Nanotechnology (or Nanoscience, or Nanomaterials) at UNSW

"In truth we know nothing, for truth lies in depth" Democritus, ~400 BC "Father" of the atom (Nanotechnology) is the basis for the next industrial revolution Dr Robin Batterham - 2003 AD Government Chief Scientist Its amazing what you find when you go looking - Yogi Bear ~1970 AD Legendary cartoon character

Outline
Nanotechnology (or Nanoscience or Nanomaterials): Why? What? How? The need for collaborative crossdisciplinary activity Next steps

Looking Back & Looking Forward

Materials Science? Everything in the universe that is solid is either a metal, ceramic or a polymer! What is Materials Science? The science and technology associated with the inter-relationships between processing, structure, properties, and function of materials. Materials Science - now In the 1970s and 80s Metallurgy became Materials Science, in the 90s Materials Science increasingly embraced physicists, chemists, bioscientists, engineers. In the 21st century Materials Science increasingly focused on the nanoscale

Looking Back & Looking Forward

Metallurgy + Ceramics + Polymer Science = Materials Science

+
Condensed Matter Physics

+
Soft Chemisty

+
Molecular Biotechnology

=
MATERIALS NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY

What is Nanotechnology?
A DEFINTION
Nanotechnology is the design, fabrication, characterisation and utilization of materials, structures and devices, which are less than one hundred nanometres in at least one dimension There are 2 nominal approaches Top-down making nanoscale structures by machining, coating, atomisation, dispersion and etching techniques Bottom-up (molecular nanotechnology) applies to building organic and inorganic structures atom-by-atom, or molecule-by-molecule

The Timeframe of NANO

10-3 Vernier Caliper, 1851 Central Power Station, 1890 10-4 Edison & Ford Watson & Crick, 1953 Electronics: Moores Law

Critical Size Dimension (m)

10-9

MECHANICAL AGE
1850 1890

ELECTROMECHANICAL AGE
1950

ELECTRONIC AGE

NANO AGE

10-12

Technological Periods

2000 Photonics Nanomaterials Biotechology

Early Nanotechnology
Lycurgus cup Roman cup (4th Century AD) containing nanoparticles of gold and silver Changes colour in different lights

Why move into the nanoworld?

Why move into the Nanoworld?

Nanotechnology gives us Novel (new) properties (or mixes of properties), and new phenomena The confluence of many disciplines (physics, chemistry, bio-sciences, materials science and engineering) A bridge between the living and non-living worlds (Nature is the master nanotechnologist) A bridge between the quantum world and the classical world. Most efficient length scale for manufacturing

Nanotechnology Drivers
nm
0.1 1 10 100 1

m
10 100 1

mm
10 100

m
1

Atom Probe AFM, STM, NSOM STEM, FIB, TEM, SEM Light Microscopies
element ID {

3D

Nanotechnology Drivers
Ability to prepare, move, measure and control materials on a nanoscale Ability to control self-organisation Ability to move atoms like Lego bricks Need for improved function, sensors, computers

Nanotechnology Advances in the next 1-5 years

High speed computing (Intels 10-GHz chip, proteomic analysis computer) Applications for C60, single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes New fabrics (H2O- & wrinkle-resistant - Nano-Tex) Paints and coatings (self cleaning coatings, photo-oxidative coatings) Sensors (chemical, biological, diagnostics) DNA separation and sequencing (microfluidics/nanoseparations) Bio/silicon interfaces DNA chips, biochips Nanophase drug delivery systems Nanophase inks Nanostructured flat panel displays Nanophase catalysts and catalyst supports

Nanotechnology Advances in the next 5-15 years

Post-Si integrated nano- or molecular electronics Self-assembled materials, devices, and systems Nanostructured photonic devices Biological semiconductors Nanostructured membranes for specific separations Miniature terabit data storage Nanostructured high tensile strength wires etc Mass produced sensors for home diagnostics Artificial photosynthesis Artificial organs & targeted organ repair Molecular motors, NEMS Portable fuel cells, H2 and ethanol energy storage

Global Activity in Nanotechnology

Economic uptake is occurring now >500 ++ research groups claiming nanotechnology as their core activity Almost 500 start-up nanotechnology companies Many multinational pharmaceutical, chemical and IT companies have active R&D Programs Global R&D expenditure ca.US$4.5B (2002) Revenues >US$45.5B in 2002

US Federal Govt. Nanotechnology Spending

800

600

400

200

0 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

Nano-materials/Nanoscience

Clustering & Precipitation in Advanced Light Alloys: Al-1.1Cu-1.7Mg (at. %)

8 x 8 nm

3-Dimensional Atom Probe

Cu Mg
27 nm

High Resolution TEM

130 III I II 120 110 100 90 80 70 AQ 150 C 60 0.01 0.1 1.0 10 100 103 Ageing time (h)

2 nm

GPB zones

Microstructure of Thin Films controlled on a Nanoscale

Can control microstructure of TiN-based films to generate superhard coatings

Microstructure of Thin Films controlled on a Nanoscale

Insert layer of Ti metal between two layers of TiN acts to stop cracks during deformation

Microstructure of Thin Films controlled on a Nanoscale

nc-TiN/a-Si3N4 TiN Ti

nc-TiN/a-Si3N4 nc-TiN/a-Si3N4

TiN TiN

Ti Ti Si 50nm

Si Si

20nm 20nm

Addition of Si to TiN refines structure to nanoscale acts to inhibit crack propagation

Nanocatalysts, Nanopowders and nanoporous foams

Nano-powders high surface to volume ratio Used as catalysts can be used to to reduce air pollution Ti oxide based materials are photocatalytic and reduce pollutants in air or water. Exposure to light create electron-hole pairs at the surface which absorb pollutants

TEM Image of Ti Oxide Catalysts

Nanocatalysts, Nanopowders and nanoporous foams

Nanoporous foams have high surface to volume ratios can be used for molecular sieves Used for gas separation

Nanocatalysts, Nanopowders and Nanoporous foams

ZnO powders Optical characterisitics change as powder size changes Becomes transparent at ~ 25 nms Transparent sun screen

Carbon (and boron nitride) nanotubes

Carbon nanotube - tubes of carbon as thin as one atom layer thick Very high strength Unusual electrical and thermal properties Can be used as hydrogen storage devices

Nanotube thermometers

Nanotube peapods

Bio-Sensors
Bio-sensors can be used to detect the presence of a virus by nanodots of gold tethering DNA strands. These strands will bind to specific DNA types (e.g. anthrax) These strands pull the Au nanodots together to they change colour signifiying the presence of Anthrax.

Biomolecular self-assembly

Osteoblasts are molecules that self assemble to accelerate the repair of broken bones.

Existing UNSW-based Nano-activities

1) Undergraduate nanotechnology degree highly successful! 2) ARC Nano-materials Centres of Excellence (CQCT) and Centre for Functional Nanomaterials (CEIC and Materials) 3) Core member of the NANO MNRF 4) Nodes of activity in fabrication, characterisation and testing of nano-materials in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering etc 5) Little sense of cohesion/collaboration/focus outside each activity node 6) There is no strategic plan for nanoscience at UNSW

Towards an Integrated Nanomaterials Research Strategy

Computatio nal Analysis of Nanomaterials

Nanoscale Testing & Characteris ation

Nanoscale Materials Synthesis & Processing

Where to From Here?

Create an Institute for Nanoscience and Nanomaterials
Do Something! Something is good! Develop a strategic plan which seeks to focus and align existing strengths in nanosciences Support enabling science and technology which enhances the understanding of nanoscale technology. Establish (orient) research infrastructure to facilitate interdisciplinary research Support genuinely interdisciplinary programs of research to design and develop functional materials of national significance Engage, maintain and expand industry involvement Engage with the Nanotechnology undergraduate program