New nanodevices for force/mass measurements and data storage: design and characterisation
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: Sch of Chemistry
Abstract
It has been only a decade since nanomanufacturing, a new area of nanotechnology, has emerged that combines chemistry and fabrication to produce precise devices at the nanometer scale. And what a successful time it has been! During this period, it has become possible to control the position of molecules with 0.1 nm precision, to operate nanomachines at extremely high frequencies exceeding 10^9 Hz, to produce logic gates that switch in 0.1 ns and dissipate less than 10^{-21} J of energy, to convert power greater than 10^9 W/m^3, to build macroscopic components with tensile strength greater than 5x10^{10} Pa. Each of these capabilities is an aspect of nanomanufacturing that is continually improving.This proposal exploits fully the new area of nanoscience and suggests advanced designs and working prototypes of new nanodevices in the areas of electromechanics and quantum computing, with the ultimate goal to prepare them for integrated fabrication. To achieve the power of measuring the absolute mass of a single molecule, an ultrahigh frequency nanoresonator based on the thermal vibrations of double-walled carbon nanotubes will be developed and characterized. Due to the small effective mass of its vibrating parts, the nanoresonator has an extremely high sensitivity to the additional mass of just a few molecules. A fast response to applied forces makes it capable of measuring extremely weak forces reaching attonewton accuracy. Carbon nanotubes are the focus of a worldwide research effort, due to their exceptional mechanical and electronic properties. They present a wide range of conductive behaviour, from semiconductor to superconductor. These properties make carbon nanotubes an ideal candidate for integration into nanoscale electronic circuits to build a new generation of computers. The electronics industry is searching for a replacement of silicon based technologies for data storage and computer memory. Existing technologies, such as magnetic hard disks, cannot be used in the sub-micrometer scale machines and will soon reach their fundamental physical limitations. In this proposal, a new device for storing information will be developed, which is made entirely of carbon nanotubes and combines the speed and price of dynamic memory with the nonvolatility of flash memory. A critical assessment of the potential and capacity of carbon nanotubes, empty and filled with material, as nanowires with tunable properties will also be undertaken.The research will be undertaken at the University of Nottingham, where a collaborative capability between the Schools of Chemistry, Physics and Pharmacy, and the Nottingham Nanotechnology and Nanoscience Centre will be established. This will provide a platform for correlating multiscale modelling and theory development with state of the art characterisation and measurements of physical properties of carbon nanotubes and advanced functional materials. This will bring together otherwise disparate strengths in atomic resolution materials characterisation, experimental nanometrology and both quantum mechanical and classical modelling in order to target the proposed device development. A theoretical group, based at the School of Chemistry and led by the Applicant, will be working on the development of a multiscale modelling of the physical and chemical properties of carbon nanotubes filled with nanocrystalline solids, and the development and theoretical characterisation of novel nanodevices based on carbon nanotubes. Experimental groups, funded by the Schools of Pharmacy and Physics and co-supervised by the Applicant, will devote their work to experimental electrical and structural characterisation of the new nanotube devices.
Organisations
- University of Nottingham (Lead Research Organisation)
- California State University, Northridge (Collaboration)
- Sorbonne University (Collaboration)
- University of Ulm (Collaboration)
- University of Warwick (Collaboration)
- CIC nanoGUNE Consolidor (Collaboration)
- Russian Academy of Sciences (Collaboration)
- University of Oxford (Project Partner)
People |
ORCID iD |
Elena Besley (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Zoberbier T
(2016)
Investigation of the Interactions and Bonding between Carbon and Group VIII Metals at the Atomic Scale.
in Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Chamberlain TW
(2015)
Isotope substitution extends the lifetime of organic molecules in transmission electron microscopy.
in Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Volkova E
(2013)
Meso-scale modelling of shock wave propagation in a SiC/Al nanocomposite reinforced with WS2-inorganic fullerene nanoparticles
in Composite Structures
Bichoutskaia E
(2014)
Methane Adsorption in Metal-Organic Frameworks Containing Nanographene Linkers: A Computational Study
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Bichoutskaia E
(2009)
Modeling of an ultrahigh-frequency resonator based on the relative vibrations of carbon nanotubes
in Physical Review B
Chamberlain TW
(2011)
Reactions of the inner surface of carbon nanotubes and nanoprotrusion processes imaged at the atomic scale.
in Nature chemistry
Yang W
(2012)
Selective CO2 uptake and inverse CO2/C2H2 selectivity in a dynamic bifunctional metal-organic framework
in Chemical Science
Chuvilin A
(2011)
Self-assembly of a sulphur-terminated graphene nanoribbon within a single-walled carbon nanotube
in Nature Materials
Volkova E
(2012)
Sequential multiscale modelling of SiC/Al nanocomposites reinforced with WS 2 nanoparticles under static loading
in Physical Review B
Chamberlain TW
(2012)
Size, structure, and helical twist of graphene nanoribbons controlled by confinement in carbon nanotubes.
in ACS nano
Lebedeva MA
(2016)
Stabilising the lowest energy charge-separated state in a {metal chromophore - fullerene} assembly: a tuneable panchromatic absorbing donor-acceptor triad.
in Chemical science
Santana A
(2013)
Stability and dynamics of vacancy in graphene flakes: Edge effects
in Chemical Physics Letters
Ershova OV
(2010)
Study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adsorbed on graphene using density functional theory with empirical dispersion correction.
in Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Raggi G
(2013)
Surface-charge distribution on a dielectric sphere due to an external point charge: examples of C60 and C240 fullerenes.
in Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Chamberlain TW
(2015)
Switching intermolecular interactions by confinement in carbon nanotubes.
in Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)
Lebedeva MA
(2013)
Transition metal complexes of a salen-fullerene diad: redox and catalytically active nanostructures for delivery of metals in nanotubes.
in Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Stace AJ
(2011)
Why like-charged particles of dielectric materials can be attracted to one another.
in Journal of colloid and interface science
Description | An EPSRC Career Acceleration Fellowship (2008-2014) has been focused on the study of novel properties of advanced functional materials at the nanoscale, and the development of new carbon-based devices. It had allowed for a high calibre, internationally leading research group in Computational Nanoscience and Materials Modelling to be fully established at Nottingham, and this EPSRC investment to be further consolidated in a €1.4M ERC Consolidator award to Bichoutskaia (2013-2018). New carbon-based nanodevices for storing data, which combine the speed and price of dynamic memory with the non-volatility of flash memory, have been proposed and characterised. A new approach to measuring extremely weak (atto-Newton) forces based on the thermal vibrations of the walls of carbon nanotubes has been developed. The device development also included fundamental studies of the properties and capabilities of the "building blocks" - carbon nanotubes. Fundamental understanding of the transport, thermodynamic, mechanical and encapsulating properties of carbon nanotubes allows critical assessment of their potential in the proposed devices. The relative oscillations of the walls of carbon nanotubes have been utilized in the design of nanoresonators and memory cells. For high frequency resonators, investigations of the operational characteristics include resonant frequencies and quality factors, mass measurements of a nano-object adsorbed on the wall of carbon nanotube, and response to the applied weak external force. For memory cells, computations of switching voltage and time, lifetime in position ON, estimations of the uniformity and accessibility of the device have been suggested. Recent advances in electron microscopy have stimulated unprecedented growth of interest in low-voltage aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy (AC-TEM), which has been used in many important applications offering not only structure visualization but also visualization of dynamical processes including movements of individual atoms and chemical interactions of atoms. These advances have been particularly beneficial for studying nano-carbon materials. Spontaneous self-assembly of carbon nano-ribbons inside carbon nanotubes has been predicted theoretically and observed in AC-TEM . The ability of AC-TEM to observe the dynamics of individual atoms under controlled influence of the e-beam brings a new dimension to the method potentially providing the tool for direct measurements of diffusion coefficients, cross-sections, chemical constants and other characteristics of the processes that take place at the scale of atoms. In 2010, we developed a new theoretical framework, CompuTEM, which has an advantage over the state-of-the-art image simulation techniques in its ability to simulate the dynamics of structural transformations of nano-objects under the influence of the electron beam. CompuTEM can be used not only to elucidate the mechanisms for structural transformations observed in microscope but also to predict new transformation routes ahead of time- and cost-consuming experimental efforts! These advances place theory in the position where it can lead and not just follow the experimental efforts. The core theoretical frameworks proposed during the CAF grant offer solutions to problems across multiple and wide-ranging disciplines. The quality of this research is reflected in 120 peer-reviewed publications of high calibre, including 42 papers funded by this CAF grant. |
Exploitation Route | New fundamental analytical solutions, developed in my group, to the problem of electrostatic interactions between charged dielectric particles and surfaces was a major breakthrough in the theory of electrostatics. These new theoretical developments offered solutions to serious unresolved problems of friction charging of pharmaceutical powders during manufacture, transportation and handling. They have attracted intense academic and industrial attention, leading to a strong collaboration with the Pulmonary Department at GSK to study the consequences of tribocharging of aerosols used in dry powder inhalers. A collaboration with a USA start-up company, EnergiaQ Inc., has been established on the development of high-energy-density storage systems for electric vehicles. A new computational methodology, CompuTEM, developed in my group, has a major advantage over the state-of-the-art image simulation techniques, and is capable of simulating the dynamics of structural transformations of materials in transmission electron microscope. It has been used in a number of European collaborative research studies with Profs. Kaiser (Germany), Suenaga (Japan), Knizhnik (Russia), Kotakoski (Finland), Faulques (France), Chuvilin (Spain). A new direction of my research on computational solutions to gas storage, energy and our sustainable futures is strongly aligned with the sustainability agenda, an issue facing the entire global chemicals industry. In a partnership with Professor M. Schroeder, a new cohort of PhD students and PDRAs working on innovative green resource and energy efficient solutions has been trained. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Chemicals Electronics Energy Environment Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
URL | http://ebesley.chem.nottingham.ac.uk/ |
Description | A collaborative capability was established for correlating multiscale modelling and theory development, with measurements of properties and state-of-the-art characterisation of carbon nanotubes and functional materials. A worldwide network of collaborators has been supported over the past 6 years funded by EPSRC, ERC, the Royal Society, the Russian Fund for Basic Research, CNRS (France), DFG (Germany), COST action, the Directorate General of Higher Education of Indonesia, CONACYT (Mexico), "Science without Borders" programme (Brazil), the Thronson Foundation (USA), and St. Petersburg State University (Russia). A long list of visiting international researchers who come to my laboratory to gain research experience include Prof. A. Khachatourian, California State University, USA (2012, 2013); Dr. A. Popov (2009, 2010, 2012-2014), Institute of Spectroscopy, Troitsk, Russia; Prof. E. Faulques (2011-2012), Institute of Materials Jean Rouxel, CNRS, France, who took a year-long sabbatical to join my group; Mr. Ilya Zlatkin (2013), visiting PhD student from St. Petersburg State University, Russia; Ms. B. Loftus (2010), international summer student from Carroll University, USA; Dr. I Gusti Made Sanjaya (2009 - 2010), the State University of Surabaya, Indonesia; Ms. Olga Ershova (2009), MSc student from the Moscow Institute for Physics and Technology, who subsequently completed a PhD at Nottingham. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Electronics,Energy,Environment,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | COST |
Amount | € 600,000 (EUR) |
Organisation | European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 01/2010 |
End | 11/2014 |
Description | COST Action |
Amount | € 500,000 (EUR) |
Funding ID | CA15107 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 03/2016 |
End | 04/2021 |
Description | Consolidator Grant |
Amount | € 1,400,000 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 307755-FIN |
Organisation | European Research Council (ERC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 01/2013 |
End | 12/2017 |
Description | EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account |
Amount | £48,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2016 |
End | 04/2017 |
Description | EPSRC Industrial CASE PhD Award |
Amount | £32,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2016 |
End | 09/2020 |
Description | Leverhulme Trust Research Grant |
Amount | £290,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2016 |
End | 05/2019 |
Description | Transformation of Nanostructure under the Electron Beam: Atomic Imaging and Computational Modelling |
Organisation | University of Ulm |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | development of CompuTEM, computational modelling of transformation of nanostructure under the electron beam |
Collaborator Contribution | atomic-scale AC-TEM imaging of transformation of nanostructure under the electron beam |
Impact | 1. Direct transformation of graphene to fullerene. Chuvilin, A., Kaiser, U., Bichoutskaia, E., Besley, N. A. and Khlobystov, A. N. Nature Chemistry 2, 450-453 (2010). 2. Reactions of the inner surface of carbon nanotubes: the process of nano-protrusion formation imaged at the atomic scale. Chamberlain, T. W., Meyer, J. C., Biskupek, J., Leschner, J., Santana, A., Besley, N. A., Bichoutskaia, E., Kaiser, U. and Khlobystov, A. N. Nature Chemistry 3, 732-737 (2011). 3. Self-assembly of a sulphur-terminated graphene nanoribbon within a single-walled carbon nanotube. Chuvilin, A., Bichoutskaia, E., Gimenez-Lopez, M. C., Chamberlain, T. W., Rance, G. A., Kuganathan, N., Biskupek, J., Kaiser, U. and Khlobystov, A. N. Nature Materials 10, 687-692 (2011). 4. Interactions and reactions of transition metal clusters with the interior of single-walled carbon nanotubes imaged at the atomic scale. Zoberbier, T., Chamberlain, T. W., Biskupek, J., Kuganathan, N., Eyhusen, S., Bichoutskaia, E., Kaiser, U. and Khlobystov, A. N. Journal of the American Chemical Society 134, 3073-3079 (2012). 5. Size, structure and helical twist of graphene nanoribbons controlled by confinement in carbon nanotubes. Chamberlain, T. W., Biskupek, J., Rance, G. A., Chuvilin, A., Alexander, T. J., Bichoutskaia, E., Kaiser, U. and Khlobystov, A. N. ACS Nano 6, 3943-3953 (2012). 6. Electron-beam engineering of single-walled carbon nanotubes from bilayer graphene. Algara-Siller, G., Santana, A., Onions, R., Suyetin, M., Biskupek, J., Bichoutskaia, E. and Kaiser, U. Carbon 65, 80-86 (2013). 7. Isotope substitution extends the lifetime of organic molecules in transmission electron microscopy. Chamberlain, T. W., Biskupek, J., Skowron, S. T., Bayliss, P. A., Bichoutskaia, E., Kaiser, U. and Khlobystov, A. N. Small 11, 622-629 (2015). 8. Electron beam controlled covalent attachment of small organic molecules to graphene. Markevich, A., Kurasch, S., Lehtinen, O., Reimer, O., Feng, X., Müllen, K., Turchanin, A., Khlobystov, A. N., Kaiser, U. and Besley, E. Nanoscale 8, 2711-2719 (2016). |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Transformation of Nanostructure under the Electron Beam: Atomic Imaging and Computational Modelling |
Organisation | University of Warwick |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | development CompuTEM, computational modelling of transformation of nanostructure under the electron beam |
Collaborator Contribution | AC-TEM imaging of transformation of nanostructure under the electron beam |
Impact | 1. High-precision imaging of an encapsulated Lindqvist ion and correlation of its structure and symmetry with quantum chemical calculations. Bichoutskaia, E., Liu, Z., Kuganathan, N., Faulques, E., Suenaga, K., Shannon, I. and Sloan, J. Nanoscale 4, 1190-1199 (2012). 2. Aberration corrected imaging of a carbon nanotube encapsulated Lindqvist ion and correlation with density functional theory calculations. Sloan, J., Bichoutskaia, E., Liu, Z., Kuganathan, N., Faulques, E., Suenaga, K. and Shannon, I. Journal of Physics: Conference Series 371, 012018 (2012). 3. Band gap expansion, shear inversion phase change behaviour and low-voltage induced crystal oscillation in low-dimensional tin selenide crystals. Carter, R., Suyetin, M., Lister, S., Dyson, M. A., Trewhitt, H., Goel, S., Liu, Z., Suenaga, K., Giusca, C., Kashtiban, R. J., Hutchinson, J. L., Dore, J. C., Bell, G. R., Bichoutskaia, E. and Sloan. J. Dalton Transactions 43, 7391-7399 (2014). |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Transformation of Nanostructure under the Electron Beam: Atomic Imaging and Computational Modelling, Chuvilin |
Organisation | CIC nanoGUNE Consolidor |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | computational modelling of transformation of nanostructure under the electron beam; development of CompuTEM |
Collaborator Contribution | AC-TEM imaging of transformation of nanostructure under the electron beam |
Impact | in addition to already reported: 1. Inclusion of radiation damage dynamics in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy image simulations: The example of graphene. Santana, A., Zobelli, A., Kotakoski, J., Chuvilin, A. and Bichoutskaia, E. Physical Review B 87, 094110 (2013). 2. Using transmission electron microscopy to stimulate and understand the formation of defects in graphene. Chuvilin, A., Zubeltzu, J., Zurutuza, A., Bichoutskaia, E. and Lopatin, S. Microscopy and Analysis 28, 5-12, November (2014). |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | electrostatic interactions |
Organisation | California State University, Northridge |
Department | Department of Physics and Astronomy |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | development of novel electrostatic models |
Collaborator Contribution | development of novel electrostatic models |
Impact | 1. Electrostatic analysis of the interactions between charged particles of dielectric materials. Bichoutskaia E., Boatwright A. L., Khachatourian A. and Stace A. J. J. Chem. Phys. 133, 024105 (10 pages) (2010). 2. Why like-charged particles of dielectric materials can be attracted to one another. Stace, A. J., Boatwright, A. L., Khachatourian, A. and Bichoutskaia, E. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 354, 417-420 (2011). 3. Electrostatic force between a charged sphere and a planar surface: a general solution for dielectric materials. Khachatourian, A., Chan, H.-K., Stace, A. J. and Bichoutskaia, E. Journal of Chemical Physics 140, 074107 (2014). 4. Progress in the theory of electrostatic interactions between charged particles. Lindgren, E. B., Chan, H.-K., Stace, A. J. and Besley, E. Perspective Article, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 18, 5883-5895 (2016). |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | electrostatic interactions |
Organisation | Sorbonne University |
Country | France |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | development of novel electrostatic models |
Collaborator Contribution | development of novel electrostatic models |
Impact | 1. Electrostatic analysis of the interactions between charged particles of dielectric materials. Bichoutskaia E., Boatwright A. L., Khachatourian A. and Stace A. J. J. Chem. Phys. 133, 024105 (10 pages) (2010). 2. Why like-charged particles of dielectric materials can be attracted to one another. Stace, A. J., Boatwright, A. L., Khachatourian, A. and Bichoutskaia, E. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 354, 417-420 (2011). 3. Electrostatic force between a charged sphere and a planar surface: a general solution for dielectric materials. Khachatourian, A., Chan, H.-K., Stace, A. J. and Bichoutskaia, E. Journal of Chemical Physics 140, 074107 (2014). 4. Progress in the theory of electrostatic interactions between charged particles. Lindgren, E. B., Chan, H.-K., Stace, A. J. and Besley, E. Perspective Article, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 18, 5883-5895 (2016). |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | modelling carbon nanomaterials: Popov |
Organisation | Russian Academy of Sciences |
Department | Institute of Spectroscopy |
Country | Russian Federation |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | multi-scale computational modelling of the behaviour, properties and manipulation of carbon nanomaterials |
Collaborator Contribution | atomistic modelling of carbon nanomaterials |
Impact | 1. Nanotube-based data storage devices. Bichoutskaia E., Popov A. M. and Lozovik Y. E. Insight Article for Materials Today 11, 38-43 (2008). 2. Modeling of an ultrahigh-frequency resonator based on the relative vibrations of carbon nanotubes. Bichoutskaia, E., Popov, A. M., Lozovik, Y. E., Ershova, O.V., Lebedeva, I. V. and Knizhnik, A. A. Physical Review B 80(16), 165427 (2009). 3. High frequency electromechanical memory cell based on telescoping carbon nanotubes. Popov, A. M., Lozovik, Y. E., Kulish, A. S. and Bichoutskaia, E. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 10(7), 4322-4328 (2010). 4. Stability and dynamics of vacancy in graphene flakes: edge effects. Santana, A., Popov, A. and Bichoutskaia, E. Chem. Phys. Lett. 557, 80-87 (2013). 5. Approaches to modelling irradiation-induced processes in transmission electron microscopy. Skowron, S. T., Lebedeva, I., Popov, A. and Bichoutskaia, E. Feature Article, Nanoscale 5, 6677-6692 (2013). 6. Formation of nickel-carbon heterofullerenes under electron irradiation. Sinitsa, A. S., Lebedeva, I. V., Knizhnik, A. A., Popov, A. M., Skowron, S. T. and Bichoutskaia, E. Dalton Transactions 43, 7499-7513 (2014). 7. Energetics of atomic scale structure changes in graphene. Skowron, S. T., Lebedeva, I. V., Popov, A. M., Bichoutskaia, E. Chemical Society Reviews 44, 3143-3176 (2015). |
Description | Nottingham Girls High School visits |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | In 2014, I took active part in a UCAS Conference at the Nottingham Girls High School, a higher education event, which brings together universities and schools to guide prospective students in their choice of university degree. These events play a vital part in helping shape applicants' future directions in higher education. Throughout the Conference, I have been leading discussions with year 12 school girls and their teachers on every aspect of preparing university applications, taking science degrees in the UK Universities and at the UoN, in particular. A strong mentoring relationship with the Nottingham Girls High School has been established, leading to an invitation in October 2014 to undertake mock interviews with the girls wishing to apply for Oxford and Cambridge University. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |