Module 1B: Generic Methodologies for BioNanotechnology (SOMS5110)

Outline syllabus

• Lecture 1 - Introduction to Nanoscale Materials Classification of nanostructured materials, systems and devices. Lengthscales involved and effect on properties:. Introduction to properties and motivation for study.
• Lecture 2 - Introduction to Bionanotechnology I Biology on the nanoscale; Molecular Motors; Nanotechnology with applications in biomedicine and research.
• Lecture 3 - Introduction to Bionanotechnology II Force spectroscopy (e.g., Optical Tweezers); Using biology to make nanostructures.
• Tutorial I - 1 hour Discussion of Nanotechnology. Applications. Social and Ethical Issues.
• Lecture 4A - Preparation Techniques for Bionanotechnology I Self assembly and templating - Including DNA topography, biopolymerization, cross-linked enzyme aggregates, aptamers
• Lecture 4B - Preparation Techniques for Bionanotechnology II Surface functionalisation and SAMS
• Lecture 5 - Patterning and Lithography for Nanoscale Devices Soft lithography, contact printing and stamping. Machining.
• Lecture 6 - Preparation environments Clean rooms - specification and design, air and water purity, requirements for particular processes; vibration-free environments: services and facilities required; working practices, sample cleaning, chemical purification, chemical and biological contamination; safety issues, flammable and toxic hazards, bio-hazards.
• Laboratory/ Demonstration session I Discussion of lithography; Tour of cleanroom; Demonstration of FIB and EBL.
• Tutorial II - 1 hour Aspects of Nanotechnology; Learning Skills; Essay questions
• Lecture 7 - Survey of Characterisation techniques Incident and monitored radiation, radiation-solid interactions, lateral and depth resolution considerations for nanostructures.
• Lecture 8 - Bionanostructural Characterization of thin films possibly double lecture Methods for investigating thin biofilms - dual polarization interferometry, surface plasmon resonance, ellipsometry, QCM and impedance spectroscopy
• Lectures 9a and 9b- Applications of Photon Techniques Electromagnetic radiation - definition, production, manipulation, detection and quantification, interaction with matter, principles of continuous and time resolved spectroscopic methods.
• Tutorial III Case studies of nanoscale characterization: discussion and overview of techniques available.
• Lecture 10 - Introduction to Crystallography and diffraction techniques Crystallography and introduction to experimental set-up and background physics of XRD and neutron diffraction.
• Lecture 11 Fluorescence methods FRET/FRAP, excitation with evanescent waves, single molecule fluorescence
• Laboratory/ Demonstration session II Fluorescence Microscopy, FRAP
• Lecture 12 - Electron Microscopy I Introduction to SEM, TEM and STEM; SEM experimental setup and contrast mechanisms, field emission SEM, EBSD, environmental SEM; STEM and atomic resolution imaging - SuperSTEM
• Lecture 13 - Electron Microscopy II TEM experimental setup and contrast mechanisms; electron diffraction SAED and CBED. High resolution TEM and structure determination.
• Lecture 14 - Electron Microscopy III Analytical electron microscopy in SEM, TEM and STEM; EDX, CL and EELS.
• Laboratory/ Demonstration session III - 3 hours 90 min SEM, 90 min hour TEM - plus computer based learning exercise
• Lecture 15 - Surface analytical techniques I XPS/UPS,
• Lecture 17 - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Techniques
• Laboratory/ Demonstration session IV Surface Analysis
• Lecture 18 - Scanning Probe Techniques I Principles of STM, AFM (including magnetic and thermal probes), SNOM, Scanning ion conductance microscopy
• Lecture 19 - Scanning Probe Techniques II Applications of STM, AFM (including magnetic and thermal probes), SNOM, Scanning ion conductance microscopy
• Laboratory/ Demonstration session V STM/AFM

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