The research program staff performs CNST mission research, i.e., developing enabling measurement methods, currently within three research programs: Future Electronics; Nanofabrication and Nanomanufacturing; and Energy Conversion, Storage, and Transport. This is typically done in collaboration with partners from NIST, industry, academia or other government agencies. Generally, the prototype measurement or fabrication tools under development in the research division are more advanced than the commercial state-of-the-art tools available in the CNST Nanofab.
Research projects currently underway, include:
Nanomagnetics
Atomic scale characterization and fabrication
Nanoscale measurement and fabrication using laser-controlled atoms
Modeling nanostructures in mesoscopic environments
Nanomanufacturing and nanoparticle assembly
Metrology for electron-beam lithography
Research projects currently being initiated and staffed include:
Future Electronics Program:
Characterization of Nanophotonic Devices
Characterization of Transport in Nanoscale Devices
3D Measurement of Dopants and Defects
Characterization of Nanotube Electronic Devices
Spin Metrology
Measurements for Nanomanufacturing/Nanofabricaton Program:
Scanned Force Microscopy for Detection and Quality Control
Coupling Nanoscale Properties to Macroscopic Behavior
Forces between Nanoparticles
Simultaneous Multi-function Nano-probe Measurement
Tools for Manipulating Material on the Nanoscale
Measurement for Energy Storage, Conversion, and Transport Program:
Nanoscale Carrier Dynamics
Atomic Imaging of Catalytic Reactions
Areas of core competence currently include scanned probe measurements, modeling and simulation, nanofabrication,
nanomagnetics, nanophotonics, and transport.
You can make a CNST researcher aware of whatever nanotechnology measurement problems, you or your industrial sector have or
expect to have, to help guide the research of this Program. However, more direct interactions are available through collaboration.
By contacting the CNST or reviewing the CNST web site, you can find the tools or projects of value to you and then you can contact
the relevant individuals to discuss possible collaborations. Work with the Research Program is generally through collaborations
because of the special nature of the tools and techniques used. Examples of recent collaborators include Intel, Advanced Microsensors,
IBM, Georgia Tech, Princeton, University of Chicago, FEI Corporation, Johns Hopkins University, Texas A&M, Argonne National Laboratory,
Cornell University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Cambridge, Arizona State University, Naval Research Laboratory, Seagate,
and the Army Research Laboratory. Other collaborations with major organizations are in various stages of discussion and planning.
Most of these collaborations involve the use of a prototype tool in the CNST Research Program. A good example of how a user can benefit
from the collaborative use of prototype tools in CNST is provided by the SEMPA tool, which provides a leading way of imaging magnetic
nanostructure and was first developed at NIST. A commercial version of SEMPA was recently developed. However, SEMPA has been available
and used at NIST by industry, government, and academia through collaborative
arrangements for almost 20 years.
Proprietary work undertaken by members of the Research Program is charged at a full recovery rate.
Online: May 2007
Last Updated: July 2007