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Module 6 – Applied Projects in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Projects in module 6: Nanoscale technology and applications

DICANS
Bert Müller

The invention of the AFM spurred a broad development of micro-cantilever-based sensors, which includes (bio)-chemical applications. The commercially available cantilevers or comb-like cantilever rows are generally fabricated by the well-established silicon processes. The costly production, however, usually prohibits “use once” applications. Therefore, the availability of disposable, low-cost polymer-based sensor devices is highly desirable for many applications, particularly in biomedicine and biochemistry. As the result of the variety of polymeric materials, their flexible geometries and surface morphologies as well as their unique chemical properties (compared to Si) the fields of applications in research should be significantly widened. The goals of the present project embed engineering, chemistry and bioscience. The engineering part concentrates on the design of polymeric micro-cantilevers to develop a low-cost fabrication process for cantilever rows with requested mechanical properties. The chemistry part will focus on the surface chemistry of polymeric cantilevers to tailor the surface morphology and to guarantee the stability of the polymers in the selected solutions. The bioscience part zooms in on in-vitro characterization of cells and of fungi that will become possible with the cantilevers developed. The targets of research are cell-materials interactions, intentionally modified by cantilever material and morphology, cell/fungi type and density as well as buffer composition. Once successfully developed, the polymer-based cantilever systems will permit Concentris to gain major cost reductions and to address novel fields of applications in emerging markets.

NOBIC
Jens Gobrecht

Sensoren für die Bioanalytik auf der Basis von Wellenleitern, auf denen die spezifisch gebundene Moleküle durch evaneszente Wellen zur Fluoreszenz angeregt werden, sind heute Stand der Technik. Neuere Ergebnisse aus der Nanooptik bzw. der Plasmonik zeigen, dass bestimmte, periodische Nanostrukturen auf der Oberfläche die Lichtwellen konzentrieren und die optischen Feldstärken um Zehnerpotenzen steigern können. Entsprechend könnte sich die Empfindlichkeit der Sensoren erhöhen. Ziel des vorgeschlagenen Projektes ist es, diese Effekte experimentell nachzuweisen und die geeignetsten Strukturen zu ermitteln – auch im Hinblick auf eine wirtschaftliche Herstellung.

MANGACAT
Uwe Pieles

This project is designed to build upon existing expertise in the synthesis and scale-up to industrial production of nano- and micron-dimensioned composite particles using flame spray pyrolysis. The target is the preparation and evaluation of manganese oxide composite nanoparticles, either as pure phases or supported on a silica matrix, as environmentally benign oxidants. The particles will be evaluated as stoichiometric and catalytic oxidants for a variety of chemical transformations of e.g. organic alcohols. In the latter case, the primary utilized oxidant so far is hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, ozone or oxygen. In addition to the chemical transformations the newly synthesised catalysts will be investigated for their ability to remove organic trace impurities from the environment e.g. from air by an oxidative cleavage. This has been described recently for another type of manganese oxide based material The project builds upon the unique skills of the Swiss nanoparticle producer (HeiQ) and the two academic institutions the FHNW and UniBas, a partnership that is successfully established through joint projects funded by e.g. CTI. The project is likely to bring both scientific acclaim and yield commercially valuable products. A move to manganese-based oxidation technologies is to be encouraged on environmental grounds and reliable methods for the scalable and reproducible synthesis of active materials is likely to provide initial impetus for industry adoption, initially in fine chemical production or environmental control. In addition to the chemical industry market the new kind of catalysts can gain interesting market share from the rapidly increasing market for environmental depollution systems required from the emerging industrial nations.

HiFi Rep
Jens Gobrecht

Extreme ultraviolet interference lithography (EUV-IL) using coherent synchrotron radiation is a new nanopatterning technology developed at the Paul Scherrer Institute. Periodic patterns with feature sizes down to half the light wavelength used (i.e. < 10nm) can be created in resist on almost any material with unrivalled speed, precision and homogeneity. EUV-IL technology has been commercialized by Eulitha AG since about 1.5 years. In many applications for periodic surface-nanopatterns it is mandatory to transfer the patterns in polymer surfaces for technical or cost reasons. This is done by nanoimprint lithography or nano-injection molding using Silicon masters. These processes are still embryonic on the nanometer scale and need substantial research to become mature for applications. It is the aim of this project to solve these technological challenges which requires a deep and detailed understanding of the mold filling process on the nanometer scale as well as the effects during the demolding process. The project will focus on solving homogeneity issues, i.e. the level of replication fidelity over large (~10cm) areas, on replication of high-aspect structures (>2) and on problems associated with demolding. Finally the replication of ultra-small structures (<10nm) will be addressed using masters from a new exposure facility currently being set up at PSI-SLS. The success of this project and any knowledge generated in therein will help a young, Aargau based company to grow and create high tech jobs.

NAPTIS
Uwe Pieles

The current project proposal aims to develop new porous surfaces of titanium implants by spark assisted anodizing developed and performed by KKS Ultraschall AG. The porous surfaces generated by the ano-dizing process will exhibit structural features on the micro and nanometer scale, allowing optimal cell ad-hesion and cell proliferation and at the same time should reduce infection risk. Therefore, the surfaces will get further functionalities by introducing various different metal ions with anti-infective properties during the electrochemical process. The surfaces will be fully characterized on the nano- and micrometer scale by means of analytical instrumentation e.g. SEM, porosity, tribology, EDX, ToF-SIMS and further me-chanical and chemical analysis performed by FHNW. The biological properties of the newly generated implant surfaces will be studied by in vitro bacterial tests at Thommen Medical AG and by osteogenic cell lines at the University of Basel to demonstrate the beneficial effect of the porous surface with respect to infection reducing behavior and osteoblastic cell adhesion and cell proliferation and differentiation. The optimized process technology, developed in course of the project will first be applied to dental implants, the product range of the participating industrial partner Thommen Medical AG. In the final phase of the project the process will be validated by KKS Ultraschall AG and the generated surface modified dental implants will be prepared for pre-clinical studies. These pre-clinical studies are not subject of the present project proposal and will be performed in a follow-up project by Thommen Medical AG and KKS Ultra-schall AG after the successful completion of the NAPTIS project.

Pharmasecure
Alexander Stuck

Im Projekt Pharmasecure werden gecoatete pharmazeutische Tabletten mit sichtbaren und unsichtbaren optischen Sicherheitscodes versehen, um eine Produktidentifizierung und –verifizierung zu ermöglichen. Dazu werden die Tabletten zuerst in einem einzigen Produktionsschritt geprägt und mit einer diffraktiven Nanostruktur sowie einem Barcode versehen. In einem zweiten Prozessschritt werden die strukturierten Tabletten gecoatet. Es ist das Ziel des Projektes Pharmasecure, Struktur/Coatingkombinationen zu entwickeln, welche mit Optischer Kohärenztomografie (pOCT) schnell und einfach identifiziert und gemessen werden können. Ebenfalls sollen die optischen Eigenschaften von bestehenden Coatings gemessen und auf die diffraktiven sowie Barcode-Strukturen angepasst werden, um die Sichtbarkeit der geprägten Hologramme zu erhöhen bzw. die pOCT-Messung zu ermöglichen. Dazu sind vor allem optisch hochbrechende Coatings geeignet.

VIPs
Patrick Shaghaldian

The objective of the present project is to design inorganic nanoparticles possessing specific bacteriophage recognition properties using an imprinting/replication process. It is built upon existing expertise of the academic institutions involved (FHNW and UniBas) in the design of nanoparticulate materials possessing specific (bio)molecular recognition properties. One of the academic partners (FHNW) has recently developed a novel approach to produce inorganic nanoparticles possessing at their surface virus recognition patterns. Produced using an imprinting/ replication process, these virus imprinted particles (VIPs) are expected to be highly valuable for a broad range of applications including diagnostics, virus purification, decontamination, etc. The specific application highlighted in this proposal is the removal of bacteriophage particles from milk, a major challenge for the dairy industry. The expertise of the commercial partner, MMS AG, involved with the academic institutions on various projects (e.g. CTI funded), in the dairy industry will be a major asset for the current project. Multidisciplinary in essence, the outcome of this research program is expected to be both at fundamental and applied levels, it will involve during all its duration undergraduate and graduate students in various areas of modern (bio)nanosciences.

BioMMA
Olfa Glaied

The aim of the proposed project is the synthesis of chemically stable and mechanically robust biomimetic membranes as new materials for applications in environmental engineering. These membranes will be based on amphiphilic block copolymers and embedded Aquaporins immobilized on nanoporous alumina substrates. The main idea is the exploration of a very promising way based on biological water channel proteins called Aquaporins and artificial membranes for the fabrication of new hybrid materials for industrial application in desalination and water purification. These novel systems will provide highly selective water membranes that allow the production of pure water or salinity power. We hypothesize that incorporation of AqpZ (Aquaporins) into block copolymer membranes will produce membranes requiring substantially less energy to achieve the same water flux and selectivity as existing water treatment membranes. The synthesis and the study of this membrane will be based on three main steps: 1: The synthesis of block copolymer membranes immobilized on nanoporous alumina substrates; 2: The effective incorporation of Aquaporins in this membrane 3: The study of membranes capacity and effectiveness in water filtering devices. In collaboration with the industrial Partner MMS successful candidates will be tested.

CaptureCancer
Patrick Hunziker

The goal of this pilot project is to combine the advantages of cancer-targeting polymer nanocarriers and gadolinium neutron capture therapy into a novel composite cancer therapy by o establishing a joint translational project UHBS and PSI o proving the feasibility of the concept in this one-year pilot study o thus laying the foundation for a full follow-up project including animal cancer models and industry involvement in view of human application. A proven polymer nanocarrier platform will be equipped with cancer-specific ligands and filled with a solution/salt of an element with large neutron capture cross-section and desired decay characteristics upon neutron irradiation (157Gd / 10B). Targeting/uptake of the carrier will be quantified in cancer cell cultures. Optimal thermal neutron energy will be determined from clinical/ biological considerations and nuclear physical characteristics. Irradiation experiments will be performed in vitro (neutron capture, induced radiation emission, decay products) and in cancer cell culture (selective cancer cell destruction). A quantitative planning tool for in vivo / in patient therapy will implemented.

Nanocool
Uwe Pieles

Inflammation associated with diseases like artheriosclerosis, rheumatism, multiple sclerosis, as well as burns, decubitus and other disorders cause acute pain and unpleasant feeling of the patients, heavily affecting daily life. Therefore moderate cooling of the skin temperature is known to lead to a reduction of aching, better mobility and a significant improvement of overall life quality. The Swiss SMEs UNICO swiss tex GmbH and Heiq Materials are both active developing highly functional textiles for specialized applications. UNICO swiss tex GmbH currently introduced to the market wearable cool pads and clothing of different formats for medical applications in the area of inflammatory bone diseases, burns or wound healing. Their technology is based on a laminate of semipermeable membranes and a textile layer. The cooling system is functioning upon evaporation mechanism of water which has to be applied by external delivery. Although the system is already marketed and approved by Swiss Medic the system exhibits some significant drawbacks with respect to wear comfort and practicability. In particular the water refilling and control of the evaporation process and temperature requires significant improvement. The project consortium aims for developing a new laminate textile system exhibiting antimicrobial activity and water retaining and storing capability. This will be combining nano/microstructured membranes for active water transport in combination with a hydrogel layer to control the evaporation process. The antimicrobial activity will be accomplished by adding nanosilver/silica composite materials to the polymeric base materials, either the membranes or the hydrogel inlay. The highly functional textiles should utilize biocompatible materials, exhibit wear comfort, should be almost invisible during daily life and reusable.

Nanopol
Yasin Ekinci

Metallic wire-grid nanostructures exhibit strong polarization behavior, and therefore offer an attractive alternative to conventional polarizers due to their high performance, compactness, broad operating wavelength range, and compatibility with integrated circuit fabrication technology. With the advance of nanotechnology, wire-grid polarizers are becoming technically feasible and affordable for increasing number of applications such as mobile displays and projectors. We have demonstrated a bilayer wire-grid polarizer, which includes only nanopatterning and metal deposition, thereby reducing the costs significantly. They have a great potential in a variety of applications, however further studies and development are necessary towards successful commercialization of such products. Therefore we would like to optimize the performance of wire-grid polarizers as well as develop cost-effective fabrication methods by using extreme-UV interference lithography and nanoimprint lithography for better contrast and energy efficiency for applications in display technology.

Nanosol
Ernst Meyer

Aufbauend auf den Erfahrungen aus der vorangegangenen Förderung der Durchführbarkeitsstudie durch Nanoargovia werden in diesem Projekt gezielt Farbstoffe und deren Mischungen zur Verwendung in Farbstoffsolarzellen untersucht. Der Solarzellenaufbau ist jetzt bereits soweit optimiert, dass mit kommerziellem Ruthenium-Farbstoff N719 reproduzierbar Wirkungsgrade von über 5% erzielt werden können. Die Zellen sind durch eine Verkapselung vor starker Degradation geschützt. Mit dem von DSM hergestellten Crocetin konnten bereits Wirkungsgrade von 3% erreicht werden. Es sollen neuartige Farbstoffe und Gemische, die besser dem Sonnenspektrum angepasst sind, untersucht und entwickelt werden. DSM hat grosse Erfahrung in der Synthese von vielfältigen organischen Verbindungen aus dem Gebiet der Vitaminherstellung. Farbstoffe aus der Familie der Carotinoide und Anthocyane haben optische Eigenschaften, die sie für die Photovoltaik interessant machen. Um die physikalischen Parameter der Solarzellen genau und reproduzierbar zu bestimmen, wird ein kalibrierter Messplatz zur Aufnahme der Strom-Spannungs-Kennlinien sowie der Quanteneffizienz aufgebaut. Des Weiteren wird die Stabilität und Reproduzierbarkeit der Solarzellen durch eine Präparation unter Inertgas-Bedingungen erhöht. Ziel des Projektes ist es, die Wechselwirkung der Farbstoffe mit den TiO2-Nanopartikeln grundlegend zu untersuchen und den kompletten Solarzellenaufbau weiter über Nanostrukturierungen hin zu höheren und langzeitstabilen Wirkungsgraden / Stromdichten zu optimieren.

ONADA
Stefan Goedecker

Nanoparticles play an increasingly important role in many applications even though they are still poorly understood in many respects. In this project we propose to investigate calcium fluoride nanoparticles by a combination of theoretical and experimental methods. Calcium fluoride-like particles play an essential role in dental care applications. After gaining a better understanding of the structure and surface properties of the particles it will be attempted to generate such particles which have optimal properties for dental care applications. Simulations will be used to obtain insight into structural issues and to give guidelines for the synthesis of such particles. Various approaches for the synthesis of calcium fluoride particles will be explored and the particles will be characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy as well as by other methods. In particular the adhesion of differently shaped nanoparticles will be investigated. The results from this project have implications also for several other areas of technical nanoparticle applications.

STOP
Uwe Pieles

Product piracy and product counterfeiting of quality products is a very severe problem in modern economy causing worldwide annual losses of more than 250 bn dollars in almost all kinds of industries and branches ranging from electronic consumer products, fashion and cosmetics to food and pharmaceuticals. Enormous efforts are undertaken worldwide to make products less sensitive to counterfeiting by applying unique and sophisticated copy protection tags with different hierarchical security levels. Today the market for product security labeling systems for copy protection is rapidly growing and has already passed the billion dollar per year level. The Industrial project partner Printcolor Screen Ltd. (Berikon) possesses a broad knowledge and experience in printing technologies applying security tags to various products and serving a worldwide market. Particular focus is given to sensitive markets such as bank notes, credit cards, pharmaceuticals or for monitoring storage conditions of products. In the current project application, we propose a novel, integrated and modular security tagging system involving hollow core shell silica spheres in the nanometer range combining a variety of security attributes with different security levels in one particulate structure or a combination of different particles exhibiting individual features, which can be applied to a wide range of modern printing technologies. The concept is based on a multifaceted approach of chemical fingerprinting by detecting trace levels of a unique combination of chemical elements e.g. rare earth metals, magnetic properties or optical properties caused by fluorescence or change of color.

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