of semiconductornanostructures for the UK university community,supplying up to 600 advanced structures per year.

The Facility’s growth capabilities are based around fivereactors soon to be enhanced by new state-of-the-artMOVPE and MBE reactors. Superb laboratories fordevice fabrication have recently been boosted by theprocurement of electron beam lithography and dualbeam focussed ion beam instruments.

A full range of techniques for characterisation areavailable, including atomic-resolution analytical FEGTEM, AFM and optical, electrical and x-ray based techniques.

The combination of advanced crystal growth, devicefabrication and characterisation gives Sheffield leadingnational status in the field.

Application

Devices such as blue lasers for next generation DVDplayers, mid-IR lasers for pollution monitoring, highlyefficient solar cells and high temperature electronics for aerospace applications are made and tested. 10nmsize quantum dots form the basis of such devices asvery low threshold lasers, single photon emitters forquantum cryptography applications and for solid stateimplementations of quantum information processing.

ExplanationElectronic Nanotechnology uses near atomic-scale control of the size and composition of semiconductor structures to produce new opticalelectronic, and optoelectronic device functions. The University Of Sheffield has leading fabrication facilities and world class materials characterisationon site. Extensive research programmes are also run into the science andtechnology of III-V semiconductors.

Electronic Nanotechnology www.sheffield.ac.uk/northcampusNorth Campus Nanotechnology.

Investigation

Novel tools like scanning probe microscopy promise torevolutionise the investigation of chemical interactionson the nanoscale. Techniques of analysis, such as atomicforce microscopy which provide remarkable images ofsurfaces have inspired the development of innovativesystems to measure adhesive, frictional and otherphenomena in a quantitative way. Results are ofpotential value to a broad spectrum of applications,from personal care products through to packaging and tissue engineering.

The manipulation of chemical structure on thenanoscale is an area of increasing importance.Miniaturised analytical systems such as lab-on-a-chiptechnology can now be controlled and monitoredenabling advances to be made in many fields includingthe study of drug metabolism in single cells.

Application

Nanoscale chemistry is of critical importance acrossmany industrial sectors including printing andpackaging, aerospace engineering and automotive. All could benefit tremendously from the development of adhesion techniques and smart lubrication systems.Microfluidics can be applied in the manufacture ofmicro pumps and valves, leading to the fabrication of artificial muscles, whilst new nanoscale catalysts will lead to more environmentally clean processes thatminimise chemical consumption and waste production.

Six

NanosizingChemistry

ExplanationRecent advances in nanotechnology have identified exciting newopportunities in both chemistry and biology. Important analytical methodsand tools are being developed which focus on the characterisation andmanipulation of nanoscale chemical structure, behaviour and properties. In microfluidics, this has led to the design of structures which give amechanical deformation in response to an electrical stimulus, andnanoscale catalysts are also being developed for use in these structures.

Nanosizing Chemistry www.sheffield.ac.uk/northcampus North Campus Nanotechnology.

Seven

Soft Nanotechnology

Block copolymers are the most important class of synthetic systems for creating self-assemblednanostructures. By controlling the architecture of individual molecules it is possible to synthesisenanostructures either in an undiluted melt or inaqueous solution. The size of the resulting structures can be predicted and controlled fromnanometre sizes up to length-scales comparable to the wavelength of light. These large structures have interesting photonic properties, controlling the propagation of light and making them highly suitable for self-assembled optoelectronic devices.

Materials that respond to their environment by changing conformation are also in development, such as a thermoreponsive gel that collapses on heating.Different techniques at varying molecular levels cananalyse these changes and investigate their potential.

By putting these ingredients together into a wholesystem, demonstrator nanoscale devices can be made. Active membranes, pumps and syntheticmolecular motors are being developed which couple macromolecular conformational changes with cyclic chemical reactions and convert chemicalenergy directly into a mechanical process. This technology could transform drug delivery and other areas that require precise targeting of molecules to a specific location.

ExplanationFunctional nanodevices required to work in water encounter challengingenvironments and demand a new set of design principles similar to thoseused in cell biology. By realising these using synthetic materials it ispossible to develop a soft nanotechnology.

Soft Nanotechnology www.sheffield.ac.uk/northcampusNorth Campus Nanotechnology.

In the future it should be possible to manipulateindividual polymer molecules and control their self-assembly into complex nanostructures and new semiconductor devices in which the basiccomponents are single molecules.

Light emitting diodes and photovoltaics made fromsemiconducting polymers could be used to createdisplay devices and solar cells that cover large areascheaply. The nanoscopic structure of these devices can be controlled by self-assembly, leading toimprovements in device performance. Photo-refractive liquid crystals have a high optical density and photoconductivity. These can be used in a variety of nanomaterials to enable tuning of the photonic properties of various nanostructures.

Semiconducting polymers can also be used to makecomponents for logical operations opening up the way

for all-plastic microprocessors. In the future this willallow even the most inexpensive products to carry their own embedded intelligence.

When semiconducting polymers are combined withinorganic semi-conductor nanotechnology new hybridnanostructures can be made. In these devices light isconfined by the inorganic semiconductor layers where it interacts with the charge carriers in the polymer toform new states in which light and matter are entangled.The ability to engineer cell surfaces of liquid crystalsmeans that functions such as switching and filtering can be performed on light. It is hoped that this mayultimately lead to new lasers and affordable high-performance optoelectronic components.

Eight

Molecular ElectronicsExplanationThe discovery of polymers which can conduct electricity make it possibleto commercialise plastic semiconductor devices for use in many differentapplications. Polymers offer many advantages: they are cheap and easy toprocess, are flexible and can be used to cover large surface areas.

Molecular Electronics www.sheffield.ac.uk/northcampus North Campus Nanotechnology.

Nine

Nanocharacterisation& Nanomanipulation

Investigation

The Sorby Centre houses a suite of the mostcontemporary electron optical instrumentation able to characterise structure and bonding down to the atomic scale. Complementary to this are The University Of Sheffield FEGTEM, EBL and dual-beam FIB facilities. The combined capabilities allow state of the art nanocharacterisation and fabricationusing many novel techniques including:

• Leading edge atomic resolution structural imaging

• Energy filtered and annular dark-field imaging, to givequantitative chemical composition at the nanoscale

• High energy resolution electron energy lossspectroscopy (EELS) to determine the state ofbonding at the atomic scale, e.g. at interfaces

• Electron holography

• Nanoscale lithography (FIB) and manipulation(nanorobotics)

• 3-D imaging of structure, from microscopic to nanoscopic

• Full crystallographic texture determination with world beating resolution

ExplanationControl of the nanoscale world demands an ability to characterise andmodify materials and structures atom-by-atom and molecule-by-molecule.This is made possible by modern electron, ion and scanning probemicroscopes. Sheffield is extremely well-resourced with these instrumentsand is leading the development of new high resolution nano- and atomic-scale imaging, analytical and fabrication techniques.

Nanocharacterisation & Nanomanipulation www.sheffield.ac.uk/northcampusNorth Campus Nanotechnology.

Maintaining the nanostructure and changing theelemental composition results in record soft magneticmaterials. Recent advances in thin film technology havealso furthered studies of magnetic materials in the formof multi layer stacks, ideal for read heads. Work acrossall fields of nanomagnetism continues to stretchscientific boundaries.

Investigation

Considerable research has already been done in areas such as nanostructured permanent and softmagnetic materials, supported by various magneticcharacterisation facilities. These combinations offeralloy development, full magnetic and nanostructuralcharacterisation, and proof-of-principle work forapplications.

Thin film research incorporates extensive growthfacilities, as well as highly developed characterisation

facilities. Work is in progress on varying types of thin films for MEMS applications and spin-valve components and new projects are planned for self-assembled systems.

Application

Nanostructured permanent magnets are already beingused in high efficiency low weight motors, which couldenhance the development of the all electric aircraft. The equivalent soft materials can produce sensors, such as switched mode power supplies. New read head technologies already use thin film magnets and nanoparticles and the potential for bio-medical and MEMS activities looks very exciting.

Ten

Nanomagnetism &Nanostructuredmaterials

ExplanationResearch has been taking place on the elemental composition anddevelopment of nanomagnetic materials for over 10 years. The latestpermanent magnet materials are composed of rare earth elements with a nanoscale grain size. This generates a force through various magneticinteractions leading to the most powerful magnets yet developed.

Nanomagnetism & Nanostructured materials www.sheffield.ac.uk/northcampus North Campus Nanotechnology.

Eleven

Tissue Engineering

Investigation

Research concentrates on four overlapping areas.Prosthetics involves artificial replacements for naturaltissues damaged or lost through injury or disease. This requires detailed understanding of cell developmentand control, from biopsy design (to obtain the correctcells), through keeping these cells alive, to controllingtheir behaviour in vivo and in vitro.

Tissue engineering concentrates on three target areas –skin, cartilage and tendon. Clinical trials of autologousskin cells with natural matrices or on flexible plasticsupports have been successfully conducted on patientssuffering from burns and chronic non-healing ulcers.Virtual tissues and prosthetics enable new implants to be fully evaluated before they are introduced into thepatient, using three-dimensional models that accuratelyreflect the behaviour of living tissue. This area of researchis likely to produce some significant applications.

Application

New high strength bioceramic materials are underdevelopment for both dental and bone repair work. In the field of prosthetics, human hypertrophic cartilagehas been successfully produced and used as a naturalscaffold to heal broken bones, and this began clinicaltrials in 2003. Skin tissue applications, from an‘improved sticking plaster’ to complete thickness skingrafts and three-dimensional synthetic scaffolds, arebeing investigated, and the virtual simulations expect to dramatically improve designs for heart valves andstents to open collapsed arteries.

ExplanationNew nano-applications for tissue engineering and cell regeneration arecreating excitement within the health industry where the aim is to designnew materials that can overcome problems currently encountered withprosthetic and transplant surgeries.

Tissue Engineering www.sheffield.ac.uk/northcampusNorth Campus Nanotechnology.

The central feature of the MTP is a 1 year, full time,postgraduate Masters (MSc) programme in NanoscaleScience and Technology; however, the course also catersfor a wide range of training requirements by provision ofpart-time MSc study options, the Postgraduate Certificateand Postgraduate Diploma qualifications, 1-2 week shortcourses and 1-day nanotechnology workshops.

Full-time MSc

8 modules over 2 semesters, covering a broad range ofnanotechnology subjects. There is also a major project thatruns throughout both semesters, normally based in one ofthe many nanoscience/technology-related research groupsat Leeds or Sheffield

Short Course

Preparation and fabrication of nanostructures (1 week)Characterisation of nanostructures (1 week)Processing and properties of inorganic nanomaterials (2 weeks)

One Day Workshops

The Nanoscale Science and Technology package includesan on-going workshop programme. Recent workshopsinclude: ‘Engineering New Futures – Nanoscale Science andTechnology’ (9 April 2001), and ‘Enterprise inNanotechnology’ 20-21 May 2002 and 14-15 April 2003.

The Nanoscale Science and Technology MTP is delivered by academic departments spanning the Physics, Chemistry,Biology, Electronic Engineering and Materials disciplines,thus providing a uniquely interdisciplinary programme with optimum coverage of the relevant subject areas. The programme is administered from the Centre for Self Organising Molecular Systems, an interdisciplinaryresearch centre at the University of Leeds.

More information can be found atwww.ee.leeds.ac.uk/nanomsc

Twelve

Nanoscale Science &Technology MastersTraining Package

ExplanationThe Masters Training Package (MTP) in Nanoscale Science and Technology is run jointly by the Universities of Leeds and Sheffield. The course provides a highly interdisciplinary learning experience enabling single discipline graduates to contribute effectively to theresearch, development and commercial exploitation of nanotechnology.

Nanoscale Science & Technology Masters Training Package www.sheffield.ac.uk/northcampus North Campus Nanotechnology.

Thirteen

ContactsFor general enquiries aboutNanotechnology at Sheffield,please contact

Nanotechnology

Professor Richard A L Jones

Dept of Physics and AstronomyThe University Of SheffieldHicks BuildingSheffield S3 7RHUnited Kingdom

Phone: +44 (0) 114 222 4530Fax: +44 (0) 114 272 [email protected]

Key personnel are detailed below: www.sheffield.ac.uk/northcampus

Electronic Nanotechnology

Professor Peter Houston

Electrical and Electronic [email protected]

Phone: 0114 222 5180

Professor Maurice Skolnick

Physics and [email protected]

Phone: 0114 222 4277

Professor Tony Cullis

Electrical and Electronic Engineering,[email protected]

Phone: 0114 222 5407

Tissue Engineering

Professor Sheila MacNeil

Engineering [email protected]

Phone: 0114 222 5948

Professor Paul Hatton

Restorative [email protected]

Phone: 0114 820 7938

Nanosizing Chemistry

Professor Mike Hounslow,

Chemical and Process Engineering,[email protected]

Phone: 0114 222 7565

Professor Graham Leggett

[email protected]

Phone: 0114 222 9556

Professor Ray Allen

Chemical and Process Engineering,[email protected]

Phone: 0114 222 7601

Soft Nanotechnology

Professor Tony Ryan,

[email protected]

Phone: 0114 222 9409



Phone: 0114 222 4530

Molecular Electronics



Phone: 0114 222 4530

Dr David Lidzey


Phone: 0114 222 3501

Professor Peter Wright


Phone: 0114 222 5499

Nanocharacterisation & Nanomanipulation

Professor Mark Rainforth


Phone: 0114 222 5469

Professor Tony Cullis

Electrical and Electronic Engineering,[email protected]

Phone: 0114 222 5407

Nanomagnetism & Nanostructured Materials

Professor Mike Gibbs


Phone: 0114 222 4261

Design by: vividcreative.com, © 2005 V2352

Documents

Nanotechnology. - University of Sheffield · The equivalent soft materials can produce sensors, such as switched mode power supplies. New read head technologies already use thin film