Final Report Summary - GOLEM (Bio-inspired Assembly Process for Micro- and Nano- Products) The miniaturisation of integrated devices with broad functionalities requires the development of new technologies that can overcome the challenges posed by rapid and accurate assembly on a cost-effective scale. Two manufacturing routes form the basis for all miniaturisation processes. In between a top-down and bottom-up approach, the GOLEM concept was to address the challenge of assembling mesocale components. These components are likely or are expected to be found in numerous applications. More specifically, the GOLEM concept was to use an approach based on bio-inspired events to assemble parts at the micro- / nano- scale. The objective was to mimic methods used by nature to interface organic and non-organic material (for example abalone shellfish provide a template for the crystallisation of calcite into hard shell); and also molecular recognition properties like antibodies / antigens, proteins receptors / ligands interaction or DNA hybridisation to uniquely define mating pairs between nano-objects to assemble. The assembly process in itself was to be assisted or partially assisted by swarm micro-robots, fluidic systems (to direct a flow of parts) or laser-trapping techniques. The project was articulated around three groups of tasks. The first group was to investigate and model various bio-inspired mechanisms suitable for the meso-scale assembly. The second ensemble of tasks was to devise new methods for manipulating a large number of meso-scale components and finally, the third group focuses on implementing a testing platform for bio-mediated assembled components. In the first group of activities, several types of bio-inspired mechanism were investigated including Avidin / Strepavidin, DNA as well as polymers (UPy) with quadrupole H-Bonds. Out of the study, DNA yielded the most promising results and was further investigated as a means to bonds larger components. A great deal of effort was made to find the best protocol that would lead to surfaces with sufficient grafting densities. A series of bonding-test with beads of gradually increasing diameters were conducted. In parallel a theoretical study of the most suitable combination of DNA nucleotides was done and tested on beads. As a result the team demonstrated the attachment of beads up to a diameter of 10 microns. By itself, it is quite a significant result; however the extension of this process to larger components unfortunately proved to be unsuccessful. In the second group of activities, the team studied various principles of manipulation for a collection of components so that bonding on a functionalised surface can take place in a parallel manner. A specific environment consisting of a fluidic assembly chamber was implemented and various manipulation principles were investigated and tested. The team demonstrated the manipulation of components (from microns to several tens of microns) using droplets thanks to an electro-wetting actuation scheme as well as surface acoustic waves. In parallel, we also showed that one could use a laser beam to manipulate mesoscale components (in particular used in microelectronics). To the best of our knowledge, this is first time such a demonstration is made. It is well-known that classical laser-trapping techniques are typically limited to micron-size mostly with spherical shapes. Here, we showed that more complex shapes such as cuboids could be efficiently manipulated using a principle based on laser-induced Marangoni flow. Finally, we also investigated the use of dilectrophoresis to propel components in a dedicated fluidic chamber. This research also led to interesting findings such as self-organization patterns of beads. As a demonstration, we combined the three actuations principles with the fluidic platform developed for the purpose of the project. In the third group of tasks, the partners have developed a test platform to characterise and manipulate assembled components in term of bonding strength. The apparatus consisted on innovative techniques based on mobile micro-robots moving on an actuated platform that can be mounted on a microscope. The characterisation environment was controlled by a miniaturised environmental chamber, specially designed for the project and mounted on the microscope used for the experiments. This third set of activities yielded numerous innovations that are now or in the process of being commercialised. The most tangible outcome being the setting up of a spin-off of the project (Imina Technologies) who will commercialise the microrobots developed during the project together with the manipulation platform. Noteworthy, special amplifiers designed during the project are also being commercialised by Quintenz, one of the three SMEs who participated in the project. In addition, some of the development done in GOLEM has nurtured new ideas and some unexpected results such as the implementation of a new concept of algae biochip currently being investigated for monitoring algae population. Furthermore, the development of the fluidic chamber also generated new interest for the micromanufacturing technique used. This innovative manufacturing technique is now being further investigated from the view point of commercialisation in the frame of a Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) project called FEMTOPRINT. Finally, more than twenty publications in conferences and journals as well as four PhD theses are direct outcome of the project. Related documents Final Report - GOLEM (Bio-inspired Assembly Process for Micro- and Nano- Products) Other documents Bio-inspired Assembly Process for Micro- and Nano- Products (GOLEM) - Publishable Executive Summary
