Nanotechnology

The National Research Council is playing a key role in Canada's goal to be an integral part of the international quest for discoveries at the atomic and molecular level. Nanotechnology, the research, development and commercialization of materials and devices on the scale of a billionth of a meter, is opening up vast new horizons in virtually all sectors of the economy - from materials sciences to biomedicine to communications and information technology. Research on nanotechnology is underway is several of NRC's institutes nation-wide in partnership with key players to lever Canadian expertise and enable Canada to be at the leading edge of the emerging nanotechnology revolution.

The National Institute for Nanotechnology

Established as a joint venture between NRC and Alberta in 2001, this state-of-the-art National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) will have a national mandate for molecular and nano-scale technology research, development and commercialisation. Eventually NINT will boast a new 12,000 square meter research and industry partnership/incubation facility, 150 permanent, highly skilled research jobs, guest workers from industry and universities, and training opportunities for graduate and post-doctoral researchers. NINT's research, development and commercialization focusing on the following major sectors:

Lab on a Chip

• "Lab-on-a-chip" - bio-smart molecular scale devices with built-in nano-optical, mechanical and electronic intelligence
• Quantum and molecular computing - the next generation of computation
• Nano-integration - the integration of top down fabrication with bottom-up molecular assembly
• Protein structure - development of programmable adaptive protein-based materials
• Nano materials engineering - platform for the discovery of new materials for catalysis, energy storage and conversion

$120 M will be invested in this new institute over the next 5 years alone.

Nanomaterials

The NRC Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences (NRC-SIMS) is investigating the structure and stability of nanomaterials, the correlation between electronic and geometric structures and macroscopic properties, and the application of this knowledge for the design of novel materials with specific properties. Theoretical techniques such as state-of-the art computational methodologies on electronic structure, molecular dynamics simulation and analytical theory are being applied to nanoscale materials. Current research includes chemical phenomena on surfaces, and the properties of multilayer materials and metal clusters.

Research in new biochip technologies focuses on bringing biological function to surfaces. Organic molecules have been induced to self-assemble on silicon surfaces, allowing for the direct covalent attachment of DNA, proteins and other small molecules. The ability to pattern surfaces with reactive and inert regions on the micron scale allows us to build high-density arrays of molecules on these surfaces. Work is underway to construct libraries of biomolecules on surfaces of silicon, glass and, most recently, microporous gels. This work will evolve towards the construction of microarrays for genomics, proteomics and chemical genetics applications.

Self-directed Growth of Organic Nanostructures NRC-SIMS researchers have achieved the first demonstration of self-directed growth of organic nanostructures on surfaces - opening new approaches to the growth of molecular scale interconnections between nanodevices on semi-conductor surfaces - a breakthrough that could impact on the burgeoning nanoelectronics and biochip industries.

Organic molecules...   Organic molecules assemble themselves in a chain reaction merging to form a wire.

Controlling and manipulating the structure of surfaces on the atomic or molecular scale is key to the ultimate miniaturization of electronic devices, and to the development of new devices that incorporate both solid-state semiconductor structures and molecular materials based on organic or biological components. The long-term impact will be in the development of new molecular electronic devices and of highly miniaturized chemical and biochemical sensors.

Carbon nanotubes are cylinders made with one-atom thick walls. These carbon straws have unique and unusual mechanical and electrical properties and can be made to encapsulate various organic and inorganic substances. Synthesis methods for large-scale production of carbon nanotubes are being developed and the feasibility of using nanotubes to store hydrogen is being explored. In addition, carbon nanotubes may have potential as stiffening materials in polymers and composites materials, in purification of contaminated liquids, or as drug delivery systems.

Nano-Components, Materials and Devices

The NRC Institute for Microstructural Sciences (NRC-IMS) has been involved in nanoscience from the very beginning; developing the necessary technology to fabricate semiconductor nanostructures, measuring and understanding their properties and exploring their potential applications. The nanoscience toolbox includes advanced techniques that enable the patterning of nanoscale features as well the production of materials engineered to promote the self assembly of quantum dots - tiny structures that will someday be used to form nanocircuits for the next generation of semiconductor devices.

One of the challenges of organic materials is their sensitivity to common processing solvents, oxygen, moisture and high temperatures. NRC-IMS' multidisciplinary team of physicists, chemists and engineers have developed a flexible plastic display using organic thin films and are currently working on transparent plastic electronics and optical devices for telecommunications applications.

Semiconductor nanostructures are being used to build a new class of quantum computers that can compute according to the laws of quantum, instead of classical, mechanics, and promise unprecedented computing power. Applications include security (in banking and national defence), communication and information technologies, biology, weather forecasting, engineering and physical sciences. Researchers at NRC-IMS have demonstrated the basic principle behind quantum computation, i.e. that it is already possible to build and combine individual qubits, the smallest quantum circuit. They are now developing technology to build more complex circuits and to couple these circuits with light.

Quantum Information   IMS researchers have recently proposed to use a pair of vertically aligned quantum dots as the optically driven solid state quantum gate in which an electric field along the growth direction can localize individual carriers on the upper dot (0) or the lower dot (1). The two different dots play the same role as the two states of a "spin" (a qubit).

Catalysts, Electrodes and Membranes for Fuel Cell Technology

NRC is also involved in a number of aspects of fuel cell research; including development of improved and nano-sized catalysts, understanding of membrane microstructure, and hydrogen storage. Fuel cells involve the catalysed conversion of a fuel such as methanol, to carbon dioxide and water.

Scientists at the NRC Institute for Chemical Process and Environmental Technology (NRC-ICPET) are developing polymer-stabilized bimetallic nanocatalysts. The use of these nanocatalysts will provide the most "bang for the buck" - higher power density for the same amount of catalyst and, therefore, lower cost for each fuel cell. They are also determining the ideal composition and structure of ternary Pt/Ru/Os, which show better catalytic ability than alloys currently in use.

In addition to catalysis, researchers are developing nanostructured ceramic materials, smart polymers for biomedical and photonic applications, and a new generation of ferro-magnetic nano composites.

Polymer Nanocomposites

By incorporating nanometre-sized particles of clay, scientists are striving to create a new generation of lighter, stronger polymers that are less environmentally costly to produce, and have a longer life.

Nanocomposites - The Next Revolution is Here At the NRC Industrial Materials Institute in Boucherville, NRC researchers have improved the physical properties of some polymers by 50% through the addition of nanometre-sized particles of clay. Estimates for the market for these polymeric nanocomposites by 2009 are $3 billion, with the Canadian market alone being worth $500 million per year by the end of the decade. Similar performance improvements can be foreseen through the development of coatings, catalysts, and membranes.

Nanoparticle   Model of clay nanoparticle. Adding nanoparticles of common clay to an ordinary plastic makes for a material that is very strong, light and fire retardant.

Nanoelectrodes and Biosensors

Nanoelectrodes, for sensitive measurements of very small amounts of important molecules such as neurotransmitters, carbohydrates, pollutants, and proteins will be incorporated into "labs-on-chips" - micro-devices capable of performing reactions, separation and detection.

Nanobiosensors are being developed that couple nanostructures with biomaterials such as enzymes, DNA, receptors and antibodies. Researchers at the NRC Biotechnology Research Institute are designing a variety of biosensors with host of novel designs and applications. One design uses self-assembling monolayers on metal-coated fibre optics. Another uses ceramic/platinum nanocomposite thin films for environmental gas sensing. A third uses thin films with crystallographic texturing for gas sensing.

Performance of Thin-Films and Surfaces

NRC researchers across Canada are developing new surface coating techniques that provide significant performance benefits to existing products. In Boucherville, Quebec, plasma spray coatings have been used to provide wear resistant surfaces for plastic and metal injection moulding tools. At the NRC Institute for Aerospace Research work has been underway to develop a more environmentally friendly process for hard chrome plating and to provide wear and corrosion resistance for turbine blades. Other institutes in Ottawa have developed new thin film vapour deposition techniques targeted primarily to the electronics industry. The NRC Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Institute is a leader in laser consolidation of nano-sized metal powders for coating and rapid tooling development. The NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation (NRC-IFCI) in Vancouver houses NRC's tribology research group which is working on the understanding of wear and friction properties at the nano scale.

Nanometrology

The NRC Institute for National Measurement Standards (INMS) Dimensional Metrology Program supports Canada's nascent nanotechnology programme by providing comprehensive calibration services for highest accuracy dimensional measurements in Canada. Dimensional parameters supported by the program include length, angle, flatness, roundness, diameter, surface roughness and 3-D form. The group also develops state-of-the-art instrumentation for custom measurements, conducts and coordinates investigations, fundamental research and scientific studies. INMS is a member of the key international committees that are developing standards for nanometrology and through its participation will ensure Canadian manufacturers have access to the reference materials they will need.

For more information:
Dr. William Cowley
(613) 991-3390