Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MOLShuttle (Versatile Platform for Handling Nanographenes)
Período documentado: 2020-07-01 hasta 2021-12-31
Context and overall goals:
Molshuttle’s vision is derived from the FET 2D-Ink program, whose basic idea was to provide an easy route for fabricating novel 2D semiconducting materials made from graphene-like materials. The current project covers developmental activities for respective instrumentation with two technical goals: the improvement of a laboratory device dedicated to prepare ultra-clean, thinnest layers from various organic molecules including graphene-like species at ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions, and the design of a tool for conducting transfers to distant analytical devices.
Target group and challenges: The technology platform targets the nanotech and biotech community active in surface and interface science and in structure elucidation of large molecular complexes. Researchers in these areas pursue a bottom-up approach with on-surface synthesis and self-assembly of (bio)organic building blocks in focus. The goal is to design and explore nanoscale architectures characterized by highly-valuable electronic, optical, or magnetic properties. Deep knowledge about these phenomena sets grounds for developing novel powerful, sustainable and resource-efficient electronic devices or materials, besides the molecular understanding of physiologic and pathogenic processes. Typical molecular objects of interest range from small to mid-size energy-converting species and electronic switch and storage candidates which are used in innovative organic applications such as solar-cells, semiconductor components, light emitters, electronic/spintronic entities and quantum computing, up to large functional protein-assemblies, viruses and polymers, where understanding the mechanism of their (self)organization helps to design pinpoint biopharmaceutics and diagnostics.
Ultra-clean and specific, fast and yet gentle coating of surfaces with these functional nanostructures is prerequisite for reliable data. However, this remains a challenge with most established technologies, as long as fragile though very promising organic molecular species are concerned and/or purity is essential. Another important element for success is the opportunity to comprehensively characterize the built objects upon deposition. This requires a structure-preserving transfer of the samples to the various analytical tools downstream such as STM, AFM, XPS and alike.
Solution and project objectives: MolShuttle contributed to overcome the mentioned limitation by two measures: By advancing the demonstrator state of our soft-deposition technology materialized in a more robust and compact device, complemented by a tool for save transfer of the research object to potentially any remote analysis device carrying a suitable interface.
Molshuttle’s vision is derived from the FET 2D-Ink program, whose basic idea was to provide an easy route for fabricating novel 2D semiconducting materials made from graphene-like materials. The current project covers developmental activities for respective instrumentation with two technical goals: the improvement of a laboratory device dedicated to prepare ultra-clean, thinnest layers from various organic molecules including graphene-like species at ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions, and the design of a tool for conducting transfers to distant analytical devices.
Target group and challenges: The technology platform targets the nanotech and biotech community active in surface and interface science and in structure elucidation of large molecular complexes. Researchers in these areas pursue a bottom-up approach with on-surface synthesis and self-assembly of (bio)organic building blocks in focus. The goal is to design and explore nanoscale architectures characterized by highly-valuable electronic, optical, or magnetic properties. Deep knowledge about these phenomena sets grounds for developing novel powerful, sustainable and resource-efficient electronic devices or materials, besides the molecular understanding of physiologic and pathogenic processes. Typical molecular objects of interest range from small to mid-size energy-converting species and electronic switch and storage candidates which are used in innovative organic applications such as solar-cells, semiconductor components, light emitters, electronic/spintronic entities and quantum computing, up to large functional protein-assemblies, viruses and polymers, where understanding the mechanism of their (self)organization helps to design pinpoint biopharmaceutics and diagnostics.
Ultra-clean and specific, fast and yet gentle coating of surfaces with these functional nanostructures is prerequisite for reliable data. However, this remains a challenge with most established technologies, as long as fragile though very promising organic molecular species are concerned and/or purity is essential. Another important element for success is the opportunity to comprehensively characterize the built objects upon deposition. This requires a structure-preserving transfer of the samples to the various analytical tools downstream such as STM, AFM, XPS and alike.
Solution and project objectives: MolShuttle contributed to overcome the mentioned limitation by two measures: By advancing the demonstrator state of our soft-deposition technology materialized in a more robust and compact device, complemented by a tool for save transfer of the research object to potentially any remote analysis device carrying a suitable interface.
I) Our laboratory precursor was further advanced to a more robust and compact device: This covers a design with reduced vacuum efforts and several protection measures for save and user-friendly handling. The coating process – based on a selective and soft deposition of the molecules from an ion beam, which is generated by means of electrospray ionization (ES-CIBD) – was successfully adopted to further species, aggregating now to a 2-digit library and proofing the broad flexibility regarding the pool of suitable molecules (chemical class, size, shape). The highly-controllable process (adjustable kinetic/landing energy, mass selective, controllable dose) basically allows for soft and reactive experiments and for modulation of the performance (speed/intensity vs. selectivity/resolution) – this feature will be explored further in future experiments.
II) A transfer vehicle was developed from scratch with connectivity to typical interfaces on subsequent analytical tools. This device allows for gentle transfer of the samples prepared in the ES-CIBD device, while preserving vacuum state and temperature over a sufficiently long period of time to safely move. As an exemplary test, a DNA sample deposited in the ES-CIBD was successfully connected to a remote low temperature STM. Other target devices will follow.
III) Another objective of the project was the clarification of the commercialization potential. The technology reveals attractive from a customer and market point of view, why marketing via a spin-off is envisaged. The assessment included a comprehensive research of the market potential and the client segments, an analysis of the competitive environment including FTO, feedback from customers in reply to mock data sheets provided and personal contact outcomes, the conclusion of the product portfolio with the subsequent development of a reliable business case. After starting promotional activities by the first two papers (doi: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2021-gw53x 10.1002/anie.202111816) and a dedicated website, a broader attention in the scientific community as the main target group shall be gained by also attending upcoming nanotech conferences and trade fairs and by further peer-reviewed articles compiled by our end-users.
II) A transfer vehicle was developed from scratch with connectivity to typical interfaces on subsequent analytical tools. This device allows for gentle transfer of the samples prepared in the ES-CIBD device, while preserving vacuum state and temperature over a sufficiently long period of time to safely move. As an exemplary test, a DNA sample deposited in the ES-CIBD was successfully connected to a remote low temperature STM. Other target devices will follow.
III) Another objective of the project was the clarification of the commercialization potential. The technology reveals attractive from a customer and market point of view, why marketing via a spin-off is envisaged. The assessment included a comprehensive research of the market potential and the client segments, an analysis of the competitive environment including FTO, feedback from customers in reply to mock data sheets provided and personal contact outcomes, the conclusion of the product portfolio with the subsequent development of a reliable business case. After starting promotional activities by the first two papers (doi: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2021-gw53x 10.1002/anie.202111816) and a dedicated website, a broader attention in the scientific community as the main target group shall be gained by also attending upcoming nanotech conferences and trade fairs and by further peer-reviewed articles compiled by our end-users.
General benefit: We are aiming to provide high-value systems adapted to the needs of our future customers. ES-CIBD is a versatile and useful addition to the toolbox of the surface science and nanothechnology community. Using the transfer vehicle, the scope of possible applications is widened further. Herein lays the reason that ES-CIBD could become a standard technology for designers and researchers of nanoscale functional architectures. The technology supports nanotech basic research and widespread application in R&D will presumably help to bring more new developments and inventions faster to the surface. By the ultra-pure preparations, meaningful data can be generated from the beginning, as much lesser interfering factors potentially distract results. The gentle process and enormous flexibility unlock the potential of yet inaccessible substances. Both expand and accelerate development and help prospering the branch with positive impact on the high-tech job market. In addition, it is likely that more demand for our products is triggered.