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Liquid-cell Transmission Electron Microscopy for Tracking Self-assembly of Nanoparticles
Published on: October 16, 2017
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Tunable vapor-condensed nanolenses.
Euan McLeod1, Chau Nguyen, Patrick Huang
1Electrical Engineering Department, University of California , Los Angeles, California 90095, United States.
ACS Nano
|July 1, 2014
Summary
We developed a self-assembly method for tunable nanolenses that enables high-throughput, wide-field imaging of nanoparticles. This technology significantly improves the detection of ultra-small particles for various diagnostic applications.
Area of Science:
- Nanophotonics and Nanotechnology
- Optical Engineering
- Biomedical Imaging
Background:
- Nanostructured optical components (nanolenses) are crucial for subwavelength light manipulation in applications like high-resolution lithography and nanoscopic imaging.
- A key challenge is precisely controlling nanolens size, shape, and positioning for optimal performance, especially in wide field-of-view (FOV) imaging where resolution and sensitivity are often limited.
- Enhancing contrast and signal-to-noise ratio for imaging nanoscale objects over large FOVs remains a significant hurdle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel self-assembly method for fabricating time- and temperature-tunable nanolenses.
- To apply this method for high-throughput, on-chip detection of various nanoscale objects across an ultralarge field-of-view.
- To demonstrate a miniaturized, cost-effective, and portable platform for advanced nanoscale imaging and sensing.
Main Methods:
- A self-assembly process involving the condensation of a polymeric liquid around a nanoparticle to form tunable nanolenses.
- Application of these nanolenses to high-throughput on-chip detection of nanoparticles, including spheroids (<40 nm), rods (<20 nm diameter), and biofunctionalized nanoparticles.
- Imaging across an ultralarge field-of-view (>20 mm²).
Main Results:
- Successful fabrication of time- and temperature-tunable nanolenses.
- Demonstrated high-throughput detection of nanoparticles significantly smaller than previously achieved in similar FOV imaging (e.g., spheroids >15-fold smaller in volume).
- Achieved detection of particles with >240 times weaker Rayleigh scattering compared to prior wide-field imaging limitations.
- Developed a miniaturized, cost-effective, and portable imaging platform.
Conclusions:
- The self-assembly method provides a versatile approach for fabricating tunable nanolenses for advanced optical applications.
- The platform enables unprecedented detection of ultra-small nanoparticles over ultralarge fields-of-view, surpassing previous limitations.
- The portable device holds significant potential for field use, mobile sensing, and diagnostics, such as viral load measurement.
