Towards deterministic atomic scale manufacturing of next-generation quantum devices
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Design Manufacture and Engineering Man
Abstract
The new round of quantum technology (QT) revolution has started worldwide. In the global race to unlock the potential of QTs and bring transformative advances to science, industry, and society, Europe must build a solid manufacturing base to meet the increasing manufacturing demands for next-generation quantum devices. Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are core elements of photonic integrated circuits to control photonic quantum states for QT applications. Due to high process variability, the current manufacturing technology fails to meet the extreme demands of SNSPDs for uniform material properties of superconducting materials. This project aims at researching and developing a new mechanical approach to enable the deterministic, atomic-scale manufacturing of superconducting nanowires (NWs). This new work will upgrade the EU's manufacturing capabilities of photonic integrated circuits, enabling Europe to lead the new round of the global QT revolution.
The fellow is currently an emerging leader at the forefront of international advances in the research and development of Atomic and Close-to-atomic Scale technology. With support from internationally leading expertise (i.e. Focused ion beam(FIB) nanomanufacturing, Precision Manufacturing, and Quantum Technology) in the hosting institution, a timely award of this prestigious fellowship will provide the fellow with the necessary resources and access to expertise to make rapid progress in this emerging research area and become an internationally leading independent researcher in Europe ready to compete globally. An industrial partner will be granted a license by the University of Strathclyde to take the new technology to market within three years of the research programme's completion, addressing a market with an estimated value of over 300 million Euros.
The fellow is currently an emerging leader at the forefront of international advances in the research and development of Atomic and Close-to-atomic Scale technology. With support from internationally leading expertise (i.e. Focused ion beam(FIB) nanomanufacturing, Precision Manufacturing, and Quantum Technology) in the hosting institution, a timely award of this prestigious fellowship will provide the fellow with the necessary resources and access to expertise to make rapid progress in this emerging research area and become an internationally leading independent researcher in Europe ready to compete globally. An industrial partner will be granted a license by the University of Strathclyde to take the new technology to market within three years of the research programme's completion, addressing a market with an estimated value of over 300 million Euros.
Publications
Gao J
(2023)
Atomistic insights into bias-induced oxidation on passivated silicon surface through ReaxFF MD simulation
in Applied Surface Science
Gao J
(2024)
Machine-learning-enhanced femtosecond-laser machining: Towards an efficient and deterministic process control
in MATEC Web of Conferences
Wang Z
(2025)
Investigation of Chip Morphology in Elliptical Vibration Micro-Turning of Silk Fibroin.
in Micromachines
Wang Z
(2024)
Chip breakage in silk microfibre production using elliptical vibration turning
in International Journal of Mechanical Sciences
| Description | The research has found that it is possible to manipulate atomic by using atomic force microscope (AFM)'s tip and the atomic scale adhesion of substrate atoms on AFM tip. |
| Exploitation Route | This is very early stage of research with a very low TRC. We will apply standard EPSRC grant to development if further a TRL of 3 and then apply EPSRC IAA to run some demonstrators to end users in the field of semiconductor and quantum sectors for energy, healthcare, nanoelectronics and semiconductor applications. |
| Sectors | Electronics Energy Environment Healthcare Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | The findings have been presented in departmental summer school to senior school pupils (12 peoples). |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Sector | Education |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | Contribution to national digital twin network |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | It will inform the DT network and form a new feasibility call |
| Description | Patent_ Improvement in relation to microlithography or nanolithography apparatus' and processes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Impact | ddd |
| Description | A digital twin of precision machining approach for luxury watch component |
| Amount | £322,298 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Knowledge Transfer Partnerships |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2025 |
| End | 07/2028 |
| Description | A novel deterministic approach for scale-up nanomanufacturing of solid-state nanopore for single molecule detection |
| Amount | £70,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Royal Society |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 03/2024 |
| Description | Transforming Nanomanufacturing: Accelerating Market Impact of Flexible Nanoelectrode Lithography Technology |
| Amount | £49,946 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 11603R220416-101 |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2024 |
| End | 02/2026 |
| Title | Data for: "Anisotropic Effects in Local Anodic Oxidation Nanolithography on Silicon Surfaces: Insights from ReaxFF MD Simulations" |
| Description | This dataset includes the data from simulation results. Including evolution of bond/particle numbers, bond/particle countings, MSDs. The data can be read using notepad. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The dataset has been used by researchers worldwide to reveal the surface oxidation of silicon surface |
| Title | Data for: "Atomistic insights into bias-induced oxidation on passivated silicon surface through ReaxFF MD simulation" |
| Description | The dataset includes numerical data to describe the projected density of states for C-Cu bonding pair, adhesion energies and total energies of tip-slab systems. The data can be read by MS excel. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The dataset has been used by researchers from other countries to explore material science |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.15129/773fb2bc-7a7e-49de-96e5-04b55251f2db |
| Title | Data for: "Uniaxial pulling and nano-scratching of a newly synthesised high entropy alloy" |
| Description | The dataset contains numerical data to illustrate the relationship between machined depth and cutting forces including friction force and normal force. The data can be read by using excel software. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The dataset has been used by researchers in the world to explore machinability of high entropy alloy. |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.15129/118b0a4f-c5bc-4d92-948b-f64657e5a144 |
| Description | Collaboration with University of Oxford on nanofabrication |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | My research team will work on development of best-spoke nanofabrication process for terahertz camera lens which will be one of project demonstrator of our project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Consultation on potential applications of our nanoelectrode lithography technology and provide terahertz camera design, fabrication process development, plus lab access for testing demonstrators made by us. |
| Impact | We will have jointly publication to report outcome of this collaboration |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Title | Improvements in relation to microlithography or nanolithography apparautus' and processes |
| Description | We have invent flexible roller for micro and nano lithography and a gas-assisted process to enhance fabrication productivity by 10 times. |
| IP Reference | |
| Protection | Patent / Patent application |
| Year Protection Granted | 2024 |
| Licensed | No |
| Description | A Keynote talk on International Conference and Expo on Optics, Photonics and Lasers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Over 200 postgraduates attended the talk, which spark discussion on application of digital twin for photonics manufacturing. The department reported increased interests in digital twins. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://signatureconferences.com/europl2023/ |
| Description | A keynote talk on Cutting Simulation International Conference 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | over 200 postgraduate students attended the talk, which sparked intensive discussion on modelling techniques for photonics manufacturing, and the department reported increased interests in computational materials student projects. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | A keynote talk on IEEE Nanotechnology Materials and Devices International Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | over 200 postgraduates attend my talk, with sparked discussion on new nanofabrication approach , and the department reported increased interests in nanofabrication |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/conhome/10343386/proceeding |
| Description | An invited talk on 10th International Conference of Asian Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | over 200 postgraduates attend the talk which provoke discussion on new control paradigm, the department reported more research projects were set up in precision motional control |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.polyu.edu.hk/sklumt/ASPEN2023/ |
| Description | An invited talk on 2023 World Congress on Micro and Nano Manufacturing |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Over 150 delegates including academics, postgraduates students, professionals and NSF programme manager attends the talk, which sparked questions and discussion on role of artificial intelligence and its relationship with physical model and potential application in micro and nanomanufacturing. The school reported increased interest in AI and the NSF programme manager reported more proposal application of using AI in micro and nano manufacturing. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.wcmnm2023.northwestern.edu/ |
| Description | Keynote talk to EPSRC Early Career Forum Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Over 10 EPSRC Engineering Early Career Researchers attended the work. It sparked discussion multiscale digital twin driven smart manufacturing system. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |