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The Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, the third building to take shape in new science and engineering quadrangle. (Photo by L.A. Cicero)
Ai Leen Ko fits into a sample for analysis transmission electron microscope FEI Titan at the Stanford Center for Nano.
BY SANDEEP RAVINDRAN
Stanford researchers now have access to the latest and greatest tools to explore the strange world and promising nanomaterials. The new laboratories and equipment could pave the way for better solar cells, more efficient batteries and new tools to detect and treat cancer.
The Stanford Center for Nano, along with the existing plant of Nanomanufacturing and Nanocharacterization laboratory must update nanotechnology facilities at the University rank among the best in the world.
The staff of common services of the Centre Nano has started training and working with students and researchers; instruments will become operational during the spring and summer.
A nanometer is a billionth of a meter, the size of a few atoms. "It is a very exciting," said Kathryn Moler, Associate Professor of physics and applied physics which has been coordinating the development of the new Center since 2007. Those stairs, physics, biology and chemistry, which all intersect, "he said.
"Nanoscale research has the potential to advance every field of technology," said Moler. In the search for energy, nanotechnology could help scientists more efficient Platinum catalysts for fuel cell design. In medicine, nanoparticles can be used for targeted drug delivery and medical imaging. And nanotechnology is expected to advance the State of the electronics.
In addition to practical applications, the new tools also help scientists answer fundamental questions about quantum mechanics and the nature of matter.
"Things have different properties at that scale," said Moler. "For example, a piece of a metro gold is gold. But as gold pieces get smaller than 100 nanometers, have many different colors and optical properties.
A 2006 survey of members of the Faculty of Stanford revealed 77 laboratories through campus who were interested in using the most modern equipment of nanotechnology. But the equipment is often large and expensive and must be protected from the smallest vibration from the outside world. "Scientists need different tools to see and manipulate things that are a billionth of a meter," said Moler. "It is a new frontier.
"We decided instead of construction of these structures in 77 different workshops, we could build a laboratory with instruments yet."
The dwarf of Stanford Center is housed the engineering quad, with 2,400 square meters on the first floor and 6,000 square metres beneath the main square. Building the underground structure reduces vibrations and keeps the temperature stable. Power and other utilities are housed offsite to minimise electromagnetic interference.
The Centre also contains several rooms that are kept free of dust, which otherwise could contaminate nanomaterials. And unlike many traditional clean rooms that can be used only for work on silicon, on the first floor of the Center for Nano has clean rooms ' flexible ' where researchers can work on whatever they need for their research.
Senior researcher Rich Tiberius prepares to use lithography ebeam JEOL BONGS 6300.
These clean rooms are "more than a thousand times cleaner than your normal office," said Richard Tiberius, a staff member of the Nano. He believes that the system has "turned a corner with the new year. We finished the tightening bolts, and now we're ready to build things. " The procedure can build objects as small as a few hundred nanometers and can build crafts as small as ten nanometers, Tiberius said.
As some of the more experienced staff Centre Nano, Tiberius divides the time between the three structures of nanomaterials. Roger Howe is the Director of the Faculty of one of these structures, the Stanford Nanofabrication facility. "There is a long history of nanotechnology at Stanford," he said.
"The nicest things about the new Center are wonderful tools in it," said Howe. They make "things that were aboard possibilities become routine".
Howe said that the new equipment, such as "amazing" new electron microscopes will accelerate research students. "For my students, is like a new candy shop, just opened," he said. "We'd like to try all the new things we can do with these new tools".
Someone walking through the corridors will be able to see all these sophisticated instruments in use. "There is a tendency to put in this kind of equipment in dark closets," said Ann buck, Dean of Research at Stanford. "We built the equipment with a wall of glass, so people can see."
Arvin believes that the Centre will help attract Nano students and faculty at the University again. "Facilities like this enables new research, which is what is really important," he said. "If every tool costs $ 6 million to 10 million dollars, an investigator may equip its laboratory with all this equipment.
"I expect that this will help teachers and students to be competitive despite the funding of research. Do experiments require cutting-edge facilities, "he said.
The new plant will be used by teachers from many different fields. This was the reason for the University, its President, several other Deans of individual faculties and departments and that all came together to make it a reality, Arvin said.
Moler and electrical engineering Professor h.-s. Philip Wong headed a Committee of faculty to decide which equipment should have the new structure. Highlights include a microscope that can measure extremely small magnetic fields. "Is unique for a research facility," said Moler.
In addition, a pair of electron microscopes will researchers get a detailed look at Nanomaterials and can also use a beam of electrons to print templates to lowercase on wafers for use in electronics. Scientists will have access to one of the most sensitive mass spectrometers in the world, which will allow them to analyze the amount of materials.
"I'm excited to use the facility," said Robert Sinclair, Director of the Stanford Nanocharacterization laboratory. "The University had great vision. Ten years ago we were behind other prestigious universities, but now our ability to have leap frogged other rank among the best ".
Sandeep Ravindran is a science-writing intern at the Stanford news service.
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