UNIVSEM

Universal SEM as a multi-nano-analytical tool

 Partecipanti

Mappa

 Word cloud

Esplora la "nuvola delle parole (Word Cloud) per avere un'idea di massima del progetto.

 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The current scientific interest and next generation of nanotechnology-based products is combining converging fields and dealing with a large complexity (e.g. organic electronics, nanomedicine). We can see growing needs to visualize, manipulate, modify and characterize nano-objects in a single tool.

The aim of the UnivSEM project is to develop a novel multimodal tool combining - a vision capability by integrating scanning electron (SEM), scanning probe (SPM) and optical microscopy (OM) thus enabling multimodal microscopy, - a chemical analysis capability by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), - structural characterization by electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), - a non-destructive optical analysis capability by confocal Raman spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence (CL), - a tomography capability by complementary use of novel 3D orthogonal TOF-SIMS, 3D EBSD and 3D confocal Raman tomography (the last method being non-destructive) thus enabling correlation between alternative 3D methods.

The proper resolution will be ensured by SEM column improvements, a new SPM design and OM type of Raman microscopy in SEM. Implementation of nano-scale 3D imaging, manipulation and non-destructive optical analysis in one universal instrument will represent a real breakthrough allowing simple operations or analyses in nanotechnology that are problematic or impossible nowadays.

The fully functional prototype of the new tool will demonstrate its unique modularity, resolution, data acquisition and simplification of working environment. Direct application of this multimodal tool is expected in many industrial quality controls and in R&D sectors (e.g. photovoltaics, plasmonics and cell-nanoparticle interaction).'

Introduzione (Teaser)

EU-funded scientists are developing a revolutionary multi-modal analytical tool to enable simultaneous measurement of numerous nano-object characteristics. It promises a boost to nanotechnology development and to the EU economy.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The explosion in nanotechnology is having major impact on fields from organic electronics to biomedicine to photovoltaics.

The growing volume and diversity of products highlights the pressing need for flexible and multi-modal nano-object characterisation technology in a single tool.

There is currently no single analytical system available that is capable of delivering simultaneous information about 3D structure, chemical composition and surface properties. EU-funded scientists are filling this gap with groundbreaking work on the project 'Universal SEM as a multi-nano-analytical tool' (http://www.univsem.eu (UNIVSEM)) . The multi-modal instrument is expected to spur the development of innovative nanomaterials and devices of strategic importance to the EU economy and its citizens.

Integration of scanning probe microscopy and optical microscopy within the scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/focused ion beam vacuum chamber is key to project success. It will facilitate the combination of confocal Raman spectroscopy with SEM for non-destructive optical tomography and quality assurance in high demand by the nanotechnology industry.

During the first 18 months scientists worked exhaustively on design adaptations of the vacuum chamber to accommodate the complexity of the multi-modal tool.

In parallel, they made significant improvements in the capabilities of the individual analytical techniques.

Preliminary tests of the first integration of SEM and vacuum-operated confocal Raman spectroscopy provided exciting results, with the demonstrated optical resolution of 360 nanometres (nm) far exceeding the original 500 nm target. The team is now ready for full characterisation tests and integration of hardware and software for all specified techniques, leading to optimisation for multi-purpose exploitation.

Commercialisation is expected to follow closely with major impact on numerous industries thanks to the growing global distribution network of a partner small to medium-sized enterprise. The multi-modal tool is foreseen to spur nanotechnology development and enhanced quality control in a myriad of areas, including forensics, geology, biology and optoelectronics.