NPL signs up for carbon nanotube probe project: News from University of Surrey

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The UK National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in Teddington has signed up to a unique deal with the University of Surrey's Nano-Electronics Centre (NEC) based within the Advanced Technology Institute (ATI). The aim of the programme, which is initially for 3 years, is to appoint a visiting NPL Strategic Research Fellow (SRF) to work jointly between UniS and NPL, in order to exploit new and future technological advances in the area of carbon nanotube probes and their application in metrological research. This would allow for the state-of-the-art nanofabrication facilities and expertise within UniS to complement the unique talents of the Quantum Metrology Group at NPL in looking at next generation standards in this rapidly evolving field.

The research to be conducted at UniS is valued at over GBP 450,000, and is a mixture of staff costs and bespoke equipment to be made available to the project.

Speaking on the occasion, the Director of Research at NPL, Dr Kamal Hossain stated: 'We believe this is an excellent way to develop the area of carbon nanotube probes with our leading edge expertise in metrology at NPL, working closely with the best researchers in academia, to make an unbeatable team capable of tackling the most challenging areas of research'.

Professor Ravi Silva, Director of the Advanced Technology Institute and Director of the Nano-Electronics Centre at UniS said; 'The research expertise we have at the University of Surrey in nanotechnology is world leading'.

'The 5-star rated research at the NEC, combining with the Quantum Metrology Group at NPL will make a 'dream team' in this sector that can compete with the best'.

'The award of a Portfolio Partnership from EPSRC has gone a long way in establishing our mark in the sector'.

Dr David Cox from the ATI has been appointed as the NPL Strategic Research Fellow.

Dr Cox said 'This collaboration is a new and exciting partnership for UniS, with NPL being a very prestigious institution with a long and prolific research record, leading to many world firsts'.

'The contribution made in the form of SRIF2 funding to the NEC has gone a long way in setting up all the nanometrology equipment that is to be used in this project'.

The exploitation of carbon nanotubes for metrology is compelling.

Owing to their exceptional properties and tiny size, carbon nanotubes are extremely promising materials for fundamental studies of length, temperature and electrical conduction.

Cox will be collaborating with the Quantum Detection group at NPL on research that will offer new insights into the meaning of temperature at the nanometre scale.

In addition, while at UniS, he will prepare CNT tipped atomic force microscope cantilevers, using a novel manipulation and welding technique developed at Surrey.

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NPL signs up for carbon nanotube probe project

The UK National Physical Laboratory has signed up to a unique deal with the University of Surrey's Nano-Electronics Centre based within the Advanced Technology Institute.