The Daily nanotechnologists consists mainly analyze atoms separately. But until now it was difficult to observe the structure of atoms that are within organic molecules . In the scientific journal Physical Review Letter [ 1] , researchers at the Research Centre Julich [ 2] ( North Rhine- Westphalia ) describe their new method to scan the interior of the molecule . This method could facilitate the analysis of organic semiconductors as well as protein.
Julich researchers use a scanning tunneling microscope [ 3 ] to analyze the Nanoscale . The thin metal tip of the microscope traverses the sample surface like a needle of a gramophone and records by using small electric currents and surface roughness height differences of approximately one nanometer. But even with a microscope tip reduced to the size of an atom , it was hitherto impossible to have an image of the inside molecules .
” To increase the sensitivity for organic molecules, we placed a sensor and a signal converter to the microscope tip , ” said Dr. Ruslam Temirov . These two functions are fulfilled by a small molecule consisting of two atoms of deuterium (also known as heavy water) . This molecule is moving at the tip, it can follow the contours of the sample and affects the currents that pass through this point.
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The EU supports financially the construction of two new technology centers in Wurzburg (Bavaria) [1] in the fields of nanotechnology and the analytical ultra-high definition. The funding comes from the European fund for regional development (ERDF) and is part of the “Regional competitiveness and employment in Bavaria 2007-2013.
The grants will help build a center for nanotechnology companies and a center application for analyzing ultra-high definition on the website of the University of Wurzburg. Research projects have been selected by the Minister of Science, Research and Art and the Minister of Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Bavaria. Both centers are part of improving cooperation and transfer of knowledge between the University of Wurzburg and economic actors in northern Bavaria. The university is particularly interested in its outreach to SMEs who do not have the equipment or personnel necessary to innovate.
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