Nanotechnology Analysis: Micro- and Nanoscale Analytical Research Facility

Intertek ASG Laboratory, Manchester, UK

Micro- and Nanotechnology (MNT) Laboratory

Micro- and nanoscale analytical research facility supporting a diverse range of nanotechnology activities requiring advanced analytical services. Intertek ASG is ideally placed to provide analytical support to start-ups and SME businesses offering a fast turnaround time and a lower entry cost into what is a rapidly emerging scientific area.

Intertek ASG is the sole industrial analytical partner in an EU Sixth Framework funded nanotechnolgy research project which commenced in April 2005. The focus of the project is on developing functional devices from molecular machinery, and is considered on the frontier of nanotechnology science. Partners in the project include:

Institute for Molecular Sciences in Amsterdam (NL)

For some of the latest results, see:

Macroscopic transport by synthetic molecular machines, Nature Materials 4, 704-710 (2005)

Nanotechnology Analysis Challenges

Nanotechnology-based applications pose new challenges for analytical chemists. It is no longer sufficient to determine the molecular structure of chemicals and composition of materials. Nanotech applications require analysis that identifies the arrangement of molecules and the ordering and distribution of components in a material. Intertek ASG offers a wide range of advanced nanoscale characterization capabilities. The laboratory researches nanotech related materials, products and processes and supports nanoscience process optimisation, scale up and regulatory submissions.

Nanotechnology Measurement Solutions

Intertek ASG is equipped to analyse a range of micro and nanoscale products. At nano scale these include nanotubes, nanorods, nanoparticles, fullerenes, rotaxanes and the combination of many components that make up a molecular machine. At the micro scale, these include structures built up from nano building blocks, lithography (e.g. patterns from direct writing or laser etching technologies), self assembled micro structured materials such as microporous materials, and colloidal microstructures such as lipozomes and multiphase dispersions. In the manufacture of these products, it is important to be able to define specifications and then demonstrate that product is meeting these specifications. This process can involve both imaging of the particles, surfaces and three dimensional structures and also measuring parameters such as particle size distributions or surface area and assessing associated product variability.

Techniques available for micro and nanoscale analysis include:

Microscopy
- Scanning Electron Microscopy - SEM - including Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX)
- Transmission Electron Microscopy - TEM - including access to high-resolution TEM
- Surface profile at micro scale (interferometer)
- Scanning Probe Microscopy - SPM
- Atomic Force Microscopy - AFM
- Light Microscopy
- Fluorescence Microscopy
Particle sizing
- Capillary Electrophoresis - CE
- Size Exclusion Chromatography - SEC
- Multi-Angle Laser Light Scattering - MALLS
- SEM/TEM with image processing
Crystallography
- Powder X-Ray Diffraction - XRD

Nano-Bio Analysis Solutions

A new generation of materials and chemicals designed for use in vivo are no longer simple molecules. Nano-Bio applications are those that bring together biological materials, pharmaceutical products or materials intended for use in vivo, with materials chemistry and the need for control of molecular arrangement at the nano-scale.

Nano-Bio technology examples include:

Drug delivery systems which can encapsulate actives to improve environmental stability, solubility, absorption properties or modification of affinity properties for delivery to specific targets
Dispersants which change the solubility profile of tablets
Adjuvants which enhance the effectiveness of medical treatments

Specific nanoscale laboratory techniques available include NMR, SPM, SEM, TEM, MALLS, LC, electrochemistry, dissolution, product release and leaching analysis.