Objective
The controlled synthesis of nanoparticles in the form of spheres, rods and wires has led to a variety of applications. A much wider spectrum of applications e.g. in integrated devices would be available if a precise placement and alignment relative to neighbouring particles or other functional structures on the substrate is achieved. A potential solution to this challenge is to use top-down methods to guide the placement and orientation of nanoparticles. Ideally, a precise orientation and placement is achieved for a wide range of particle shapes, a so far unresolved challenge.
Here we propose to generate a tunable electrostatic potential minimum by exploiting double-layer potentials between two confining surfaces in liquid. The shape of the potential is determined by the local three-dimensional topography of the confining surfaces. This topography can be precisely tailored using the patterning technology that has been developed in our research group. The potential shape can be adapted to fit to a wide range of particle shapes. The trapping energies exceed the thermal energies governing Brownian motion and trap and orient particles reliably. After trapping, the particles are transferred in a subsequent step onto the substrate by external manipulation.
The separation of the trapping and placement steps has several unique advantages over existing strategies. High aspect ratio structures or fragile pre-assembled structures like nanoparticles linked by DNA strands can be pre-aligned in the trapping field and placed in the desired geometry. For applications like the placement of quantum dots into high fidelity cavities, the trapped particles can be examined optically and repelled if the spectral properties do not match. In particular the precise positioning of nanowires is promising to build up complex circuits for (opto-)electronic applications. Additionally, the trapping and placement processes proceed in parallel and high throughput values can be achieved.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy planetary sciences planetary geology
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics geometry
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2012-StG_20111012
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
8803 RUESCHLIKON
Switzerland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.