Research is comprised of three main areas: Tools, Materials, and Structures, in order to be aligned with our strategic marketing thrust. These groups allocate approximately 80% of the research budget on short term (less than 3 years) and medium term (4-6 years) efforts targeted toward meeting specific applications in specific marketing segments. Approximately 20% of the total research budget is directed toward longer term (greater than 7 years) projects, to provide solutions to longer-term market requirements. This 80/20 approach enables Zyvex to generate revenue, while still pioneering nanotechnology for longer term, future applications.
Designed and built an Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) system that provides for molecular manipulation. Demonstrated unique sample and tip handling capabilities, atomic resolution imaging of silicon surfaces, and imaging/manipulation of C60 "buckyball" molecules.
Developed both hardware and software needed specifically for molecular manipulation, which includes custom drivers for Scanning Tunneling Microscopes and Atomic Force Microscopes. This work is a necessary step towards automated molecular manipulation.
Established state-of-the-art Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) laboratory, used extensively to characterize micro-scale samples. Includes patent filings on wavelength tunable substrates that enhance sensitivity by factors up to 1012.
Developed the first four-degree-of-freedom (4DOF) free-space manipulator for Scanning Electron Microscopes and filed two patents on it. A much more challenging Transmission Electron Microscope manipulator is under development through a recently awarded SBIR contract.
Published work in free-space tensile strength measurements of carbon nanotubes in leading scientific journals, including Science. Demonstrated nanotube 'soft' cutting by cyclodextrin, and filed a patent application for the process.
Developed a method of solubilizing carbon nanotubes in common solvents such as chloroform and water. This drives our materials work, and we have filed a number of patents on it. Published early work in the "Journal of the American Chemical Society" (JACS).
Developed a state-of-the-art simulation capability to support quantum and atomic level simulations with superior graphics. This supports the study of otherwise inaccessible physical processes and prediction of chemical reaction properties with high accuracy.
Developed patent-pending computer algorithm for management and display of huge volumetric datasets. Performs high accuracy process emulation for MEMS processes, and supports real-time interaction with the multi-billion voxel datasets produced.Developed silicon MEMS technology for automated assembly of microsystems including grippers, zero-insertion force mechanical connectors, and automated microassembly routines.
Developed first positional tethers for constraining MEMS components during release etch procedures while allowing complete release from substrates when desired.
Developed electrical relays in MEMS with below 5 ohm contact resistance and greater than 100 mA current carrying capability.
Developed software for MEMS fabrication process emulation that produces realistic representations of complex, multi-layer process flows including conformal depositions, straight etches, wet etches, wafer bonding, and chemical mechanical planarization.
Developed a MEMS scanning device that can scan through greater than 90 degrees. This device can be used out of the wafer plane by using a plastic-deformation self-assembly process capable of greater than 90-degree displacement.
