Ultra-sharp metal and nanotube-based probes for applications in scanning microscopy and neural recording

A facile fabrication procedure for platinum nanoprobes with high-aspect-ratio and low tip radii via electrochemical etching

Herein, we propose a facile fabrication procedure for platinum (Pt) nanoprobes. Our approach consists in performing a one-step electrochemical etching using a mixture of DI water, acetone, and CaCl₂. Our technique is self-terminated and thus does not necessitate a cut-off circuit nor other sophisticated equipment or set-up commonly used in the fabrication process of Pt nanoprobes. The Pt nanoprobes thereby manufactured demonstrate small tip radii, a high aspect-ratio, no detectable surface contamination, and good reproducibility.

Nanostructured Tip-Shaped Biosensors: Application of Six Sigma Approach for Enhanced Manufacturing

Nanostructured tip-shaped biosensors have drawn attention for biomolecule detection as they are promising for highly sensitive and specific detection of a target analyte. Using a nanostructured tip, the sensitivity is increased to identify individual molecules because of the high aspect ratio structure. Various detection methods, such as electrochemistry, fluorescence microcopy, and Raman spectroscopy, have been attempted to enhance the sensitivity and the specificity. Due to the confined path of electrons, electrochemical measurement using a nanotip enables the detection of single molecules. When an electric field is combined with capillary action and fluid flow, target molecules can be effectively concentrated onto a nanotip surface for detection. To enhance the concentration efficacy, a dendritic nanotip rather than a single tip could be used to detect target analytes, such as nanoparticles, cells, and DNA. However, reproducible fabrication with relation to specific detection remains a challenge due to the instability of a manufacturing method, resulting in inconsistent shape. In this paper, nanostructured biosensors are reviewed with our experimental results using dendritic nanotips for sequence specific detection of DNA. By the aid of the Six Sigma approach, the fabrication yield of dendritic nanotips increases from 20.0% to 86.6%. Using the nanotips, DNA is concentrated and detected in a sequence specific way with the detection limit equivalent to 1000 CFU/mL. The pros and cons of a nanotip biosensor are evaluated in conjunction with future prospects.

High-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy imaging of Si(1 1 1)-7 × 7 structure and intrinsic molecular states

We review our achievements in exploring the high resolution imaging of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) on the surface and adsorbates in a ultra-high vacuum system, by modifying the STM tip or introducing a decoupled layer onto the substrate. With an ultra-sharp tip, the highest resolution of Si(1 1 1)-7 × 7 reconstruction can be achieved, in which all the rest atoms and adatoms are observed simultaneously with high contrast. Further functionalization of STM tips can realize selective imaging of inherent molecular states. The electronic states of perylene and metal-phthalocyanine molecules are resolved with special decorated tips on metal substrates at low temperature. Moreover, we present two kinds of buffer layer: an organic molecular layer and epitaxially grown graphene to decouple the molecular electronic structure from the influence of the underlying metallic substrate and allow the direct imaging of the intrinsic orbitals of the adsorbed molecules. Theoretical calculations and STM simulations, based on first-principle density function theory, are performed in order to understand and verify the mechanism of high-resolution images. We propose that our results provide impactful routes to pursue the goal of higher resolution, more detailed information and extensive properties for future STM applications.

Insulated conducting cantilevered nanotips and two-chamber recording system for high resolution ion sensing AFM

Biological membranes contain ion channels, which are nanoscale pores allowing controlled ionic transport and mediating key biological functions underlying normal/abnormal living. Synthetic membranes with defined pores are being developed to control various processes, including filtration of pollutants, charge transport for energy storage, and separation of fluids and molecules. Although ionic transport (currents) can be measured with single channel resolution, imaging their structure and ionic currents simultaneously is difficult. Atomic force microscopy enables high resolution imaging of nanoscale structures and can be modified to measure ionic currents simultaneously. Moreover, the ionic currents can also be used to image structures. A simple method for fabricating conducting AFM cantilevers to image pore structures at high resolution is reported. Tungsten microwires with nanoscale tips are insulated except at the apex. This allows simultaneous imaging via cantilever deflections in normal AFM force feedback mode as well as measuring localized ionic currents. These novel probes measure ionic currents as small as picoampere while providing nanoscale spatial resolution surface topography and is suitable for measuring ionic currents and conductance of biological ion channels.

Note: benign and reproducible preparation of titanium tips

Fabrication of titanium tips via electrochemical etching is commonly hindered by the formation of a tough oxide layer. A new one-step approach based on dc etching in a non-aqueous electrolyte is presented. The electrochemical tip etching was carried out at 20 V in a benign etchant of 1M NaCl in ethylene glycol. Tip radii below 100 nm are demonstrated using current cut-off control and approaching 150 nm without cut-off control. The simplicity and efficiency of the approach eliminates pre and post electropolishing steps due to the electropolishing capability of a NaCl-ethylene glycol based electrolyte.

Intracellular Neural Recording with Pure Carbon Nanotube Probes

The computational complexity of the brain depends in part on a neuron’s capacity to integrate electrochemical information from vast numbers of synaptic inputs. The measurements of synaptic activity that are crucial for mechanistic understanding of brain function are also challenging, because they require intracellular recording methods to detect and resolve millivolt- scale synaptic potentials. Although glass electrodes are widely used for intracellular recordings, novel electrodes with superior mechanical and electrical properties are desirable, because they could extend intracellular recording methods to challenging environments, including long term recordings in freely behaving animals. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can theoretically deliver this advance, but the difficulty of assembling CNTs has limited their application to a coating layer or assembly on a planar substrate, resulting in electrodes that are more suitable for in vivo extracellular recording or extracellular recording from isolated cells. Here we show that a novel, yet remarkably simple, millimeter-long electrode with a sub-micron tip, fabricated from self-entangled pure CNTs can be used to obtain intracellular and extracellular recordings from vertebrate neurons in vitro and in vivo. This fabrication technology provides a new method for assembling intracellular electrodes from CNTs, affording a promising opportunity to harness nanotechnology for neuroscience applications.