an NSF-sponsored center for

nanoscale science and engineering

Nanoscale Sensing,

Positioning and Fabrication

Undergraduate research projects: REU

Component Design: Jose Caceres, Nate Thompson, Rachel Townsley

• How can we enable scientific advances in different

subsystem technologies to be rapidly evaluated in an

overall Nano-CEMMS framework?

• How to best verify integrated project results and

provide design modification feedback to individual

projects?

• Integrates several ongoing Nano-CEMMS activities.

• Enables rapid evaluation and modifications of

promising technologies.

Desktop e-jet Deposition System

Single Nozzle Deposition: Alleyne, Ferreira, Rogers

Goals

Macro-Positioning Staging and Integration

for E-Jet

Mapping to Center’s Objectives

Fundamental Questions/Challenges

Research Results

Broader Impact

Research Results

Professors: Andrew Alleyne, Placid Ferreira, John Rogers

Postdocs: S. Mishra; Grad Students: K. Barton, P. Graf, J. Pikul, E. Sutanto; REUs: J. Caceres, S. Thompson, R. Townsley

• Develop a platform for integrating several key

technologies within Nano-CEMMS.

• Allow precise positioning and sensing with high

resolution visualization.

• Develop unique hardware and software platforms that

are flexible and open.

• Integrate with other Nano-CEMMS research activities

to implement successive generations of tools.

• Integrate motion and sensing capabilities with early

generation toolbit prototypes.

Research Plan

Center

Requirements

Thrust

Requirements

Project

Requirements

ProjectDesigns or

Methodologies

Design 1

Design 2

Design n

Testing 1

Testing 2

Testing n

Prototype/Product

Tests

System

Integration

Tests

SubsystemIntegration

Tests

Project Tests(Benchtop)

Design Verification

Project 1.2 focus

Center

Requirements

Thrust

Requirements

Project

Requirements

ProjectDesigns or

Methodologies

Design 1

Design 2

Design n

Testing 1

Testing 2

Testing n

Prototype/Product

Tests

System

Integration

Tests

SubsystemIntegration

Tests

Project Tests(Benchtop)

Design Verification

Project 1.2 focusProject 2.6 focus

Humidity Control

Preparation: nozzle tips, substrates, ink

Metal Sputtering

On Nozzle Tips

Multi-nozzle

Design

Experimental Results

2.6

Program Design

Connection to

High Voltage

Quick Release

Latch

Syringe

Connection to

Base

Connection to

High Voltage

Quick Release

Latch

Syringe

Connection to

Base

Nozzle Assembly

Substrate

Assembly

Ground

Deposition

Slide

Vacuum

Mount

Experimental Setup

• Ink = Glycerol + H2O

• Nozzle diam = 5µm

• Avg. droplet diam = 2.8µm

• Typical ink jet diam = 20µm

System Description

• Integrated voltage

connection

• Integrated humidity control

• Integrated air pressure

control

• Single and multi-nozzle

designs