NANOTECHNOLOGY:

INTRODUCTION &
TOOLS
MBP-403
INTRODUCTION

■ The utilization of matter on an atomic, molecular, and

supramolecular scale for industrial purposes is termed
as nanotechnology, or just nanotech. The earliest and
most common definition of nanotechnology, also known
as molecular nanotechnology, focused on the specific
technological purpose of accurately manipulating atoms
and molecules for the development of macroscale
objects.
CURRENT RESEARCH:
Nanomaterials
■ The field of nano materials encompasses subfields that
create or research materials with special attributes
brought on their Nano scale dimensions. Many materials
that may be beneficial in nanotechnology, including
carbon nanotubes and other fullerenes, as well as other
nanoparticles and nanorods, have been developed
thanks to interface and colloid science. Nanoscale
materials can also be utilized for bulk applications; most
existing commercial applications of nanotechnology are
of this type.
CURRENT RESEARCH:
Biomimetic approaches
■ Bionics, also referred as bio mimicry, is the study and
design of engineering systems and contemporary
technology by borrowing biological principles and
systems from nature. One of the systems examined is
bio mineralization. The term "bio nanotechnology"
refers to the utilization of biomolecules, such as viruses
and lipid structures, for nanotechnology applications.
One potential application at the bulk level is Nano
cellulose.
CURRENT RESEARCH: The
dimensions of nano
materials
■ The categorization of nano materials contains 0D, 1D,
2D, and 3D nano materials. The physical, chemical, and
biological characteristics of nano materials are
significantly influenced by their dimensionality. Surface-
to-volume ratio is appears to rise when dimensionality
reduces. This shows that, in comparison to 3D nano
materials, smaller dimensional nano materials have a
higher surface area. Two-dimensional (2D) nano
materials are currently being studied in depth for use in
biological, electrical, drug delivery, and biosensor
applications.
TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES
■ There are numerous contemporary developments. Nanotechnology was
introduced via the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) and the
Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM), two early iterations of
scanning probes. Other variations of scanning probe microscopy exist.
The resolution of most recent scanning probe microscopes is
substantially higher since they are not constrained by sound or light
wavelengths. Numerous nanolithography techniques, including optical
lithography, X-ray lithography, dip pen nanolithography, electron beam
lithography, and nano imprint lithography, have also been developed.
■ A top-down fabrication method called lithography shrinks a bulk material
to a Nano scale design. Nano imprint lithography, deep ultraviolet
lithography, electron beam lithography, focused ion beam machining,
molecular vapour deposition, and molecular self-assembly methods are
among another group of nano technological techniques. These methods
also used to create nanotubes and nanowires, as well as
semiconductors. In contrast to methods that were specifically created
for the development of nanotechnology and which were the results of
nanotechnology research, the ancestors of these methods precede the
nanotech period and are progressions in the development of scientific
accomplishments.
STM
■ The development of the family of scanning probe
microscopes started with the original invention of the STM in
1981. Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer developed the first
working STM while working at IBM Zurich Research
Laboratories in Switzerland. This instrument would later win
Binnig and Rohrer the Nobel prize in physics in 1986.
■ The Quantum Corral
– The STM image below shows the direction of standing-wave
patterns in the local density of states of the Cu(111)
surface. These spatial oscillations are quantum-mechanical
interference patterns caused by scattering of the two-
dimensional electron gas off the Fe atoms and point defects.
STM
■ How an STM Works
– The scanning tunneling microscope (STM) works by
scanning a very sharp metal wire tip over a surface. By
bringing the tip very close to the surface, and by
applying an electrical voltage to the tip or sample, we
can image the surface at an extremely small scale –
down to resolving individual atoms.
■ The STM is based on several principles. One is the
quantum mechanical effect of tunneling. It is this effect
that allows us to “see” the surface. Another principle is
the piezoelectric effect. It is this effect that allows us to
precisely scan the tip with angstrom-level control.
Lastly, a feedback loop is required, which monitors the
tunneling current and coordinates the current and the
positioning of the tip.
AFM

■ Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is a high-

resolution non-optical imaging technique first
demonstrated by Binnig, Quate and Gerber in 1985.
Since then it has developed into a powerful
measurement tool for surface analysis. AFM allows
accurate and non-destructive measurements of the
topographical, electrical, magnetic, chemical, optical,
mechanical, etc. properties of a sample surface with
very high resolution in air, liquids or ultrahigh vacuum.
This unique combination of capabilities makes AFM
indispensable in most advanced science and technology
labs around the world.
AFM

■ AFM Operation Principle

■ The basic operation principle of a standard AFM system with optical
feedback involves scanning an AFM probe with a sharp AFM
tip over a sample surface in a raster pattern. The AFM tip is usually
made of silicon or silicon nitride and is integrated near the free end
of a flexible AFM cantilever. A piezoelectric ceramic
scanner controls the lateral and the vertical position of the AFM
probe relative to the surface. As the AFM tip moves over features of
different height the deflection of the AFM cantilever changes.
This deflection is tracked by a laser beam reflected from the back
side of the AFM cantilever and directed into a position sensitive
photodetector. A feedback loop controls the vertical extension of
the scanner in order to maintain near-constant AFM cantilever
deflection and hence a constant interaction force. The coordinates
that the AFM tip tracks during the scan are combined to generate
a three-dimensional topographic image of the surface.
STM VS AFM

■ The atomic force microscope (AFM) was developed to

overcome a basic drawback with STM – it can only
image conducting or semiconducting surfaces. The AFM
has the advantage of imaging almost any type of
surface, including polymers, ceramics, composites,
glass, and biological samples.
APPLICATIONS

■ The majority of applications are limited to "first

generation" passive nanomaterial’s, which include zinc
oxide in paints and varnishes for outdoor furniture,
titanium dioxide in sunscreen, cosmetics, surface
coatings, and some food products, carbon allotropes
used to make gecko tape, silver in clothing, home
appliances, disinfectants, and food packaging, and
cerium oxide as a fuel catalyst. Due to various uses,
tennis balls can also last longer, golf balls can already
fly straighter, and even bowling balls can have a
stronger surface. Nanotechnology may make it possible
for current medical applications to become more
accessible and economical in locations like the general
practitioner's office and at home.