Metrology and nano-mechanical tests for nano-manufacturing and nano-bio interface: Challenges & future perspectives

Publication date: 5 January 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 137
Author(s): E.P. Koumoulos, S.A.M. Tofail, C. Silien, D. De Felicis, R. Moscatelli, D.A. Dragatogiannis, E. Bemporad, M. Sebastiani, C.A. Charitidis
Nanometrology refers to measurement techniques that assess materials properties at the nanoscale. Laboratory-based characterisation of nanomaterials has been the key enabler in the growth of nanotechnology and nano-enabled products. Due to the small size involved, dimensional measurements has dominated such characterisation underpinned by a tremendous development in stand-alone electron/ion microscopes and scanning probe microscopes.However, the scope of nanometrology extends far beyond off-site, laboratory-based measurements of dimensions only, and is expected to have a tremendous impact on design of nano-enabled materials and devices.In this article, we discuss some of the available techniques for laboratory-based characterisation of mechanical and interfacial properties for nanometrology. We also provide a deep insight into the emerging techniques in measuring these properties, keeping in view the need in advanced manufacturing and nanobio-interactions to develop multifunctional instrumentation, traceable and standardized methods, and modelling tools for unambiguous data interpretation.We also discuss the evaluation of nanomechanical properties and surface/interface response of materials, within the purview of manufacturing processes and standardization.Finally, we discuss scientific and technological challenges that are required to move towards real-time nano-characterisation for rapid, reliable, repeatable and predictive metrology to underpin upscaling nanomaterials and nano-enabled products from the research field to industry and market.

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