BE – Page 5 – TechConnect Briefs

New route to manufacture high performance carbon nanotubes nanocomposites based on pre-dispersed concentrates generated by in-situ polymerization

Claes M., Bonduel D., Pegel S., Alexandre M., Poetschke P., Dubois P., Luizi F., Nanocyl SA, BE

We describe here an original method which relies upon the in situ polymerization of olefin catalyzed by a highly active metallocene complex physicochemically anchored onto the carbon nanotube surface. As a result, carbon nanotubes are [...]

Finite Element Modeling of Electro-Mechanical Coupling in Capacitive Micro-Systems

Rochus V., Rixen D.J., Golinval J.-C., University of Liege, BE

The aim of this paper is to deal with multi-physics simulation of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) based on an advanced numerical methodology. MEMS are very small devices in which electric as well as mechanical and fluid [...]

3-Dimensional Diffusion-Reaction Model for DNA Hybridization on Microarrays

Pappaert K., Baron G.V., Desmet G., Free University of Brussels, BE

Molecular diffusion limits the hybridization rate in microarrays, leading to overnight waiting times. During the last couple of years a large number of methods were developed to overcome this diffusion-limitation and to enhance the speed [...]

Enhanced Mass Sensing for Nanomechanical Resonators

De Greve K., De Vlaminck I., De Greve K., De Vlaminck I., Naulaerts R., Sivasubramaniam V., Lagae L., Tilmans H.A.C., Borghs G., IMEC, BE

A new method for improving the mass detection limit of nanomechanical resonators in crystalline silicon, compatible with scaling, is demonstrated. Clamped-clamped silicon beam resonators are fabricated with a non-rectangular, ‘diabolo’ cross-section starting from SOI wafers. [...]

Continuous Mass Production of Fullerenes and Fullerenic Nanoparticles by 3-Phase AC Plasma Processing

Fabry F., Gruenberger T.M., Gonzalez-Aguilar J., Okuno H., Grivei E., Probst N., Fulcheri L., Flamant G., Charlier J-C, TIMCAL Belgium S.A., BE

A patented plasma technology has been developed over the last ten years for the continuous mass production of fullerenes and fullerene soot by the core partners of a consortium (TIMCAL BELGIUM S.A., EMP-ARMINES and CNRS). [...]

Whole Cell Biosensors For (Eco)Toxicity Screening: Alternatives For The Future

Robbens J., Maras M., Laureyn W., De Coen W., University Antwerp, BE

As a response to the emerging environmental threats, the European Parliament introduced tough new rules for the testing and approval of thousands of chemicals. Questions are raised towards the practicality of the new legislation as [...]

Enhancement of DNA Microarray Hybridization using Shear-Driven Microfluidics

Vanderhoeven J., Pappaert K., Dutta B., Vanhummelen P., Baron G.V., Desmet G., Free University of Brussels, BE

On microarrays the transport of the target molecules towards the spots only occurs by molecular diffusion. As a result, microarray analyses require overnight incubation and are highly inefficient in terms of capture rate and detection [...]

Continuous Mass Production of Carbon Nanotubes by 3-Phase AC Plasma Processing

Fabry F., Gruenberger T.M., Gonzalez-Aguilar J., Okuno H., Grivei E., Probst N., Fulcheri L., Flamant G., Charlier J-C, TIMCAL Belgium S.A., BE

Currently known processes for carbon nanotube synthesis use either of the following methods: Arc, laser, solar, plasma or catalytic method. The first group, comprising the first four processes corresponds to the high temperature methods. Hereby, [...]

Size Effect on the Elastic Modulus of Nanomaterials as Measured by Resonant Contact Atomic Force Microscopy

Cuenot S., Demoustier-Champagne S., Frétigny C., Nysten B., Université catholique de Louvain, BE

The elastic modulus of metallic nanowires and polymer nanotubes was measured using a novel method called resonant contact atomic force microscopy. The direct application of a normal load to the contact was obtained using a [...]

Binary Chemical Nanopatterns: Fabrication and Use as Templates for Electrostatic Self-Assembly

Baralia G., Jonas A.M., Nicol E., Moussa A., Nysten B., Pallandre A., Université catholique de Louvain, BE

We report on surface-directed macromolecular self-assembly at the nanoscale, starting from 2D templates produced by combining electron beam nanolithography with surface chemistry. As assembly process, we concentrate on electrostatic self-assembly, which allows to grow functional [...]