New Tools for Nanometrology
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Funds are sought to establish a new UK research capacity that will address key challenges in the development of innovative tools for nanoscale characterisation and metrology. The initiative will be based at the London Centre for Nanotechology (LCN), a joint venture between Imperial College London and University College London, and will help establish an internationally competitive multi-disciplinary activity with strong critical mass at two of the UK's leading research universities. Our programme will deliver high impact fundamental science and will lead to the development of new techniques capable of quantifying target properties with appropriate spatial and temporal resolution.
Publications
Ng B
(2013)
Spoof Plasmon Surfaces: A Novel Platform for THz Sensing
in Advanced Optical Materials
Deng L
(2013)
Direct Optical Tuning of the Terahertz Plasmonic Response of InSb Subwavelength Gratings
in Advanced Optical Materials
Heeg S
(2013)
Polarized plasmonic enhancement by Au nanostructures probed through Raman scattering of suspended graphene.
in Nano letters
Aouani H
(2013)
Plasmonic Nanoantennas for Multispectral Surface-Enhanced Spectroscopies
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Eda G
(2013)
Two-dimensional crystals: managing light for optoelectronics.
in ACS nano
Fernandez-Garcia R
(2013)
Use of a gold reflecting-layer in optical antenna substrates for increase of photoluminescence enhancement.
in Optics express
Kéna-Cohen S
(2013)
Confined surface plasmon-polariton amplifiers.
in Nano letters
Heeg S
(2013)
Strained graphene as a local probe for plasmon-enhanced Raman scattering by gold nanostructures
in physica status solidi (RRL) - Rapid Research Letters
Bak A
(2013)
Super-resolution with a positive epsilon multi-quantum-well super-lens
in Applied Physics Letters
Massa E
(2013)
An analytical approach to light scattering from small cubic and rectangular cuboidal nanoantennas
in New Journal of Physics
Nikitin A
(2013)
Special issue on graphene nanophotonics
in Journal of Optics
Yoxall E
(2013)
Widely tuneable scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy using pulsed quantum cascade lasers
in Applied Physics Letters
Du L
(2013)
Mapping plasmonic near-field profiles and interferences by surface-enhanced Raman scattering.
in Scientific reports
Yu X
(2013)
Distance control in-between plasmonic nanoparticles via biological and polymeric spacers
in Nano Today
Xiao Y
(2013)
Probing the dielectric response of graphene via dual-band plasmonic nanoresonators.
in Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Walton S
(2013)
MALTS: A Tool to Simulate Lorentz Transmission Electron Microscopy From Micromagnetic Simulations
in IEEE Transactions on Magnetics
Aouani H
(2013)
Ultrasensitive broadband probing of molecular vibrational modes with multifrequency optical antennas.
in ACS nano
Misra M
(2013)
Characterization of a hollow core fibre-coupled near field terahertz probe
in Journal of Applied Physics
Murphy A
(2013)
Fabrication and optical properties of large-scale arrays of gold nanocavities based on rod-in-a-tube coaxials
in Applied Physics Letters
Tame M
(2013)
Quantum plasmonics
in Nature Physics
Luo Y
(2013)
Surface plasmons and nonlocality: a simple model.
in Physical review letters
Vercruysse D
(2013)
Unidirectional side scattering of light by a single-element nanoantenna.
in Nano letters
Wu J
(2013)
Free-standing terahertz chiral meta-foils exhibiting strong optical activity and negative refractive index
in Applied Physics Letters
Francescato Y
(2013)
Strongly confined gap plasmon modes in graphene sandwiches and graphene-on-silicon
in New Journal of Physics
Tanoto H
(2013)
Nano-antenna in a photoconductive photomixer for highly efficient continuous wave terahertz emission.
in Scientific reports
Cecchini MP
(2013)
Rapid ultrasensitive single particle surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy using metallic nanopores.
in Nano letters
Heeg S
(2014)
Plasmon-enhanced Raman scattering by carbon nanotubes optically coupled with near-field cavities.
in Nano letters
Vercruysse D
(2014)
Directional fluorescence emission by individual V-antennas explained by mode expansion.
in ACS nano
Caldwell JD
(2014)
Sub-diffractional volume-confined polaritons in the natural hyperbolic material hexagonal boron nitride.
in Nature communications
McEnery K. R.
(2014)
Tunable negative permeability in a quantum plasmonic metamaterial
in PHYSICAL REVIEW A
Gennaro SD
(2014)
Spectral interferometric microscopy reveals absorption by individual optical nanoantennas from extinction phase.
in Nature communications
Rahmani M
(2014)
Beyond the hybridization effects in plasmonic nanoclusters: diffraction-induced enhanced absorption and scattering.
in Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Fernández-García R
(2014)
Design considerations for near-field enhancement in optical antennas
in Contemporary Physics
Wan C
(2014)
Three-dimensional visible-light capsule enclosing perfect supersized darkness via antiresolution 3D visible light capsule
in Laser & Photonics Reviews
McEnery K
(2014)
Tunable negative permeability in a quantum plasmonic metamaterial
in Physical Review A
Gubbin C
(2014)
Low-voltage polariton electroluminescence from an ultrastrongly coupled organic light-emitting diode
in Applied Physics Letters
Aouani H
(2014)
Third-harmonic-upconversion enhancement from a single semiconductor nanoparticle coupled to a plasmonic antenna.
in Nature nanotechnology
Kraft M
(2014)
Transformation optics and hidden symmetries
in Physical Review B
Daskalakis KS
(2014)
Nonlinear interactions in an organic polariton condensate.
in Nature materials
Gilbertson A
(2015)
Multifunctional semiconductor micro-Hall devices for magnetic, electric, and photo-detection
in Applied Physics Letters
Goode AE
(2015)
Correlative electron and X-ray microscopy: probing chemistry and bonding with high spatial resolution.
in Nanoscale
Salem-Sugui S
(2017)
Effects of proton irradiation on flux-pinning properties of underdoped Ba(Fe0.96Co0.04)2As2 pnictide superconductor
in Journal of Alloys and Compounds
Shautsova V
(2018)
Plasmon induced thermoelectric effect in graphene
in Nature Communications
Galiffi E
(2018)
Broadband Tunable THz Absorption with Singular Graphene Metasurfaces.
in ACS nano
Description | This grant was a science and innovation award developing new tools for nanotechnology.This Science and Innovation award facilitated the establishment of new UK research capacity addressing key challenges in the development of innovative tools for nanoscale characterisation and metrology. The initiative was based at the London Centre for Nanotechology (LCN), a joint venture between Imperial College London and University College London. The programme has delivered high impact fundamental science leading to the development of new techniques capable of quantifying target properties with appropriate spatial and temporal resolution. The following reports the Key Findings listed by researcher employed on the grant at Imperial College. Dr Alison Harrison 28-08-2007 to 20-04-2008 Dr Alison Harrison was one of the first S&I appointees and she worked to develop the hardware infrastructure necessary for the development of her research programme in the area of electron holography of functional materials. Sadegh Yazdi with the assistance of Dr Robb completed extensive experiments on the development of in-situ biasing holders for electron holography enabling the development of a facility which was used to study working transistor structures in real time using electron holography. By using off-axis electron holography, in principle, the electrostatic potential can be mapped quantitatively with atomic spatial resolution and better than few tens of millivolts sensitivity under actual electrical biasing conditions. The practical challenges involved in the application of electron holography to the measurement of electrostatic potentials in working MOSFET transistors were addressed and three main issues hampering quantitative electron holography of semiconductor devices have been addressed by investigating FIB prepared MOSFET devices. Dr Alexandra Porter 01-10-2008 to 31-07-2010 Application of analytical and three dimensional electron microscopy techniques, to investigate challenging problems at the interface between tissues (organics) and nano/ biomaterials (inorganics), to answer both fundamental and applied questions at the interface between biology, medicine and materials science Nanotoxicology: We have performed detailed characterisations to relate the physicochemical properties of zinc oxide, carbon and hydroxyapatite nanomaterials (ENMs) to their reactivity with proteins, cells and tissues. Our aim was to assess how these ENMs are internalised and processed by cells, and whether they are transformed in the extracellular matrix or by the action of the cell. We developed a multi-scale correlative microscopy approach, combining imaging and analytical techniques across length scales to assess which cells within the tissues are targeted, whether the particles corrode within tissues and whether these processes can be correlated to changes in cell metabolism or health. Impact: The results of this work lead to two collaborative proposals between Imperial College and Rutgers University (USA) being funded by the NIH and NERC both >1M and an ERC starting grant for AP (valued at euros 1.15M). Neurodegenerative Diseases Amyloid structures play a central role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative conditions. A key aspect of understanding the origins of these conditions is to define the manner in which specific types of protein aggregates interact with cells. We have developed a methodology to detect and track amyloid beta inside cells with a spatial resolution of 5-10 nm. These observations shed new light on the origins of their differential toxicity which could enhance significantly our understanding the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Impact These results have led to a partnership with Elan Pharmaceutical to develop drugs against these diseases and an invited talk at the M&M microscopy meeting, USA 2012. Bone Regeneration and bone disease We have used high resolution analytical electron microscopy techniques to develop a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms by which bone forms and of pathological mineralization using different disease models. Impact Insights generated by this research have important implications for understanding aetiology of pathological mineralisation processes, such as the formation atherosclerotic plaques and ectopic bone which can be used to guide treatment of pathological mineralization. This work led to a plenary talk for the Materials Today, Frontiers of Microscopy conference and a keynote talk at the Irish Microscopy Society meeting, 2012. Solveig Felton was employed on the S&I grant as a temporary lecturer from 01-01-11 to 28-02-13. Solveig Felton was subsequently awarded a permanent lectureship position at Queen's Belfast when she left Imperial. Without the position enabled by the S&I grant she would not have been in a position to secure this position. The objective of the work was to apply Lorentz imaging on the Imperial Titan to study magnetic microstructure in scientifically interesting samples. The Lorentz imaging is now fully functional on the Titan and we have performed imaging on 3D artificial spin ice structures, work that is currently being written up. Prof Stefan Maier Employed on the grant from 2007 to 2013 Summary of objectives, outcome, impact: Built up an experimental nanoplasmonics group out of the nucleus of S&I funded postdoc Dr. Yannick Sonnefraud and PhD student Dangyuan Lei (oversea element supported by Imperial's Rector's Award) Main scientific outcomes: development and demonstration of the concept of plasmonic Fano resonances, new thin-film nanometrology paradigm based on hybrid plasmonic/photonic resonances, concept of transformation optics, limits of plasmonic field enhancement set by non-local materials properties, demonstration of loss compensation in plasmonic systems, development of EELS methodology for the assessment of plasmonic resonances in complex nanocluster systems At the end date of award, group count is 28 people; Dangyuan Lei Professor at Hong Kong Poly, Yannick Sonnefraud Leverhulme fellow in the group (move to CNRS position in Grenoble end of 2012) Group attracted two major awards (programme grant on active plasmonics with King's College, Leverhulme Award for Metamaterials with John Pendry); plus a number of smaller EPSRC grants, US money, FP7 Sackler Prize, IOP Paterson Medal, OSA Fellowship, Wolfson Research Merit for Maier • Departmental thesis prize for Lei • Translation/industry involvement: one PhD studentship sponsored by Witec on probe-based nanophotonics; established ESF network in plasmonic bionanosensing (Maier as chair, Euro 500k 2010-2015, http://www.esf.org/plasmon); plasmonic solar cell project with German company AzurSpace started during FP7 project, ongoing after end of project; |
Exploitation Route | The outcomes of the Sand I grant are quite diverse but they have laid the groundwork for new techniques and tools in the area of nanoimaging, nanoplasmonics and nano optoelectronics. They have also enabled the funding of a CDT in Advanced Characterisation jointly delivered through Imperial College and UCL. The S and I grant provided the infrastructure for the CDT and also strengthened the academic linkage between the two universities. |
Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics,Healthcare |
URL | http://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/l.cohen/research.html |
Description | The grant enabled the development of an ac calorimeter which has since transferred to the company Cryogenics. This was used as a REF impact case study by the department for the last REF submission 2014. We used the correlative methodologies we developed (and are still developing) on the S and I grant to help to put together a successful proposal for the CDT in Advanced Characterisation of Materials (2014). The CDT has lots of links to industry including Shell, Proctor and Gamble, Lloyds Register Foundation, BP. The methodologies developed during this grant has enabled the teams involved to go on to secure funding in a number of parallel areas - such as programme grants EP/M013812/1 (2015) in the area of reactive plasmonics and EP/V001914/1 (2021) nanoscale advanced engineering. |
First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
Sector | Education,Other |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | Assessing the risks of 2D nanomaterials in the environment |
Amount | £50,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Lloyd's Register |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2017 |
End | 09/2021 |
Description | Characterisation of engineered nanoparticle impacted sewage waters |
Organisation | University of Birmingham |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The objective was to quantify the lifetime and characterise the physiochemical characteristics of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) as they reach the environment through wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), specifically as they partition between 1) water, wastewater, sludge and soil and 2) effluent and freshwater. The nanomaterials of interest were CeO2, ZnO, TiO2 and Ag. We worked with the FENAC facility in Birmingham to perform field flow fractionation (FFF) to isolate the nano-scale (~100 nm) portion of the samples of engineered nanomaterials in soils and sediments. We also performed single particle ICP-MS to detect the particles within these media. We provided samples and scientific questions. |
Collaborator Contribution | They supplied instrumentation (FFF) and single particle ICP-MS facilities. |
Impact | None yet. |
Start Year | 2017 |