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Volumetric Scanning Microwave Microscopy Analytical and Research Tool for Nanotechnology |
The V-SMMART Nano will produce a new tool, the Volumetric Scanning Microwave Microscope (VSMM), for non-destructive 3D nanoscale structural characterisation of samples.
The VSMM will probe the local reflection and transmission microwave spectroscopy of key materials properties, measuring complex permittivity, conductivity, resistivity, and magnetic response, and hence structural and chemical material constitution with 3D nanoscale resolution. The work will address the technical development of the tool and demonstrate its ability to characterise the 3D structure in situ at the nanoscale. The tool will be applied to relevant real-life systems including nanoparticle drug uptake in biological cells, domain structure in ferroelectric devices and trap mechanisms in solar cells. Integrated into this process will be ease of use through dedicated work-flows and intuitive real time visualisation for results optimisation and processing. Methods for calibration and provision of traceability are incorporated into the project from the start: this will ensure that VSMM measurements will be quantitatively meaningful and optimised for accuracy and will ensure the most efficient route to commercialisation and uptake of the VSMM. The fact that the VSMM will utilise SPM cantilever-probe technology will ensure that it is readily compatible with a full range of other SPM-based tools – opening up its future role in integrated multi-physical materials characterisation at the nanoscale.
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Consortium:
- Bio Nano Consulting (London UK)
- MC2 Microwave Characterization Center SAS (Lille France)
- Agilent (Linz Austria)
- National Physical Laboratory (Teddington UK)
- IBEC, INSTITUT DE BIOENGINYERIA DE CATALUNYA (Barcelona Spain)
- CNR-IMM (Rome Italy)
- Nanoworld Services (Erlangen Germany)
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Kick-off Meeting in Linz Austria Agilent site on March 27-30 2012
Partners:
     
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V-SMMART Nano—Volumetric Scanning Microwave Microscopy Analytical and Research Tool for Nanotechnology
The V-SMMART Nano will produce a new tool, the Volumetric Scanning Microwave Microscope (VSMM), for non-destructive 3D nanoscale structural characterisation of samples.
The VSMM will probe the local reflection and transmission microwave spectroscopy of key materials properties, measuring complex permittivity, conductivity, resistivity, and magnetic response, and hence structural and chemical material constitution with 3D nanoscale resolution. The work will address the technical development of the tool and demonstrate its ability to characterise the 3D structure in situ at the nanoscale. The tool will be applied to relevant real-life systems including nanoparticle drug uptake in biological cells, domain structure in ferroelectric devices and trap mechanisms in solar cells. Integrated into this process will be ease of use through dedicated work-flows and intuitive real time visualisation for results optimisation and processing. Methods for calibration and provision of traceability are incorporated into the project from the start: this will ensure that VSMM measurements will be quantitatively meaningful and optimised for accuracy and will ensure the most efficient route to commercialisation and uptake of the VSMM. The fact that the VSMM will utilise SPM cantilever-probe technology will ensure that it is readily compatible with a full range of other SPM-based tools – opening up its future role in integrated multi-physical materials characterisation at the nanoscale.
The consortium that will develop and commercialise the VSMM comprises 7 partners: Bio Nano Consulting (London UK), MC2 (Lille France), Agilent (Linz Austria), National Physical Laboratory (Teddington UK), CNR-IMM (Rome Italy), IBEC (Barcelona Spain) and Nanoworld Services (Erlangen Germany).
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