Objective
This SMART application proposes a technological breakthrough in the field of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). It aims at introducing Micro/Nano Electromechanical Systems (MNEMS) as a new generation of AFM probes having outstanding performances in terms of sensitivity and acquisition rate. More precisely, we aim at using bulk mode microresonators to drive an oscillating nanotip in the GHz range. Many applications are expected in the emerging fields of nanobiosciences. AFM systems have been widely used for 20 years in academic and industrial work. They give access to microscopy images at the nanoscale and derived techniques allow many physical characterizations. Many labs are currently trying to use the oscillating mode of AFM to probe biological nanosystems and their dynamics in a liquid environment. However, AFM performances are limited by the AFM oscillator itself. It is typically made of a tip supported by a cantilever beam whose oscillating properties are drastically degraded once placed in a liquid. This phenomenon is due to the hydrodynamic drag and the added mass of the liquid. Consequently, the resonant frequencies and quality factors are too low in liquids to support the force sensitivity and acquisition rate required to probe biological nanosystems dynamics. The SMART project proposes to change the overall AFM oscillator and to choose an oscillation mode in the GHz range that reduces the liquid velocity gradient around the resonator. This new generation of high sensitivity AFM force sensor will be an unprecedented tool for imaging biological and chemical systems at the nanoscale and the possibility of kinetic spectroscopy in liquids. AFM performances are expected to be increased by 3 orders of magnitude. The SMART investigator has a 10 year background in AFM and a 7 year experience in MNEMS resonators. Today, there is no project strictly similar to this one at international level. If successful, Europe could become a leader in this high level competition.
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.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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-2007-StG
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
75794 PARIS
France
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.