Nanotechnology: Hands-on Nano-fabrication & Characterization

Welcome to Nanotechnology! In this module, you will learn some of the basics of nanofabrication and nanocharacterization techniques as well as specific applications of nanotechnology in commercial products. You'll be able to explain why a cleanroom and vacuum environment are necessary for creating nanotechnology products. Finally, you will be able to explain how we use light, x-rays, and electron beams to characterize objects at the nanoscale.

After this module, you will be able to explain sample preparation and imaging techniques used in scanning electron microscopy. You will also be able to explain the benefits of environmental scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, you will discover how energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy can be paired with scanning electron microscopy to gain elemental information about samples.

In this module, we will look at transmission electron microscopy and cryo-transmission electron microscopy. You will learn to describe the basic function of the equipment as well as how samples are prepared and imaged using these techniques.

In this module, we will see demonstrations of micro-computed tomography, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and optical spectroscopy. You will learn the basic function of the equipment and how samples are prepared and measured.

In this module, we will discover how and why a vacuum environment is required in nanofabrication, compare the operation of three types of vacuum pumps, and look at vacuum deposition of thin films using three different methods: sputter evaporation, e-beam evaporation and thermal evaporation.

We will look at some techniques for making things with nanotechnology using thin film techniques; in this module you will learn to describe and compare atomic layer deposition, chemical vapor deposition, and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition.

In this module, we will investigate 5 different methods used in nanotechnology for patterning. You will be able to explain the basic processes of photolithography, e-beam lithography, ion beam lithography, hot embossing, and self-assembly.

In this module, you will learn to describe and compare wet and dry etching processes. These processes are used to selectively remove material in nanofabrication.

In this module, you will learn to describe and compare wet and dry etching processes. These processes are used to selectively remove material in nanofabrication.