Research: Nanomaterials and Nanoengineering
The understanding of nanoscale materials and device performance is at the centre of our activities, bridging the fields of sub-nm microscopy, nanomanipulation, and atomistic modelling.
Research Summary and Principal Aims
Many new nanotechnology research fields require a high degree of precision in imaging, manipulating, and modelling of materials down to ultimately the atomic level. The Sheffield NanoLAB and Modelling centres undertake developments of new methods and applications across a wide range of materials fields, including nanocomposites, ceramics, semiconductors, metals and biomaterials. Experimental research comprises e.g. ultra-resolution electron microscopy, in-situ TEM/SEM materials testing and manipulation, dopant mapping, novel modes of nano-tomography, as well as device nanofabrication using nano-particles, tubes, wires and tips. Modelling is used to simulate nanostructures and nanomaterials to complement the experimental programme. A particular focus of the modelling effort is in biomaterials and biomineralisation.
Selected Projects
- Structural modelling of the biological interface with materials (EPSRC: £285,689)
- Nanorobotics-technologies for simultaneous multidimensional imaging and manipulation of nano-objects (RCUK Basic Technology/EPSRC: £1,847,850)
- Quantitative, high resolution two- and three- dimensional dopant mapping in the scanning electron microscope by secondary electron spectro-microscopy (EPSRC: £284,372)
- NANOFIL : Nanoscale polymer-ceramic composites for biomedical application (DTI: £649,332)
- Application of MEMS electrostatic manipulation in SEM and materials science (Royal Society: £180,741)
Key publications
- MS Bobji, JB Pethica and BJ Inkson, 'Indentation Mechanics of Cu-Be Quantified by an in-situ TEM Mechanical Probe’, J. Mater. Res., 20, 10, 2726-2732 (2005).
- BJ Inkson, G Dehm and Y Peng, ‘Dynamical growth of Cu-Pt nanowires with a nanonecklace morphology’ Nanotechnology, 18, 415601 (2007).
- C Rodenburg, CJ Humphreys and M Glick, 'Energy filtered imaging in a field-emission scanning electron microscope for dopant mapping in semiconductors'. J. of Appl. Phys. 92 , 12, 7667 (2002).
- X Xu, Z Saghi, R Gay and G Möbus, 'Reconstruction of 3D morphology of polyhedral nanoparticles', Nanotechnology, 18 No 22, 225501-225508 (2007).
- Z Saghi, X Xu, Y Peng, BJ Inkson, and G Möbus '3D Chemical Analysis of Tungsten Probes by EDX-Nanotomography’. Appl.Phys.Lett., in press (2008).
- JH Harding and DM Duffy, ‘The challenge of biominerals to simulations’, J. Mater. Chem. 16, 1105-1112 (2006).
- CL Freeman, F Claeyssens, NL Allan and JH Harding, ‘Graphitic nanofilms as precursors to wurtzite films: theory’, Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 066102 (2006).
- L Castaldi, MRJ Gibbs and HA Davies ‘Effect of target power and composition on RE-Fe-B thin films with Cu and Nb buffer and cap layers’, J. Appl. Phys. 100 093904, (2006).
People
- Professor John Harding, Professor of Materials Simulation, has interests in the simulation of biomaterials, interfaces and thin films.
- Professor Mike Gibbs, Professor of Materials Physics, has interests in the study of ultra thin films and nanowires: magnetic and magnetotransport studies.
- Dr Beverley Inkson, Reader in Nanostructured Materials, has interests in the nanomanipulation, mechanical properties and tribology of nanomaterials.
- Dr Günter Möbus, Reader in Electron Microscopy and Materials Science, has interests in advanced characterization, manipulation and patterning of materials on the nanoscale.
- Dr Conny Rodenburg, Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellow, is interested in electrostatic manipulation of micro- and nano-objects by electrostatic fields in a scanning electron microscope.