High-Throughput Single-Entity Electrochemistry with Microelectrode Arrays

We describe micro- and nanoelectrode array analysis with an automated version of the array microcell method (AMCM). Characterization of hundreds of electrodes, with diameters ranging from 100 nm to 2 μm, was carried out by using AMCM voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The influence of solvent evaporation on mass transport in the AMCM pipette and the resultant electrochemical response were investigated, with experimental results supported by finite element method simulations. We also describe the application of AMCM to high-throughput single-entity electrochemistry in measurements of stochastic nanoparticle impacts. Collision experiments recorded 3270 single-particle events from 671 electrodes. Data collection parameters were optimized to enable these experiments to be completed in a few hours, and the collision transient sizes were analyzed with a U-Net deep learning model. Elucidation of collision transient sizes by histograms from these experiments was enhanced due to the large sample size possible with AMCM.

3D-Printed Carbon Nanoneedle Electrodes for Dopamine Detection in Drosophila

In vivo electrochemistry in small brain regions or synapses requires nanoelectrodes with long straight tips for submicron scale measurements. Nanoelectrodes can be fabricated using a Nanoscribe two-photon printer, but annealed tips curl if they are long and thin. We propose a new pulling-force strategy to fabricate a straight carbon nanoneedle structure. A micron-width bridge is printed between two blocks. The annealed structure shrinks during pyrolysis, and the blocks create a pulling force to form a long, thin, and straight carbon bridge. Parameterization study and COMSOL modeling indicate changes in the block size, bridge size and length affect the pulling force and bridge shrinkage. Electrodes were printed on niobium wires, insulated with aluminum oxide, and the bridge cut with focused ion beam (FIB) to expose the nanoneedle tip. Annealed needle diameters ranged from 400 nm to 5.25 µm and length varied from 50.5 µm to 146 µm. The electrochemical properties are similar to glassy carbon, with good performance for dopamine detection with fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. Nanoelectrodes enable biological applications, such as dopamine detection in a specific Drosophila brain region. Long and thin nanoneedles are generally useful for other applications such as cellular sensing, drug delivery, or gas sensing.

Reversible Binding Interfaces Made of Microstructured Polymer Brushes

The polymer brush architecture of the end-tethered polymer molecules is one of the most widely used efficient methods to regulate interfacial interactions in colloidal systems found in live matter and manufactured materials. Emerging applications of polymer brush structures require solutions to new tasks in the control of interfacial interactions. The rapid development of live cell manufacturing relies on scalable and efficient cell harvesting methods. Stimuli-responsive surfaces made of surface-grafted poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) can bind and detach the adherent cell upon changes in temperature and have been used for cell growth and harvesting. The applications are limited by the requirement to satisfy a range of PNIPAM coating characteristics that depend on the dimensions of the integrin complex in the cell membrane and the basal surface. The analysis of the microstructured surfaces, when adhesive and disjoining functions of the microdomains are decoupled, shows that many limitations of PNIPAM one-component coatings can be avoided by using a much broader range of structural characteristics of the microstructured interfaces composed of alternating disjoining PNIPAM domains and adhesive polymeric domains with cell-affinity functional groups. Temperature-controlled reversible adhesion to such microstructured interfaces is studied here experimentally with model systems of solid spherical particles and by employing simulations for solid and soft membranes interacting with the microstructured surfaces to mimic interactions with soft and solid disk-like particles.

Two-Photon Polymerized Shape Memory Microfibers: A New Mechanical Characterization Method in Liquid

Two-photon polymerization (TPP) has been widely used to create 3D micro- and nanoscale scaffolds for biological and mechanobiological studies, which often require the mechanical characterization of the TPP fabricated structures. To satisfy physiological requirements, most of the mechanical characterizations need to be conducted in liquid. However, previous characterizations of TPP fabricated structures were all conducted in air due to the limitation of conventional micro- and nanoscale mechanical testing methods. In this study, we report a new experimental method for testing the mechanical properties of TPP-printed microfibers in liquid. The experiments show that the mechanical behaviors of the microfibers tested in liquid are significantly different from those tested in air. By controlling the TPP writing parameters, the mechanical properties of the microfibers can be tailored over a wide range to meet a variety of mechanobiology applications. In addition, it is found that, in water, the plasticly deformed microfibers can return to their pre-deformed shape after tensile strain is released. The shape recovery time is dependent on the size of microfibers. The experimental method represents a significant advancement in mechanical testing of TPP fabricated structures and may help release the full potential of TPP fabricated 3D tissue scaffold for mechanobiological studies.

A multi-material platform for imaging of single cell-cell junctions under tensile load fabricated with two-photon polymerization

We previously reported a single-cell adhesion micro tensile tester (SCAμTT) fabricated from IP-S photoresin with two-photon polymerization (TPP) for investigating the mechanics of a single cell-cell junction under defined tensile loading. A major limitation of the platform is the autofluorescence of IP-S, the photoresin for TPP fabrication, which significantly increases background signal and makes fluorescent imaging of stretched cells difficult. In this study, we report the design and fabrication of a new SCAμTT platform that mitigates autofluorescence and demonstrate its capability in imaging a single cell pair as its mutual junction is stretched. By employing a two-material design using IP-S and IP-Visio, a photoresin with reduced autofluorescence, we show a significant reduction in autofluorescence of the platform. Further, by integrating apertures onto the substrate with a gold coating, the influence of autofluorescence on imaging is almost completely mitigated. With this new platform, we demonstrate the ability to image a pair of epithelial cells as they are stretched up to 250% strain, allowing us to observe junction rupture and F-actin retraction while simultaneously recording the accumulation of over 800 kPa of stress in the junction. The platform and methodology presented here can potentially enable detailed investigation of the mechanics of and mechanotransduction in cell-cell junctions and improve the design of other TPP platforms in mechanobiology applications.

Carbonized Polymer for Joule Heating Processing Towards Biosensor Development

This paper presents the experimental findings towards developing carbonized microelectrodes using a Joule heating process within a temperature window that is compatible with CMOS. Bridge-on-pillars polymer structures have been 3D-printed using two-photon polymerization (2PP). They have been annealed in various processing conditions to increase the fraction of carbon in the precursor material and to achieve appreciable electric conductivity so that they can be used to drive current to enable Joule heating. To evaluate the outcome of the processing sequences, Raman spectroscopy has been performed to assess the degree of carbonization. Such CMOS-compatible carbon electrodes are important for monolithic, low-cost biosensor development.Clinical relevance- This establishes the potential of carbonized polymer electrode for low-cost, CMOS-compatible monolithic biosensor platform for implementation in medical diagnosis and treatment.

Engineering Tunneling Selector to Achieve High Non-linearity for 1S1R Integration

Memristor devices have been extensively studied as one of the most promising technologies for next-generation non-volatile memory. However, for the memristor devices to have a real technological impact, they must be densely packed in a large crossbar array (CBA) exceeding Gigabytes in size. Devising a selector device that is CMOS compatible, 3D stackable, and has a high non-linearity (NL) and great endurance is a crucial enabling ingredient to reach this goal. Tunneling based selectors are very promising in these aspects, but the mediocre NL value limits their applications in large passive crossbar arrays. In this work, we demonstrated a trilayer tunneling selector based on the Ge/Pt/TaN1+x/Ta2O5/TaN1+x/Pd layers that could achieve a NL of 3 × 105, which is the highest NL achieved using a tunnel selector so far. The record-high tunneling NL is partially attributed to the bottom electrode's ultra-smoothness (BE) induced by a Ge/Pt layer. We further demonstrated the feasibility of 1S1R (1-selector 1-resistor) integration by vertically integrating a Pd/Ta2O5/Ru based memristor on top of the proposed selector.

Influence of Geometry on Thin Layer and Diffusion Processes at Carbon Electrodes

The geometric structure of carbon electrodes affects their electrochemical behavior, and large-scale surface roughness leads to thin layer electrochemistry when analyte is trapped in pores. However, the current response is always a mixture of both thin layer and diffusion processes. Here, we systematically explore the effects of thin layer electrochemistry and diffusion at carbon fiber (CF), carbon nanospike (CNS), and carbon nanotube yarn (CNTY) electrodes. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) response to the surface-insensitive redox couple Ru(NH₃)₆^3+/2+ is tested, so the geometric structure is the only factor. At CFs, the reaction is diffusion-controlled because the surface is smooth. CNTY electrodes have gaps between nanotubes that are about 10 μm deep, comparable with the diffusion layer thickness. CNTY electrodes show clear thin layer behavior due to trapping effects, with more symmetrical peaks and ΔE_p closer to zero. CNS electrodes have submicrometer scale roughness, so their CV shape is mostly due to diffusion, not thin layer effects. However, even the 10% contribution of thin layer behavior reduces the peak separation by 30 mV, indicating ΔE_p is influenced not only by electron transfer kinetics but also by surface geometry. A new simulation model is developed to quantitate the thin layer and diffusion contributions that explains the CV shape and peak separation for CNS and CNTY electrodes, providing insight on the impact of scan rate and surface structure size. Thus, this study provides key understanding of thin layer and diffusion processes at different surface structures and will enable rational design of electrodes with thin layer electrochemistry.

3D-Printed Carbon Nanoelectrodes for In Vivo Neurotransmitter Sensing

Direct laser writing, a nano 3D-printing approach, has enabled fabrication of customized carbon microelectrode sensors for neurochemical detection. However, to detect neurotransmitters in tiny biological organisms or synapses, submicrometer nanoelectrodes are required. In this work, we used 3D printing to fabricate carbon nanoelectrode sensors. Customized structures were 3D printed and then pyrolyzed, resulting in free-standing carbon electrodes with nanotips. The nanoelectrodes were insulated with atomic layer deposition of Al₂O₃ and the nanotips were polished by a focused ion beam to form 600 nm disks. Using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry, the electrodes successfully detected stimulated dopamine in the adult fly brain, demonstrating that they are robust and sensitive enough to use in tiny biological systems. This work is the first demonstration of 3D printing to fabricate free-standing carbon nanoelectrode sensors and will enable batch fabrication of customized nanoelectrode sensors with precise control and excellent reproducibility.

Carbon nanospikes have better electrochemical properties than carbon nanotubes due to greater surface roughness and defect sites

Carbon nanomaterials are used to improve electrodes for neurotransmitter detection, but what properties are important for maximizing those effects? In this work, we compare a newer form of graphene, carbon nanospikes (CNSs), with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown on wires and carbon fibers (CFs). CNS electrodes have a short, dense, defect-filled surface that produces remarkable electrochemical properties, much better than CNTs or CFs. The CNS surface roughness is 5.5 times greater than glassy carbon, while CNTs enhance roughness only 1.8-fold. D/G ratios are higher for CNS electrodes than CNT electrodes, an indication of more defect sites. For cyclic voltammetry of dopamine and ferricyanide, CNSs have both higher currents and smaller ΔEp values than CNTs and CFs. CNS electrodes also have a very low resistance to charge transfer. With fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV), CNS electrodes have enhanced current density for dopamine and cationic neurotransmitters due to increased adsorption to edge plane sites. This study establishes that not all carbon nanomaterials are equally advantageous for dopamine electrochemistry, but that short, dense nanomaterials that add defect sites provide improved current and electron transfer. CNSs are simple to mass fabricate on a variety of substrates and thus could be a favorable material for neurotransmitter sensing.

Ionic Conductance through Graphene: Assessing Its Applicability as a Proton Selective Membrane

Inspired by recent reports on possible proton conductance through graphene, we have investigated the behavior of pristine graphene and defect engineered graphene membranes for ionic conductance and selectivity with the goal of evaluating a possibility of its application as a proton selective membrane. The averaged conductance for pristine chemical vapor deposited (CVD) graphene at pH1 is ∼4 mS/cm² but varies strongly due to contributions from the unavoidable defects in our CVD graphene. From the variations in the conductance with electrolyte strength and pH, we can conclude that pristine graphene is fairly selective and the conductance is mainly due to protons. Engineering of the defects with ion beam (He⁺, Ga⁺) irradiation and plasma (N₂ and H₂) treatment showed improved areal conductance with high proton selectivity mostly for He-ion beam and H₂ plasma treatments, which agrees with primarily vacancy-free type of defects produced in these cases confirmed by Raman analysis.

Noncontact tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for nanomaterials and biomedical applications

Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) has been established as one the most efficient analytical techniques for probing vibrational states with nanoscale resolution. While TERS may be a source of unique information about chemical structure and interactions, it has a limited use for materials with rough or sticky surfaces. Development of the TERS approach utilizing a non-contact scanning probe microscopy mode can significantly extend the number of applications. Here we demonstrate a proof of the concept and feasibility of a non-contact TERS approach and test it on various materials. Our experiments show that non-contact TERS can provide 10 nm spatial resolution and a Raman signal enhancement factor of 10⁵, making it very promising for chemical imaging of materials with high aspect ratio surface patterns and biomaterials.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Studies of Disc-on-Pillar (DOP) Arrays: Contrasting Enhancement Factor with Analytical Performance

The use of nanomachining methods capable of reproducible construction of nano-arrayed devices have revolutionized the field of plasmonic sensing by the introduction of a diversity of rationally engineered designs. Significant strides have been made to fabricate plasmonic platforms with tailored interparticle gaps to improve their performance for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) applications. Over time, a dichotomy has emerged in the implementation of SERS for analytical applications, the construction of substrates, optimization of interparticle spacing as a means to optimize electromagnetic field enhancement at the localized surface plasmon level, and the substrate sensitivity over extended areas to achieve quantitative performance. This work assessed the enhancement factor of plasmonic Ag/SiO₂/Si disc-on-pillar (DOP) arrays of variable pitch with its analytical performance for quantitative applications. Experimental data were compared with those from finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations used in the optimization of the array dimensions. A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of benzenethiol rendered highly reproducible signals (RSD ∼4-10%) and SERS substrate enhancement factor (SSEF) values in the orders of 10⁶-10⁸ for all pitches. Spectra corresponding to rhodamine 6G (R6G) and 4-aminobenzoic acid demonstrated the advantages of using the more densely packed DOP arrays with a 160 nm pitch (gap = 40 nm) for quantitation in spite of the strongest SSEF was attained for a pitch of 520 nm corresponding to a 400 nm gap.

3D-Printed Carbon Electrodes for Neurotransmitter Detection

Implantable neural microsensors have significantly advanced neuroscience research, but the geometry of most probes is limited by the fabrication methods. Therefore, new methods are needed for batch-manufacturing with high reproducibility. Herein, a novel method is developed using two-photon nanolithography followed by pyrolysis for fabrication of free-standing microelectrodes with a carbon electroactive surface. 3D-printed spherical and conical electrodes were characterized with slow scan cyclic voltammetry (CV). With fast-scan CV, the electrodes showed low dopamine LODs of 11±1 nm (sphere) and 10±2 nm (cone), high sensitivity to multiple neurochemicals, and high reproducibility. Spherical microelectrodes were used to detect dopamine in a brain slice and in vivo, demonstrating they are robust enough for tissue implantation. This work is the first demonstration of 3D-printing of free-standing carbon electrodes; and the method is promising for batch fabrication of customized, implantable neural sensors.

Light-Activated Hybrid Nanocomposite Film for Water and Oxygen Sensing

Oxygen and water vapor sensing properties are investigated in metal-oxide-hybrid polymer nanocomposite thin films generated by infiltration synthesis, which incorporates molecular ZnO into the matrix of SU-8 polymer, a common negative-tone photoresist. The hybrid thin films display 20-fold higher gravimetric responses to oxygen and water vapor than those of control ZnO thin films in the dark. An additional 50-500% enhanced responses are detected under UV irradiation. The overall enhanced gravimetric response in the hybrid film is attributed to the ZnO molecules distributed in the polymer matrix, whereas the UV enhancement is explained by the light-induced, reversible generation of hydrophilic fluoroantimonic acid from triarylsulfonium hexafluoroantimonate photoacids, which leads to the increased surface potential and adsorption energies for oxygen and water. A gravimetric sensor based on a series of ZnO-infiltrated SU-8 films under UV excitation enables 96% accurate classification of water and oxygen environment with sub 10 mTorr detection limits. The results demonstrate UV-induced fully reversible surface hydrophilicity of ZnO/SU-8 hybrid nanocomposites.

Grating-based holographic diffraction methods for X-rays and neutrons: phase object approximation and dynamical theory

A method dubbed grating-based holography was recently used to determine the structure of colloidal fluids in the rectangular grooves of a diffraction grating from X-ray scattering measurements. Similar grating-based measurements have also been recently made with neutrons using a technique called spin-echo small-angle neutron scattering. The analysis of the X-ray diffraction data was done using an approximation that treats the X-ray phase change caused by the colloidal structure as a small perturbation to the overall phase pattern generated by the grating. In this paper, the adequacy of this weak phase approximation is explored for both X-ray and neutron grating holography. It is found that there are several approximations hidden within the weak phase approximation that can lead to incorrect conclusions from experiments. In particular, the phase contrast for the empty grating is a critical parameter. While the approximation is found to be perfectly adequate for X-ray grating holography experiments performed to date, it cannot be applied to similar neutron experiments because the latter technique requires much deeper grating channels.

Surface Modification of Silicon Pillar Arrays To Enhance Fluorescence Detection of Uranium and DNA

There is an ever-growing need for detection methods that are both sensitive and efficient, such that reagent and sample consumption is minimized. Nanopillar arrays offer an attractive option to fill this need by virtue of their small scale in conjunction with their field enhancement intensity gains. This work investigates the use of nanopillar substrates for the detection of the uranyl ion and DNA, two analytes unalike but for their low quantum efficiencies combined with the need for high-throughput analyses. Herein, the adaptability of these platforms was explored, as methods for the successful surface immobilization of both analytes were developed and compared, resulting in a limit of detection for the uranyl ion of less than 1 ppm with a 0.2 μL sample volume. Moreover, differentiation between single-stranded and double-stranded DNA was possible, including qualitative identification between double-stranded DNA and DNA of the same sequence, but with a 10-base-pair mismatch.

Multi-mode humidity sensing with water-soluble copper phthalocyanine for increased sensitivity and dynamic range

Aqueous solubility of copper phthalocyanine-3,4',4″,4″'-tetrasulfonic acid tetrasodium salt (CuPcTs) enables fabrication of flexible electronic devices by low cost inkjet printing. We (1) investigate water adsorption kinetics on CuPcTs for better understanding the effects of relative humidity (RH) on hydrophilic phthalocyanines, and (2) assess CuPcTs as a humidity-sensing material. Reaction models show that H2O undergoes 2-site adsorption which can be represented by a pair of sequentially-occurring pseudo-first order reactions. Using high frequency (300-700 THz) and low frequency (1-8 MHz) dielectric spectroscopy combined with gravimetric measurements and principal component analysis, we observe that significant opto-electrical changes in CuPcTs occur at RH ≈ 60%. The results suggest that rapid H2O adsorption takes place at hydrophilic sulfonyl/salt groups on domain surfaces at low RH, while slow adsorption and diffusion of H2O into CuPcTs crystallites leads to a mixed CuPcTs-H2O phase at RH > 60%, resulting in high frequency dielectric screening of the film by water and dissociation of Na+ from CuPc(SO3-)4 ions. The CuPcTs-H2O interaction can be tracked using a combination of gravimetric, optical, and electrical sensing modes, enabling accurate ( ± 2.5%) sensing in the ~0-95% RH range with a detection limit of less than 0.1% RH.

Carbon nanospikes for biosensing applications

In this paper, we discuss the structure and characteristics of carbon nanospikes. We also compare carbon nanospikes with previously grown carbon nanostructures known as vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (VACNF). Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) is used to fabricate both the nanospikes and VACNF. However, carbon nanospikes do not require a catalyst for the growth process, whereas VACNF requires a catalyst in the growth process. This facilitates batch fabrication with greater reproducibility. Scanning electron microscope images and Raman spectroscopy show that carbon nanospikes fabricated on silver wires will show superior performance.

Hidden Area and Mechanical Nonlinearities in Freestanding Graphene

We investigated the effect of out-of-plane crumpling on the mechanical response of graphene membranes. In our experiments, stress was applied to graphene membranes using pressurized gas while the strain state was monitored through two complementary techniques: interferometric profilometry and Raman spectroscopy. By comparing the data obtained through these two techniques, we determined the geometric hidden area which quantifies the crumpling strength. While the devices with hidden area ∼0% obeyed linear mechanics with biaxial stiffness 428±10  N/m, specimens with hidden area in the range 0.5%-1.0% were found to obey an anomalous nonlinear Hooke's law with an exponent ∼0.1.

Centrifugal-driven, reduced-dimension, planar chromatography

A fundamental problem with efficiency in capillary action driven planar chromatography results from diminishing flow rates as development proceeds, giving rise to molecular diffusion related band dispersion for most sample types. Overpressure and electrokinetic means to speed flow have been used successfully in TLC. We explore the use of centrifugal force (CF) to drive flow for reduced-dimension planar platforms (ultra-TLC, low micrometer features, and nano-TLC, nanoscale features). The silicon wafer platforms have two forms of continuous 2D arrays created by either photolithography or metal dewetting followed by deep reactive ion etching and coated with porous SiO₂ . The flow pattern is unusual with co-planar flows above and within the arrays. The effects of parameters such as spin rate, solvent type, and surface character on flow rates is established and can be substantially greater than capillary action flow. Using fluorescent dyes, we investigate retardation factors and chromatographic plate height; the latter falls in the low to sub-micrometer range. To the best of our knowledge, we demonstrate the first analytical separations performed in pillar arrays using CF to augment solvent flow.

Performance Characteristics of Bio-Inspired Metal Nanostructures as Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattered (SERS) Substrates

The fabrication of high-performance plasmonic nanomaterials for bio-sensing and trace chemical detection is a field of intense theoretical and experimental research. The use of metal-silicon nanopillar arrays as analytical sensors has been reported with reasonable results in recent years. The use of bio-inspired nanocomposite structures that follow the Fibonacci numerical architecture offers the opportunity to develop nanostructures with theoretically higher and more reproducible plasmonic fields over extended areas. The work presented here describes the nanofabrication process for a series of 40 µm × 40 µm bio-inspired arrays classified as asymmetric fractals (sunflower seeds and romanesco broccoli), bilaterally symmetric (acacia leaves and honeycombs), and radially symmetric (such as orchids and lily flowers) using electron beam lithography. In addition, analytical capabilities were evaluated using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The substrate characterization and SERS performance of the developed substrates as the strategies to assess the design performance are presented and discussed.

Retention in Porous Layer Pillar Array Planar Separation Platforms

This work presents the retention capabilities and surface area enhancement of highly ordered, high-aspect-ratio, open-platform, two-dimensional (2D) pillar arrays when coated with a thin layer of porous silicon oxide (PSO). Photolithographically prepared pillar arrays were coated with 50-250 nm of PSO via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition and then functionalized with either octadecyltrichlorosilane or n-butyldimethylchlorosilane. Theoretical calculations indicate that a 50 nm layer of PSO increases the surface area of a pillar nearly 120-fold. Retention capabilities were tested by observing capillary-action-driven development under various conditions, as well as by running one-dimensional separations on varying thicknesses of PSO. Increasing the thickness of PSO on an array clearly resulted in greater retention of the analyte(s) in question in both experiments. In culmination, a two-dimensional separation of fluorescently derivatized amines was performed to further demonstrate the capabilities of these fabricated platforms.

Manipulating the inter pillar gap in pillar array ultra-thin layer planar chromatography platforms

An advantage of separation platforms based on deterministic micro- and nano-fabrications, relative to traditional systems based on packed beds of particles, is the exquisite control of all morphological parameters.

The effect of intrinsic crumpling on the mechanics of free-standing graphene

Free-standing graphene is inherently crumpled in the out-of-plane direction due to dynamic flexural phonons and static wrinkling. We explore the consequences of this crumpling on the effective mechanical constants of graphene. We develop a sensitive experimental approach to probe stretching of graphene membranes under low applied stress at cryogenic to room temperatures. We find that the in-plane stiffness of graphene is 20–100 N m⁻¹ at room temperature, much smaller than 340 N m⁻¹ (the value expected for flat graphene). Moreover, while the in-plane stiffness only increases moderately when the devices are cooled down to 10 K, it approaches 300 N m⁻¹ when the aspect ratio of graphene membranes is increased. These results indicate that softening of graphene at temperatures <400 K is caused by static wrinkling, with only a small contribution due to flexural phonons. Together, these results explain the large variation in reported mechanical constants of graphene devices and pave the way towards controlling their mechanical properties.

Free-standing graphene is inherently crumpled in the out-of-plane direction due to dynamic flexural phonons and static wrinkling. Here, the authors use optical interferometry as a delicate probe to investigate the consequences of this crumpling on the effective mechanical constants of graphene.

Enhanced interfacial adhesion and osteogenesis for rapid "bone-like" biomineralization by PECVD-based silicon oxynitride overlays

Structurally unstable fracture sites require metal fixative devices, which have long healing times due to their lack of osteoinductivity. Bioactive glass coatings lack in interfacial bonding, delaminate, and have reduced bioactivity due to the high temperatures used for their fabrication. Here, we test the hypothesis that low-temperature PECVD amorphous silica can enhance adhesion to the underlying metal surface and that N incorporation enhances osteogenesis and rapid biomineralization. A model Ti/TiO2-SiOx interface was formed by first depositing Ti onto Si wafers, followed by surface patterning, thermal annealing to form TiO2, and depositing SiOx/Si(ON)x overlays. TEM micrographs showed conformal SiOx layers on Ti/TiO2 overlays while XPS data revealed the formation of an elemental Ti-O-Si interface. Nanoscratch testing verified strong SiOx bonding with the underlying TiO2 layers. In vitro studies showed that the surface properties changed significantly to reveal the formation of hydroxycarbonate apatite within 6 h, and Si(ON)x surface chemistry induced osteogenic gene expression of human periosteal cells and led to a rapid "bone-like" biomineral formation within 4 weeks. XANES data revealed that the incorporation of N increased the surface HA bioactivity by increasing the carbonate to phosphate ratio. In conclusion, silicon oxynitride overlays on bone-implant systems enhance osteogenesis and biomineralization via surface nitrogen incorporation.

Extrapolating Dynamic Leidenfrost Principles to Metallic Nanodroplets on Asymmetrically Textured Surfaces

In an effort to enhance our knowledge on how to control the movement of metallic nanodroplets, here we have used classical molecular dynamics simulations to investigate whether Cu nanostructures deposited on nanopillared substrates can be made to jump at desired angles. We find that such control is possible, especially for Cu nanostructures that are symmetric; for asymmetric nanostructures, however, control is more uncertain. The work presented here borrows ideas from two seemingly different fields, metallic droplets and water droplets in the dynamic Leidenfrost regime. Despite the differences in the respective systems, we find common ground in their behavior on nanostructured surfaces. Due to this, we suggest that the ongoing research in Leidenfrost droplets is a fertile area for scientists working on metallic nanodroplets.

Nanopillar Based Enhanced-Fluorescence Detection of Surface-Immobilized Beryllium

The unique properties associated with beryllium metal ensures the continued use in many industries despite the documented health and environmental risks. While engineered safeguards and personal protective equipment can reduce risks associated with working with the metal, it has been mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that the workplace air and surfaces must be monitored for toxic levels. While many methods have been developed to monitor levels down to the low μg/m(3), the complexity and expense of these methods have driven the investigation into alternate methodologies. Herein, we use a combination of the previously developed fluorescence Be(II) ion detection reagent, 10-hydroxybenzo[h]quinoline (HBQ), with an optical field enhanced silicon nanopillar array, creating a new surface immobilized (si-HBQ) platform. The si-HBQ platform allows the positive control of the reagent for demonstrated reusability and a pillar diameter based tunable enhancement. Furthermore, native silicon nanopillars are overcoated with thin layers of porous silicon oxide to develop an analytical platform capable of a 0.0006 μg/L limit of detection (LOD) using sub-μL sample volumes. Additionally, we demonstrate a method to multiplex the introduction of the sample to the platform, with minimal 5.2% relative standard deviation (RSD) at 0.1 μg/L, to accommodate the potentially large number of samples needed to maintain industrial compliance. The minimal sample and reagent volumes and lack of complex and highly specific instrumentation, as well as positive control and reusability of traditionally consumable reagents, create a platform that is accessible and economically advantageous.

Quantitative 3D-KPFM imaging with simultaneous electrostatic force and force gradient detection

Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) is a powerful characterization technique for imaging local electrochemical and electrostatic potential distributions and has been applied across a broad range of materials and devices. Proper interpretation of the local KPFM data can be complicated, however, by convolution of the true surface potential under the tip with additional contributions due to long range capacitive coupling between the probe (e.g. cantilever, cone, tip apex) and the sample under test. In this work, band excitation (BE)-KPFM is used to negate such effects. In contrast to traditional single frequency KPFM, multifrequency BE-KPFM is shown to afford dual sensitivity to both the electrostatic force and the force gradient detection, analogous to simultaneous amplitude modulated and frequency modulated KPFM imaging. BE-KPFM is demonstrated on a Pt/Au/SiO(x) test structure and electrostatic force gradient detection is found to lead to an improved lateral resolution compared to electrostatic force detection. Finally, a 3D-KPFM imaging technique is developed. Force volume (FV) BE-KPFM allows the tip-sample distance dependence of the electrostatic interactions (force and force gradient) to be recorded at each point across the sample surface. As such, FVBE-KPFM provides a much needed pathway towards complete tip-sample capacitive de-convolution in KPFM measurements and will enable quantitative surface potential measurements with nanoscale resolution.

Nanoscale pillar arrays for separations

The work presented herein evaluates silicon nano-pillar arrays for use in planar chromatography. Electron beam lithography and metal thermal dewetting protocols were used to create nano-thin layer chromatography platforms. With these fabrication methods we are able to reduce the size of the characteristic features in a separation medium below that used in ultra-thin layer chromatography; i.e. pillar heights are 1-2 μm and pillar diameters are typically in the 200-400 nm range. In addition to the intrinsic nanoscale aspects of the systems, it is shown they can be further functionalized with nanoporous layers and traditional stationary phases for chromatography; hence exhibit broad-ranging lab-on-a-chip and point-of-care potential. Because of an inherent high permeability and very small effective mass transfer distance between pillars, chromatographic efficiency can be very high but is enhanced herein by stacking during development and focusing while drying, yielding plate heights in the nm range separated band volumes. Practical separations of fluorescent dyes, fluorescently derivatized amines, and anti-tumor drugs are illustrated.

Cavitation on deterministically nanostructured surfaces in contact with an aqueous phase: a small-angle neutron scattering study

The structure of deterministically nanopatterned surfaces created using a combination of electron beam lithography and reactive ion etching was evaluated using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Samples exhibit 2D neutron scattering patterns that confirm the presence of ordered nanoscale cavities consistent with the targeted morphologies as well as with SEM data analysis. Comparison of SANS intensities obtained from samples in air and in contact with an aqueous phase (pure deuterium oxide, D2O, or a contrast matched mixture of D2O + H2O) reveals formation of stable gaseous nanobubbles trapped inside the cavities. The relative volume of nanobubbles depends strongly on the hydrophobicity of the cavity walls. In the case of hydrophobic surfaces, nanobubbles occupy up to 87% of the total cavity volume. The results demonstrate the high degree of sensitivity of SANS measurements for detecting and characterizing nano- and mesoscale bubbles with the volume fraction as low as ∼10(-6).

Length scale of Leidenfrost ratchet switches droplet directionality

Arrays of tilted pillars with characteristic heights spanning from hundreds of nanometers to tens of micrometers were created using wafer level processing and used as Leidenfrost ratchets to control droplet directionality. Dynamic Leidenfrost droplets on the ratchets with nanoscale features were found to move in the direction of the pillar tilt while the opposite directionality was observed on the microscale ratchets. This remarkable switch in the droplet directionality can be explained by varying contributions from the two distinct mechanisms controlling droplet motion on Leidenfrost ratchets with nanoscale and microscale features. In particular, asymmetric wettability of dynamic Leidenfrost droplets upon initial impact appears to be the dominant mechanism determining their directionality on tilted nanoscale pillar arrays. By contrast, asymmetric wetting does not provide a strong enough driving force compared to the forces induced by asymmetric vapour flow on arrays of much taller tilted microscale pillars. Furthermore, asymmetric wetting plays a role only in the dynamic Leidenfrost regime, for instance when droplets repeatedly jump after their initial impact. The point of crossover between the two mechanisms coincides with the pillar heights comparable to the values of the thinnest vapor layers still capable of cushioning Leidenfrost droplets upon their initial impact. The proposed model of the length scale dependent interplay between the two mechanisms points to the previously unexplored ability to bias movement of dynamic Leidenfrost droplets and even switch their directionality.

A new approach for probing matter in periodic nanoconfinements using neutron scattering

The efficacy of spin-echo small-angle neutron scattering (SESANS) combined with an exact dynamical theory (DT) model in resolving the arrangement of spherical colloidal particles in planar confinements, such as the channels of a rectangular diffraction grating, is reported. SESANS data obtained with a suspension of charge-stabilized 180 nm silica particles in contact with a silicon diffraction grating, with ∼650 nm-wide channels, show clear deviations from the signal expected from a homogenous distribution of the suspension. DT fits to the data indicate that the colloidal particles are almost twice as concentrated in the channels as they are in the neighboring bulk suspension, consistent with a structure in which the particles are arranged in close-packed sheets parallel to the walls of the confining channels.

Asymmetric wettability of nanostructures directs leidenfrost droplets

Leidenfrost phenomena on nano- and microstructured surfaces are of great importance for increasing control over heat transfer in high power density systems utilizing boiling phenomena. They also provide an elegant means to direct droplet motion in a variety of recently emerging fluidic systems. Here, we report the fabrication and characterization of tilted nanopillar arrays (TNPAs) that exhibit directional Leidenfrost water droplets under dynamic conditions, namely on impact with Weber numbers ≥40 at T ≥ 325 °C. The directionality for these droplets is opposite to the direction previously exhibited by macro- and microscale Leidenfrost ratchets where movement against the tilt of the ratchet was observed. The batch fabrication of the TNPAs was achieved by glancing-angle anisotropic reactive ion etching of a thermally dewet platinum mask, with mean pillar diameters of 100 nm and heights of 200-500 nm. In contrast to previously implemented macro- and microscopic Leidenfrost ratchets, our TNPAs induce no preferential directional movement of Leidenfrost droplets under conditions approaching steady-state film boiling, suggesting that the observed droplet directionality is not a result of the widely accepted mechanism of asymmetric vapor flow. Using high-speed imaging, phase diagrams were constructed for the boiling behavior upon impact for droplets falling onto TNPAs, straight nanopillar arrays, and smooth silicon surfaces. The asymmetric impact and directional trajectory of droplets was exclusive to the TNPAs for impacts corresponding to the transition boiling regime, linking asymmetric surface wettability to preferential directionality of dynamic Leidenfrost droplets on nanostructured surfaces.

Lithography-free approach to highly efficient, scalable SERS substrates based on disordered clusters of disc-on-pillar structures

We present a lithography-free technological strategy that enables fabrication of large area substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with excellent performance in the red to NIR spectral range. Our approach takes advantage of metal dewetting as a facile means to create stochastic arrays of circular patterns suitable for subsequent fabrication of plasmonic disc-on-pillar (DOP) structures using a combination of anisotropic reactive ion etching (RIE) and thin film deposition. Consistent with our previous studies of individual DOP structures, pillar height which, in turn, is defined by the RIE processing time, has a dramatic effect on the SERS performance of stochastic arrays of DOP structures. Our computational analysis of model DOP systems confirms the strong effect of the pillar height and also explains the broadband sensitivity of the implemented SERS substrates. Our Raman mapping data combined with SEM structural analysis of the substrates exposed to benzenethiol solutions indicates that clustering of shorter DOP structures and bundling of taller ones is a likely mechanism contributing to higher SERS activity. Nonetheless, bundled DOP structures appeared to be consistently less SERS-active than vertically aligned clusters of DOPs with optimized parameters. The latter are characterized by average SERS enhancement factors above 10(7).

Highly ordered silicon pillar arrays as platforms for planar chromatography

Unlike HPLC, there has been sparse advancement in the stationary phases used for planar chromatography. Nevertheless, modernization of planar chromatography platforms can further highlight the technique's ability to separate multiple samples simultaneously, utilize orthogonal separation formats, image (detect) separations without rigorous temporal demands, and its overall simplicity. This paper describes the fabrication and evaluation of ordered pillar arrays that are chemically modified for planar chromatography and inspected by fluorescence microscopy to detect solvent development and analyte bands (spots). Photolithography, in combination with anisotropic deep reactive ion etching, is used to produce uniform high aspect ratio silicon pillars. The pillar heights, diameters, and pitch variations are approximately 15-20 μm, 1-3 μm, and 2-6 μm, respectively, with the total pillar array size typically 1 cm × 3 cm. The arrays are imaged using scanning electron microscopy in order to measure the pillar diameter and pitch as well as analyze the pillar sidewalls after etching and stationary phase functionalization. These fluidic arrays will enable exploration of the impact on mass transport and chromatographic efficiency caused by altering the pillar array morphology. A C18 reverse stationary phase (RP), common RP solvents that are transported by traditional but uniquely rapid capillary flow, and Rhodamine 6G (R6G) as the preliminary analyte are used for this initial evaluation. The research presented in this article is aimed at understanding and overcoming the unique challenges in developing and utilizing ordered pillar arrays as a new platform for planar chromatography: focusing on fabrication of expansive arrays, studies of solvent transport, methods to create compatible sample spots, and an initial evaluation of band dispersion.

Silicon nanopillars as a platform for enhanced fluorescence analysis

The importance of fluorescent detection in many fields is well established. While advancements in instrumentation and the development of brighter fluorophore have increased sensitivity and lowered the detection limits of the method, additional gains can be made by manipulating the local electromagnetic field. Herein we take advantage of silicon nanopillars that exhibit optical resonances and field enhancement on their surfaces and demonstrate their potential in improving performance of biomolecular fluorescent assays. We use electron beam lithography and wafer scale processes to create silicon nanoscale pillars with dimensions that can be tuned to maximize fluorescence enhancement in a particular spectral region. Performance of the nanopillar based fluorescent assay was quantified using two model bioaffinity systems (biotin-streptavidin and immunoglobulin G-antibody) as well as covalent binding of fluorescently tagged bovine serum albumin (BSA). The effects of pillar geometry and number of pillars in arrays were evaluated. Color specific and pillar diameter dependent enhancement of fluorescent signals is clearly demonstrated using green and red labels (FITC, DyLight 488, Alexa 568, and Alexa 596). The ratios of the on pillar to off pillar signals normalized by the nominal increase in surface area due to nanopillars were found to be 43, 75, and 292 for the IgG-antibody assay, streptavidin-biotin system, and covalently attached BSA, respectively. Applicability of the presented approaches to the detection of small numbers of molecules was evaluated using highly diluted labeled proteins and also control experiments without biospecific analytes. Our analysis indicates that detection of fewer than 10 tagged proteins is possible.

Bi-material terahertz sensors using metamaterial structures

In this paper we report on the design, fabrication and characterization of terahertz (THz) bi-material sensors with metamaterial absorbers. MEMS fabrication-friendly SiOx and Al are used to maximize the bimetallic effect and metamaterial absorption at 3.8 THz, the frequency of a quantum cascade laser illumination source. Sensors with different configurations were fabricated and the measured absorption is near 100% and responsivity is around 1.2 deg/μW, which agree well with finite element simulations. The results indicate the potential of using these detectors to fabricate focal plane arrays for real time THz imaging.

Infrared microcalorimetric spectroscopy using quantum cascade lasers

We have investigated an IR microcalorimetric spectroscopy technique that can be used to detect the presence of trace amounts of target molecules. The chemical detection is accomplished by obtaining the IR photothermal spectra of molecules adsorbed on the surface of uncooled thermal micromechanical detectors. Although we use a chemical layer to absorb target molecules, IR microcalorimetric spectroscopy requires no chemical specific coatings. The chemical specificity of the presented method is a consequence of the wavelength-specific absorption of IR photons from tunable quantum cascade lasers due to vibrational spectral bands of the analyte. We have obtained IR photothermal spectra for trace concentrations of 1,3,5-Trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine and a monolayer of 2-Sulfanylethan-1-ol (2-mercaptoethanol) over the wavelength region from 6 to 10 μm. We found that both chemicals exhibit a number of photothermal absorption features that are in good agreement with their respective IR spectra.

Characterization of hydrogen responsive nanoporous palladium films synthesized via a spontaneous galvanic displacement reaction

A model is presented regarding the mechanistic properties associated with the interaction of hydrogen with nanoporous palladium (np-Pd) films prepared using a spontaneous galvanic displacement reaction (SGDR), which involves PdCl(2) reduction by atomic Ag. Characterization of these films shows both chemical and morphological factors, which influence the performance characteristics of np-Pd microcantilever (MC) nanomechanical sensing devices. Raman spectroscopy, uniquely complemented with MC response profiles, is used to explore the chemical influence of palladium oxide (PdO). These combined techniques support a reaction mechanism that provides for rapid response to H(2) and recovery in the presence of O(2). Post-SGDR processing via reduction of PdCl(2)(s) in a H(2) environment results in a segregated nanoparticle three-dimensional matrix dispersed in a silver layer. The porous nature of the reduced material is shown by high resolution scanning electron microscopy. Extended grain boundaries, typical of these materials, result in a greater surface area conducive to fast sorption/desorption of hydrogen, encouraged by the presence of PdO. X-ray diffraction and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy are employed to study changes in morphology and chemistry occurring in these nanoporous films under different processing conditions. The unique nature of chemical/morphological effects, as demonstrated by the above characterization methods, provides evidence in support of observed nanomechanical response/recovery profiles offering insight for catalysis, H(2) storage and improved sensing applications.

Infrared imaging using arrays of SiO2 micromechanical detectors

In this Letter, we describe the fabrication of an array of bimaterial detectors for infrared (IR) imaging that utilize SiO(2) as a structural material. All the substrate material underneath the active area of each detector element was removed. Each detector element incorporates an optical resonant cavity layer in the IR-absorbing region of the sensing element. The simplified microfabrication process requires only four photolithographic steps with no wet etching or sacrificial layers. The thermomechanical deflection sensitivity was 7.9×10(-3) rad/K, which corresponds to a noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) of 2.9 mK. In the present work, the array was used to capture IR images while operating at room temperature and atmospheric pressure without the need for vacuum packaging. The average measured NETD of our IR detector system was approximately 200 mK, but some sensing elements exhibited an NETD of 50 mK.

Near-field microwave scanning probe imaging of conductivity inhomogeneities in CVD graphene

We have performed near-field scanning microwave microscopy (SMM) of graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition. Due to the use of probe-sample capacitive coupling and a relatively high ac frequency of a few GHz, this scanning probe method allows mapping of local conductivity without a dedicated counter electrode, with a spatial resolution of about 50 nm. Here, the coupling was enabled by atomic layer deposition of alumina on top of graphene, which in turn enabled imaging both large-area films, as well as micron-sized islands, with a dynamic range covering a low sheet resistance of a metal film and a high resistance of highly disordered graphene. The structures of graphene grown on Ni films and Cu foils are explored, and the effects of growth conditions are elucidated. We present a simple general scheme for interpretation of the contrast in the SMM images of our graphene samples and other two-dimensional conductors, which is supported by extensive numerical finite-element modeling. We further demonstrate that combination of the SMM and numerical modeling allows quantitative information about the sheet resistance of graphene to be obtained, paving the pathway for characterization of graphene conductivity with a sub-100 nm special resolution.

Silicon nanopillars for field-enhanced surface spectroscopy

Silicon nanowire and nanopillar structures have drawn increased attention in recent years due in part to their unique optical properties. Herein, electron beam lithography combined with reactive-ion etching is used to reproducibly create individual silicon nanopillars of various sizes, shapes, and heights. Finite difference time domain analysis predicts local field intensity enhancements in the vicinity of appropriately sized and coaxially illuminated silicon nanopillars of approximately 2 orders of magnitude. While this level of enhancement is modest when compared to plasmonic systems, the unique advantage of the silicon nanopillar resonators is that they enhance optical fields in substantially larger volumes. By analyzing experimentally measured strength of the silicon Raman phonon line (500 cm(-1)), it was determined that nanopillars produced local field enhancements that are consistent with these predictions. Additionally, we demonstrate that a thin layer of Zn phthalocyanine on the nanopillar surface with a total amount of <30 attomoles produced prominent Raman spectra, yielding enhancement factors (EFs) better than 2 orders of magnitude. Finally, silicon nanopillars of cylindrical and elliptical shapes were labeled with different fluorophors and evaluated for their surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF) capability. The EFs derived from analysis of the acquired fluorescence microscopy images indicate that silicon nanopillar structures can provide enhancements comparable or even stronger than those typically achieved using plasmonic SEF structures without the limitations of the metal-based substrates, such as fluorescence quenching and an insufficiently large probe volume. It is anticipated that dense arrays of silicon nanopillars will enable SEF assays with extremely high sensitivity, while a broader impact of the reported phenomena is anticipated in photovoltaics, subwavelength light focusing, and fundamental nanophotonics.