Control Systems and Positioning for Nanoscale Measurements and Standards

Summary:

Develop high precision control and positioning robotic systems for nanoscale measurements, manipulation, and standards, and enable scale-up interfaces and standards between the micro/nano manufacturing tools and the macro scale world.

Description:

Next generation manufacturing will extend to smaller and smaller components, including micro- nano-structures and robotic devices. The measurement of properties and dimensions, imaging of structures, and modeling of behavior are all difficult at the nano-scale. A challenge of micro/nano manufacturing is the development of methods to build complex three-dimensional (3-D) micro/nano scale structures and devices using techniques that allow them to interface with the macro scale world (scale-up), at economic production rates. A NIST US Metrology System Need identifies top down nano manufacturing as human-directed organization of nano scale components into structures, which must then interface with the macro scale world through some kind of scale-up interface. Top down manufacturing of these devices must be explored and standardized in order to allow for the economies of scale needed for successful production (http://www.isd.mel.nist.gov/meso_micro/Manu_14_30Mar06_Top_Down_Manu_Final.pdf).
New capabilities at the micro-nano scale must be combined to meet these challenges, such as, dexterous manipulation and assembly, precision motion control, and real-time metrology and sensing. The metrology of micro/nano structures, such as nanowires, nanoparticles, proteins, cells, etc., is a key enabling technology for advances in micro/nano technology and manufacturing, presenting many opportunities for novel micro/nano electromechanical and biomedical systems.
This is an enabling technology, which can affect the development of markets in many new classes of products that require accurate nano component 3-D position and orientation. For example this technology can accelerate the production of nano components, electronics, composite materials, sensors, fuel cells, etc. According to a Lux Research report, the nano technology products market could reach $2.6 trillion in approximately 10 years. Assuming the proper infrastructure gets put in place, an estimated 10 million manufacturing jobs worldwide − or about 11% of the total manufacturing jobs − may involve nano technology in that time frame. According to a SusChem report the nano technology machinery market is expected to grow by 30% per annum.

Project Objectives

Develop control and positioning systems for nanoscale measurements and standards.
Develop control and positioning systems for nanoscale manipulation and standards.
Develop interfaces and standards that bridge the gap between the micro/nano manufacturing tools and the macro scale world.
Stimulate the academic research community through administration of competitions such as the nanogram league of RoboCup (in conjunction with EEEL). This will drive universities to address research important to NIST and industry.