Main Sector of relevance\IRC classification 8. Industrial Manufacturing, Material and Transport Technologies


8.15 Nano diagnostic complex with scanning probe microscopy and optical microscopy functions

General arrangement of the complex

Liquid cell (left) and prism probe holder (right)

Developers’ contact information

State Scientific Institution “The A.V.Lykov Institute of Heat and Mass Transfer of National Academy of Sciences of Belarus”
15 P.Brovka Street, Minsk BY-220072
Tel.: +375 (17) 284-10-60, fax +375 (17) 292-25-13

Sergey Antonovich Chizhik
Tel.: +375 (29) 684-10-60; e-mail: chizhiksa@mail.by

Svetlana Olegovna Abetkovskaya
Tel.: +375 (17) 284-10-60; e-mail: abetkovskaia@mail.ru

Summary

Nano diagnostic complex with scanning probe and optical microscopy functions is an experimental facility adapted for biological cells research which includes nanometric resolution 3D visualization, determination of adhesive and viscoelastic properties with combined scanning probe and optical microscopy functions, micropositioning procedures and liquid cell operation.

Description

Nano diagnostic complex with scanning probe and optical microscopy functions is designed for testing of polymer nano composites, thin films and biological micro- and nano objects. The complex can be used for fundamental and applied research in the sphere of microbiology, micromechanics, thin-film technologies as well as nano- and biotechnologies to determine physical and mechanical properties of various materials at micro- and nano levels.
The complex belongs to the automated hardware class intended for visualization and nanometric solution scanning probe of micro objects (including biological cells) as well as analyzing local mechanical properties by indenting method.
Measurements for these parameters provide more reliable and complete information on viscoelastic materials (polymers, biological tissues, cells and organelles) as compared to other available atomic-force microscopes.
To ensure effective complex operation there was developed a guidance prompting on determination procedures for material elasticity modulus, relaxation times, viscosity, and mechanical loss tangent distance by means of nano indentation technology.
The complex is of table-set design and unit structure. This design provides for a convenience of operation and availability of all units and nodes in case they should need adjusting or replacement within the complex service life.

Technology type

Technical advantages and economic benefits

Basic operating features of the complex are as follows:


The complex allows solving the following problems of nano diagnostics, nano-structure material science and cytomechanics:

Economic efficiency of the complex is proved by the fact that the proposed complex can rival more sophisticated and expensive analytical instrumentation manufactured in western countries as it provides no high qualifications for originating organizations. Consistent demand observed among researchers, material and nanotechnology developers for a precise express-analysis of thin-film objects and biological cells to allow improving the quality and competitiveness of production ensures a significant number of consumers who could be interested in buying the instrumentation and measurement method both in Belarus and abroad.

Technology differentiation and uniqueness

A new technology.

Context in which technology was identified

Multiple Access Centre of Heat and Mass Exchange Institute named after A.V. Lykov, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

Technological keywords

Nano diagnostics, scanning probe microscopy, cytomechanics, material science, adhesion, rheology, nano composites, thin films, biological cells.

Development Stage

Intellectual property rights

Range of applications

The research is possible for polymer nano composites, thin films and biological micro- and nano objects.
Modern trends in micromechanics development (MMD), thin-film, nano and bio technologies make the problem of characterization and micro- and nano level analysis of physical and mechanical material properties even more urgent. Adhesive behaviour and viscoelastic deformation processes in thin polymer layers, including those within a wide temperature range, are apparently of great interest, for example, for nano printing technologies. Viscoelastic and frictional properties are important in functional nano coatings design for high-precision friction knots. It also offers certain advantages for biotechnologies on cell engineering level where cytomechanical problems play the decisive part. The main difficulty of mechanical studies on individual biological cells and organelles is connected with micro- and nano measurements in biological solution with temperature and electrochemical conditions control.
Scanning probe microscopes offer a wide range of nano and micro level analytic functions for physical and mechanical material properties. However, atomic-force microscopes available cannot give reliable and complete information on viscoelastic materials (polymers, biological tissues) with properties largely dependant on relations between relaxation period duration, testing time intervals and ambient temperature values. According to the well-known theoretical evidence, enough information on viscoelastic materials behaviour can be derived from the following parameter set: material elasticity modulus in balanced state; relaxation period (for polymers in the area of λ transitions); viscosity; material mechanical losses tangent in balanced state.
It is possible to determine the parameters on the basis of a complex providing for both static and dynamic loading with proper methods for registration. Due to the above fact development of a complex for testing polymer nano composites, thin films and biological micro and nano objects as well as a suitable guidance is rather urgent and important in terms of its application.

Classifier Used at the EU Innovation Relay Centres

Preferable Regions

Practical experience

The technology has been introduced and is implemented.

Environmental impact

No significant impact on environment.

Type of collaboration sought

Terms and restrictions

Available technical assistance