| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S85689/01 |
| Title: |
BASIC TECHNOLOGY: Nanorobotics - Technologies for Simultaneous Multidimensional Imaging & Manipulation of Nanoobjects |
| Principal Investigator: |
Inkson, Professor B |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Materials Science and Engineering |
| Organisation: |
University of Sheffield |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 January 2005 |
Ends: |
30 June 2009 |
Value (£): |
1,847,850
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Control Engineering |
Microsystems |
| Robotics & Autonomy |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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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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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.shef.ac.uk |