‘New dimensions for manufacturing’ — A UK strategy for nanotechnology

Abstract

This chapter discusses the nanotechnology and nano engineered membranes. Self-assembly of molecules or large groups of molecules is a key feature in nanotechnology. Nanotechnology deals with structures having at least 1D that is sufficiently small, of the order of about one to several hundred nanometers. It is concerned with materials and systems whose structures and components exhibit novel and improved physical, chemical, and biological properties. It enables the exploitation of novel phenomena and processes because of their nanoscale size. The chapter presents some examples of nano and micro engineered membrane technology and its use for nano engineered devices. A technique to pattern surfaces is to evaporate a target material through a thin membrane (shadow mask) with well-defined perforations. Photonic crystals are artificially three-dimensional structures fabricated in an optical material (crystal or amorphous) with unit cells whose dimensions are comparable to the optical wavelength. Nano and microsieves can be used as stencils for patterning, as photonic crystals, but they can also be used as a proper solid support for thin functional membranes. Nanotubes are the hollow cylindrical structures. The chapter discusses the nano printing and etching with phase separated membranes. Research goal in biomembrane science is to study the function of natural biomembranes and to engineer new types of biomembrane materials on the nanometer scale.