SHAPE : an optical method to characterize nano-structures

Kurzfassung

A French University has developed an optical method to characterize nano-structures. Shape characterization of nano-objects has become a key parameter in many fields like physics, chemistry or biology, for instance in toxicological studies, reactions follow-up, etc. The laboratory proposes an optical method that is simpler, faster and less expensive than other heavy characterizing technologies such as transmission electron microscopy. Industrial partners are sought for license agreements.

Details

Shape characterization of nano-objects has become a key parameter in many fields like physics, chemistry or biology, for instance in toxicological studies, reactions follow-up, etc. The laboratory proposes an optical method that is simpler, faster and less expensive than other heavy characterizing technologies such as transmission electron microscopyAnalysis of the nano-object takes place in a liquid medium using light scattering. Two laser beams with two different incident directions are operating in Hyper Raleigh Scattering (HRS) mode. The measurements allow to determine the ETA parameter that defines the shape of the nano-objects or the organization of the structure, via the dedicated software (cube, tetrahedron, octahedron...).Innovative Aspects:- Easy integration in size measurement instruments- Fast characterization time (a few seconds) - High sensibility to shape defaults (especially deviations from spheres)- Unique particles characterization- Statistic studies of the samples- Dedicated software developed- Analysis in liquid medium without sample preparation- Low sample concentration- No sample degradation