CCMX Annual Activity Report 2007

Page 1

ANNUAL REPORT 2007


9I ;C

<B ;F

;J>P

;HK ¼CWj[h_Wbi \eh c_Yhe# WdZ dWdeioij[ci½ CCDI

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 ;C F7

;HK ¼Ikh\WY[" [d]_d[[h_d]½ IF;HK

;HK ¼C[jWbbkh]o½ C;HK FI?

;CF7

FI?

<B ;F

7dWboj_YWb FbWj\ehc ¼DWde# WdZ c_Yhe# iYWb[ cWj[h_Wbi Y^WhWYj[h_iWj_ed \eh _dZkijho WdZ WYWZ[c_W½ DCC9

;HK ¼CWj[h_Wbi \eh j^[ b_\[ iY_[dY[i½ CWjB_\[

?dZkijho 9I;C

;J>P

Eh]Wd_iWj_ed CWf ?dZkijho

H[i[WhY^ =hekfi

Fhe`[Yji ;HK ;ZkYWj_ed WdZ H[i[WhY^ Kd_j 7dWboj_YWb FbWj\ehc


9I ;C

<B ;F

;J>P

;HK ¼CWj[h_Wbi \eh c_Yhe# WdZ dWdeioij[ci½ CCDI

ANNUAL REPORT 2007 ;C F7

;HK ¼Ikh\WY[" [d]_d[[h_d]½ IF;HK

;HK ¼C[jWbbkh]o½ C;HK FI?

;CF7

FI?

<B ;F

7dWboj_YWb FbWj\ehc ¼DWde# WdZ c_Yhe# iYWb[ cWj[h_Wbi Y^WhWYj[h_iWj_ed \eh _dZkijho WdZ WYWZ[c_W½ DCC9

;HK ¼CWj[h_Wbi \eh j^[ b_\[ iY_[dY[i½ CWjB_\[

?dZkijho 9I;C

;J>P

Eh]Wd_iWj_ed CWf ?dZkijho

H[i[WhY^ =hekfi

Fhe`[Yji ;HK ;ZkYWj_ed WdZ H[i[WhY^ Kd_j 7dWboj_YWb FbWj\ehc


<eh[mehZ

M[bYec[ je j^[ i[YedZ WddkWb h[fehj e\ 99CN

JWXb[ e\ 9edj[dj

As a result of a detailed consultation with the industrial sector, a new ERU in metallurgy (MERU) was launched at the end of 2007. The focus of the Centre is now on strengthening the role of industry in the research carried out by CCMX. The new call for proposals initiated at the end of 2007 is focussed on bridging the gap between the fundamental research supported by the Swiss National Science foundation and «near to market» research CCMX was created at the beginning of 2006 with the aim of linking the excellent funded by the CTI. The new projects will academic research in the ETH domain to be jointly funded by CCMX funds and the needs of industry. Three Educational pre-competitive consortia from the and Research Units (ERUs) were created industry. Club CCMX has been set-up to offer companies another alternative in areas of key importance to the ecoto be involved in CCMX activities. nomy : • Surface, coatings and particles CCMX is growing fast. The exciting results engineering (SPERU); of on-going projects, the level of the • Materials for the life sciences newly funded projects to start in 2008, (MatLife); • Materials for micro- and nanosystems and the growing network of industrial partners are all very promising. CCMX (MMNS); will be a strong force in materials research An Analytical Platform (NNMC) was for Switzerland in the coming years. also created to develop and promote activities in nano- and microscale materials characterisation. The first flagship projects started towards the end of 2006 and are already, after just over a year of work, starting to deliver important results. Highlights from these projects, involving 12 industrial partners and over 150 scientists and engineers from more than 60 laboratories, are shown in the pages of this report.

Annual Report 2007

M^Wj _i j^[ 9ecf[j[dY[ 9[djh[ \eh CWj[h_Wbi IY_[dY[ WdZ J[Y^debe]o5 J^[ h[i[WhY^ m[ \eYki ed Ikh\WY[ ceZ_\_YWj_ed Xo YeWj_d] WdZ ijhkYjkh_d] <kdYj_edWb \eWci <kdYj_edWb fWhj_Yb[i _d YedjWYj m_j^ X_ebe]_YWb \bk_Zi C[Z_YWb Z[l_Y[ j[Y^debe]o WdZ _ddelWj_ed 8_ei[di_d] WdZ Z_W]deij_Y ijhWj[]_[i CWj[h_Wbi j[Y^debe]_[i WdZ Z[i_]d \eh c_Yhe# WdZ dWdeioij[ci BWXehWjeho#ed#W#Y^_f JemWhZi Ykjj_d]#[Z][ c[jWbbkh]o ;dWXb_d] iebkj_edi \eh cWj[h_Wbi WdWboi_i Wj j^[ c_Yhe# WdZ dWdeiYWb[ ;ZkYWj_ed WdZ jhW_d_d] WYj_l_j_[i Ekjh[WY^ WYj_l_j_[i F[hif[Yj_l[i \eh (&&. (&&- :WjW FkXb_YWj_edi Fhe`[Yji \kdZ[Z _d (&&- M^e _i 99CN

AWh[d IYh_l[d[h 9^W_h 99CN

(

)

* + , . '& '( '* ', '. '/ (& (* (+ (, (()& )'

Annual Report 2007


<eh[mehZ

M[bYec[ je j^[ i[YedZ WddkWb h[fehj e\ 99CN

JWXb[ e\ 9edj[dj

As a result of a detailed consultation with the industrial sector, a new ERU in metallurgy (MERU) was launched at the end of 2007. The focus of the Centre is now on strengthening the role of industry in the research carried out by CCMX. The new call for proposals initiated at the end of 2007 is focussed on bridging the gap between the fundamental research supported by the Swiss National Science foundation and «near to market» research CCMX was created at the beginning of 2006 with the aim of linking the excellent funded by the CTI. The new projects will academic research in the ETH domain to be jointly funded by CCMX funds and the needs of industry. Three Educational pre-competitive consortia from the and Research Units (ERUs) were created industry. Club CCMX has been set-up to offer companies another alternative in areas of key importance to the ecoto be involved in CCMX activities. nomy : • Surface, coatings and particles CCMX is growing fast. The exciting results engineering (SPERU); of on-going projects, the level of the • Materials for the life sciences newly funded projects to start in 2008, (MatLife); • Materials for micro- and nanosystems and the growing network of industrial partners are all very promising. CCMX (MMNS); will be a strong force in materials research An Analytical Platform (NNMC) was for Switzerland in the coming years. also created to develop and promote activities in nano- and microscale materials characterisation. The first flagship projects started towards the end of 2006 and are already, after just over a year of work, starting to deliver important results. Highlights from these projects, involving 12 industrial partners and over 150 scientists and engineers from more than 60 laboratories, are shown in the pages of this report.

Annual Report 2007

M^Wj _i j^[ 9ecf[j[dY[ 9[djh[ \eh CWj[h_Wbi IY_[dY[ WdZ J[Y^debe]o5 J^[ h[i[WhY^ m[ \eYki ed Ikh\WY[ ceZ_\_YWj_ed Xo YeWj_d] WdZ ijhkYjkh_d] <kdYj_edWb \eWci <kdYj_edWb fWhj_Yb[i _d YedjWYj m_j^ X_ebe]_YWb \bk_Zi C[Z_YWb Z[l_Y[ j[Y^debe]o WdZ _ddelWj_ed 8_ei[di_d] WdZ Z_W]deij_Y ijhWj[]_[i CWj[h_Wbi j[Y^debe]_[i WdZ Z[i_]d \eh c_Yhe# WdZ dWdeioij[ci BWXehWjeho#ed#W#Y^_f JemWhZi Ykjj_d]#[Z][ c[jWbbkh]o ;dWXb_d] iebkj_edi \eh cWj[h_Wbi WdWboi_i Wj j^[ c_Yhe# WdZ dWdeiYWb[ ;ZkYWj_ed WdZ jhW_d_d] WYj_l_j_[i Ekjh[WY^ WYj_l_j_[i F[hif[Yj_l[i \eh (&&. (&&- :WjW FkXb_YWj_edi Fhe`[Yji \kdZ[Z _d (&&- M^e _i 99CN

AWh[d IYh_l[d[h 9^W_h 99CN

(

)

* + , . '& '( '* ', '. '/ (& (* (+ (, (()& )'

Annual Report 2007


J^[ 9ecf[j[dY[ 9[djh[ \eh CWj[h_Wbi IY_[dY[ WdZ J[Y^debe]o 99CN _i ed[ e\ i[l[hWb Y[djh[i e\ [nY[bb[dY[ _d_j_Wj[Z Wj j^[ dWj_edWb b[l[b Xo j^[ ;J> 8eWhZ _d [Whbo (&&,$ ?j W_ci je i[hl[ j^[ _dj[h[iji e\ Im_jp[hbWdZ _d j^[ \_[bZ e\ cWj[h_Wbi iY_[dY[ _d j[hci e\ h[i[WhY^" [ZkYWj_ed WdZ j[Y^debe]o jhWdi\[h Xo h[_d\ehY_d] j_[i X[jm[[d WYWZ[c_W" _dZkijho WdZ j^[ Im_ii [Yedeco$

J^[ 99CN feb_Yo _i je ikffehj fh[#Yecf[j_j_l[ h[i[WhY^ fhe`[Yji ed dej[mehj^o j^[c[i j^Wj m_bb WjjhWYj cWjY^_d] \kdZ_d] \hec _dZkijho$ J^_i fei_j_edi 99CN _d j^[ Ç\kdZ_d] ]WfÈ X[jm[[d j^[ \kdZ_d] ijhWj[]_[i e\ IDI< # ceijbo Y[djh[Z ed ikf# fehj_d] \kdZWc[djWb h[i[WhY^# WdZ e\ 9J? # \eYki_d] ed Wffb_[Z Z[l[befc[dji je X[ Xhek]^j gk_Yabo edje j^[ cWha[jfbWY[$

M^Wj _i j^[ 9ecf[j[dY[ 9[djh[ \eh CWj[h_Wbi IY_[dY[ WdZ J[Y^debe]o5

J^[ h[i[WhY^ m[ \eYki ed

D;JMEHA?D= M?J>?D 99CN

Morphology of two different SiO2 -doping level of SnO2 nanostructures used for sensor applications. Low SiO2 contents (left) lead to slightly aggregated nanostructures and small neck size/angle with high sensitivity; high SiO2 contents (right) lead to isolated SnO2 crystals with no sensitivity, due to the high resistance of SiO2 between SnO2 crystals (ETH Zurich, PSI & Empa).

>em m_bb j^_i meha _d fhWYj_Y[5

IjhkYjkh[ CCMX federates the strengths of four ETH Domain institutions (EPFL, ETH Zurich, EMPA, PSI) and of CSEM, and involves the active participation of partners from industry, from industrial associations and from Swiss universities. The Centre is headed by a Steering Committee comprising members from EPFL (chair), ETH Zurich, PSI, Empa, CSEM and industry.

scientists and engineers and more than 60 laboratories from 7 institutions (see the detailed list of projects on page 30). A call for new proposals is currently underway and will lead to the funding of new projects from spring 2008. CCMX concentrates on pre-competitive research and thus aims to strongly and positively influence this area in Switzerland.

Each CCMX funded project includes at least two institutions and very often one or At the core of the Centre’s activities are more industrial partners. This multi-partner ERUs – Education and Research Units – and an Analytical Platform. The ERUs offer project approach brings together the best competencies from all over Switzerland in programmes of research and education, specific materials science related domains. including technology transfer, in targeted fields of activity identified together with the Swiss industry : ;ZkYWj_ed WdZ jhW_d_d] – surface, coatings and particles engine- A wide range of continuing education is ering (SPERU) on offer at CCMX. Courses, seminars and – materials for the life sciences (MatLife) workshops are regularly organised by the – materials for micro- and nanosystems ERUs and the platform (more details can (MMNS) be found on page 24). Topics are chosen – metallurgy (MERU) based on the actual needs of the targeted audiences (PhD students, engineers, Closely linked to these ERUs is an Analytiscientists from industry and/or academia). cal Platform developing and promoting activities in nano- and microscale materThese continuing education initiatives ials characterisation for industry and attracted more than 230 participants from academia (NMMC). industry and academia in 2007 and will continue in 2008. Some new modules such as short courses, summer schools and H[i[WhY^ The Centre is currently funding 27 projects travelling lab workshops will be added to the offer in 2008. involving 12 industrial partners, over 150 Annual Report 2007

J[Y^debe]o WdZ ademb[Z][ jhWdi\[h The interactions that CCMX maintains with the industry are decisive in the process of technology and knowledge transfer. By involving several institutions and one or more industrial partner in each project, CCMX ensures access to fundamental and applied know-how. The industrial liaison programme of CCMX is a means for both large and small companies to have access to the technology and the knowledge developed within the Centre. Companies have two options to be involved in CCMX. They can either purchase research tickets or become members of Club CCMX. For details please see the article «Perspectives 2008» on page 26. CCMX’s outreach activities and industrial liaison programme are perfect opportunities for the industry to communicate its needs in terms of research and education.

9edYbki_ed CCMX aims to strongly and positively influence materials science in Switzerland by building a Swiss reservoir of expertise in the field of materials science. It builds bridges between the scientific and industrial communities and addresses targeted specific needs with particular emphasis on developments of interest for the applications of tomorrow.

*

J^[ ;ZkYWj_ed H[i[WhY^ Kd_ji WdZ j^[_h h[i[WhY^ j^[cWj_Y Wh[Wi CCMX, through its four Education & Research Units (ERUs), currently focuses on the 9 thematic areas presented in detail in the coming pages. New pre-competitive research projects will be launched in 2008.

IF;HK

Ikh\WY[ ceZ_\_YWj_ed Xo YeWj_d] WdZ ijhkYjkh_d] <kdYj_edWb \eWci <kdYj_edWb fWhj_Yb[i _d YedjWYj m_j^ X_ebe]_YWb \bk_Zi

CWjB_\[ CCDI C;HK

C[Z_YWb Z[l_Y[ j[Y^debe]o WdZ _ddelWj_ed 8_ei[di_d] WdZ Z_W]deij_Y ijhWj[]_[i CWj[h_Wbi j[Y^debe]_[i WdZ Z[i_]d \eh c_Yhe# WdZ dWdeioij[ci BWXehWjeho ed#W#Y^_f D[e#c[jWbbkh]o 0 d[m Wbbeoi" d[m fheY[ii[i WdZ d[m _dl[ij_]Wj_ed j[Y^d_gk[i Ckbj_#iYWb[" ckbj_#f^[dec[dW ceZ[bb_d] e\ c[jWbb_Y ioij[ci

>em _dZkijho YWd X[ _dlebl[Z _d fh[# Yecf[j_j_l[ h[i[WhY^ _d cWj[h_Wbi iY_[dY[ research with matching funds from the The active participation of industrial partners is considered as essential to CCMX’s mission of linking academia and industry. To this end a common model for industrial liaison is being implemented. CCMX is establishing research consortia bringing together companies interested in the same thematic area. With the purchase of research tickets in a chosen thematic area, industry consortia will share the costs of pre-competitive

+

ETH domain and will have a direct say in the advancement of the projects within the chosen thematic area. In addition to the development of technologies and know-how, the training of Ph.D. students in a field of direct interest to the companies adds significant value to this programme. The CCMX Research Programme offers direct access to the best Swiss expertise in selected thematic areas of materials science.

;WY^ j_c[ W h[i[WhY^ j_Ya[j e\ 9>< -+Ê&&& f[h o[Wh ^Wi X[[d fkhY^Wi[Z" W cWjY^_d] \kdZ e\ 9>< -+Ê&&& f[h o[Wh _i fhel_Z[Z Xo 99CN$ Ed[ j_Ya[j cWo X[ ifb_j X[jm[[d W cWn_ckc e\ j^h[[ YecfWd_[i$ 7 Yecc_j# c[dj \eh ) o[Whi _i d[Y[iiWho je ]kWhWdj[[ Yecfb[j_ed e\ W fhe`[Yj _dlebl_d] F^$:$ ijk# Z[dji $ J^[ YecfWdo i[b[Yji ed[ j^[cWj_Y Wh[W je m^_Y^ j^[ j_Ya[j _i WbbeYWj[Z$ J^[ YecfWd_[i _dlebl[Z fWhj_Y_fWj[ _d j^[ h[]kbWh c[[j_d]i e\ j^[ fhe`[Yj WdZ ^Wl[ lej_d] h_]^ji WYYehZ_d] je Yedjh_Xkj_ed ed ikX`[Yji ikY^ Wi fhe`[Yj ijWhj" Yedj_dkWj_ed eh Z_i# Yedj_dkWj_ed WdZ h[#eh_[djWj_ed e\ j^[ j^[cWj_Y Wh[W \eh kfYec_d] fhe`[Yji$ M^[d j^[h[ _i W Yecc_jc[dj je Wj b[Wij j^h[[ j_Ya[ji" d[m 9Wbbi \eh FhefeiWbi m_bb X[ bWkdY^[Z$ ?d j^[ 7dWboj_YWb FbWj\ehc DCC9 cWjY^# _d] \kdZi \hec _dij_jkj_edi Wh[ h[gk_h[Z Wi Z[iYh_X[Z _d j^[ Whj_Yb[ Ç;dWXb_d] iebkj_edi \eh cWj[h_Wbi WdWboi_i Wj j^[ c_Yhe# WdZ dWdeiYWb[È$ Fb[Wi[ YedjWYj j^[ ;HK%WdWboj_YWb fbWj\ehc Z_h[Yjehi eh j^[_h _dZkijho b_W_ied e\\_Y[hi \eh ceh[ Z[jW_bi$ J^[ YedjWYj Z[jW_bi Wh[ je X[ \ekdZ Wj j^[ [dZ e\ j^_i h[fehj$

For smaller companies not able to fund research tickets, Club CCMX offers access to the networking and training activities of CCMX. More information is provided in the article entitled “Perspectives for 2008”. Annual Report 2007


J^[ 9ecf[j[dY[ 9[djh[ \eh CWj[h_Wbi IY_[dY[ WdZ J[Y^debe]o 99CN _i ed[ e\ i[l[hWb Y[djh[i e\ [nY[bb[dY[ _d_j_Wj[Z Wj j^[ dWj_edWb b[l[b Xo j^[ ;J> 8eWhZ _d [Whbo (&&,$ ?j W_ci je i[hl[ j^[ _dj[h[iji e\ Im_jp[hbWdZ _d j^[ \_[bZ e\ cWj[h_Wbi iY_[dY[ _d j[hci e\ h[i[WhY^" [ZkYWj_ed WdZ j[Y^debe]o jhWdi\[h Xo h[_d\ehY_d] j_[i X[jm[[d WYWZ[c_W" _dZkijho WdZ j^[ Im_ii [Yedeco$

J^[ 99CN feb_Yo _i je ikffehj fh[#Yecf[j_j_l[ h[i[WhY^ fhe`[Yji ed dej[mehj^o j^[c[i j^Wj m_bb WjjhWYj cWjY^_d] \kdZ_d] \hec _dZkijho$ J^_i fei_j_edi 99CN _d j^[ Ç\kdZ_d] ]WfÈ X[jm[[d j^[ \kdZ_d] ijhWj[]_[i e\ IDI< # ceijbo Y[djh[Z ed ikf# fehj_d] \kdZWc[djWb h[i[WhY^# WdZ e\ 9J? # \eYki_d] ed Wffb_[Z Z[l[befc[dji je X[ Xhek]^j gk_Yabo edje j^[ cWha[jfbWY[$

M^Wj _i j^[ 9ecf[j[dY[ 9[djh[ \eh CWj[h_Wbi IY_[dY[ WdZ J[Y^debe]o5

J^[ h[i[WhY^ m[ \eYki ed

D;JMEHA?D= M?J>?D 99CN

Morphology of two different SiO2 -doping level of SnO2 nanostructures used for sensor applications. Low SiO2 contents (left) lead to slightly aggregated nanostructures and small neck size/angle with high sensitivity; high SiO2 contents (right) lead to isolated SnO2 crystals with no sensitivity, due to the high resistance of SiO2 between SnO2 crystals (ETH Zurich, PSI & Empa).

>em m_bb j^_i meha _d fhWYj_Y[5

IjhkYjkh[ CCMX federates the strengths of four ETH Domain institutions (EPFL, ETH Zurich, EMPA, PSI) and of CSEM, and involves the active participation of partners from industry, from industrial associations and from Swiss universities. The Centre is headed by a Steering Committee comprising members from EPFL (chair), ETH Zurich, PSI, Empa, CSEM and industry.

scientists and engineers and more than 60 laboratories from 7 institutions (see the detailed list of projects on page 30). A call for new proposals is currently underway and will lead to the funding of new projects from spring 2008. CCMX concentrates on pre-competitive research and thus aims to strongly and positively influence this area in Switzerland.

Each CCMX funded project includes at least two institutions and very often one or At the core of the Centre’s activities are more industrial partners. This multi-partner ERUs – Education and Research Units – and an Analytical Platform. The ERUs offer project approach brings together the best competencies from all over Switzerland in programmes of research and education, specific materials science related domains. including technology transfer, in targeted fields of activity identified together with the Swiss industry : ;ZkYWj_ed WdZ jhW_d_d] – surface, coatings and particles engine- A wide range of continuing education is ering (SPERU) on offer at CCMX. Courses, seminars and – materials for the life sciences (MatLife) workshops are regularly organised by the – materials for micro- and nanosystems ERUs and the platform (more details can (MMNS) be found on page 24). Topics are chosen – metallurgy (MERU) based on the actual needs of the targeted audiences (PhD students, engineers, Closely linked to these ERUs is an Analytiscientists from industry and/or academia). cal Platform developing and promoting activities in nano- and microscale materThese continuing education initiatives ials characterisation for industry and attracted more than 230 participants from academia (NMMC). industry and academia in 2007 and will continue in 2008. Some new modules such as short courses, summer schools and H[i[WhY^ The Centre is currently funding 27 projects travelling lab workshops will be added to the offer in 2008. involving 12 industrial partners, over 150 Annual Report 2007

J[Y^debe]o WdZ ademb[Z][ jhWdi\[h The interactions that CCMX maintains with the industry are decisive in the process of technology and knowledge transfer. By involving several institutions and one or more industrial partner in each project, CCMX ensures access to fundamental and applied know-how. The industrial liaison programme of CCMX is a means for both large and small companies to have access to the technology and the knowledge developed within the Centre. Companies have two options to be involved in CCMX. They can either purchase research tickets or become members of Club CCMX. For details please see the article «Perspectives 2008» on page 26. CCMX’s outreach activities and industrial liaison programme are perfect opportunities for the industry to communicate its needs in terms of research and education.

9edYbki_ed CCMX aims to strongly and positively influence materials science in Switzerland by building a Swiss reservoir of expertise in the field of materials science. It builds bridges between the scientific and industrial communities and addresses targeted specific needs with particular emphasis on developments of interest for the applications of tomorrow.

*

J^[ ;ZkYWj_ed H[i[WhY^ Kd_ji WdZ j^[_h h[i[WhY^ j^[cWj_Y Wh[Wi CCMX, through its four Education & Research Units (ERUs), currently focuses on the 9 thematic areas presented in detail in the coming pages. New pre-competitive research projects will be launched in 2008.

IF;HK

Ikh\WY[ ceZ_\_YWj_ed Xo YeWj_d] WdZ ijhkYjkh_d] <kdYj_edWb \eWci <kdYj_edWb fWhj_Yb[i _d YedjWYj m_j^ X_ebe]_YWb \bk_Zi

CWjB_\[ CCDI C;HK

C[Z_YWb Z[l_Y[ j[Y^debe]o WdZ _ddelWj_ed 8_ei[di_d] WdZ Z_W]deij_Y ijhWj[]_[i CWj[h_Wbi j[Y^debe]_[i WdZ Z[i_]d \eh c_Yhe# WdZ dWdeioij[ci BWXehWjeho ed#W#Y^_f D[e#c[jWbbkh]o 0 d[m Wbbeoi" d[m fheY[ii[i WdZ d[m _dl[ij_]Wj_ed j[Y^d_gk[i Ckbj_#iYWb[" ckbj_#f^[dec[dW ceZ[bb_d] e\ c[jWbb_Y ioij[ci

>em _dZkijho YWd X[ _dlebl[Z _d fh[# Yecf[j_j_l[ h[i[WhY^ _d cWj[h_Wbi iY_[dY[ research with matching funds from the The active participation of industrial partners is considered as essential to CCMX’s mission of linking academia and industry. To this end a common model for industrial liaison is being implemented. CCMX is establishing research consortia bringing together companies interested in the same thematic area. With the purchase of research tickets in a chosen thematic area, industry consortia will share the costs of pre-competitive

+

ETH domain and will have a direct say in the advancement of the projects within the chosen thematic area. In addition to the development of technologies and know-how, the training of Ph.D. students in a field of direct interest to the companies adds significant value to this programme. The CCMX Research Programme offers direct access to the best Swiss expertise in selected thematic areas of materials science.

;WY^ j_c[ W h[i[WhY^ j_Ya[j e\ 9>< -+Ê&&& f[h o[Wh ^Wi X[[d fkhY^Wi[Z" W cWjY^_d] \kdZ e\ 9>< -+Ê&&& f[h o[Wh _i fhel_Z[Z Xo 99CN$ Ed[ j_Ya[j cWo X[ ifb_j X[jm[[d W cWn_ckc e\ j^h[[ YecfWd_[i$ 7 Yecc_j# c[dj \eh ) o[Whi _i d[Y[iiWho je ]kWhWdj[[ Yecfb[j_ed e\ W fhe`[Yj _dlebl_d] F^$:$ ijk# Z[dji $ J^[ YecfWdo i[b[Yji ed[ j^[cWj_Y Wh[W je m^_Y^ j^[ j_Ya[j _i WbbeYWj[Z$ J^[ YecfWd_[i _dlebl[Z fWhj_Y_fWj[ _d j^[ h[]kbWh c[[j_d]i e\ j^[ fhe`[Yj WdZ ^Wl[ lej_d] h_]^ji WYYehZ_d] je Yedjh_Xkj_ed ed ikX`[Yji ikY^ Wi fhe`[Yj ijWhj" Yedj_dkWj_ed eh Z_i# Yedj_dkWj_ed WdZ h[#eh_[djWj_ed e\ j^[ j^[cWj_Y Wh[W \eh kfYec_d] fhe`[Yji$ M^[d j^[h[ _i W Yecc_jc[dj je Wj b[Wij j^h[[ j_Ya[ji" d[m 9Wbbi \eh FhefeiWbi m_bb X[ bWkdY^[Z$ ?d j^[ 7dWboj_YWb FbWj\ehc DCC9 cWjY^# _d] \kdZi \hec _dij_jkj_edi Wh[ h[gk_h[Z Wi Z[iYh_X[Z _d j^[ Whj_Yb[ Ç;dWXb_d] iebkj_edi \eh cWj[h_Wbi WdWboi_i Wj j^[ c_Yhe# WdZ dWdeiYWb[È$ Fb[Wi[ YedjWYj j^[ ;HK%WdWboj_YWb fbWj\ehc Z_h[Yjehi eh j^[_h _dZkijho b_W_ied e\\_Y[hi \eh ceh[ Z[jW_bi$ J^[ YedjWYj Z[jW_bi Wh[ je X[ \ekdZ Wj j^[ [dZ e\ j^_i h[fehj$

For smaller companies not able to fund research tickets, Club CCMX offers access to the networking and training activities of CCMX. More information is provided in the article entitled “Perspectives for 2008”. Annual Report 2007


8[i_Z[i \W_hbo \kdZWc[djWb gk[ij_edi" del[b Yeij [\\[Yj_l[ fheY[ii[i \eh ikh\WY[ YeWj_d] eh ijhkYjkh_d] ij_bb ^Wl[ je el[hYec[ cWdo Y^Wbb[d][i$

IF;HK

Ikh\WY[ ceZ_\_YWj_ed Xo YeWj_d] WdZ ijhkYjkh_d] hebb#je#hebb YeWj_d] fheY[ii[i r XWhh_[h YeWj_d]i r c[jWb en_Z[ YeWj_d]i ed c[jWbi WdZ feboc[hi r ifhWo foheboi_i r fkbi[Z bWi[h Z[fei_j_ed r Z_h[Yj W[heieb Z[fei_j_ed r H< ifkjj[h_d] c[jWb#eh]Wd_Y Y^[c_YWb lWfekh Z[fei_j_ed r Y[hWc_Y ckbj_#bWo[hi r YecXkij_ed Y^[c_YWb lWfekh Z[fei_j_ed r dWdeiYWb[ ]hWj_d]i r ijWX_b_jo _d bWo[hi r c[Y^Wd_ici e\ fhej[Yj_ed

400 µm

9^[c_YWb eh f^oi_YWb lWfekh Z[fei_j_ed" ifhWo foheboi_i" j^[hcWb ifhWo_d] WdZ bWi[h Wii_ij[Z WXbWj_ed Wh[ [nWcfb[i e\ [ii[dj_Wb j[Y^debe]_[i WiieY_Wj[Z m_j^ fWhj_Yb[ fheY[ii_d]$ J^[ Yh[W# j_ed e\ del[b fheZkYji [n^_X_j_d] Z[i_hWXb[

LSCF

Fabrication process of Zero Order Diffraction structures (CSEM & PSI).

efj_YWb" j^[hcWb" [b[Yjh_YWb" [b[YjheY^[c_YWb eh cW]d[j_Y fhef[hj_[i h[gk_h[i W X[jj[h kdZ[h# ijWdZ_d] e\ Xej^ j^[ fheY[ii fWhWc[j[hi WdZ j^[ Y^WhWYj[h_ij_Yi e\ cWj[h_Wbi$ <eh _dijWdY[" Z[\_d_d] ^em j^[ dWjkh[ e\ j^[ _dj[h\WY[ X[jm[[d j^[ Xkba cWj[h_Wb WdZ j^[ YeWj_d] _d\bk[dY[i j^[ Z[l_Y[ jhWdifehj fhef[hj_[i1 eh m^_Y^ ikh\WY[ jh[Wjc[dj b[WZi je WZ[gkWj[ ijh[ii WdZ ijhW_d b[l[b [dWXb_d] fheZkYj_ed e\ YhWYa#

Pulsed Laser Deposition of ceramic thin films (PSI, ETH Zurich & EMPA).

\h[[ eh ded Z[bWc_dWj_d] YeWj_d]i _i [ii[dj_Wb$

J

wo projects initiated early 2007 are currently underway in this thematic area. The first one «Nanocrystalline ceramic thin film coating without sintering (NANCER)» involves five research groups from ETH Zurich (Prof. L. Gauckler & Prof. S. Pratsinis), EMPA (Dr. T. Graule) and PSI (Dr. T. Lippert & Dr. K. Conder). The thermal stability of nanocrystalline thin films integrated on silicon chip-sized devices is quantified in order to enable intermediate to high temperature applications such as with gas sensors and micro-solid oxide fuel cells. Those high functionality films are manufactured through novel fabrication techniques without the need for traditional sintering treatment. Six deposition techniques – spray pyrolysis, pulsed laser deposition, direct aerosol deposition, metal-organic chemical vapour deposition, RF sputtering and combustion chemical vapour deposition – have been altered to enable the Annual Report 2007

preparation of ceramic thin films with a range of selected thermal, electrical, electrochemical and magnetic properties. Yttria-stabilized zirconia thin films have been produced using all the above techniques and applied as electrolyte thin film for solid oxide fuel cells, providing for the first time indications on method-dependent properties, i.e. the relationship between microstructure and electrical conductivity. Characterisation techniques for such films have been implemented including (1) the set-up of a new test platform for electrochemical properties enabling the discrimination between the ionic and electronic contributions to conductivity and (2) the set-up of a device for measuring electrical properties at high temperature. Macro- and micro- gas sensors were produced by direct aerosol deposition of thin layers of SnO2 nanoparticles where small crystal size was preserved, therefore providing higher sensor performance.

Ojjh_W#ijWX_b_p[Z p_hYed_W OIP j^_d \_bci [b[Yjheboj[i ^Wl[ X[[d ikYY[ii\kbbo _dj[]hWj[Z _dje j^[ c_Yhe#ieb_Z en_Z[ \k[b Y[bb \eh XWjj[ho h[fbWY[c[dj _d fehjWXb[ Wffb_YWj_edi _dl[dj[Z Wj ;J> Pkh_Y^$ IkY^ Wd Wffb_YWj_ed _i ^_]^bo Z[cWdZ_d] ed W m_Z[ hWd][ e\ Y^WhWYj[h_ij_Yi" _dYbkZ_d] j^_d \_bc if[Y_\_Y i^Wf[ WdZ j[cf[hWjkh[# j_c[ ijWX_b_jo iWoi D7D9;HÊi fhe`[Yj YeehZ_dWjeh :h$ @[dd_\[h Hkff e\ ;J> Pkh_Y^$ J^h[[ c_Yhe#IE<9i ^Wl[ X[[d Z[fei_j[Z m_j^ j^[i[ [b[Yjheboj[ j^_d \_bci ed ed[ ]bWii#Y[hWc_Y Y^_f WdZ m_bb ieed X[ j[ij[Z \eh j^[_h [b[Yjh_YWb f[h\ehcWdY[$ ?j _i j^[ \_hij j_c[ j^Wj OIP \_bci m[h[ cWZ[ Xo ikY^ W lWh_[jo e\ Z[fei_j_ed c[j^eZi 0 W fkXb_YWj_ed _dlebl_d] Wbb j^[ D7D9;H fWhjd[hi Z[iYh_X_d] j^[i[ j^_d \_bci fhef[hj_[i _d h[bWj_edi^_f m_j^ j^[ fheY[ii[i Wffb_[Z _i _d j^[ (&&. W][dZW$

,

The second project in this thematic area deals with novel physical colours made-up through the unique arrangement of non-spherical nanosized particles in an inorganic or organic matrix for applications in safety or decorative surfaces. Those completely novel spectral characteristics are based on zero order diffraction - ZOD. The «Zero order nano optical pigments (ZONOP)» project is lead by Dr. A. Stuck at CSEM and involves PSI’s Dr. R. Morf.

Si3N4

Si La0.6 Sr0.4 Co0.2 Fe0.8 O3 (LSCF) thin films deposited on silicon nitride by cathode spray pyrolysis (ETH Zurich, PSI & Empa).

Jh[dZi

Vacuum-based thin-film technologies are vital for creating hard, resistant surfaces for electronics and tooling applications. Many Theoretical simulations were performed to of the underlying basic processes are still understand the effects of the shrinkage of not yet elucidated and important production the full structure length of a subwavelength problems remain unsolved. In chemical vaon the reflection and transmission spectra. pour deposition coating performed at 800 °C The first tests performed with structures of and above, residual tensile stress is built up 10, 40, 80, and infinite number of periods caused by the different thermal expansion are promising. The reflection peak is still coefficients during cooling. Multi-layered present in structures of only 10 periods and nanostructured coatings with a built-in whereas the intensity decreases down by high compressive stress may be an answer. a factor of only 50 %. Those subwavelength structures do not lose their colour effect Thin, transparent, inorganic coatings on by reducing their size down to a few micro- polymers are alternatives to heavy, brittle meters. As an example, a typical ZOD and rigid glass for food and pharmaceutical structure with a period of 360 nm exhibits a packaging. These thin film composites are strong reflection (~100 %) in the green with inherently flexible and, moreover, enable an infinite number of periods. By reducing cost-effective roll-to-roll production. the size of the pigment down to 10 periods, which means to a pixel of 3.6 microns, the Exceptional gas-barrier performance is exgreen reflection peak is still centred at the pected from artificially layered nanostrucsame wavelength but its intensity is detured materials. Interesting candidates for creased to 50 %. Such results were anticiavoiding premature failure are hybrids based pated but never simulated before. on metal-oxide layers combined with UV-

-

curable organosilanes and hyperbranched polymer precursors, which substantially reduce in shrinkage stresses as a result of their particular network formation mechanisms. On the other hand, patterned electrodes with tailored conductivity can be made with a proven but expensive technology. Novel approaches should be explored and combined with the barrier function. In the field of organic electronics and thin films, solar cell devices with transparent electrodes compatible with continuous production are required. Nanoscale gratings, with periods less than 500 nm combined with thin (less than 200 nm) dielectric layers also called zero-order diffraction (ZOD) devices act as highly effective colour filters at specific wavelengths. Strong colour and size effects are expected if the pigment size is of the order of a few grating periods or less, i.e. of about 1 micron. These effects are currently neither understood theoretically nor have they been verified experimentally. Annual Report 2007


8[i_Z[i \W_hbo \kdZWc[djWb gk[ij_edi" del[b Yeij [\\[Yj_l[ fheY[ii[i \eh ikh\WY[ YeWj_d] eh ijhkYjkh_d] ij_bb ^Wl[ je el[hYec[ cWdo Y^Wbb[d][i$

IF;HK

Ikh\WY[ ceZ_\_YWj_ed Xo YeWj_d] WdZ ijhkYjkh_d] hebb#je#hebb YeWj_d] fheY[ii[i r XWhh_[h YeWj_d]i r c[jWb en_Z[ YeWj_d]i ed c[jWbi WdZ feboc[hi r ifhWo foheboi_i r fkbi[Z bWi[h Z[fei_j_ed r Z_h[Yj W[heieb Z[fei_j_ed r H< ifkjj[h_d] c[jWb#eh]Wd_Y Y^[c_YWb lWfekh Z[fei_j_ed r Y[hWc_Y ckbj_#bWo[hi r YecXkij_ed Y^[c_YWb lWfekh Z[fei_j_ed r dWdeiYWb[ ]hWj_d]i r ijWX_b_jo _d bWo[hi r c[Y^Wd_ici e\ fhej[Yj_ed

400 µm

9^[c_YWb eh f^oi_YWb lWfekh Z[fei_j_ed" ifhWo foheboi_i" j^[hcWb ifhWo_d] WdZ bWi[h Wii_ij[Z WXbWj_ed Wh[ [nWcfb[i e\ [ii[dj_Wb j[Y^debe]_[i WiieY_Wj[Z m_j^ fWhj_Yb[ fheY[ii_d]$ J^[ Yh[W# j_ed e\ del[b fheZkYji [n^_X_j_d] Z[i_hWXb[

LSCF

Fabrication process of Zero Order Diffraction structures (CSEM & PSI).

efj_YWb" j^[hcWb" [b[Yjh_YWb" [b[YjheY^[c_YWb eh cW]d[j_Y fhef[hj_[i h[gk_h[i W X[jj[h kdZ[h# ijWdZ_d] e\ Xej^ j^[ fheY[ii fWhWc[j[hi WdZ j^[ Y^WhWYj[h_ij_Yi e\ cWj[h_Wbi$ <eh _dijWdY[" Z[\_d_d] ^em j^[ dWjkh[ e\ j^[ _dj[h\WY[ X[jm[[d j^[ Xkba cWj[h_Wb WdZ j^[ YeWj_d] _d\bk[dY[i j^[ Z[l_Y[ jhWdifehj fhef[hj_[i1 eh m^_Y^ ikh\WY[ jh[Wjc[dj b[WZi je WZ[gkWj[ ijh[ii WdZ ijhW_d b[l[b [dWXb_d] fheZkYj_ed e\ YhWYa#

Pulsed Laser Deposition of ceramic thin films (PSI, ETH Zurich & EMPA).

\h[[ eh ded Z[bWc_dWj_d] YeWj_d]i _i [ii[dj_Wb$

J

wo projects initiated early 2007 are currently underway in this thematic area. The first one «Nanocrystalline ceramic thin film coating without sintering (NANCER)» involves five research groups from ETH Zurich (Prof. L. Gauckler & Prof. S. Pratsinis), EMPA (Dr. T. Graule) and PSI (Dr. T. Lippert & Dr. K. Conder). The thermal stability of nanocrystalline thin films integrated on silicon chip-sized devices is quantified in order to enable intermediate to high temperature applications such as with gas sensors and micro-solid oxide fuel cells. Those high functionality films are manufactured through novel fabrication techniques without the need for traditional sintering treatment. Six deposition techniques – spray pyrolysis, pulsed laser deposition, direct aerosol deposition, metal-organic chemical vapour deposition, RF sputtering and combustion chemical vapour deposition – have been altered to enable the Annual Report 2007

preparation of ceramic thin films with a range of selected thermal, electrical, electrochemical and magnetic properties. Yttria-stabilized zirconia thin films have been produced using all the above techniques and applied as electrolyte thin film for solid oxide fuel cells, providing for the first time indications on method-dependent properties, i.e. the relationship between microstructure and electrical conductivity. Characterisation techniques for such films have been implemented including (1) the set-up of a new test platform for electrochemical properties enabling the discrimination between the ionic and electronic contributions to conductivity and (2) the set-up of a device for measuring electrical properties at high temperature. Macro- and micro- gas sensors were produced by direct aerosol deposition of thin layers of SnO2 nanoparticles where small crystal size was preserved, therefore providing higher sensor performance.

Ojjh_W#ijWX_b_p[Z p_hYed_W OIP j^_d \_bci [b[Yjheboj[i ^Wl[ X[[d ikYY[ii\kbbo _dj[]hWj[Z _dje j^[ c_Yhe#ieb_Z en_Z[ \k[b Y[bb \eh XWjj[ho h[fbWY[c[dj _d fehjWXb[ Wffb_YWj_edi _dl[dj[Z Wj ;J> Pkh_Y^$ IkY^ Wd Wffb_YWj_ed _i ^_]^bo Z[cWdZ_d] ed W m_Z[ hWd][ e\ Y^WhWYj[h_ij_Yi" _dYbkZ_d] j^_d \_bc if[Y_\_Y i^Wf[ WdZ j[cf[hWjkh[# j_c[ ijWX_b_jo iWoi D7D9;HÊi fhe`[Yj YeehZ_dWjeh :h$ @[dd_\[h Hkff e\ ;J> Pkh_Y^$ J^h[[ c_Yhe#IE<9i ^Wl[ X[[d Z[fei_j[Z m_j^ j^[i[ [b[Yjheboj[ j^_d \_bci ed ed[ ]bWii#Y[hWc_Y Y^_f WdZ m_bb ieed X[ j[ij[Z \eh j^[_h [b[Yjh_YWb f[h\ehcWdY[$ ?j _i j^[ \_hij j_c[ j^Wj OIP \_bci m[h[ cWZ[ Xo ikY^ W lWh_[jo e\ Z[fei_j_ed c[j^eZi 0 W fkXb_YWj_ed _dlebl_d] Wbb j^[ D7D9;H fWhjd[hi Z[iYh_X_d] j^[i[ j^_d \_bci fhef[hj_[i _d h[bWj_edi^_f m_j^ j^[ fheY[ii[i Wffb_[Z _i _d j^[ (&&. W][dZW$

,

The second project in this thematic area deals with novel physical colours made-up through the unique arrangement of non-spherical nanosized particles in an inorganic or organic matrix for applications in safety or decorative surfaces. Those completely novel spectral characteristics are based on zero order diffraction - ZOD. The «Zero order nano optical pigments (ZONOP)» project is lead by Dr. A. Stuck at CSEM and involves PSI’s Dr. R. Morf.

Si3N4

Si La0.6 Sr0.4 Co0.2 Fe0.8 O3 (LSCF) thin films deposited on silicon nitride by cathode spray pyrolysis (ETH Zurich, PSI & Empa).

Jh[dZi

Vacuum-based thin-film technologies are vital for creating hard, resistant surfaces for electronics and tooling applications. Many Theoretical simulations were performed to of the underlying basic processes are still understand the effects of the shrinkage of not yet elucidated and important production the full structure length of a subwavelength problems remain unsolved. In chemical vaon the reflection and transmission spectra. pour deposition coating performed at 800 °C The first tests performed with structures of and above, residual tensile stress is built up 10, 40, 80, and infinite number of periods caused by the different thermal expansion are promising. The reflection peak is still coefficients during cooling. Multi-layered present in structures of only 10 periods and nanostructured coatings with a built-in whereas the intensity decreases down by high compressive stress may be an answer. a factor of only 50 %. Those subwavelength structures do not lose their colour effect Thin, transparent, inorganic coatings on by reducing their size down to a few micro- polymers are alternatives to heavy, brittle meters. As an example, a typical ZOD and rigid glass for food and pharmaceutical structure with a period of 360 nm exhibits a packaging. These thin film composites are strong reflection (~100 %) in the green with inherently flexible and, moreover, enable an infinite number of periods. By reducing cost-effective roll-to-roll production. the size of the pigment down to 10 periods, which means to a pixel of 3.6 microns, the Exceptional gas-barrier performance is exgreen reflection peak is still centred at the pected from artificially layered nanostrucsame wavelength but its intensity is detured materials. Interesting candidates for creased to 50 %. Such results were anticiavoiding premature failure are hybrids based pated but never simulated before. on metal-oxide layers combined with UV-

-

curable organosilanes and hyperbranched polymer precursors, which substantially reduce in shrinkage stresses as a result of their particular network formation mechanisms. On the other hand, patterned electrodes with tailored conductivity can be made with a proven but expensive technology. Novel approaches should be explored and combined with the barrier function. In the field of organic electronics and thin films, solar cell devices with transparent electrodes compatible with continuous production are required. Nanoscale gratings, with periods less than 500 nm combined with thin (less than 200 nm) dielectric layers also called zero-order diffraction (ZOD) devices act as highly effective colour filters at specific wavelengths. Strong colour and size effects are expected if the pigment size is of the order of a few grating periods or less, i.e. of about 1 micron. These effects are currently neither understood theoretically nor have they been verified experimentally. Annual Report 2007


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IF;HK

<kdYj_edWb \eWci © U.T. Gonzenbach

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Ieb_Z \eWci \_dZ demWZWoi cWdo Wffb_YWj_edi Xej^ _d [l[ho#ZWo b_\[ WdZ _d _cfehjWdj j[Y^de# be]_YWb fheY[ii[i ikY^ Wi feboc[h_Y \eWci \eh fWYaW]_d]" Wbkc_d_kc b_]^jm[_]^j ijhkY# jkh[i \eh Xk_bZ_d]i WdZ W_hfbWd[i" feheki Y[hWc_Yi \eh cebj[d c[jWb \_bjhWj_ed$ ?d WZ# Z_j_ed" \eWci YWd Wbie X[ X[d[\_Y_Wb je j^[ \WXh_YWj_ed e\ icWhj \kdYj_edWb cWj[h_Wbi" _dYbkZ_d] \eh [nWcfb[ X_e#iYW\\ebZi \eh j_iik[ [d]_d[[h_d]" [b[YjheZ[i \eh ieb_Z en_Z[ \k[b

Open porous ceramic particle-stabilized foams (ETH Zurich & EPFL).

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E

ne project entitled «Smart Functional Foams» and initiated early 2007 is currently underway in this thematic area. A direct foaming method is applied for producing foams with tailored porosity, pore size distribution and pore connectivity using modified colloidal particles as foam stabilizers. The project gathers four research groups originating from ETH Zurich (Prof. L. Gauckler, Prof. P. Ermanni & Prof. J. Löffler) and from EPFL (Prof. D. Pioletti). Preparation of stable foams from all three classes of particulate materials – ceramic, metal or polymer – was achieved; this includes the challenge of manipulating highly inflammable metallic particles. A method for creating open pores larger than 100 µm in ceramic foams with controlled average pore size and pore openings was implemented. The growth of bone-growing cells for potential application as scaffold materials is currently under study. The whole processing chain for preparing dried foams from Annual Report 2007

Feheki cWj[h_Wbi m_j^ ekjijWdZ_d] fhef[hj_[i Feheki cWj[h_Wbi Wh[ _cfehjWdj _d dkc[heki Wffb_YWj_edi hWd]_d] \hec j^[hcWb _dikbWj_ed je Xed[ ]hW\j cWj[h_Wbi$ M_j^_d j^[ 99CN _d_j_Wj_l[" W del[b \eWc_d] c[j^eZ ^Wi X[[d [nj[dZ[Z _dje j^[ Wh[Wi e\ Y[hWc_Y" feboc[h_Y WdZ c[jWbb_Y \eWci$ ¼J^[ WY^_[l[Z h[ikbji Z[cedijhWj[ j^[ kd_l[hiWb dWjkh[ e\ j^[ c[j^eZ WdZ j^[ ekjijWdZ_d] fhef[hj_[i e\ j^[ fhe# ZkY[Z feheki cWj[h_Wbi½ ijWj[Z :h$ Khi J$ =edp[dXWY^ ;J> Pkh_Y^ m^e _i YeehZ_dWj_d] j^[ ¼IcWhj <kdYj_edWb <eWci½ fhe`[Yj$ J^[ bWh][ ef[d feh[i _d j^[ Y[hWc_Y \eWci cWa[ j^[c W fej[dj_Wb YWdZ_ZWj[ \eh Xed[ ]hW\j cWj[h_Wbi$ J_jWd_kc \eWci YWd X[ fheZkY[Z m_j^ feh[ i_p[i X[bem +& ªc" Wd _dj[h[ij_d] YWdZ_ZWj[ \eh b_]^j#m[_]^j Wffb_YWj_edi$ LWh_eki feboc[h \eWci m_j^ ^_]^ j^[hcWb ijWX_b_jo WdZ _d iec[ YWi[i f_[pe[b[Yjh_Y fhef[hj_[i Wh[ \WXh_YWj[Z Wi m[bb$ Ceh[ [nY_j_d] h[ikbji Wh[ [nf[Yj[Z j^hek]^ekj (&&. WdZ (&&/$

Porous structure made from a ceramic particle-stabilized foam (ETH Zurich & EPFL).

Jh[dZi

titanium and nickel / titanium nanoparticles was set-up in an oxygen free atmosphere. Oxide content as low as 2 mass-percent in the dry porous material and average pore sizes of less than 50 µm is quite promising. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) particles are used as starting materials for producing materials with a closed cell structure. To obtain a partially open-cell structure an emulsion-based process is used. Piezoelectric properties of both types of structures made of PVDF and other polymers are currently being tested.

A major advantage of this novel foaming technique is the enhanced foam stability in the wet state, allowing for a better control of the foam microstructure. The method is very versatile and can be used to produce porous materials out of ceramics, metals, polymers and composites. A wide variety of foam products may therefore be foreseen. Porous scaffolds for hard tissue repair could be produced from inert biocompatible materials, biocompatible bioactive materials or from bioresorbable materials. Titanium- or

.

/

magnesium-based foams have many potential applications due to their outstanding mechanical properties in combination with a low density and high chemical resistance. Superelastic foams could be created by using shape memory effect above transition temperature, i.e. using an alloy with the transition temperature below working temperature. Shape-memory foams could be designed by using shape memory effect below transition temperature, i.e. using an alloy with a transition temperature above

working temperature. Electrically-charged polymeric foams represent promising piezoelectric transducers for monitoring/actuating soft matter. Carbon nanotube foam actuators represent the logical extension of proven two-dimensional actuators based on bucky papers to three-dimensional active structures.

Annual Report 2007


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<kdYj_edWb \eWci © U.T. Gonzenbach

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Open porous ceramic particle-stabilized foams (ETH Zurich & EPFL).

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ne project entitled «Smart Functional Foams» and initiated early 2007 is currently underway in this thematic area. A direct foaming method is applied for producing foams with tailored porosity, pore size distribution and pore connectivity using modified colloidal particles as foam stabilizers. The project gathers four research groups originating from ETH Zurich (Prof. L. Gauckler, Prof. P. Ermanni & Prof. J. Löffler) and from EPFL (Prof. D. Pioletti). Preparation of stable foams from all three classes of particulate materials – ceramic, metal or polymer – was achieved; this includes the challenge of manipulating highly inflammable metallic particles. A method for creating open pores larger than 100 µm in ceramic foams with controlled average pore size and pore openings was implemented. The growth of bone-growing cells for potential application as scaffold materials is currently under study. The whole processing chain for preparing dried foams from Annual Report 2007

Feheki cWj[h_Wbi m_j^ ekjijWdZ_d] fhef[hj_[i Feheki cWj[h_Wbi Wh[ _cfehjWdj _d dkc[heki Wffb_YWj_edi hWd]_d] \hec j^[hcWb _dikbWj_ed je Xed[ ]hW\j cWj[h_Wbi$ M_j^_d j^[ 99CN _d_j_Wj_l[" W del[b \eWc_d] c[j^eZ ^Wi X[[d [nj[dZ[Z _dje j^[ Wh[Wi e\ Y[hWc_Y" feboc[h_Y WdZ c[jWbb_Y \eWci$ ¼J^[ WY^_[l[Z h[ikbji Z[cedijhWj[ j^[ kd_l[hiWb dWjkh[ e\ j^[ c[j^eZ WdZ j^[ ekjijWdZ_d] fhef[hj_[i e\ j^[ fhe# ZkY[Z feheki cWj[h_Wbi½ ijWj[Z :h$ Khi J$ =edp[dXWY^ ;J> Pkh_Y^ m^e _i YeehZ_dWj_d] j^[ ¼IcWhj <kdYj_edWb <eWci½ fhe`[Yj$ J^[ bWh][ ef[d feh[i _d j^[ Y[hWc_Y \eWci cWa[ j^[c W fej[dj_Wb YWdZ_ZWj[ \eh Xed[ ]hW\j cWj[h_Wbi$ J_jWd_kc \eWci YWd X[ fheZkY[Z m_j^ feh[ i_p[i X[bem +& ªc" Wd _dj[h[ij_d] YWdZ_ZWj[ \eh b_]^j#m[_]^j Wffb_YWj_edi$ LWh_eki feboc[h \eWci m_j^ ^_]^ j^[hcWb ijWX_b_jo WdZ _d iec[ YWi[i f_[pe[b[Yjh_Y fhef[hj_[i Wh[ \WXh_YWj[Z Wi m[bb$ Ceh[ [nY_j_d] h[ikbji Wh[ [nf[Yj[Z j^hek]^ekj (&&. WdZ (&&/$

Porous structure made from a ceramic particle-stabilized foam (ETH Zurich & EPFL).

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titanium and nickel / titanium nanoparticles was set-up in an oxygen free atmosphere. Oxide content as low as 2 mass-percent in the dry porous material and average pore sizes of less than 50 µm is quite promising. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) particles are used as starting materials for producing materials with a closed cell structure. To obtain a partially open-cell structure an emulsion-based process is used. Piezoelectric properties of both types of structures made of PVDF and other polymers are currently being tested.

A major advantage of this novel foaming technique is the enhanced foam stability in the wet state, allowing for a better control of the foam microstructure. The method is very versatile and can be used to produce porous materials out of ceramics, metals, polymers and composites. A wide variety of foam products may therefore be foreseen. Porous scaffolds for hard tissue repair could be produced from inert biocompatible materials, biocompatible bioactive materials or from bioresorbable materials. Titanium- or

.

/

magnesium-based foams have many potential applications due to their outstanding mechanical properties in combination with a low density and high chemical resistance. Superelastic foams could be created by using shape memory effect above transition temperature, i.e. using an alloy with the transition temperature below working temperature. Shape-memory foams could be designed by using shape memory effect below transition temperature, i.e. using an alloy with a transition temperature above

working temperature. Electrically-charged polymeric foams represent promising piezoelectric transducers for monitoring/actuating soft matter. Carbon nanotube foam actuators represent the logical extension of proven two-dimensional actuators based on bucky papers to three-dimensional active structures.

Annual Report 2007


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<kdYj_edWb fWhj_Yb[i _d YedjWYj m_j^ X_ebe]_YWb \bk_Zi fWhj_Yb[ \kdYj_edWb_iWj_ed WdZ [dYeZ_d] r \bk_Z ^Wdb_d] r Yebbe_ZWb fhef[hj_[i r jWh][j \_i^_d] m_j^ ikh\WY[#ceZ_\_[Z dWdefWhj_Yb[i r _cfhel[Z beWZ_d] WdZ iebkX_b_iWj_ed r [d^WdY[Z X_eWlW_bWX_b_jo r [d^WdY[Z Z[b_l[ho YecX_dWj_ed _cW]_d]%Z[b_l[ho r j_iik[ jWh][j_d] r X_eYecfWj_X_b_jo WdZ jen_Y_jo WiiWo Z[l[befc[dj r _d l_le WdZ _d l_jhe iYh[[d_d] e\ fWhj_Yb[#Y[bb _dj[hWYj_ed r jWh][j[Z j_iik[ Z[b_l[ho WdZ _cW]_d]$

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cW`eh _cfWYj _d i[l[hWb \_[bZi e\ X_e#h[i[WhY^" ikY^ Wi _d ioij[ci X_ebe]o m^_Y^ i[[ai je [nfbW_d X_ebe]_YWb f^[dec[ded dej ed W ][d[#Xo#][d[ XWi_i" Xkj j^hek]^ j^[ _dj[hWY# j_ed e\ Wbb Y[bbkbWh WdZ X_eY^[c_YWb Yecfe# d[dji _d W Y[bb eh Wd eh]Wd_ic$ ?d ehZ[h je f[d[jhWj[ ij[f Xo ij[f _dje j^_i [nY_j_d] \_[bZ" \kdYj_edWb dWdefWhj_Yb[i ioij[ci m_bb X[ \_hij

Nucleus targeting by functionalised superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (EPFL & CSEM).

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Flow-through particle processor for high yield and high quality functionalisation of particles (EPFL & CSEM).

Wj j^[_h i_j[i e\ WYj_ed$

Annual Report 2007

(&&- ÂźAFC= JecehhemĂŠi CWha[j 7mWhZ½ WmWhZ[Z je F^$:$ ijkZ[dj IW_ H[ZZo ;F<B ?dij_jkj[ e\ 8_e[d]_d[[h_d] fhe\[iiehi C[beZo ImWhjp WdZ @[\\h[o >kXX[bb WdZ j^[_h j[Wc e\ h[i[WhY^[hi ^Wl[ Z[l[bef[Z WdZ fWj[dj[Z W jof[ e\ dWdefWhj_Yb[ j^Wj Wbbemi lWYY_d[i je X[ WZc_d_ij[h[Z ceh[ [\\_Y_[djbo" m_j^ \[m[h i_Z[ [\\[Yji" WdZ Wj W \hWYj_ed e\ j^[ Yeij e\ Ykhh[dj lWYY_d[ j[Y^debe]_[i$ 7dj_][d#X[Wh_d] dWdefWhj_Yb[ lWYY_d[i ^Wl[ X[[d [d]_d[[h[Z m_j^ jme del[b \[Wjkh[i 0 bocf^ deZ[#jWh][j_d] WdZ _d i_jk Yecfb[c[dj WYj_lWj_ed$ J^ei[ del[b \[Wjkh[i cWo fej[d# j_Wbbo X[ _cfehjWdj ijhWj[]_[i _d lWYY_d[ Z[i_]d$ ?d j^_i ioij[c" \bk_Z WdZ cWYheceb[# Ykb[i Wh[ YedijWdjbo X[_d] ZhW_d[Z \hec j^[ _dj[hij_j_Wb ifWY[" j^_i XWi_Y f^oi_ebe]_YWb f^[dec[ded mWi [nfbe_j[Z Xo ki_d] dWde# fWhj_Yb[i j^Wj Wh[ ie icWbb (+ dWdec[jh[i j^Wj j^[o Wh[ Yedl[Yj[Z Xo _dj[hij_j_Wb \bem j^hek]^ j^[ _dj[hij_j_Wb cWjh_n _dje j^[ ZhW_d_d] bocf^Wj_Y YWf_bbWho X[Z$ F^$:$ ijkZ[dj IW_ H[ZZo ^Wi X[[d WmWhZ[Z j^[ (&&- ÂźAFC= JecehhemĂŠi CWha[j 7mWhZ½ mehj^ 9>< +&ĂŠ&&& Ph.D. student Sai Reddy of EPFL was awarded the “KPMG Tomorrow’s Market Awardâ€? 2007 (Project “Immunofunc- \eh ^_i Yedjh_Xkj_ed je j^_i Xh[Waj^hek]^$ J^_i meha mWi fkXb_i^[Z _d DWjkh[ 8_ej[Y^debe]o$ tional Nanoparticlesâ€?).

Š A. Herzog

7

novel vaccine and immunotherapy technology by designing materials exhibiting bio-functional and immunofunctional capabilities is being developed by a team led by EPFL (Prof. J. Hubbell). The team also involves other colleagues from EPFL (Prof. M. Swartz), from a Swiss company (SurfaceSolutionS AG) and consultants from another company. Specifically, polymer nanoparticle formulations, following intradermal injection, should target the draining lymph nodes. Furthermore a plug-and-play scheme to functionalise these nanoparticles with antigen will be set-up. The biophysical phenomenon of interstitial flow which can direct ultra-small antigen-bearing nanoparticles into the lymphatics and draining nodes, where dendritic cells reside in highest number, was demonstrated. Moreover materials surface biofunctionality can be exploited to activate complement in situ to generate a danger signal adjuvant. The achieved efforts span from the synthesis of the functionalised nanoparticles toward to the demonstration of strong and sustained antigen-specific cellular and humoral immunity in mice.

'&

The PAPAMOD project led by Prof. P. Renaud (EPFL) aims to develop novel methods for surface modification and investigation of cellparticles interaction for superparamagnetic nanoparticles. The project further involves researchers from EPFL (Prof. J. Hubbell, Dr. A. Petri-Fink) and CSEM (Dr. H. Knapp). Nanosized superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIONs) will be coated with biological molecules and classified regarding their physical and chemical properties using a novel technique based on microfluidics. The particles should help evaluate the uptake mechanisms used by cells from the membrane toward the nucleus. Superparamagnetic nanoparticles were functionalised for molecular imaging and for protein separation inside living cells. Colloidal stability of dispersions of particles exhibiting different polymer coatings was evaluated with regard to cellular uptake by HeLa cells. Already minor modifications of the nanoparticles surface lead to an altered stability, uptake, and toxicity. The optimal cell culture medium should therefore be individually determined depending on the particle surface modification. The pathway of nanoparticles functionalised with organelletargeting peptides was identified from the living cell membrane towards the nucleus. A first microfluidics device prototype enabling continuous multi-step functionalisation of particles has been tested. It is currently adapted to submicron and micron-sized particles but work is in progress for develo-

''

ping a device suitable for continuous functionnalisation of nanosized particles. The development of a device suited to classification of particles regarding their physical and chemical properties is also underway.

FWhj_Yb[i \kdYj_edWb_i[Z i_ckbjWd[ekibo m_j^ i[l[hWb fWhj_YkbWh fhej[_di Wh[ WXb[ je Xh[Wa j^hek]^ j^[ Y[bb c[cXhWd[ WdZ if[Y_\_YWbbo WZiehX je eh]Wd[bb[i$ J^[i[ \kdYj_edWb_i[Z fWhj_Yb[i YekbZ \eh j^[ \_hij j_c[ X[ h[Yel[h[Z \hec j^[ Y[bb WdZ i[fWhWj[Z \hec j^[ eh]Wd[bb[i$ J^[ fhej[_di ikXi[# gk[djbo WZiehX[Z Wj j^[ ikh\WY[ e\ j^[ fWhj_Yb[i W\j[h [dj[h_d] j^[ Y[bb YekbZ X[ Z[j[Yj[Z$ ?dj[h[ij_d]bo" ceh[ j^Wd /& e\ j^[i[ fhej[_di Wh[ h[bWj[Z je j^[ kfjWa[ WdZ j^[ jWh][j_d] fheY[ii edbo$ ;d[h]o# h[bWj[Z fhej[_di m[h[ Wbie Z[j[Yj[Z" Yed# \_hc_d] j^Wj j^[ Y[bbi m[h[ ij_bb Wb_l[ Zkh_d] j^[ WZiehfj_ed fheY[ii$ J^_i [nY_j_d] Z_iYe# l[ho ^Wi b[Z je j^[ \_b_d] e\ W fWj[dj Wffb_YWj_ed$

The development of a platform for the reproducible, multifunctional, and flexible surface Jh[dZi derivatisation of nanoparticles suitable to Demand for novel therapeutic or immunoinvestigate cell-nanoparticle interactions in genic functional groups or molecules living systems and biochemical interaction designed for low molecular weight and is another long-term goal of this thematic biomacromolecular pharmaceuticals is area. This platform should enable (a) the increasing. They should act as delivery systems capable of protecting, transporting, reproducible and straightforward surface and selectively depositing those therapeutic derivatisation of magnetic particles, (b) the agents at their sites of action. In the field of creation of a particle library, (c) the principal magnetic resonance imaging multifunctional understanding of the properties of complex particles are needed in the future. They will nanoparticles in a physiological environment, need to fulfil several requirements : chemical (d) the correlation of material properties to their biological effects, and (e) the proof of stability under physiological conditions and sufficient circulation time in vivo; low level of principle for the identification of the interaction partners. Both, industry and academia will non-specific protein adsorption from blood gain from the availability of such a device plasma to prevent fast clearance from the blood stream; presentation of functional bio- for systems biology and from the investigation of cell-nanoparticle interactions. One of the ligands in order to actively target specific cells and tissue. Of particular interest is the most important questions for toxicologists is the quantification of nanoparticles that combination of imaging with the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, thus increasing have been taken up by cells or organisms. This question has not been answered today. the safety and efficiency of medical treatment protocols. Such approaches are still Sophisticated applications of superparaat the research stage, but show high potential for major breakthroughs in medicine. magnetic particles will be tacked in a further Examples include the development of com- step. They include magnetic enhanced transfection, treatment of tumours by hyperthermia, posite particles that contain both drug and targeted drug delivery and target fishing for contrast agents and allow for site-specific solving problems related to systems biology. release of therapeutics upon activation. Annual Report 2007


Fh_c[ _dj[h[iji Wh[ je kdZ[hijWdZ ^em Y[bb fheY[ii[i cWo X[ _d\bk[dY[Z Xo dWde# i_p[Z fWhj_Yb[i WdZ je _cfhel[ [\\_YWYo WdZ iW\[jo e\ Zhk] jh[Wjc[dj WdZ lWYY_dWj_ed$

IF;HK%CWjB_\[

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Nucleus targeting by functionalised superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (EPFL & CSEM).

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Flow-through particle processor for high yield and high quality functionalisation of particles (EPFL & CSEM).

Wj j^[_h i_j[i e\ WYj_ed$

Annual Report 2007

(&&- ÂźAFC= JecehhemĂŠi CWha[j 7mWhZ½ WmWhZ[Z je F^$:$ ijkZ[dj IW_ H[ZZo ;F<B ?dij_jkj[ e\ 8_e[d]_d[[h_d] fhe\[iiehi C[beZo ImWhjp WdZ @[\\h[o >kXX[bb WdZ j^[_h j[Wc e\ h[i[WhY^[hi ^Wl[ Z[l[bef[Z WdZ fWj[dj[Z W jof[ e\ dWdefWhj_Yb[ j^Wj Wbbemi lWYY_d[i je X[ WZc_d_ij[h[Z ceh[ [\\_Y_[djbo" m_j^ \[m[h i_Z[ [\\[Yji" WdZ Wj W \hWYj_ed e\ j^[ Yeij e\ Ykhh[dj lWYY_d[ j[Y^debe]_[i$ 7dj_][d#X[Wh_d] dWdefWhj_Yb[ lWYY_d[i ^Wl[ X[[d [d]_d[[h[Z m_j^ jme del[b \[Wjkh[i 0 bocf^ deZ[#jWh][j_d] WdZ _d i_jk Yecfb[c[dj WYj_lWj_ed$ J^ei[ del[b \[Wjkh[i cWo fej[d# j_Wbbo X[ _cfehjWdj ijhWj[]_[i _d lWYY_d[ Z[i_]d$ ?d j^_i ioij[c" \bk_Z WdZ cWYheceb[# Ykb[i Wh[ YedijWdjbo X[_d] ZhW_d[Z \hec j^[ _dj[hij_j_Wb ifWY[" j^_i XWi_Y f^oi_ebe]_YWb f^[dec[ded mWi [nfbe_j[Z Xo ki_d] dWde# fWhj_Yb[i j^Wj Wh[ ie icWbb (+ dWdec[jh[i j^Wj j^[o Wh[ Yedl[Yj[Z Xo _dj[hij_j_Wb \bem j^hek]^ j^[ _dj[hij_j_Wb cWjh_n _dje j^[ ZhW_d_d] bocf^Wj_Y YWf_bbWho X[Z$ F^$:$ ijkZ[dj IW_ H[ZZo ^Wi X[[d WmWhZ[Z j^[ (&&- ÂźAFC= JecehhemĂŠi CWha[j 7mWhZ½ mehj^ 9>< +&ĂŠ&&& Ph.D. student Sai Reddy of EPFL was awarded the “KPMG Tomorrow’s Market Awardâ€? 2007 (Project “Immunofunc- \eh ^_i Yedjh_Xkj_ed je j^_i Xh[Waj^hek]^$ J^_i meha mWi fkXb_i^[Z _d DWjkh[ 8_ej[Y^debe]o$ tional Nanoparticlesâ€?).

Š A. Herzog

7

novel vaccine and immunotherapy technology by designing materials exhibiting bio-functional and immunofunctional capabilities is being developed by a team led by EPFL (Prof. J. Hubbell). The team also involves other colleagues from EPFL (Prof. M. Swartz), from a Swiss company (SurfaceSolutionS AG) and consultants from another company. Specifically, polymer nanoparticle formulations, following intradermal injection, should target the draining lymph nodes. Furthermore a plug-and-play scheme to functionalise these nanoparticles with antigen will be set-up. The biophysical phenomenon of interstitial flow which can direct ultra-small antigen-bearing nanoparticles into the lymphatics and draining nodes, where dendritic cells reside in highest number, was demonstrated. Moreover materials surface biofunctionality can be exploited to activate complement in situ to generate a danger signal adjuvant. The achieved efforts span from the synthesis of the functionalised nanoparticles toward to the demonstration of strong and sustained antigen-specific cellular and humoral immunity in mice.

'&

The PAPAMOD project led by Prof. P. Renaud (EPFL) aims to develop novel methods for surface modification and investigation of cellparticles interaction for superparamagnetic nanoparticles. The project further involves researchers from EPFL (Prof. J. Hubbell, Dr. A. Petri-Fink) and CSEM (Dr. H. Knapp). Nanosized superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIONs) will be coated with biological molecules and classified regarding their physical and chemical properties using a novel technique based on microfluidics. The particles should help evaluate the uptake mechanisms used by cells from the membrane toward the nucleus. Superparamagnetic nanoparticles were functionalised for molecular imaging and for protein separation inside living cells. Colloidal stability of dispersions of particles exhibiting different polymer coatings was evaluated with regard to cellular uptake by HeLa cells. Already minor modifications of the nanoparticles surface lead to an altered stability, uptake, and toxicity. The optimal cell culture medium should therefore be individually determined depending on the particle surface modification. The pathway of nanoparticles functionalised with organelletargeting peptides was identified from the living cell membrane towards the nucleus. A first microfluidics device prototype enabling continuous multi-step functionalisation of particles has been tested. It is currently adapted to submicron and micron-sized particles but work is in progress for develo-

''

ping a device suitable for continuous functionnalisation of nanosized particles. The development of a device suited to classification of particles regarding their physical and chemical properties is also underway.

FWhj_Yb[i \kdYj_edWb_i[Z i_ckbjWd[ekibo m_j^ i[l[hWb fWhj_YkbWh fhej[_di Wh[ WXb[ je Xh[Wa j^hek]^ j^[ Y[bb c[cXhWd[ WdZ if[Y_\_YWbbo WZiehX je eh]Wd[bb[i$ J^[i[ \kdYj_edWb_i[Z fWhj_Yb[i YekbZ \eh j^[ \_hij j_c[ X[ h[Yel[h[Z \hec j^[ Y[bb WdZ i[fWhWj[Z \hec j^[ eh]Wd[bb[i$ J^[ fhej[_di ikXi[# gk[djbo WZiehX[Z Wj j^[ ikh\WY[ e\ j^[ fWhj_Yb[i W\j[h [dj[h_d] j^[ Y[bb YekbZ X[ Z[j[Yj[Z$ ?dj[h[ij_d]bo" ceh[ j^Wd /& e\ j^[i[ fhej[_di Wh[ h[bWj[Z je j^[ kfjWa[ WdZ j^[ jWh][j_d] fheY[ii edbo$ ;d[h]o# h[bWj[Z fhej[_di m[h[ Wbie Z[j[Yj[Z" Yed# \_hc_d] j^Wj j^[ Y[bbi m[h[ ij_bb Wb_l[ Zkh_d] j^[ WZiehfj_ed fheY[ii$ J^_i [nY_j_d] Z_iYe# l[ho ^Wi b[Z je j^[ \_b_d] e\ W fWj[dj Wffb_YWj_ed$

The development of a platform for the reproducible, multifunctional, and flexible surface Jh[dZi derivatisation of nanoparticles suitable to Demand for novel therapeutic or immunoinvestigate cell-nanoparticle interactions in genic functional groups or molecules living systems and biochemical interaction designed for low molecular weight and is another long-term goal of this thematic biomacromolecular pharmaceuticals is area. This platform should enable (a) the increasing. They should act as delivery systems capable of protecting, transporting, reproducible and straightforward surface and selectively depositing those therapeutic derivatisation of magnetic particles, (b) the agents at their sites of action. In the field of creation of a particle library, (c) the principal magnetic resonance imaging multifunctional understanding of the properties of complex particles are needed in the future. They will nanoparticles in a physiological environment, need to fulfil several requirements : chemical (d) the correlation of material properties to their biological effects, and (e) the proof of stability under physiological conditions and sufficient circulation time in vivo; low level of principle for the identification of the interaction partners. Both, industry and academia will non-specific protein adsorption from blood gain from the availability of such a device plasma to prevent fast clearance from the blood stream; presentation of functional bio- for systems biology and from the investigation of cell-nanoparticle interactions. One of the ligands in order to actively target specific cells and tissue. Of particular interest is the most important questions for toxicologists is the quantification of nanoparticles that combination of imaging with the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, thus increasing have been taken up by cells or organisms. This question has not been answered today. the safety and efficiency of medical treatment protocols. Such approaches are still Sophisticated applications of superparaat the research stage, but show high potential for major breakthroughs in medicine. magnetic particles will be tacked in a further Examples include the development of com- step. They include magnetic enhanced transfection, treatment of tumours by hyperthermia, posite particles that contain both drug and targeted drug delivery and target fishing for contrast agents and allow for site-specific solving problems related to systems biology. release of therapeutics upon activation. Annual Report 2007


8_ecWj[h_Wbi h[fh[i[dj W a[o Y^Wbb[d][ _d j^[ Z[l[befc[dj WdZ cWha[j_d] e\ ^_]^#f[h\ehcWdY[ c[Z_YWb Z[l_Y[i$

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C[Z_YWb Z[l_Y[ j[Y^debe]o WdZ _dde lWj_ed YecX_dWj_ed Z[l_Y[i r _dj[]hWj[Z ^[Wb_d] r j_iik[ [d]_d[[h_d] r c_d_cWbbo _dlWi_l[ j[Y^debe]o r _cfbWdj#Y[djh[Z _d\[Yj_ed r c_YheX_Wb fhe\_b[hWj_ed r Y[bb#XWi[Z j^[hWf_[i

?cfbWdj[Z c[Z_YWb Z[l_Y[i" Z[if_j[ j^[_h fh[i[dj _cfehjWdj Yedjh_Xkj_ed je fWj_[djiĂŠ gkWb_jo e\ b_\[" fh[i[dj bed]ijWdZ_d] Y^Wbb[d][i

_d l_le$ Jme a[o eX`[Yj_l[i _d j^_i \_[bZ Wh[ j^[ Z[l[befc[dj e\ Z[l_Y[i m_j^ _cfhel[Z Yb_d_YWb ekjYec[ XWi[Z ed ceb[YkbWhbo Z[i_]d[Z cW# j[h_Wbi j^Wj ikffehj j^[ dWjkhWb ^[Wb_d] fheY[ii

_d l_le" WdZ X_ec[Z_YWb ioij[ci j^Wj YecX_d[ h[iehXWXb[ cWj[h_Wbi m_j^ Yedjhebb[Z h[b[Wi[ e\ f^WhcWY[kj_YWb Zhk]i$ 8ej^ ijhWj[]_[i fh[i[dj ]h[Wj effehjkd_j_[i \eh Xh[Waj^hek]^

Model neuron system for studying onset of myelination. Three murine Schwann cells expressing fluorescently tagged ikYY[ii\kbbo WZZh[ii[Z _d Yediehj_W m_j^ [n# nucleus (blue), myelin basic protein and actin cytoskeleton (green) f[hj_i[ _d cWj[h_Wbi iY_[dY[" X_ebe]o" f^WhcWYo (red) are cultured on poly(L-lysine) adsorbed poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) fibers (white WdZ c[Z_Y_d[$ cylinders) for 20 days (CSEM & ETH Zurich).

Z[l[befc[dji _d j^[ \kjkh[" Xkj YWd edbo X[

J

hree projects are currently underway in this thematic area. The first project deals with tissue replacement materials consisting of sheets of autologous cells and biodegradable polymer films. Researchers from ETH Zurich (Prof. J. VĂśrĂśs), EPFL (Prof. J. A. Hubbell), and University Hospital Zurich (PD Dr. A. Zisch and Prof. F. Weber) have teamed up to establish a platform for cell sheet engineering. Cells are organised in a well-defined, multilayered 3D environment of designed polymer substrates presenting specific -and variable- cues for cell growth. The approach will be validated in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism of electrochemical peeling of cell-sheets has been explored and optimised for different cell types. Polyelectrolyte carrier films have been developed that meet specific requirements for creation of sheets of human multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells. The methodology of using thin fibrin-like polyethylene glycol hydrogels has been established along with the functionalisation of these hydrogel films with cell-adhesive peptides. Moreover, a new method for the bottom-up design of hydrogels has been invented allowing the production of micropatterned thin film hydrogels promoting cell adhesion only at predefined locations. Annual Report 2007

Bioresorbable stent made of magnesium alloy (Š Biotronik) (ETH Zurich & Empa).

J^[ c_YheijhkYjkh[ e\ j^_i d[m X_eh[iehXWXb[ cW]d[i_kc Wbbeo _i Y^WhWYj[h_i[Z Xo W l[ho \_d[ ]hW_d i_p[ icWbb[h j^Wd '& c_Yhedi$ IkY^ ijhkYjkh[i b[WZ je l[ho \WlekhWXb[ Z[# \ehcWj_ed X[^Wl_ekh" h[ikbj_d] _d W ZkYj_b_jo e\ ceh[ j^Wd )& [bed]Wj_ed je \hWYjkh[$ J^[ Wbbeo_d] Yedj[dj e\ hWh[ [Whj^ [b[c[dji \WY_b_jWj[i j^[ \ehcWj_ed e\ fhej[Yj_l[ ikh\WY[ bWo[hi" fheZkY_d] j^[ Z[i_h[Z _dYh[Wi[ e\ j^[ Z[# ]hWZWj_ed h[i_ijWdY[ _d f^oi_ebe]_YWb c[Z_W$ J^_i Ybei[ WdZ jhkij\kb Yeef[hWj_ed X[jm[[d j^[ ;J> :ecW_d _dij_jkj[i WdZ 8_ejhed_a 7= _i \hk_j\kb _d i[l[hWb Wif[Yji 0 _j Ybei[i j^[ ]Wf X[jm[[d \kdZWc[djWb h[i[WhY^ WdZ fhWYj_YWb Wf# fb_YWj_ed" _j _dif_h[i j^[ _dlebl[Z h[i[WhY^[hi WdZ h[l[Wbi d[m _dj[h[ij_d] iY_[dj_\_Y gk[ij_edi WdZ ef[di j^[ Zeehi \eh j^[ [cfbeoc[dj e\ ;J> :ecW_d F^$:$ ijkZ[dji _d lW# h_eki \_[bZi e\ c[Z_YWb#eh_[dj[Z _dZkijho$

20 Âľm

9[bb i^[[j [d]_d[[h_d] _i W f_ed[[h_d] Z_iY_fb_d[ e\ j_iik[ [d]_d[[h_d] j^Wj [dWXb[i j^[ h[fbWY[c[dj e\ j^_d j_iik[i ikY^ Wi Yehd[W WdZ ia_d$ 9edl[dj_edWb c[j^eZi Wh[ XWi[Z ed ^Whl[ij_d] W bWo[h e\ Ykbjkh[Z Y[bbi e\ j^[ fWj_[dj \hec j[cf[hWjkh[ h[ifedi_l[ feboc[h Z_i^[i$ J^_i 99CN fhe`[Yj \eYki[i ed [ijW# Xb_i^_d] Wd Wbj[hdWj_l[ fbWj\ehc XWi[Z ed j^_d feboc[h ^oZhe][bi" ij[c Y[bbi" WdZ X_e[b[Yjhed_Yi$ F^$:$ ijkZ[dj EhWd[ =k_bbWkc[#=[dj_b if[dj / cedj^i _d Fhe\i$ J$ EaWde WdZ C$ OWcWjeÊi mehbZ b[WZ_d] j_iik[ [d]_d[[h_d] bWXehWjeho Wj j^[ JeaoeÊi Mec[d C[Z_YWb Kd_l[hi_jo$ I^[ [nfbeh[Z j^[ c[Y^Wd_ic e\ j^[ [b[YjheY^[c_YWb f[[b_d] _d Z[jW_b$ D[m f[[b_d] c[Y^Wd_ici ^Wl[ X[[d Z_iYel[h[Z XWi[Z ed ifedjWd[eki c[Y^Wd_YWb Z[jWY^# Prof. Y. Akiyama (right) and O. Guillaume-Gentil c[dj e\ Y[bb i^[[ji e\ lWh_eki Z_\\[h[dj Y[bbi jof[i$ at Tokyo’s Women Medical University. J^[i[ \_hij h[ikbji ^Wl[ `kij X[[d fkXb_i^[Z _d W jef cWj[h_Wbi h[i[WhY^ `ekhdWb" 7ZlWdY[Z CWj[h_Wbi$

Electronically controlled cell sheet recovery : a confluent monolayer of fibroblasts grown on a polyelectrolyte coating (left) is detached once the substrate is subjected to an external potential (middle), allowing for the recovery of an intact cell sheet (right). Bar is 1 cm (ETH Zurich, EPFL & University Hospital Zurich).

'(

Dr. S. Tosatti of ETH Zurich leads a project aiming to develop a novel class of nanostructured and biofunctionalised materials to be primarily used as implants in cardiovascular interventions. The materials should be completely bioresorbable after a period of around 3-6 months. The research partners comprise several teams from ETH Zurich (Prof. N. D. Spencer, Prof. J. F. LĂśffler, Prof. P. Uggowitzer and Dr. I. Gerber) and from Empa (Dr. P. Schmutz) as well as the company Biotronik AG. The newly developed bioresorbable magnesium-based alloy shows exceptional plasticity together with slow and homogeneous degradation in simulated body fluid. The degradation mechanism differs in artificial plasma compared to simulated body fluid. In vitro cytotoxicity testing of the new magnesium alloy WZ21 reveals that hydrogen gas is a critical parameter influencing interfacial cell growth. The third project in this thematic area deals with photochemically functionalisable scaffolds for tissue engineering and drug screening. The research team involving CSEM (Dr. C. Hinderling & Dr. M. Liley), ETH Zurich (PD Dr. H. Hall-Bozic & Prof. P. Seeberger) and Arrayon Biotechnology SA aims to generate

')

a novel nanofibrous material. It will be used as three dimensional scaffolds for the directed growth of cells, e. g. in nerve regeneration and nerve guiding. The material is shaped as a non-woven mat of nanofibers produced by electrospinning.

this field still suffers from many interfacial problems such as blood coagulation, infection, complement activation, foreign body reactions, and aseptic loosening. In response, surface modifications were explored to improve these devices with limited success.

Proof of feasibility and optimisation of the electrospinning process for the polysaccharide-based photolinker polymer OptoDex have been shown. The creation of aligned fibres and adaptation of the photolinking protocol is underway. Necessary guidance cues were successfully produced recombinantly and neuronal guidance cues were covalently attached to polyethylene glycol and poly(L-lysine) linkers to improve the immobilisation efficiency on OptoDex surfaces. Using this strategy two different neuronal cues were attached to Optodex : their presence was found to increase the viability of neurones on the coated surfaces.

This approach still holds promise in many device markets but is not a ÂŤone-size-fits-allÂť solution. The future points to combination devices, i.e. drug releasing components on board functional prosthetic implants, as an emerging clinical technology to improve performance of implant devices in several classes. Infection and sustained inflammatory responses are processes that often severely reduce the success rate of implantations and are the cause of very substantial health care costs. New antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents have recently shown promising effects but their effective combination with implants and surfaces requires further development and testing under clinically relevant conditions. New combination devices are most prominent. They consist of current orthopaedic and cardiovascular implants with new added capabilities on-board or directly associated drug delivery systems.

Jh[dZi Although medical device technology permeates numerous areas including orthopaedics, dental implants, minimally-invasive surgical devices, cardiovascular surgery, wound healing applications and diagnostic devices,

Annual Report 2007


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C[Z_YWb Z[l_Y[ j[Y^debe]o WdZ _dde lWj_ed YecX_dWj_ed Z[l_Y[i r _dj[]hWj[Z ^[Wb_d] r j_iik[ [d]_d[[h_d] r c_d_cWbbo _dlWi_l[ j[Y^debe]o r _cfbWdj#Y[djh[Z _d\[Yj_ed r c_YheX_Wb fhe\_b[hWj_ed r Y[bb#XWi[Z j^[hWf_[i

?cfbWdj[Z c[Z_YWb Z[l_Y[i" Z[if_j[ j^[_h fh[i[dj _cfehjWdj Yedjh_Xkj_ed je fWj_[djiĂŠ gkWb_jo e\ b_\[" fh[i[dj bed]ijWdZ_d] Y^Wbb[d][i

_d l_le$ Jme a[o eX`[Yj_l[i _d j^_i \_[bZ Wh[ j^[ Z[l[befc[dj e\ Z[l_Y[i m_j^ _cfhel[Z Yb_d_YWb ekjYec[ XWi[Z ed ceb[YkbWhbo Z[i_]d[Z cW# j[h_Wbi j^Wj ikffehj j^[ dWjkhWb ^[Wb_d] fheY[ii

_d l_le" WdZ X_ec[Z_YWb ioij[ci j^Wj YecX_d[ h[iehXWXb[ cWj[h_Wbi m_j^ Yedjhebb[Z h[b[Wi[ e\ f^WhcWY[kj_YWb Zhk]i$ 8ej^ ijhWj[]_[i fh[i[dj ]h[Wj effehjkd_j_[i \eh Xh[Waj^hek]^

Model neuron system for studying onset of myelination. Three murine Schwann cells expressing fluorescently tagged ikYY[ii\kbbo WZZh[ii[Z _d Yediehj_W m_j^ [n# nucleus (blue), myelin basic protein and actin cytoskeleton (green) f[hj_i[ _d cWj[h_Wbi iY_[dY[" X_ebe]o" f^WhcWYo (red) are cultured on poly(L-lysine) adsorbed poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) fibers (white WdZ c[Z_Y_d[$ cylinders) for 20 days (CSEM & ETH Zurich).

Z[l[befc[dji _d j^[ \kjkh[" Xkj YWd edbo X[

J

hree projects are currently underway in this thematic area. The first project deals with tissue replacement materials consisting of sheets of autologous cells and biodegradable polymer films. Researchers from ETH Zurich (Prof. J. VĂśrĂśs), EPFL (Prof. J. A. Hubbell), and University Hospital Zurich (PD Dr. A. Zisch and Prof. F. Weber) have teamed up to establish a platform for cell sheet engineering. Cells are organised in a well-defined, multilayered 3D environment of designed polymer substrates presenting specific -and variable- cues for cell growth. The approach will be validated in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism of electrochemical peeling of cell-sheets has been explored and optimised for different cell types. Polyelectrolyte carrier films have been developed that meet specific requirements for creation of sheets of human multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells. The methodology of using thin fibrin-like polyethylene glycol hydrogels has been established along with the functionalisation of these hydrogel films with cell-adhesive peptides. Moreover, a new method for the bottom-up design of hydrogels has been invented allowing the production of micropatterned thin film hydrogels promoting cell adhesion only at predefined locations. Annual Report 2007

Bioresorbable stent made of magnesium alloy (Š Biotronik) (ETH Zurich & Empa).

J^[ c_YheijhkYjkh[ e\ j^_i d[m X_eh[iehXWXb[ cW]d[i_kc Wbbeo _i Y^WhWYj[h_i[Z Xo W l[ho \_d[ ]hW_d i_p[ icWbb[h j^Wd '& c_Yhedi$ IkY^ ijhkYjkh[i b[WZ je l[ho \WlekhWXb[ Z[# \ehcWj_ed X[^Wl_ekh" h[ikbj_d] _d W ZkYj_b_jo e\ ceh[ j^Wd )& [bed]Wj_ed je \hWYjkh[$ J^[ Wbbeo_d] Yedj[dj e\ hWh[ [Whj^ [b[c[dji \WY_b_jWj[i j^[ \ehcWj_ed e\ fhej[Yj_l[ ikh\WY[ bWo[hi" fheZkY_d] j^[ Z[i_h[Z _dYh[Wi[ e\ j^[ Z[# ]hWZWj_ed h[i_ijWdY[ _d f^oi_ebe]_YWb c[Z_W$ J^_i Ybei[ WdZ jhkij\kb Yeef[hWj_ed X[jm[[d j^[ ;J> :ecW_d _dij_jkj[i WdZ 8_ejhed_a 7= _i \hk_j\kb _d i[l[hWb Wif[Yji 0 _j Ybei[i j^[ ]Wf X[jm[[d \kdZWc[djWb h[i[WhY^ WdZ fhWYj_YWb Wf# fb_YWj_ed" _j _dif_h[i j^[ _dlebl[Z h[i[WhY^[hi WdZ h[l[Wbi d[m _dj[h[ij_d] iY_[dj_\_Y gk[ij_edi WdZ ef[di j^[ Zeehi \eh j^[ [cfbeoc[dj e\ ;J> :ecW_d F^$:$ ijkZ[dji _d lW# h_eki \_[bZi e\ c[Z_YWb#eh_[dj[Z _dZkijho$

20 Âľm

9[bb i^[[j [d]_d[[h_d] _i W f_ed[[h_d] Z_iY_fb_d[ e\ j_iik[ [d]_d[[h_d] j^Wj [dWXb[i j^[ h[fbWY[c[dj e\ j^_d j_iik[i ikY^ Wi Yehd[W WdZ ia_d$ 9edl[dj_edWb c[j^eZi Wh[ XWi[Z ed ^Whl[ij_d] W bWo[h e\ Ykbjkh[Z Y[bbi e\ j^[ fWj_[dj \hec j[cf[hWjkh[ h[ifedi_l[ feboc[h Z_i^[i$ J^_i 99CN fhe`[Yj \eYki[i ed [ijW# Xb_i^_d] Wd Wbj[hdWj_l[ fbWj\ehc XWi[Z ed j^_d feboc[h ^oZhe][bi" ij[c Y[bbi" WdZ X_e[b[Yjhed_Yi$ F^$:$ ijkZ[dj EhWd[ =k_bbWkc[#=[dj_b if[dj / cedj^i _d Fhe\i$ J$ EaWde WdZ C$ OWcWjeÊi mehbZ b[WZ_d] j_iik[ [d]_d[[h_d] bWXehWjeho Wj j^[ JeaoeÊi Mec[d C[Z_YWb Kd_l[hi_jo$ I^[ [nfbeh[Z j^[ c[Y^Wd_ic e\ j^[ [b[YjheY^[c_YWb f[[b_d] _d Z[jW_b$ D[m f[[b_d] c[Y^Wd_ici ^Wl[ X[[d Z_iYel[h[Z XWi[Z ed ifedjWd[eki c[Y^Wd_YWb Z[jWY^# Prof. Y. Akiyama (right) and O. Guillaume-Gentil c[dj e\ Y[bb i^[[ji e\ lWh_eki Z_\\[h[dj Y[bbi jof[i$ at Tokyo’s Women Medical University. J^[i[ \_hij h[ikbji ^Wl[ `kij X[[d fkXb_i^[Z _d W jef cWj[h_Wbi h[i[WhY^ `ekhdWb" 7ZlWdY[Z CWj[h_Wbi$

Electronically controlled cell sheet recovery : a confluent monolayer of fibroblasts grown on a polyelectrolyte coating (left) is detached once the substrate is subjected to an external potential (middle), allowing for the recovery of an intact cell sheet (right). Bar is 1 cm (ETH Zurich, EPFL & University Hospital Zurich).

'(

Dr. S. Tosatti of ETH Zurich leads a project aiming to develop a novel class of nanostructured and biofunctionalised materials to be primarily used as implants in cardiovascular interventions. The materials should be completely bioresorbable after a period of around 3-6 months. The research partners comprise several teams from ETH Zurich (Prof. N. D. Spencer, Prof. J. F. LĂśffler, Prof. P. Uggowitzer and Dr. I. Gerber) and from Empa (Dr. P. Schmutz) as well as the company Biotronik AG. The newly developed bioresorbable magnesium-based alloy shows exceptional plasticity together with slow and homogeneous degradation in simulated body fluid. The degradation mechanism differs in artificial plasma compared to simulated body fluid. In vitro cytotoxicity testing of the new magnesium alloy WZ21 reveals that hydrogen gas is a critical parameter influencing interfacial cell growth. The third project in this thematic area deals with photochemically functionalisable scaffolds for tissue engineering and drug screening. The research team involving CSEM (Dr. C. Hinderling & Dr. M. Liley), ETH Zurich (PD Dr. H. Hall-Bozic & Prof. P. Seeberger) and Arrayon Biotechnology SA aims to generate

')

a novel nanofibrous material. It will be used as three dimensional scaffolds for the directed growth of cells, e. g. in nerve regeneration and nerve guiding. The material is shaped as a non-woven mat of nanofibers produced by electrospinning.

this field still suffers from many interfacial problems such as blood coagulation, infection, complement activation, foreign body reactions, and aseptic loosening. In response, surface modifications were explored to improve these devices with limited success.

Proof of feasibility and optimisation of the electrospinning process for the polysaccharide-based photolinker polymer OptoDex have been shown. The creation of aligned fibres and adaptation of the photolinking protocol is underway. Necessary guidance cues were successfully produced recombinantly and neuronal guidance cues were covalently attached to polyethylene glycol and poly(L-lysine) linkers to improve the immobilisation efficiency on OptoDex surfaces. Using this strategy two different neuronal cues were attached to Optodex : their presence was found to increase the viability of neurones on the coated surfaces.

This approach still holds promise in many device markets but is not a ÂŤone-size-fits-allÂť solution. The future points to combination devices, i.e. drug releasing components on board functional prosthetic implants, as an emerging clinical technology to improve performance of implant devices in several classes. Infection and sustained inflammatory responses are processes that often severely reduce the success rate of implantations and are the cause of very substantial health care costs. New antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents have recently shown promising effects but their effective combination with implants and surfaces requires further development and testing under clinically relevant conditions. New combination devices are most prominent. They consist of current orthopaedic and cardiovascular implants with new added capabilities on-board or directly associated drug delivery systems.

Jh[dZi Although medical device technology permeates numerous areas including orthopaedics, dental implants, minimally-invasive surgical devices, cardiovascular surgery, wound healing applications and diagnostic devices,

Annual Report 2007


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Anne-Kathrin Born and Robert Mathys Jr (managing director of the Foundation).

jemWhZi j^[ Z[l[befc[dj e\ h[b_WXb[ c[j^eZi \eh WhhWo \WXh_YWj_ed$ ?d fWhj_YkbWh" _dj[]hWj_l[ [d]_d[[h_d] WffheWY^[i Wh[ iek]^j Xo YecX_d_d] [dWXb_d] j[Y^debe]_[i WdZ \kdYj_edWb Z[i_]d je fheZkY[ Z[l_Y[i m_j^ _cfhel[Z f[h\ehcWdY[" h[b_WX_b_jo" [Wi[ e\ ^WdZb_d] WdZ Yeij#[\\[Yj_l[d[ii$

F

rof. H. Vogel of EPFL leads a project aiming to develop a versatile platform for screening membrane-proteinmediated cellular signalling pathways. The platform will allow for probing the function of membrane proteins by simultaneous electrical and fluorescence measurements. It will consist of arrays of nanopores machined into silicon-chips. Each chip will be individually addressable via micro-fluidic channels and via electrodes. The project partners are located at ETH Zurich (Dr. E. Reimhult & Prof. M. Textor), at CSEM Neuchâtel (Dr. H. Heinzelmann & Dr. C. Santschi) and in Lausanne (Ayanda Biosystems SA). The process enabling the fabrication of silicon chips comprising arrays and single nanopores using focused ion beam (FIB) technique was set-up. The formation of supported lipid bilayers on nanopore patterned substrates was demonstrated while the formation mechanism of supported lipid bilayers for complex and shell-protected liposomes has been explored. Finally poly(L-lysine)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) selective functionalisation was demonstrated in view of directed liposome adsorption on Annual Report 2007

Live image of endothelial cells expressing fluorescently tagged actin skeleton (green) and nucleus (blue) in Micro-wells arrays (ETH Zurich, Empa, AO Davos and industry partners).

nano- and microscale topographically structured samples. Another project intends to prepare immobilised lectins and carbohydrate multivalent assemblies on surfaces using a comprehensive combinatorial approach. The quality and efficiency of glycosylated target binding to the protein receptors will be tested through quantitative and kinetic data. The project involves researchers from ETH Zurich (Prof. P. Seeberger and Dr. G. Coullerez) and Arrayon Biotechnology SA in Neuchâtel. Three terminal sugars of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) protein were synthesised in a good yield and conjugated with a high quantum yield fluorescent marker. Prof. V. Vogel of ETH Zurich leads the third project of this thematic area. Its ambition is to develop a platform technology where single cells can be studied in engineered quasi three-dimensional microwells. Partners from ETH Zurich (Dr. M. Grandin, Prof. M. Textor & Dr. M. Smith), Empa St. Gallen (Dr. K. Maniura), AO Davos and partners from the pharmaceutical industry

are involved. The physical aspects of the cellular environments will be further tuned to learn how cell shape and rigidity of the microwell walls differentially regulate diverse cell functions. In addition, the relationship between the efficiency of drugs and the state of single cells will be determined. The fabrication of highly reproducible polydimethylsiloxane microwell platforms has been optimised. Endothelial cells could be stably entrapped within microwells and the cells were viable for several days although cell death was increased in very constrained microwells. The structural organisation of the cytoskeleton was studied as a function of the microwell size and of the ability of cells to assemble fibronectin matrix. Moreover immunohistochemical studies confirmed that bone progenitor cells undergo the process of osteogenesis in microwells. Promoterbased reporter constructs to be used as osteo-specific markers have been successfully cloned into constructs in which the expression of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) is now bone development-dependent.

'*

7dd[#AWj^h_d 8ehd e\ ;cfW Ij$ =Wbb[d med j^[ ¼:h$ HeX[hj CWj^oi <ekdZWj_ed½ feij[h fh_p[ Wj j^[ ;khef[Wd 9[bbi CWj[h_Wbi ;9C C[[j_d] ¼8ed[ J_iik[ ;d]_d[[h_d]½ _d @kd[ (&&- \eh ^[h feij[h ¼9ehh[bWj_d] Y[bb WhY^_j[Yjkh[ m_j^ eij[e][d[i_i 0 <_hij ij[fi jemWhZi b_l[ i_d]b[ Y[bb ced_jeh_d]½$ J^_i meha Ye#Wkj^eh[Z m_j^ C$ HejjcWh" A$ CWd_khW#M[X[h WdZ 7$ 8hk_d_da _i fWhj e\ j^[ fhe`[Yj ¼IjkZo_d] i_d]b[ Y[bbi _d [d]_d[[h[Z ): c_Yhe[dl_hedc[dji½$

The «Biochemical Nanofactory» project led by Prof. René Salathé of EPFL combines the individual competencies of the four other participating laboratories (Prof. H. Vogel, Prof. Y. Barrandon and Dr. J.-M. Fournier (EPFL) and Dr. H. Knapp (CSEM)) in laser trapping, micro-fluidics and macro/micro interfacing, as well as bio-analytics and smart functionalised surfaces for realising a micro-fluidic demonstrator system, compatible with a light microscope. It comprises several input and output ports for single cell/vesicle analysis within arrays created by multiple laser traps.

Laser tweezers offer the unique opportunity to maintain cells and native vesicles free from interactions with any substrate. The A novel platform is being developed for team has recently developed a novel concept fabrication of protein arrays by applying a for laser trapping in micro-fluidics based polyhydroxyalkanoates - extracellular PHA on micro-mirror arrays and demonstrated depolymerase system. Dr. Q. Ren of Empa multi-array trapping of individual cells, cell coordinates this project. She collaborates fragments & vesicles in micro-fluidics. They with colleagues of PSI (Dr. H. Schift), have also demonstrated that individual cells, ETH Zurich (Dr. H.-M. Fischer), Empa (Mr. cell fragments & vesicles can be manipuM. Halbeisen), and with PreenTec AG of lated in microfluidics and addressed by Fribourg. The biopolymer polyhydroxyalchemicals thereby activating receptor-mediated kanoates (PHA) and the extracellular PHA cellular signaling reactions which was depolymerase (ePhaZ) are explored respecti- observed on-line in individual objects. The vely for protein immobilisation and as a long-term objective of this project consists in capture ligand for selective immobilisation. building up the expertise for establishing a low-cost technology and platform allowing Different types of PHA were prepared from ultimate downscaling of chemical and Pseudomonas putida GPo1 cells cultivated biotechnological analysis (and production) in bioreactors with different carbon sources. for research and industrial applications. Spin-coating followed by UV initiation to cross-link PHA proves to be the best method Jh[dZi for manufacturing PHA films, whereas oilMaterials engineering for medical and in-water emulsions provide PHA microbeads diagnostic (microsensor and microarray) of the finest quality. The generation of ePhaZ- technologies faces a number of exciting fusion proteins has been achieved and the challenges. While many materials exist to study of the interaction between PHA films/ support cells and biosensing applications, microbeads and ePhaZ is currently underway. they are often not optimised to allow for

'+

sophisticated screening applications, or to better support the vitality of cells or are unsatisfactory when it comes to long term performance as biomaterials, drug delivery systems or as devices with integrated sensory elements. For example, although deoxyribonucleic acid/ribonucleic acid (DNA/RNA) sensors are routinely used today, arrays of proteins and entire signalling complexes require much more sophisticated surface engineering and immobilisation strategies to preserve their biological activity. New technologies are thus being developed through the CCMX MatLife programme that will enable the presentation of large numbers of nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, carbohydrates as well as cells in novel ways. Applications include rapid and highly parallel read-out systems concerning gene expression or protein function. Protein, carbohydrate and cell-arrayed chips are expected to become future key elements in drug discovery/ screening and in medical diagnostics. Integrative engineering approaches that combine enabling technologies (either existing or to be developed) and functional design to produce devices including improved performance, reliability, ease of handling and cost-effectiveness will drive future markets. Examples include biosensor systems for analysing proteins and protein-carbohydrate interactions, cell-based sensor platforms with cells in defined microenvironments and label-free sensing based on chip-based membrane proteins. Future success heavily relies on the ability to combine biological surface modification, quantitative sensing of biomolecules, micro/ nanofluidics for efficient handling of solutions and intelligent integration within dependable devices. Annual Report 2007


Fhej[_d" YWhXe^oZhWj[ WdZ Y[bb#WhhWo[Z Y^_fi Wh[ [nf[Yj[Z a[o [b[c[dji _d \kjkh[ Zhk] Z_iYel[ho" Zhk] iYh[[d_d] WdZ c[Z_YWb Z_W]deij_Yi$

CWjB_\[%CCDI

8_ei[di_d] WdZ Z_W]deij_Y ijhWj[]_[i Z_h[Yj iWcfb[#je#WiiWo r hWf_Z WiiWo r ^_]^ j^hek]^#fkj \_[bZ fehjWXb[ r Ybei[Z#beef \[[ZXWYa i[diehi r Y[bb ckbj_fb[n[Z WiiWo r bWX[b#\h[[ r fkXb_Y iW\[jo r ]beXWb ^[Wbj^ r \eeZ iYh[[d_d] r c_YheWhhWo r fhej[_d r YWhXe^oZhWj[

IkXijWdj_Wb [\\ehj _i Z_h[Yj[Z mehbZm_Z[

Anne-Kathrin Born and Robert Mathys Jr (managing director of the Foundation).

jemWhZi j^[ Z[l[befc[dj e\ h[b_WXb[ c[j^eZi \eh WhhWo \WXh_YWj_ed$ ?d fWhj_YkbWh" _dj[]hWj_l[ [d]_d[[h_d] WffheWY^[i Wh[ iek]^j Xo YecX_d_d] [dWXb_d] j[Y^debe]_[i WdZ \kdYj_edWb Z[i_]d je fheZkY[ Z[l_Y[i m_j^ _cfhel[Z f[h\ehcWdY[" h[b_WX_b_jo" [Wi[ e\ ^WdZb_d] WdZ Yeij#[\\[Yj_l[d[ii$

F

rof. H. Vogel of EPFL leads a project aiming to develop a versatile platform for screening membrane-proteinmediated cellular signalling pathways. The platform will allow for probing the function of membrane proteins by simultaneous electrical and fluorescence measurements. It will consist of arrays of nanopores machined into silicon-chips. Each chip will be individually addressable via micro-fluidic channels and via electrodes. The project partners are located at ETH Zurich (Dr. E. Reimhult & Prof. M. Textor), at CSEM Neuchâtel (Dr. H. Heinzelmann & Dr. C. Santschi) and in Lausanne (Ayanda Biosystems SA). The process enabling the fabrication of silicon chips comprising arrays and single nanopores using focused ion beam (FIB) technique was set-up. The formation of supported lipid bilayers on nanopore patterned substrates was demonstrated while the formation mechanism of supported lipid bilayers for complex and shell-protected liposomes has been explored. Finally poly(L-lysine)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) selective functionalisation was demonstrated in view of directed liposome adsorption on Annual Report 2007

Live image of endothelial cells expressing fluorescently tagged actin skeleton (green) and nucleus (blue) in Micro-wells arrays (ETH Zurich, Empa, AO Davos and industry partners).

nano- and microscale topographically structured samples. Another project intends to prepare immobilised lectins and carbohydrate multivalent assemblies on surfaces using a comprehensive combinatorial approach. The quality and efficiency of glycosylated target binding to the protein receptors will be tested through quantitative and kinetic data. The project involves researchers from ETH Zurich (Prof. P. Seeberger and Dr. G. Coullerez) and Arrayon Biotechnology SA in Neuchâtel. Three terminal sugars of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) protein were synthesised in a good yield and conjugated with a high quantum yield fluorescent marker. Prof. V. Vogel of ETH Zurich leads the third project of this thematic area. Its ambition is to develop a platform technology where single cells can be studied in engineered quasi three-dimensional microwells. Partners from ETH Zurich (Dr. M. Grandin, Prof. M. Textor & Dr. M. Smith), Empa St. Gallen (Dr. K. Maniura), AO Davos and partners from the pharmaceutical industry

are involved. The physical aspects of the cellular environments will be further tuned to learn how cell shape and rigidity of the microwell walls differentially regulate diverse cell functions. In addition, the relationship between the efficiency of drugs and the state of single cells will be determined. The fabrication of highly reproducible polydimethylsiloxane microwell platforms has been optimised. Endothelial cells could be stably entrapped within microwells and the cells were viable for several days although cell death was increased in very constrained microwells. The structural organisation of the cytoskeleton was studied as a function of the microwell size and of the ability of cells to assemble fibronectin matrix. Moreover immunohistochemical studies confirmed that bone progenitor cells undergo the process of osteogenesis in microwells. Promoterbased reporter constructs to be used as osteo-specific markers have been successfully cloned into constructs in which the expression of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) is now bone development-dependent.

'*

7dd[#AWj^h_d 8ehd e\ ;cfW Ij$ =Wbb[d med j^[ ¼:h$ HeX[hj CWj^oi <ekdZWj_ed½ feij[h fh_p[ Wj j^[ ;khef[Wd 9[bbi CWj[h_Wbi ;9C C[[j_d] ¼8ed[ J_iik[ ;d]_d[[h_d]½ _d @kd[ (&&- \eh ^[h feij[h ¼9ehh[bWj_d] Y[bb WhY^_j[Yjkh[ m_j^ eij[e][d[i_i 0 <_hij ij[fi jemWhZi b_l[ i_d]b[ Y[bb ced_jeh_d]½$ J^_i meha Ye#Wkj^eh[Z m_j^ C$ HejjcWh" A$ CWd_khW#M[X[h WdZ 7$ 8hk_d_da _i fWhj e\ j^[ fhe`[Yj ¼IjkZo_d] i_d]b[ Y[bbi _d [d]_d[[h[Z ): c_Yhe[dl_hedc[dji½$

The «Biochemical Nanofactory» project led by Prof. René Salathé of EPFL combines the individual competencies of the four other participating laboratories (Prof. H. Vogel, Prof. Y. Barrandon and Dr. J.-M. Fournier (EPFL) and Dr. H. Knapp (CSEM)) in laser trapping, micro-fluidics and macro/micro interfacing, as well as bio-analytics and smart functionalised surfaces for realising a micro-fluidic demonstrator system, compatible with a light microscope. It comprises several input and output ports for single cell/vesicle analysis within arrays created by multiple laser traps.

Laser tweezers offer the unique opportunity to maintain cells and native vesicles free from interactions with any substrate. The A novel platform is being developed for team has recently developed a novel concept fabrication of protein arrays by applying a for laser trapping in micro-fluidics based polyhydroxyalkanoates - extracellular PHA on micro-mirror arrays and demonstrated depolymerase system. Dr. Q. Ren of Empa multi-array trapping of individual cells, cell coordinates this project. She collaborates fragments & vesicles in micro-fluidics. They with colleagues of PSI (Dr. H. Schift), have also demonstrated that individual cells, ETH Zurich (Dr. H.-M. Fischer), Empa (Mr. cell fragments & vesicles can be manipuM. Halbeisen), and with PreenTec AG of lated in microfluidics and addressed by Fribourg. The biopolymer polyhydroxyalchemicals thereby activating receptor-mediated kanoates (PHA) and the extracellular PHA cellular signaling reactions which was depolymerase (ePhaZ) are explored respecti- observed on-line in individual objects. The vely for protein immobilisation and as a long-term objective of this project consists in capture ligand for selective immobilisation. building up the expertise for establishing a low-cost technology and platform allowing Different types of PHA were prepared from ultimate downscaling of chemical and Pseudomonas putida GPo1 cells cultivated biotechnological analysis (and production) in bioreactors with different carbon sources. for research and industrial applications. Spin-coating followed by UV initiation to cross-link PHA proves to be the best method Jh[dZi for manufacturing PHA films, whereas oilMaterials engineering for medical and in-water emulsions provide PHA microbeads diagnostic (microsensor and microarray) of the finest quality. The generation of ePhaZ- technologies faces a number of exciting fusion proteins has been achieved and the challenges. While many materials exist to study of the interaction between PHA films/ support cells and biosensing applications, microbeads and ePhaZ is currently underway. they are often not optimised to allow for

'+

sophisticated screening applications, or to better support the vitality of cells or are unsatisfactory when it comes to long term performance as biomaterials, drug delivery systems or as devices with integrated sensory elements. For example, although deoxyribonucleic acid/ribonucleic acid (DNA/RNA) sensors are routinely used today, arrays of proteins and entire signalling complexes require much more sophisticated surface engineering and immobilisation strategies to preserve their biological activity. New technologies are thus being developed through the CCMX MatLife programme that will enable the presentation of large numbers of nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, carbohydrates as well as cells in novel ways. Applications include rapid and highly parallel read-out systems concerning gene expression or protein function. Protein, carbohydrate and cell-arrayed chips are expected to become future key elements in drug discovery/ screening and in medical diagnostics. Integrative engineering approaches that combine enabling technologies (either existing or to be developed) and functional design to produce devices including improved performance, reliability, ease of handling and cost-effectiveness will drive future markets. Examples include biosensor systems for analysing proteins and protein-carbohydrate interactions, cell-based sensor platforms with cells in defined microenvironments and label-free sensing based on chip-based membrane proteins. Future success heavily relies on the ability to combine biological surface modification, quantitative sensing of biomolecules, micro/ nanofluidics for efficient handling of solutions and intelligent integration within dependable devices. Annual Report 2007


7 YedY[hj[Z [\\ehj _i d[[Z[Z je [nfbeh[ d[m cWj[h_Wbi" \WXh_YWj_ed j[Y^debe]_[i" WdZ Z[i_]d c[j^eZe# be]_[i ie j^Wj l[ho ^_]^#Z[di_jo dWdeioij[ci \eh ZWjW ijehW][ WdZ YecfkjWj_ed YWd X[ WZZh[ii[Z$

CCDI

CWj[h_Wbi j[Y^debe]_[i WdZ Z[i_]d \eh c_Yhe# WdZ dWdeioij[ci dWde[d]_d[[h_d] r dWdej[Y^debe]o r fheY[ii r \WXh_YWj_ed r 9CEI r dWdem_h[i r dWdefWhj_Yb[i r ceb[YkbWh [b[Yjhed_Yi r YWhXed dWdejkX[i r :D7 iYW\\ebZ_d] r i[b\#Wii[cXbo r [b[Yjhed X[Wc b_j^e]hWf^o r dWdecWj[h_Wbi

J^[ j[Y^debe]_YWb WdZ [Yedec_Y \[Wi_X_b_jo e\ ^_]^#Z[di_jo" bWh][#iYWb[ _dj[]hWj_ed e\ dWde# [b[Yjhed_Y ioij[ci _i ij_bb X[_d] Zh_l[d Ă… je j^_i ZWo Ă… Xo YbWii_YWb Yecfb[c[djWho c[jWb# en_Z[#i[c_YedZkYjeh 9CEI j[Y^debe]o" \eh m^_Y^ j^[h[ _i de WffWh[dj ikXij_jkj[ _d

KNbO3

(100) or (011)

j^[ d[nj '& je '+ o[Whi$ >em[l[h" m[ YWddej [nf[Yj je YWhho ed b_j^e]hWf^o iYWb_d] e\ YbWii_YWb Z[l_Y[i WdZ Y_hYk_ji _dZ[\_d_j[bo" Zk[ je \kdZWc[djWb f^oi_YWb b_c_jWj_edi ikY^ Wi fheY[ii lWh_WX_b_jo" [nY[ii_l[ b[WaW]["

Nanodot structures and nanolines (after gold enhancement) created with the Extreme UV interference lithography and the molecular assembly patterning by lift-off processes (ETH Zurich & PSI).

fheY[ii Yeiji Wi m[bb Wi l[ho ^_]^ fem[h Z[di_j_[i$ J^_i eXi[hlWj_ed YWbbi \eh hWZ_YWb WYj_ed ed i[l[hWb \hedji _d ehZ[h je [dikh[ j^[ Yedj_dk_jo e\ j^[ dWde[b[Yjhed_Y ioij[ci _dj[]hWj_ed fWhWZ_]c kdj_b ed[ eh ceh[ \[Wi_Xb[ Wbj[hdWj_l[ j[Y^debe]_[i [c[h][$

J

the availability of a process flow for the fawo projects are currently running in brication of suspended single-walled carbon this thematic area. Despite the endnanotubes structures and the synthesis less upwards spiral of modern ultraof two kinds of piezoelectric nanowires large-scale integration (ULSI) technology, many experts are predicting a red brick wall (KNbO3 and Pb(Zr,Ti)O3) for sensing and for CMOS by about 2020. Little is known or actuation purposes. The ferroelectricity practically demonstrated today about how retention of monocrystalline Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 to design complete circuits and systems nanowires was confirmed for the first time fully benefiting from devices integrated on by temperature variable in situ Transmission nanowires. In this context, the project led Electron Microscopy. A high quality ferroby Prof. Y. Leblebici of EPFL targets the electric gate was integrated on the standard identification of possible solutions enabling field-effect transistor (FET) structure and the continuation of the scaling paradigm. showed high and stable switching polariThe project involves groups from EPFL zation. The tests carried out attest for good (Prof. A. Ionescu, Prof. L. Forró, Prof. C. switching properties and long retention Piguet, Prof. N. Setter and Dr. D. Atienza), of the spontaneous polarization in the ETH Zurich (Prof. C. Hierold) and CSEM ferroelectric gate. Finally the fabrication of (Prof. C. Piguet). long arrays of parallel nanowires was made possible through a newly developed The team has witnessed very promising technology. developments in the areas of ferro-electric polymer gate transistors, carbon nanotubes The project coordinated by Prof. J. VÜrÜs of suspended gate devices and silicon-based ETH Zurich and involving researchers from gate-all-around (GAA) field effect transistors. Prof. R. Spolenak’s group (ETH Zurich) and The concept of a dense crossbar memory/ Dr. H. Solak’s group (PSI) deals with the Programmable Logic Array (PLA) which uses development and the characterisation of the new GAA transistors in address encodnanowires for applications in (bio-) electronics. ing was also developed. Test devices have The project targets the creation of large been successfully manufactured and charac- scale, high-quality nanowire arrays of different terised. Results to be highlighted include conducting materials in which nanowires Annual Report 2007

SrTiO3

[001]

HRTEM image of the interface between [001] SrTiO3 and substrate and KNbO3 nanowires (EPFL, ETH Zurich & CSEM).

present controlled electronic and mechanical properties. In another aspect, bio-functionalised nanowires should be applied in bioelectronics for sensing in microfluidic channels, and for interfacing neurons with artificial synapse mimics. Efforts focussed on establishing the production of gold nanowires in large scale and selecting the suitable techniques for characterising their performance. A novel extreme UV interference lithography scheme enables the production of large scale gold nanowires with 12 nm line width – a current world record ! The mechanical properties of gold nanowires have been measured on arrays created on polyimide providing unique insight into the scaling behaviour of metal nanostructures. Finally a novel platform allows the creation of selfassembled gold nanowires based on DNAassisted positioning of gold nanoparticles.

Jh[dZi Particular emphasis will be placed on : (i) patterning silicon and other materials to produce nano-scale devices for computation and storage, (ii) the design of, and materials for, integrated micro/nano peripherals that complement the computational/storage ¨

',

core of systems and provide the interface to its environment. In both cases, focus will be on the properties and processes of the materials to produce computational and sensing devices. The need to create new materials for interfacing the computational nano-environment to both traditional microsystems and the environment will be emphasized. These technologies will be key to producing effective embedded systems that will become ubiquitously present. At the same time, it is becoming mandatory that such embedded systems be reliable and robust. On the one hand systems are given control of critical functions (vehicular control, medical control). On the other hand we are confronted with both the downscaling of silicon technologies (beyond the 45 nm node) and the perspective of using new nano-devices that have intrinsically higher failure rates. Research must address the combination of new devicelevel error-prone technologies within systems that must deliver to the user a high level of dependability. The new techniques have to be compatible with existing constraints for system integration, such as low energy consumption, which were not present in the design of large fault-tolerant systems of the past.

'-

Be]_Y#Ed#DWdem_h[ 0 <hec D[m ?Z[Wi je H[Wb_jo 9^[Ya F^$:$ ijkZ[dj A_hij[d Cei[bkdZ \hec j^[ C_Yhe%DWde#[b[Yjhed_Y :[l_Y[ BWXe# hWjeho B;=( e\ ;F<B Yedjh_Xkj[Z je j^[ Z[l[befc[dj e\ W l[hiWj_b[ jef#Zemd i_b_Yed dWdem_h[ fbWj\ehc" m^_Y^ Wbbemi \eh j^[ \WXh_YWj_ed e\ lWh_eki del[b Z[l_Y[i \eh \kjkh[ kbjhW#Z[di[ be]_Y#ed#m_h[$ 8o YecX_d_d] j^[ h[iekhY[i e\ j[Y^debe]o WdZ Z[l_Y[ h[i[WhY^ m_j^ j^[ adem#^em e\ WZlWdY[Z Y_hYk_j Z[i_]d \hec Xej^ ;F<B ?dj[]hWj[Z Ioij[ci BWXehWjeho WdZ C_Yhe[b[Yjhed_Yi Ioij[ci BWXehWjeho" _ddelWj_l[ [b[Yjhed_Y Xk_bZ_d] XbeYai ^Wl[ X[[d Yh[Wj[Z$ J^[o Wh[ j^[ \_hij ij[fi jemWhZi be]_Y#ed#m_h[ WdZ WZZh[ii_d] iebkj_edi \eh Yheii#XWh WhY^_j[Yjkh[i$ 7d [njhWehZ_dWho h[ikbj h[Y[djbo Z[cedijhWj[Z YedY[hdi j^[ [d^WdY[Z 4 '&& [b[Yjhed ceX_b_jo Zk[ je en_ZWj_ed _dZkY[Z j[di_b[ ijhW_d _d =Wj[#7bb#7hekdZ X[dZ[Z c[jWb#en_Z[#i[c_YedZkYjeh \_[bZ#[\\[Yj jhWdi_ijehi CEI<;Ji $ ?d Wd [\\ehj je _djheZkY[ W d[m YWdZ_ZWj[ Z[l_Y[ _d j^[ h[i[WhY^ gk[ij \eh j^[ _Z[Wb im_jY^" W fkdY^#j^hek]^ _cfWYj#_ed_pWj_ed Z[l_Y[ F?CEI ed W XeZo#j_[Z M#]Wj[ CEI ijhkYjkh[ mWi _djheZkY[Z Wi Wd WZZ_j_edWb \kdYj_edWb_jo$ F?CEI Z[l_Y[i i^em b[ii#j^Wd#'& cL%Z[Y WXhkfj im_jY^_d] YecX_# d[Z m_j^ ^oij[h[i_i _d Xej^ ?: L:I WdZ ?: L=I $ J^[i[ ekjijWdZ_d] h[ikbji" Wbb _dj[hdWj_edWbbo h[Ye]d_i[Z WdZ [l[d Y_j[Z Xo j^[ D_aa[_ C_YheZ[l_Y[i @ekhdWb _d Del[cX[h (&&-" ^Wl[ X[[d eXjW_d[Z m_j^_d ed[ o[Wh$

Annual Report 2007


7 YedY[hj[Z [\\ehj _i d[[Z[Z je [nfbeh[ d[m cWj[h_Wbi" \WXh_YWj_ed j[Y^debe]_[i" WdZ Z[i_]d c[j^eZe# be]_[i ie j^Wj l[ho ^_]^#Z[di_jo dWdeioij[ci \eh ZWjW ijehW][ WdZ YecfkjWj_ed YWd X[ WZZh[ii[Z$

CCDI

CWj[h_Wbi j[Y^debe]_[i WdZ Z[i_]d \eh c_Yhe# WdZ dWdeioij[ci dWde[d]_d[[h_d] r dWdej[Y^debe]o r fheY[ii r \WXh_YWj_ed r 9CEI r dWdem_h[i r dWdefWhj_Yb[i r ceb[YkbWh [b[Yjhed_Yi r YWhXed dWdejkX[i r :D7 iYW\\ebZ_d] r i[b\#Wii[cXbo r [b[Yjhed X[Wc b_j^e]hWf^o r dWdecWj[h_Wbi

J^[ j[Y^debe]_YWb WdZ [Yedec_Y \[Wi_X_b_jo e\ ^_]^#Z[di_jo" bWh][#iYWb[ _dj[]hWj_ed e\ dWde# [b[Yjhed_Y ioij[ci _i ij_bb X[_d] Zh_l[d Ă… je j^_i ZWo Ă… Xo YbWii_YWb Yecfb[c[djWho c[jWb# en_Z[#i[c_YedZkYjeh 9CEI j[Y^debe]o" \eh m^_Y^ j^[h[ _i de WffWh[dj ikXij_jkj[ _d

KNbO3

(100) or (011)

j^[ d[nj '& je '+ o[Whi$ >em[l[h" m[ YWddej [nf[Yj je YWhho ed b_j^e]hWf^o iYWb_d] e\ YbWii_YWb Z[l_Y[i WdZ Y_hYk_ji _dZ[\_d_j[bo" Zk[ je \kdZWc[djWb f^oi_YWb b_c_jWj_edi ikY^ Wi fheY[ii lWh_WX_b_jo" [nY[ii_l[ b[WaW]["

Nanodot structures and nanolines (after gold enhancement) created with the Extreme UV interference lithography and the molecular assembly patterning by lift-off processes (ETH Zurich & PSI).

fheY[ii Yeiji Wi m[bb Wi l[ho ^_]^ fem[h Z[di_j_[i$ J^_i eXi[hlWj_ed YWbbi \eh hWZ_YWb WYj_ed ed i[l[hWb \hedji _d ehZ[h je [dikh[ j^[ Yedj_dk_jo e\ j^[ dWde[b[Yjhed_Y ioij[ci _dj[]hWj_ed fWhWZ_]c kdj_b ed[ eh ceh[ \[Wi_Xb[ Wbj[hdWj_l[ j[Y^debe]_[i [c[h][$

J

the availability of a process flow for the fawo projects are currently running in brication of suspended single-walled carbon this thematic area. Despite the endnanotubes structures and the synthesis less upwards spiral of modern ultraof two kinds of piezoelectric nanowires large-scale integration (ULSI) technology, many experts are predicting a red brick wall (KNbO3 and Pb(Zr,Ti)O3) for sensing and for CMOS by about 2020. Little is known or actuation purposes. The ferroelectricity practically demonstrated today about how retention of monocrystalline Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 to design complete circuits and systems nanowires was confirmed for the first time fully benefiting from devices integrated on by temperature variable in situ Transmission nanowires. In this context, the project led Electron Microscopy. A high quality ferroby Prof. Y. Leblebici of EPFL targets the electric gate was integrated on the standard identification of possible solutions enabling field-effect transistor (FET) structure and the continuation of the scaling paradigm. showed high and stable switching polariThe project involves groups from EPFL zation. The tests carried out attest for good (Prof. A. Ionescu, Prof. L. Forró, Prof. C. switching properties and long retention Piguet, Prof. N. Setter and Dr. D. Atienza), of the spontaneous polarization in the ETH Zurich (Prof. C. Hierold) and CSEM ferroelectric gate. Finally the fabrication of (Prof. C. Piguet). long arrays of parallel nanowires was made possible through a newly developed The team has witnessed very promising technology. developments in the areas of ferro-electric polymer gate transistors, carbon nanotubes The project coordinated by Prof. J. VÜrÜs of suspended gate devices and silicon-based ETH Zurich and involving researchers from gate-all-around (GAA) field effect transistors. Prof. R. Spolenak’s group (ETH Zurich) and The concept of a dense crossbar memory/ Dr. H. Solak’s group (PSI) deals with the Programmable Logic Array (PLA) which uses development and the characterisation of the new GAA transistors in address encodnanowires for applications in (bio-) electronics. ing was also developed. Test devices have The project targets the creation of large been successfully manufactured and charac- scale, high-quality nanowire arrays of different terised. Results to be highlighted include conducting materials in which nanowires Annual Report 2007

SrTiO3

[001]

HRTEM image of the interface between [001] SrTiO3 and substrate and KNbO3 nanowires (EPFL, ETH Zurich & CSEM).

present controlled electronic and mechanical properties. In another aspect, bio-functionalised nanowires should be applied in bioelectronics for sensing in microfluidic channels, and for interfacing neurons with artificial synapse mimics. Efforts focussed on establishing the production of gold nanowires in large scale and selecting the suitable techniques for characterising their performance. A novel extreme UV interference lithography scheme enables the production of large scale gold nanowires with 12 nm line width – a current world record ! The mechanical properties of gold nanowires have been measured on arrays created on polyimide providing unique insight into the scaling behaviour of metal nanostructures. Finally a novel platform allows the creation of selfassembled gold nanowires based on DNAassisted positioning of gold nanoparticles.

Jh[dZi Particular emphasis will be placed on : (i) patterning silicon and other materials to produce nano-scale devices for computation and storage, (ii) the design of, and materials for, integrated micro/nano peripherals that complement the computational/storage ¨

',

core of systems and provide the interface to its environment. In both cases, focus will be on the properties and processes of the materials to produce computational and sensing devices. The need to create new materials for interfacing the computational nano-environment to both traditional microsystems and the environment will be emphasized. These technologies will be key to producing effective embedded systems that will become ubiquitously present. At the same time, it is becoming mandatory that such embedded systems be reliable and robust. On the one hand systems are given control of critical functions (vehicular control, medical control). On the other hand we are confronted with both the downscaling of silicon technologies (beyond the 45 nm node) and the perspective of using new nano-devices that have intrinsically higher failure rates. Research must address the combination of new devicelevel error-prone technologies within systems that must deliver to the user a high level of dependability. The new techniques have to be compatible with existing constraints for system integration, such as low energy consumption, which were not present in the design of large fault-tolerant systems of the past.

'-

Be]_Y#Ed#DWdem_h[ 0 <hec D[m ?Z[Wi je H[Wb_jo 9^[Ya F^$:$ ijkZ[dj A_hij[d Cei[bkdZ \hec j^[ C_Yhe%DWde#[b[Yjhed_Y :[l_Y[ BWXe# hWjeho B;=( e\ ;F<B Yedjh_Xkj[Z je j^[ Z[l[befc[dj e\ W l[hiWj_b[ jef#Zemd i_b_Yed dWdem_h[ fbWj\ehc" m^_Y^ Wbbemi \eh j^[ \WXh_YWj_ed e\ lWh_eki del[b Z[l_Y[i \eh \kjkh[ kbjhW#Z[di[ be]_Y#ed#m_h[$ 8o YecX_d_d] j^[ h[iekhY[i e\ j[Y^debe]o WdZ Z[l_Y[ h[i[WhY^ m_j^ j^[ adem#^em e\ WZlWdY[Z Y_hYk_j Z[i_]d \hec Xej^ ;F<B ?dj[]hWj[Z Ioij[ci BWXehWjeho WdZ C_Yhe[b[Yjhed_Yi Ioij[ci BWXehWjeho" _ddelWj_l[ [b[Yjhed_Y Xk_bZ_d] XbeYai ^Wl[ X[[d Yh[Wj[Z$ J^[o Wh[ j^[ \_hij ij[fi jemWhZi be]_Y#ed#m_h[ WdZ WZZh[ii_d] iebkj_edi \eh Yheii#XWh WhY^_j[Yjkh[i$ 7d [njhWehZ_dWho h[ikbj h[Y[djbo Z[cedijhWj[Z YedY[hdi j^[ [d^WdY[Z 4 '&& [b[Yjhed ceX_b_jo Zk[ je en_ZWj_ed _dZkY[Z j[di_b[ ijhW_d _d =Wj[#7bb#7hekdZ X[dZ[Z c[jWb#en_Z[#i[c_YedZkYjeh \_[bZ#[\\[Yj jhWdi_ijehi CEI<;Ji $ ?d Wd [\\ehj je _djheZkY[ W d[m YWdZ_ZWj[ Z[l_Y[ _d j^[ h[i[WhY^ gk[ij \eh j^[ _Z[Wb im_jY^" W fkdY^#j^hek]^ _cfWYj#_ed_pWj_ed Z[l_Y[ F?CEI ed W XeZo#j_[Z M#]Wj[ CEI ijhkYjkh[ mWi _djheZkY[Z Wi Wd WZZ_j_edWb \kdYj_edWb_jo$ F?CEI Z[l_Y[i i^em b[ii#j^Wd#'& cL%Z[Y WXhkfj im_jY^_d] YecX_# d[Z m_j^ ^oij[h[i_i _d Xej^ ?: L:I WdZ ?: L=I $ J^[i[ ekjijWdZ_d] h[ikbji" Wbb _dj[hdWj_edWbbo h[Ye]d_i[Z WdZ [l[d Y_j[Z Xo j^[ D_aa[_ C_YheZ[l_Y[i @ekhdWb _d Del[cX[h (&&-" ^Wl[ X[[d eXjW_d[Z m_j^_d ed[ o[Wh$

Annual Report 2007


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ckbj_#iYWb[ ceZ[bb_d] r ckbj_#Yecfed[dj ioij[ci r d[e#c[jWbbkh]o

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e\ X_ej[Y^debe]o" fki^[Z j^[ Z[l[befc[dj e\

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Ulrike Lehmann getting her prize in Tokyo.

\_[bZ$ <eYki _i ed cWj[h_Wbi" Z[i_]d" c_Yhe\WX#

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Lab-on-a-chip for analysis and diagnostics (EPFL & CSEM).

d[[Zi je X[ WY^_[l[Z X[jm[[d j^[ Z_\\[h[dj Wf# fb_YWj_edi j^hek]^ i_c_bWh cWj[h_Wb WdZ c_Yhe# \WXh_YWj_ed iebkj_edi$

J

he project «Lab-on-a-Chip for analysis and diagnostics» led by Prof. M. Gijs of EPFL and involving other research groups from EPFL (Prof. E. Charbon, Prof. Y. Leblebici, Prof. P. Muralt, Prof. H.-A. Klok, Dr. F. K. Gürkaynak, Dr. Y. Leterrier), CSEM (Dr. G. Voirin) and the company Microsens, aims to develop lab-on-a-chip devices suited for the detection of malaria, the detection of antibiotics in milk and the detection of pH and ionic strength in environmental water. A complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) system enabling manipulation of magnetic microparticles through a magnetic field and in situ optical detection has been realised. Those microparticles have been grafted with polymer brushes with plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) antibodies for detection of the malaria virus. A magnetic transportation system for micro- and nanoparticles with integrated optical detection was also realised on a CMOS chip. Regarding the detection of antibiotics in milk, ppb-level optical detection has been demonstrated. Individual assays have been carried out on the wavelength interrogated optical system (WIOS) chip for various antibiotic families. Annual Report 2007

A multidetection assay has been successfully achieved for simultaneous detection of fluoroquinolone and sulfonamide. Test measurements «in the field» have been carried out in Nestlé lab facilities, comparing WIOS detection vs. conventional techniques. In the sub-project dedicated to environmental monitoring, a shear-mode acousto-gravimetric resonator based on aluminum nitride thin films and polymer brushes was succesfully processed on top of an acoustic reflector structure. The chemical or biological coupling to the water is mediated by a polymer brush layer that immobilises and accumulates the species to be measured, giving rise to a change in the oscillator frequency of the acoustic structure.

Jh[dZi The development of gene and protein arrays has opened tremendous opportunities for measuring gene/protein expressions over repeated experiments. The scope of applicability of microarrays goes from medical diagnosis to bio-discovery. In particular microarray technology is fit to provide insight into gene regulatory mechanisms and support for fast diagnosis (e.g., infectious disease screening).

Although microarrays are already highly developed and widely used, they are still far from optimised. With respect to protein microarrays, for example, important challenges include the development of robust and generally applicable methods for the covalent immobilisation of proteins with retention of structure and function, and the design of new substrate materials that are not sensitive towards non-specific protein adsorption. In the area of microfluidics, important materials challenges lie in surface structuring and surface chemistry in order to better control and direct fluid flow. Further research will involve the combination of hardware design using various materials technologies as well as software technologies for processing the measured data, and will link them to other diagnostic or ontological information. A variety of materials should be considered, with particular reference to their compatibility with integrated system technology and the living sample materials to be processed by the lab-on-a-chip.

'.

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Gold infiltration at austenite grain boundaries during laser welding of gold and steel. (After D. Favez et al., Intergranular penetration of liquid gold at stainless steel grain boundaries, French Soc. Metal., Paris (2008)).

Laser welding of dissimilar materials is of D[e#c[jWbbkh]o 0 D[m Wbbeoi" d[m fhe# Y[ii[i WdZ d[m _dl[ij_]Wj_ed j[Y^d_gk[i great interest for many industries in the One axis of the MERU proposal is the development of new alloys and processing routes for various applications and the improvement of characterising techniques. Alloy development for structural or functional applications relies on the possibility of making combinatory experiments in a fast and efficient way. One way is to produce materials with composition gradients with testing made afterwards at a very local scale, e.g., nano-indentation for mechanical properties or local optical or electrical measurements for functions. This raises then the question of up-scaling properties measured at a very local scale to those of more bulk materials, bringing sometimes fundamental questions when the characteristic length scales associated with the phenomena involved become comparable to that of the specimen or of the measurement technique. New production or assemblage processes are also required for metallic alloys. For example, new metallic materials such as bulk metallic glasses (BMG) and metallic foams, metal matrix composites (MMC) offer new and quite unique mechanical properties.

'/

Along less traditional ways, multi-scale modelling requires the development of dedicated tools which can encompass watch or medical sectors, but also in the nearly 10 orders of magnitude, from the automotive and aeronautic sectors. While the metallurgy of materials A and B are well atomistic to the process scale. known, the assemblage of A and B by metalAt the scale of a small population of atoms, lurgical bonds requires a deep understanding of both thermodynamics and processes. ab initio calculations can be used to model the optical or electrical response of metallic systems, impurity-defect structures for use Finally, novel characterising techniques in Kinetic Monte Carlo and free energy such as in situ X-ray radiography or tomocluster expansion methods. At the scale of graphy, neutron scattering, orientation a few million atoms, molecular dynamics imaging using EBSD combined with EDX can help in the understanding and calculation chemical analyses methods, nano-testing of mechanical properties of nanoparticles, devices, etc, allow to characterise accuthe structure and property of diffuse solidrately and in depth metallic alloys down to liquid interfaces or the interactions between very low scale. metallic systems and radiation. Numerical simulation methods such as pseudo-front Ckbj_#iYWb[" ckbj_#f^[dec[dW ceZ[b# tracking and phase field methods allow b_d] e\ c[jWbb_Y ioij[ci modelling the formation of microstructures At the same time new alloys are produced and defects for multi-component and multiand analysed, computer simulation has phase systems. At a larger scale, granular really become an indispensable tool in approaches or cellular automata can take metallurgy. For «traditional» metallurgy of information from the microstructure scale standard composition alloys, the effort of level for the modelling at the scale of a large researchers is directed towards integrated population of grains (macrostructures). modelling in order to model, understand, calculate and optimise processing routes as a function of the final desired properties. Annual Report 2007


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Ulrike Lehmann getting her prize in Tokyo.

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Lab-on-a-chip for analysis and diagnostics (EPFL & CSEM).

d[[Zi je X[ WY^_[l[Z X[jm[[d j^[ Z_\\[h[dj Wf# fb_YWj_edi j^hek]^ i_c_bWh cWj[h_Wb WdZ c_Yhe# \WXh_YWj_ed iebkj_edi$

J

he project «Lab-on-a-Chip for analysis and diagnostics» led by Prof. M. Gijs of EPFL and involving other research groups from EPFL (Prof. E. Charbon, Prof. Y. Leblebici, Prof. P. Muralt, Prof. H.-A. Klok, Dr. F. K. Gürkaynak, Dr. Y. Leterrier), CSEM (Dr. G. Voirin) and the company Microsens, aims to develop lab-on-a-chip devices suited for the detection of malaria, the detection of antibiotics in milk and the detection of pH and ionic strength in environmental water. A complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) system enabling manipulation of magnetic microparticles through a magnetic field and in situ optical detection has been realised. Those microparticles have been grafted with polymer brushes with plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) antibodies for detection of the malaria virus. A magnetic transportation system for micro- and nanoparticles with integrated optical detection was also realised on a CMOS chip. Regarding the detection of antibiotics in milk, ppb-level optical detection has been demonstrated. Individual assays have been carried out on the wavelength interrogated optical system (WIOS) chip for various antibiotic families. Annual Report 2007

A multidetection assay has been successfully achieved for simultaneous detection of fluoroquinolone and sulfonamide. Test measurements «in the field» have been carried out in Nestlé lab facilities, comparing WIOS detection vs. conventional techniques. In the sub-project dedicated to environmental monitoring, a shear-mode acousto-gravimetric resonator based on aluminum nitride thin films and polymer brushes was succesfully processed on top of an acoustic reflector structure. The chemical or biological coupling to the water is mediated by a polymer brush layer that immobilises and accumulates the species to be measured, giving rise to a change in the oscillator frequency of the acoustic structure.

Jh[dZi The development of gene and protein arrays has opened tremendous opportunities for measuring gene/protein expressions over repeated experiments. The scope of applicability of microarrays goes from medical diagnosis to bio-discovery. In particular microarray technology is fit to provide insight into gene regulatory mechanisms and support for fast diagnosis (e.g., infectious disease screening).

Although microarrays are already highly developed and widely used, they are still far from optimised. With respect to protein microarrays, for example, important challenges include the development of robust and generally applicable methods for the covalent immobilisation of proteins with retention of structure and function, and the design of new substrate materials that are not sensitive towards non-specific protein adsorption. In the area of microfluidics, important materials challenges lie in surface structuring and surface chemistry in order to better control and direct fluid flow. Further research will involve the combination of hardware design using various materials technologies as well as software technologies for processing the measured data, and will link them to other diagnostic or ontological information. A variety of materials should be considered, with particular reference to their compatibility with integrated system technology and the living sample materials to be processed by the lab-on-a-chip.

'.

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50 µm

_dZkijh_Wb fWhjd[hi WdZ j^[ h[i[WhY^ _dij_jkj[i e\ j^[ ;J> :ecW_d$

Gold infiltration at austenite grain boundaries during laser welding of gold and steel. (After D. Favez et al., Intergranular penetration of liquid gold at stainless steel grain boundaries, French Soc. Metal., Paris (2008)).

Laser welding of dissimilar materials is of D[e#c[jWbbkh]o 0 D[m Wbbeoi" d[m fhe# Y[ii[i WdZ d[m _dl[ij_]Wj_ed j[Y^d_gk[i great interest for many industries in the One axis of the MERU proposal is the development of new alloys and processing routes for various applications and the improvement of characterising techniques. Alloy development for structural or functional applications relies on the possibility of making combinatory experiments in a fast and efficient way. One way is to produce materials with composition gradients with testing made afterwards at a very local scale, e.g., nano-indentation for mechanical properties or local optical or electrical measurements for functions. This raises then the question of up-scaling properties measured at a very local scale to those of more bulk materials, bringing sometimes fundamental questions when the characteristic length scales associated with the phenomena involved become comparable to that of the specimen or of the measurement technique. New production or assemblage processes are also required for metallic alloys. For example, new metallic materials such as bulk metallic glasses (BMG) and metallic foams, metal matrix composites (MMC) offer new and quite unique mechanical properties.

'/

Along less traditional ways, multi-scale modelling requires the development of dedicated tools which can encompass watch or medical sectors, but also in the nearly 10 orders of magnitude, from the automotive and aeronautic sectors. While the metallurgy of materials A and B are well atomistic to the process scale. known, the assemblage of A and B by metalAt the scale of a small population of atoms, lurgical bonds requires a deep understanding of both thermodynamics and processes. ab initio calculations can be used to model the optical or electrical response of metallic systems, impurity-defect structures for use Finally, novel characterising techniques in Kinetic Monte Carlo and free energy such as in situ X-ray radiography or tomocluster expansion methods. At the scale of graphy, neutron scattering, orientation a few million atoms, molecular dynamics imaging using EBSD combined with EDX can help in the understanding and calculation chemical analyses methods, nano-testing of mechanical properties of nanoparticles, devices, etc, allow to characterise accuthe structure and property of diffuse solidrately and in depth metallic alloys down to liquid interfaces or the interactions between very low scale. metallic systems and radiation. Numerical simulation methods such as pseudo-front Ckbj_#iYWb[" ckbj_#f^[dec[dW ceZ[b# tracking and phase field methods allow b_d] e\ c[jWbb_Y ioij[ci modelling the formation of microstructures At the same time new alloys are produced and defects for multi-component and multiand analysed, computer simulation has phase systems. At a larger scale, granular really become an indispensable tool in approaches or cellular automata can take metallurgy. For «traditional» metallurgy of information from the microstructure scale standard composition alloys, the effort of level for the modelling at the scale of a large researchers is directed towards integrated population of grains (macrostructures). modelling in order to model, understand, calculate and optimise processing routes as a function of the final desired properties. Annual Report 2007


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Ulrike Lehmann getting her prize in Tokyo.

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Lab-on-a-chip for analysis and diagnostics (EPFL & CSEM).

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he project «Lab-on-a-Chip for analysis and diagnostics» led by Prof. M. Gijs of EPFL and involving other research groups from EPFL (Prof. E. Charbon, Prof. Y. Leblebici, Prof. P. Muralt, Prof. H.-A. Klok, Dr. F. K. Gürkaynak, Dr. Y. Leterrier), CSEM (Dr. G. Voirin) and the company Microsens, aims to develop lab-on-a-chip devices suited for the detection of malaria, the detection of antibiotics in milk and the detection of pH and ionic strength in environmental water. A complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) system enabling manipulation of magnetic microparticles through a magnetic field and in situ optical detection has been realised. Those microparticles have been grafted with polymer brushes with plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) antibodies for detection of the malaria virus. A magnetic transportation system for micro- and nanoparticles with integrated optical detection was also realised on a CMOS chip. Regarding the detection of antibiotics in milk, ppb-level optical detection has been demonstrated. Individual assays have been carried out on the wavelength interrogated optical system (WIOS) chip for various antibiotic families. Annual Report 2007

A multidetection assay has been successfully achieved for simultaneous detection of fluoroquinolone and sulfonamide. Test measurements «in the field» have been carried out in Nestlé lab facilities, comparing WIOS detection vs. conventional techniques. In the sub-project dedicated to environmental monitoring, a shear-mode acousto-gravimetric resonator based on aluminum nitride thin films and polymer brushes was succesfully processed on top of an acoustic reflector structure. The chemical or biological coupling to the water is mediated by a polymer brush layer that immobilises and accumulates the species to be measured, giving rise to a change in the oscillator frequency of the acoustic structure.

Jh[dZi The development of gene and protein arrays has opened tremendous opportunities for measuring gene/protein expressions over repeated experiments. The scope of applicability of microarrays goes from medical diagnosis to bio-discovery. In particular microarray technology is fit to provide insight into gene regulatory mechanisms and support for fast diagnosis (e.g., infectious disease screening).

Although microarrays are already highly developed and widely used, they are still far from optimised. With respect to protein microarrays, for example, important challenges include the development of robust and generally applicable methods for the covalent immobilisation of proteins with retention of structure and function, and the design of new substrate materials that are not sensitive towards non-specific protein adsorption. In the area of microfluidics, important materials challenges lie in surface structuring and surface chemistry in order to better control and direct fluid flow. Further research will involve the combination of hardware design using various materials technologies as well as software technologies for processing the measured data, and will link them to other diagnostic or ontological information. A variety of materials should be considered, with particular reference to their compatibility with integrated system technology and the living sample materials to be processed by the lab-on-a-chip.

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Gold infiltration at austenite grain boundaries during laser welding of gold and steel. (After D. Favez et al., Intergranular penetration of liquid gold at stainless steel grain boundaries, French Soc. Metal., Paris (2008)).

Laser welding of dissimilar materials is of D[e#c[jWbbkh]o 0 D[m Wbbeoi" d[m fhe# Y[ii[i WdZ d[m _dl[ij_]Wj_ed j[Y^d_gk[i great interest for many industries in the One axis of the MERU proposal is the development of new alloys and processing routes for various applications and the improvement of characterising techniques. Alloy development for structural or functional applications relies on the possibility of making combinatory experiments in a fast and efficient way. One way is to produce materials with composition gradients with testing made afterwards at a very local scale, e.g., nano-indentation for mechanical properties or local optical or electrical measurements for functions. This raises then the question of up-scaling properties measured at a very local scale to those of more bulk materials, bringing sometimes fundamental questions when the characteristic length scales associated with the phenomena involved become comparable to that of the specimen or of the measurement technique. New production or assemblage processes are also required for metallic alloys. For example, new metallic materials such as bulk metallic glasses (BMG) and metallic foams, metal matrix composites (MMC) offer new and quite unique mechanical properties.

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Along less traditional ways, multi-scale modelling requires the development of dedicated tools which can encompass watch or medical sectors, but also in the nearly 10 orders of magnitude, from the automotive and aeronautic sectors. While the metallurgy of materials A and B are well atomistic to the process scale. known, the assemblage of A and B by metalAt the scale of a small population of atoms, lurgical bonds requires a deep understanding of both thermodynamics and processes. ab initio calculations can be used to model the optical or electrical response of metallic systems, impurity-defect structures for use Finally, novel characterising techniques in Kinetic Monte Carlo and free energy such as in situ X-ray radiography or tomocluster expansion methods. At the scale of graphy, neutron scattering, orientation a few million atoms, molecular dynamics imaging using EBSD combined with EDX can help in the understanding and calculation chemical analyses methods, nano-testing of mechanical properties of nanoparticles, devices, etc, allow to characterise accuthe structure and property of diffuse solidrately and in depth metallic alloys down to liquid interfaces or the interactions between very low scale. metallic systems and radiation. Numerical simulation methods such as pseudo-front Ckbj_#iYWb[" ckbj_#f^[dec[dW ceZ[b# tracking and phase field methods allow b_d] e\ c[jWbb_Y ioij[ci modelling the formation of microstructures At the same time new alloys are produced and defects for multi-component and multiand analysed, computer simulation has phase systems. At a larger scale, granular really become an indispensable tool in approaches or cellular automata can take metallurgy. For «traditional» metallurgy of information from the microstructure scale standard composition alloys, the effort of level for the modelling at the scale of a large researchers is directed towards integrated population of grains (macrostructures). modelling in order to model, understand, calculate and optimise processing routes as a function of the final desired properties. Annual Report 2007


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Etched fibre tip for the Focused Ion Beam instrument mounted on a Transmission Electron Microscope sample holder (Empa and ETH Zurich).

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after such a project, preferably with an he «Nano- and Microscale Materials industrial partner; Characterisation» analytical platform • Rapid analytical projects using existing is directed by Prof. Hans Josef Hug. instrumentation for single experiments Chiara Corticelli is in charge of industrial with a well-defined duration or multiple liaison. The Management Board comprises experiments, possibly on different instruProf. Cécile Hébert (EPFL), Prof. Bruce Patments, or to carry on test experiments terson (PSI), Prof. Marcus Textor (ETH Zurich), for feasibility studies at the nanoscale. and includes the Management Team. An independent international board of referees advises the analytical platform for strategic In general, projects bringing a positive impact on other CCMX ongoing research decisions. activities or that are of interest to several ETH domain laboratories and/or industry The projets funded through CCMX in this are preferred. Twelve projects have been area are divided into three categories : funded in 2007, many of which have already • Projects targeting the development of led to exciting success stories as revealed new analytical tools, methods or instruin the coming pages. mentation for the analysis of physical, chemical, or biological properties on the scale below 100 nm; :[l[befc[dj e\ d[m 7dWboj_YWb Jeebi • Projects involving the purchase of analy- The project «Development of Self-Sensing tical instrumentation or components to and -Actuating Probe for Dynamic Mode complete the existing offer of the CCMX AFM at Cryogenic Temperature» led by affiliated institutions. Matching funds Prof. N. de Rooij (EPFL) and involving Prof. from the home-institution should be K. Ensslin (ETH Zurich) focuses on two provided and further development of the objectives : the development of a new type instrumentation should be envisioned of tuning fork probe for the atomic force Annual Report 2007

microscope (AFM) based on a novel probe concept invented in a previous project and the development of an easy interface for mounting the probe onto an AFM platform. The developed tuning fork AFM probe consists of a quartz tuning fork and a cantilever. The objective of the first year was reached as a model of this probe was developed based on two coupled springmass systems. The determining parameters are the mass and the spring constant of the cantilever. The behaviour of the quartz tuning fork due to the coupling from the cantilever could therefore be determined. A shift in the resonance frequency of the in-phase peak of the tuning fork occurs as the spring constant of the cantilever increases. This shift reaches a saturation state that should be avoided to achieve reasonable sensitivity in a frequency modulation scheme. The conducted experiments show that this model describes the qualitative behaviour of the system but further development will be required to achieve good quantitative predictions.

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A new generation scanning anode field emission microscope (SAFEM) for the inspection of field emission properties of planar cold cathodes is being developed in a project carried out by Dr. O. Gröning (EMPA). The instrument will set new standards in the field of cold cathode characterisation with regard to spatial resolution (which in most measurement of planar field emission cathode is neglected). At this stage the main hardware design and bulk of the operation software has been developed and appropriate suppliers have been identified. The core of the SAFEM - the high precision UHV translation stages - is being manufactured by MICOS in Germany and will be delivered in the first semester of 2008. A key feature of the new SAFEM will be its userfriendliness making it possible for external research groups to carry out routine cold cathode characterisation.

thanks to a novel structuring of the tip cladding. A scanning probe microscope (SPM) set-up suitable for various SNOM configurations has been designed and built; it will soon be operational. The basic scanning functionality is effective and will be optimised. The possibilities to modify optical fibre SNOM tips with focused ion beam (FIB) have been investigated and simple structures on fibre tips have been produced. As commercial tips are not suitable, an etching process has already been set up but the obtained tip shape and surface quality will be further improved.

A novel type of scanning X-ray microscope is being developed by Dr. I. Schmid (Empa) who has teamed up with Dr. J. Raabe and Dr. C. Quitmann (PSI). This instrument will combine the chemical specificity of X-ray absorption spectroscopy with the spatial Prof. U. Sennhauser (EMPA) and Prof. C. Hafner resolution (< 5nm) of a scanning force (ETH Zurich) are developing a new «double- microscope. This instrument should signipassage» scanning near-field optical micro- ficantly impact nanotechnology, material scope (SNOM) that should show higher science and even industrial applications resolution than the «single-passage» SNOM (i.e. semiconductor industry).

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8[Wcj_c[ WbbeYWj[Z je DWde#N#hWo 7Xiehf# j_ed If[YjheiYefo _dYh[Wi[i Xo W \WYjeh e\ '& J^[ ed#]e_d] Z[l[befc[dj e\ j^[ DWde#N#hWo WXiehfj_ed if[YjheiYefo DWde#N7I " j^Wdai je W 99CN \kdZ_d] e\ (-& a9>< WdZ ikXijWdj_Wb \kdZ_d] \hec FI? WdZ ;cfW" ^Wi jh_]][h[Z j^[ _dj[h[ij e\ _dZkijho WdZ ej^[h WYWZ[c_Y _dij_jkj_edi$ J^_i ^Wi \[jY^[Z \khj^[h \kdZ_d] el[h ' c_bb_ed 9>< \eh j^[ _dijWbbWj_ed e\ W X[Wcb_d[ [nYbk# i_l[bo Z[Z_YWj[Z je j^_i _dijhkc[dj$ J^[ X[Wcj_c[ WbbeYWj[Z je j^[ DWde#N7I ^Wi dem _dYh[Wi[Z Xo W \WYjeh e\ '&$ The conceptual design of the instrument was achieved already in March while the fabrication and assembly has been going on since August 2007.

Fhel_Z_d] d[m Yecfed[dji je [n_ij_d] \WY_b_j_[i The five multi-purpose microscopes of the Swiss Scanning Probe User Laboratory (SUL) project led by Dr. R. Crockett (Empa) will be made available to industrial users ¨ Annual Report 2007


;dWXb_d] iebkj_edi \eh cWj[h_Wbi WdWboi_i Wj j^[ c_Yhe# WdZ dWdeiYWb[ copper line below the stressed via and (7) cracks and/ or stress relief in the copper line above the stressed via. Before now no information about the thermal stress of copper lines and the low k dielectric material around the stressed via was available. Also the porosity of the tantalum barrier could be observed for the first time.

J^[ Im_ii IYWdd_d] FheX[ Ki[h BWXehW# jeho IKB ^Wi Wbh[WZo ^[bf[Z iebl[ YhkY_Wb iY_[dj_\_Y gk[ij_edi I[l[hWb iY_[dj_\_Y fhe`[Yji Wbh[WZo ijWhj[Z Zkh_d] j^[ [ijWXb_i^c[dj e\ j^[ IKB$ 7YY[ii je j^[ iYWdd_d] \ehY[ c_YheiYefo \WY_b_j_[i ^Wi X[[d Yh_j_YWb \eh fhel_Z_d] W X[jj[h kdZ[hijWdZ_d] e\ a[o iY_[dj_\_Y gk[ij_edi$ CW`eh_jo e\ j^[i[ YebbWXehWj_edi _dYbkZ[ bWXehWjeh_[i e\ ;cfW" ;J> Pkh_Y^ WdZ Kd_l[hi_jo e\ 8Wi[b$

and to academic institutions for service measurements and for education and technical training courses. It is a unique facility in Switzerland. CCMX and Empa are joining forces to purchase three scanning force microscopes while another instrument is being constructed by the Empa Laboratory for Nanoscale Materials Science and NanoScan AG. This fourth instrument, a «physical property measurement system» scanning force microscope (PPMS-SFM), is expected to be operational by summer 2008. Dr. B. Hinz (EPFL) investigates cytoskeletal proteins in living cells using scanning probe microscopy. These cells generate fibrosis of liver, heart, kidney and lung in response to mechanical stress. Targeting their molecular stress-detectors offers novel strategies to develop anti-fibrotic therapies. The aim of the project is to determine how mechanical forces, exerted on the single molecule level, control the development and function of contractile connective tissue cells. With CCMX support a life science atomic force microscope (AFM) could be acquired. This instrument significantly contributed to the disclosure that fibrogenic cells de novo form specialised contacts that intercellularly coordinate their destructive contractile activity. Annual Report 2007

AFM image of the phase morphology of a polythiophene/polystyrene mixture spin-coated from chlorobenzene after removal of polystyrene in hexane (Empa).

;cfW WdZ ;J> Pkh_Y^ [nj[dZ j^[_h ademb[Z][ _d fh[fWhWj_ed e\ J;C#if[Y_c[di m_j^ c_d_c_i[Z Z[\[Yji Xo \eYki[Z _ed X[Wc >_]^ h[iebkj_ed jhWdic_ii_ed [b[Yjhhed c_YheiYefo WdZ [b[Yjhed [d[h]o beii if[YjheiYefo ;;BI kikWbbo i[j l[ho ijh_d][dj h[gk_h[c[dji ed j^[ iWcfb[ bWc[bbW[ _d j[hci e\ j^_Ya# d[ii WdZ Yedjheb e\ j^_Yad[ii" fWhWbb[b i_Z[mWbbi" WdZ bWo[h ZWccW][$ 7CEHJ;C ^Wi Wbbem[Z \eh Wd _d#Z[fj^ WdWboi_i e\ J;C bWc[bbW[ \WXh_YWj_ed ki_d] \eYki[Z _ed X[Wc <?8 WdZ je gkWdj_\o _ji WZlWdjW][i el[h ej^[h \WXh_YWj_ed c[j^eZi$ J^Wdai je j^_i fhe`[Yj _j _i dem feii_Xb[ je i_]d_\_YWdjbo h[ZkY[ j^[ j^_Yad[ii e\ j^[ ZWcW][Z eh Wcehf^eki ped[i" [l[d \eh l[ho i[di_j_l[ cWj[h_Wbi m^_Y^ YWddej X[ fh[fWh[Z Xo ej^[h j[Y^d_gk[i Xkj <?8$ J^[i[ h[ikbji ^Wl[ X[[d WY^_[l[Z j^hek]^ W \hk_j\kb YebbWXehWj_ed X[jm[[d j^[ bWXehWjeho \eh ;b[Yjhed_Yi WdZ C[jhebe]o WdZ j^[ bWXehWjeho \eh >_]^ F[h\ehcWdY[ 9[hWc_Yi e\ ;cfW WdZ j^[ 9[djh[ \eh ;b[Yjhed C_YheiYefo Wj ;J> Pkh_Y^$ 7bb _dlebl[Z ]hekfi YekbZ XheWZ[d j^[_h adem#^em WdZ efj_c_i[ j^[_h fheY[ii[i$ The mechanical stability of these contacts could be attributed to the high adhesion of specific transmembrane proteins on the single molecule level as inhibition of these proteins reduces contraction of tissue-like matrix. In a second publication, a novel mechanism of how fibrogenic cells activate growth factors from their surrounding extracellular matrix was described. These cells use specific cell-matrix receptors to literally pull on the biologically inactive growth factor. The mechanical force then liberates the active cytokine which feeds back on the cell to maintain its fibrogenic character. Again, by blocking the specific matrix receptor the vicious cycle leading to fibrosis could be interrupted.

Ki_d] [n_ij_d] \WY_b_j_[i je [nfbeh[ d[m WdWboj_YWb j[Y^d_gk[i Dr. U. Sennhauser and Dr. S Liebert-Winter of Empa investigate weak mode failures in semiconductor devices using 3D transmission electron microscopy together with NXP Semiconductors Zurich. The TEM analysis of a sample which had failed during the electromigration stress test showed seven kinds of defects : (1) low k dielectric material with stress reliefs which are not caused by the TEM imaging, (2) porousity of the tantalum barrier, (3) migration of copper through the tantalum barrier down to the copper line below which caused an electric short, (4) accumulation of copper and (5) corresponding depletion area, (6) stress relief in the

((

The project led by Dr. S. Rast (University of Basel) in collaboration with Dr. U. Sennhauser (Empa) aims to shrink the dimension of a micrometer sized magnetic particle attached to an ultrasensitive force sensor in order to achieve highest possible magnetic field gradient. The dimension of a micrometer sized hard magnetic tip, glued on a force sensor with attonewton sensitivity was shrinked to the nm regime with the focused ion beam (FIB). The magnetic and dissipative properties of individual hard magnetic particles were investigated with cantilever magnetometry. It turns out that the milling process with Ga+ ions does not significantly affect the magnetic properties of the tip, if the pristine tip has already excellent magnetic properties. The magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy and coercitive field of the nanometer sized particles are in good agreement with bulk values. Since the magnetic properties remain unchanged at small dimensions, far higher field gradients can be reached (10 -100 G/nm). The dissipation of the magnet in the external magnetic field is comparable to the internal friction of the ultrasensitive cantilever. These values are exceeded by non-contact friction at tip sample separations below 10 nm. The «AMORTEM» project aims to minimise the damage induced by focused ion beam (FIB) irradiation to sensitive materials for high resolution analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A reduction of the thickness of the amorphous layers on each side of the TEM lamellae allows for better quality high resolution TEM micrographs for material analysis. This project is carried out by Dr. U. Sennhauser (Empa) in collaboration with Dr. T. Graule (Empa) and Dr. E. Müller (ETH Zurich). Two methods were compared to each other and to reference TEM lamellae. The first method uses low energy (7 keV instead of the usual 30 keV) FIB irradiation while the other applies very

()

Fibrotic cells grown on the force probe cantilever (blue) of an atomic force microscope (AFM) develop contractile fibers (green). Touching AFM- and glass-cultured cells (inset) induces formation of cell-to-cell contacts whose strength is measured with the AFM on the single molecule level (EPFL).

MekdZ ^[Wb_d] Y[bbi kdbeYa W ]hemj^ \WYjeh l_W W fkh[bo c[Y^Wd_YWb fheY[ii J^[ del[b \_dZ_d] j^Wj Y[bb#Z[h_l[Z ceb[YkbWh \ehY[i Z_h[Yjbo WYj_lWj[ W ]hemj^ \WYjeh WjjhWYj[Z j^[ _dj[h[ij e\ 8_ebe]_iji WdZ 9b_d_Y_Wdi$ F_[hh[#@[Wd M_f\\ e\ j^[ ;F<B BWXehWjeho e\ 9[bb 8_ef^oi_Yi h[Y[_l[Z j^[ Oekd] ?dl[ij_]Wjehi WmWhZ e\ j^[ ;khef[Wd IeY_[jo e\ J_iik[ H[fW_h \eh j^[ fh[i[djWj_ed e\ j^_i meha _d I[fj[cX[h (&&-$ ?ji fkXb_YWj_ed _d j^[ fh[ij_]_eki @ekhdWb e\ 9[bb 8_ebe]o :[Y[cX[h '-" (&&- mWi hWj[Z É;nY[fj_edWbÊ Xo j^[ É<WYkbjo e\ '&&& c[Z_Y_d[Ê$ J^[ Yh_j_YWb cWjh_n ij_\\d[ii \eh c[Y^Wd_YWb ]hemj^ \WYjeh WYj_lWj_ed WdZ h[\_d[Z del[b Éie\jÊ feboc[h YeWj_d]i \eh Ykbjkh[ ikXijhWj[i m[h[ Z[j[hc_d[Z ki_d] j^[ Wjec_Y \ehY[ c_YheiYef[$ J^[i[ YeWj_d]i YWd X[ fheZkY[Z _d Wdo ie\jd[ii h[b[lWdj \eh j_iik[i e\ j^[ ^kcWd XeZo WdZ YWd X[ Wffb_[Z je Wbb ijWdZWhZ Ykbjkh[ l[ii[bi$ 9[bbi ]hemd ed j^[i[ YeWj_d]i \[[b ÉWj ^ec[Ê WdZ X[^Wl[ Wffhefh_Wj[bo$ 7 Xki_d[ii _Z[W je Yecc[hY_Wb_i[ j^[ ikXijhWj[i WdZ dWc[Z >[blWBWX ^Wi `kij X[[d WmWhZ[Z Xo L[djkh[&. Wced] ((( Wfffb_YWdji$ J^[ b_\[ iY_[dY[ Wjec_Y \ehY[ c_YheiYef[" WYgk_h[Z j^hek]^ ikffehj \hec 99CN" ^[bf[Z ikXijWdj_Wbbo je Z[j[hc_d[ j^[ feboc[h ikXijhWj[ ij_\\d[ii ed j^[ Y[bb#Z[j[Yj_ed b[l[b$ low energy (<2 keV) broad ion beam irradiation in a separate machine. Both techniques enabled lower thickness of the damaged layers; however the best results were obtained using the broad ion beam milling machine evaluated and acquired during the AMORTEM project. Visibility of the crystalline structure is improved as showed by high resolution TEM microscopy.

institutions. Educational training will be offered in specific areas of micro-/nanoscale analysis. New analytical instrumentation will continue to be developed, with a clear accent on responding to the needs of CCMX researchers involved in pre-competitive research projects. Information exchange with the Education and Research Units will thus be strenghtened.

Jh[dZi

Funding of rapid analytical projects will be expanded. Such projects facilitate interinstitutional use of analytical equipment available within the ETH Domain or support the development of test experiments between an ETH Domain group and an industrial partner provided that a sufficient distinction from conventional service measurements is documented.

One key task in the near future is to catalogue the analytical ressources available for characterising materials at the nano- and microscale within ETH Domain institutions and subsequently provide a single entry point to industry. The CCMX analytical platform will therefore emphasise the coordination of facilities currently on offer in the partner

Annual Report 2007


;dWXb_d] iebkj_edi \eh cWj[h_Wbi WdWboi_i Wj j^[ c_Yhe# WdZ dWdeiYWb[ copper line below the stressed via and (7) cracks and/ or stress relief in the copper line above the stressed via. Before now no information about the thermal stress of copper lines and the low k dielectric material around the stressed via was available. Also the porosity of the tantalum barrier could be observed for the first time.

J^[ Im_ii IYWdd_d] FheX[ Ki[h BWXehW# jeho IKB ^Wi Wbh[WZo ^[bf[Z iebl[ YhkY_Wb iY_[dj_\_Y gk[ij_edi I[l[hWb iY_[dj_\_Y fhe`[Yji Wbh[WZo ijWhj[Z Zkh_d] j^[ [ijWXb_i^c[dj e\ j^[ IKB$ 7YY[ii je j^[ iYWdd_d] \ehY[ c_YheiYefo \WY_b_j_[i ^Wi X[[d Yh_j_YWb \eh fhel_Z_d] W X[jj[h kdZ[hijWdZ_d] e\ a[o iY_[dj_\_Y gk[ij_edi$ CW`eh_jo e\ j^[i[ YebbWXehWj_edi _dYbkZ[ bWXehWjeh_[i e\ ;cfW" ;J> Pkh_Y^ WdZ Kd_l[hi_jo e\ 8Wi[b$

and to academic institutions for service measurements and for education and technical training courses. It is a unique facility in Switzerland. CCMX and Empa are joining forces to purchase three scanning force microscopes while another instrument is being constructed by the Empa Laboratory for Nanoscale Materials Science and NanoScan AG. This fourth instrument, a «physical property measurement system» scanning force microscope (PPMS-SFM), is expected to be operational by summer 2008. Dr. B. Hinz (EPFL) investigates cytoskeletal proteins in living cells using scanning probe microscopy. These cells generate fibrosis of liver, heart, kidney and lung in response to mechanical stress. Targeting their molecular stress-detectors offers novel strategies to develop anti-fibrotic therapies. The aim of the project is to determine how mechanical forces, exerted on the single molecule level, control the development and function of contractile connective tissue cells. With CCMX support a life science atomic force microscope (AFM) could be acquired. This instrument significantly contributed to the disclosure that fibrogenic cells de novo form specialised contacts that intercellularly coordinate their destructive contractile activity. Annual Report 2007

AFM image of the phase morphology of a polythiophene/polystyrene mixture spin-coated from chlorobenzene after removal of polystyrene in hexane (Empa).

;cfW WdZ ;J> Pkh_Y^ [nj[dZ j^[_h ademb[Z][ _d fh[fWhWj_ed e\ J;C#if[Y_c[di m_j^ c_d_c_i[Z Z[\[Yji Xo \eYki[Z _ed X[Wc >_]^ h[iebkj_ed jhWdic_ii_ed [b[Yjhhed c_YheiYefo WdZ [b[Yjhed [d[h]o beii if[YjheiYefo ;;BI kikWbbo i[j l[ho ijh_d][dj h[gk_h[c[dji ed j^[ iWcfb[ bWc[bbW[ _d j[hci e\ j^_Ya# d[ii WdZ Yedjheb e\ j^_Yad[ii" fWhWbb[b i_Z[mWbbi" WdZ bWo[h ZWccW][$ 7CEHJ;C ^Wi Wbbem[Z \eh Wd _d#Z[fj^ WdWboi_i e\ J;C bWc[bbW[ \WXh_YWj_ed ki_d] \eYki[Z _ed X[Wc <?8 WdZ je gkWdj_\o _ji WZlWdjW][i el[h ej^[h \WXh_YWj_ed c[j^eZi$ J^Wdai je j^_i fhe`[Yj _j _i dem feii_Xb[ je i_]d_\_YWdjbo h[ZkY[ j^[ j^_Yad[ii e\ j^[ ZWcW][Z eh Wcehf^eki ped[i" [l[d \eh l[ho i[di_j_l[ cWj[h_Wbi m^_Y^ YWddej X[ fh[fWh[Z Xo ej^[h j[Y^d_gk[i Xkj <?8$ J^[i[ h[ikbji ^Wl[ X[[d WY^_[l[Z j^hek]^ W \hk_j\kb YebbWXehWj_ed X[jm[[d j^[ bWXehWjeho \eh ;b[Yjhed_Yi WdZ C[jhebe]o WdZ j^[ bWXehWjeho \eh >_]^ F[h\ehcWdY[ 9[hWc_Yi e\ ;cfW WdZ j^[ 9[djh[ \eh ;b[Yjhed C_YheiYefo Wj ;J> Pkh_Y^$ 7bb _dlebl[Z ]hekfi YekbZ XheWZ[d j^[_h adem#^em WdZ efj_c_i[ j^[_h fheY[ii[i$ The mechanical stability of these contacts could be attributed to the high adhesion of specific transmembrane proteins on the single molecule level as inhibition of these proteins reduces contraction of tissue-like matrix. In a second publication, a novel mechanism of how fibrogenic cells activate growth factors from their surrounding extracellular matrix was described. These cells use specific cell-matrix receptors to literally pull on the biologically inactive growth factor. The mechanical force then liberates the active cytokine which feeds back on the cell to maintain its fibrogenic character. Again, by blocking the specific matrix receptor the vicious cycle leading to fibrosis could be interrupted.

Ki_d] [n_ij_d] \WY_b_j_[i je [nfbeh[ d[m WdWboj_YWb j[Y^d_gk[i Dr. U. Sennhauser and Dr. S Liebert-Winter of Empa investigate weak mode failures in semiconductor devices using 3D transmission electron microscopy together with NXP Semiconductors Zurich. The TEM analysis of a sample which had failed during the electromigration stress test showed seven kinds of defects : (1) low k dielectric material with stress reliefs which are not caused by the TEM imaging, (2) porousity of the tantalum barrier, (3) migration of copper through the tantalum barrier down to the copper line below which caused an electric short, (4) accumulation of copper and (5) corresponding depletion area, (6) stress relief in the

((

The project led by Dr. S. Rast (University of Basel) in collaboration with Dr. U. Sennhauser (Empa) aims to shrink the dimension of a micrometer sized magnetic particle attached to an ultrasensitive force sensor in order to achieve highest possible magnetic field gradient. The dimension of a micrometer sized hard magnetic tip, glued on a force sensor with attonewton sensitivity was shrinked to the nm regime with the focused ion beam (FIB). The magnetic and dissipative properties of individual hard magnetic particles were investigated with cantilever magnetometry. It turns out that the milling process with Ga+ ions does not significantly affect the magnetic properties of the tip, if the pristine tip has already excellent magnetic properties. The magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy and coercitive field of the nanometer sized particles are in good agreement with bulk values. Since the magnetic properties remain unchanged at small dimensions, far higher field gradients can be reached (10 -100 G/nm). The dissipation of the magnet in the external magnetic field is comparable to the internal friction of the ultrasensitive cantilever. These values are exceeded by non-contact friction at tip sample separations below 10 nm. The «AMORTEM» project aims to minimise the damage induced by focused ion beam (FIB) irradiation to sensitive materials for high resolution analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A reduction of the thickness of the amorphous layers on each side of the TEM lamellae allows for better quality high resolution TEM micrographs for material analysis. This project is carried out by Dr. U. Sennhauser (Empa) in collaboration with Dr. T. Graule (Empa) and Dr. E. Müller (ETH Zurich). Two methods were compared to each other and to reference TEM lamellae. The first method uses low energy (7 keV instead of the usual 30 keV) FIB irradiation while the other applies very

()

Fibrotic cells grown on the force probe cantilever (blue) of an atomic force microscope (AFM) develop contractile fibers (green). Touching AFM- and glass-cultured cells (inset) induces formation of cell-to-cell contacts whose strength is measured with the AFM on the single molecule level (EPFL).

MekdZ ^[Wb_d] Y[bbi kdbeYa W ]hemj^ \WYjeh l_W W fkh[bo c[Y^Wd_YWb fheY[ii J^[ del[b \_dZ_d] j^Wj Y[bb#Z[h_l[Z ceb[YkbWh \ehY[i Z_h[Yjbo WYj_lWj[ W ]hemj^ \WYjeh WjjhWYj[Z j^[ _dj[h[ij e\ 8_ebe]_iji WdZ 9b_d_Y_Wdi$ F_[hh[#@[Wd M_f\\ e\ j^[ ;F<B BWXehWjeho e\ 9[bb 8_ef^oi_Yi h[Y[_l[Z j^[ Oekd] ?dl[ij_]Wjehi WmWhZ e\ j^[ ;khef[Wd IeY_[jo e\ J_iik[ H[fW_h \eh j^[ fh[i[djWj_ed e\ j^_i meha _d I[fj[cX[h (&&-$ ?ji fkXb_YWj_ed _d j^[ fh[ij_]_eki @ekhdWb e\ 9[bb 8_ebe]o :[Y[cX[h '-" (&&- mWi hWj[Z É;nY[fj_edWbÊ Xo j^[ É<WYkbjo e\ '&&& c[Z_Y_d[Ê$ J^[ Yh_j_YWb cWjh_n ij_\\d[ii \eh c[Y^Wd_YWb ]hemj^ \WYjeh WYj_lWj_ed WdZ h[\_d[Z del[b Éie\jÊ feboc[h YeWj_d]i \eh Ykbjkh[ ikXijhWj[i m[h[ Z[j[hc_d[Z ki_d] j^[ Wjec_Y \ehY[ c_YheiYef[$ J^[i[ YeWj_d]i YWd X[ fheZkY[Z _d Wdo ie\jd[ii h[b[lWdj \eh j_iik[i e\ j^[ ^kcWd XeZo WdZ YWd X[ Wffb_[Z je Wbb ijWdZWhZ Ykbjkh[ l[ii[bi$ 9[bbi ]hemd ed j^[i[ YeWj_d]i \[[b ÉWj ^ec[Ê WdZ X[^Wl[ Wffhefh_Wj[bo$ 7 Xki_d[ii _Z[W je Yecc[hY_Wb_i[ j^[ ikXijhWj[i WdZ dWc[Z >[blWBWX ^Wi `kij X[[d WmWhZ[Z Xo L[djkh[&. Wced] ((( Wfffb_YWdji$ J^[ b_\[ iY_[dY[ Wjec_Y \ehY[ c_YheiYef[" WYgk_h[Z j^hek]^ ikffehj \hec 99CN" ^[bf[Z ikXijWdj_Wbbo je Z[j[hc_d[ j^[ feboc[h ikXijhWj[ ij_\\d[ii ed j^[ Y[bb#Z[j[Yj_ed b[l[b$ low energy (<2 keV) broad ion beam irradiation in a separate machine. Both techniques enabled lower thickness of the damaged layers; however the best results were obtained using the broad ion beam milling machine evaluated and acquired during the AMORTEM project. Visibility of the crystalline structure is improved as showed by high resolution TEM microscopy.

institutions. Educational training will be offered in specific areas of micro-/nanoscale analysis. New analytical instrumentation will continue to be developed, with a clear accent on responding to the needs of CCMX researchers involved in pre-competitive research projects. Information exchange with the Education and Research Units will thus be strenghtened.

Jh[dZi

Funding of rapid analytical projects will be expanded. Such projects facilitate interinstitutional use of analytical equipment available within the ETH Domain or support the development of test experiments between an ETH Domain group and an industrial partner provided that a sufficient distinction from conventional service measurements is documented.

One key task in the near future is to catalogue the analytical ressources available for characterising materials at the nano- and microscale within ETH Domain institutions and subsequently provide a single entry point to industry. The CCMX analytical platform will therefore emphasise the coordination of facilities currently on offer in the partner

Annual Report 2007


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© K. Kumar

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MMNS organised a workshop in relation to the CCMX funded project entitled «Materials, Devices and Design Technologies for Nanoelectronic Systems Beyond Ultimately Scaled CMOS» in July at EPFL. It attracted 60 participants, 90% of whom were from academia. Five prominent scientists gave two back-to-back lectures; the first one was an overview of the subject, while the second one provided a more detailed insight. The aim of the workshop was to present the audience with the possible implications of emerging nanotechnologies and the exciting opportunities they may hold for academia and for the industry. The MatLife Tutorial Type Workshop on high-priority areas of materials for the life sciences such as materials in biosensors, tissue engineering and carrier systems for targeted drug delivery was given by leaders of the field and held in combination with the BIOSURF VII conference in August. This workshop was specifically devoted to the science of functional interfaces directing biological response. The 128 participants consisting of engineers, chemists, biologists and clinicians working on interdisciplinary approaches originated both from academic institutions (85%) and industry (15%) from Switzerland, Europe and overseas. Annual Report 2007

© S. Al-Bataineh

© N. Jongen

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CCMX Annual Meeting (left) and BIOSURF VII Conference (right).

SPERU Annual Course.

The first SPERU Annual Course focussing on the processing and characterisation of particles and thin films was held over four days at the end of 2007 in Lucern. The course was given by experts from Empa, EPFL, ETH Zurich and CSEM who encouraged direct interactions with the participants. 37% of the 38 participants originated from the specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, sensors and watch industries. Constructive remarks were collected ensuring that the 2008 course can correspond even better to the audience’s needs.

The pilot phase of a joint EPFL/ETHZ Master Orientation on Molecular Bioengineering/ Biomaterials was initiated in the 2007-2008 academic year. Student mobility is financed at the level of the Centre. If successful, the programme will be reinforced for the following academic year. CCMX’s Master Support Programme provided partial financial support to seven master students from abroad to support their master theses within CCMX funded projects, the programme will continue in 2008.

(*

Following the survey that was carried out by CCMX on «The demands of the Swiss industry in materials R&D : challenges and opportunities» a workshop was organised in Bern in January to present and discuss the results and the outcome of the survey. More than 25 people from industry attended together with the representatives of CCMX and its ERUs and platform. The creation of a new ERU on metallurgy (MERU) was the direct response to the needs that transpired from the survey and the workshop. SPERU organised its own workshop in April in Olten following discussions that had initiated at the Bern workshop. The main topic was to discuss and define SPERU’s future thematic areas together with 12 participants from industry. The first Annual Meeting of CCMX took place in Fribourg in March. This represented

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a good opportunity for the 250 participants from industry and academia to network and to be introduced to CCMX’s activities. Ongoing projects were presented and possibilities for collaboration were discussed. The first SPERU Technology Aperitif targeting the watch industry and held in July in Lausanne attracted more than 30 participants who learnt about the latest performances of materials of all classes from a panel of speakers from EPFL, ETH Zurich and CSEM. MatLife participated in the European Science Foundation (ESF-EMBO) Conference on «Biological Surfaces and Interfaces» that was held in July in Spain. CCMX was presented overall and focus was given to MatLife activities. The conference programme was divided into 6 sessions with 25 invited speakers.

The BIOSURF VII Conference held in Zurich in August and organised by MatLife was a great success with 27 international speakers from academia and industry, 245 participants from 17 countries and 132 poster presentations. In September, CCMX presented its activities on a 24 m2 stand at the NanoEurope fair in St-Gallen. A total of approximately 3’500 visitors was recorded over the three days of trade show and conferences. The MERU Metallurgy Day in September defined industrial needs in metallurgy R&D and provided an overview of the competencies and equipment available at institutions of the ETH Domain and CSEM. Attendance exceeded expectations, with 25 representatives from Swiss industry.

Annual Report 2007


;ZkYWj_ed WdZ jhW_d_d] WYj_l_j_[i © N. Jongen

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MMNS organised a workshop in relation to the CCMX funded project entitled «Materials, Devices and Design Technologies for Nanoelectronic Systems Beyond Ultimately Scaled CMOS» in July at EPFL. It attracted 60 participants, 90% of whom were from academia. Five prominent scientists gave two back-to-back lectures; the first one was an overview of the subject, while the second one provided a more detailed insight. The aim of the workshop was to present the audience with the possible implications of emerging nanotechnologies and the exciting opportunities they may hold for academia and for the industry. The MatLife Tutorial Type Workshop on high-priority areas of materials for the life sciences such as materials in biosensors, tissue engineering and carrier systems for targeted drug delivery was given by leaders of the field and held in combination with the BIOSURF VII conference in August. This workshop was specifically devoted to the science of functional interfaces directing biological response. The 128 participants consisting of engineers, chemists, biologists and clinicians working on interdisciplinary approaches originated both from academic institutions (85%) and industry (15%) from Switzerland, Europe and overseas. Annual Report 2007

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CCMX Annual Meeting (left) and BIOSURF VII Conference (right).

SPERU Annual Course.

The first SPERU Annual Course focussing on the processing and characterisation of particles and thin films was held over four days at the end of 2007 in Lucern. The course was given by experts from Empa, EPFL, ETH Zurich and CSEM who encouraged direct interactions with the participants. 37% of the 38 participants originated from the specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, sensors and watch industries. Constructive remarks were collected ensuring that the 2008 course can correspond even better to the audience’s needs.

The pilot phase of a joint EPFL/ETHZ Master Orientation on Molecular Bioengineering/ Biomaterials was initiated in the 2007-2008 academic year. Student mobility is financed at the level of the Centre. If successful, the programme will be reinforced for the following academic year. CCMX’s Master Support Programme provided partial financial support to seven master students from abroad to support their master theses within CCMX funded projects, the programme will continue in 2008.

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Following the survey that was carried out by CCMX on «The demands of the Swiss industry in materials R&D : challenges and opportunities» a workshop was organised in Bern in January to present and discuss the results and the outcome of the survey. More than 25 people from industry attended together with the representatives of CCMX and its ERUs and platform. The creation of a new ERU on metallurgy (MERU) was the direct response to the needs that transpired from the survey and the workshop. SPERU organised its own workshop in April in Olten following discussions that had initiated at the Bern workshop. The main topic was to discuss and define SPERU’s future thematic areas together with 12 participants from industry. The first Annual Meeting of CCMX took place in Fribourg in March. This represented

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a good opportunity for the 250 participants from industry and academia to network and to be introduced to CCMX’s activities. Ongoing projects were presented and possibilities for collaboration were discussed. The first SPERU Technology Aperitif targeting the watch industry and held in July in Lausanne attracted more than 30 participants who learnt about the latest performances of materials of all classes from a panel of speakers from EPFL, ETH Zurich and CSEM. MatLife participated in the European Science Foundation (ESF-EMBO) Conference on «Biological Surfaces and Interfaces» that was held in July in Spain. CCMX was presented overall and focus was given to MatLife activities. The conference programme was divided into 6 sessions with 25 invited speakers.

The BIOSURF VII Conference held in Zurich in August and organised by MatLife was a great success with 27 international speakers from academia and industry, 245 participants from 17 countries and 132 poster presentations. In September, CCMX presented its activities on a 24 m2 stand at the NanoEurope fair in St-Gallen. A total of approximately 3’500 visitors was recorded over the three days of trade show and conferences. The MERU Metallurgy Day in September defined industrial needs in metallurgy R&D and provided an overview of the competencies and equipment available at institutions of the ETH Domain and CSEM. Attendance exceeded expectations, with 25 representatives from Swiss industry.

Annual Report 2007


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H[i[WhY^ The CCMX steering committee agreed to continue funding 15 of the current flagship projects following the requests for continuation and the excellent results that were shown. These projects will be running into 2008 and 2009. A new call for proposals was launched at the end of 2007. 22 outline proposals were received in October 2007 and 15 full proposals were finally submitted in January 2008. At the moment of the writing of this report the projects are being evaluated and the process will allow for new projects to be funded as of April 2008. These projects will be funded according to the new CCMX rule requiring matching funds from the industry. The analytical platform (NMMC) will carry out a project entitled “Evaluation of the analytical instrumentation within the ETH Domain”. The goal of this survey is to establish the situation of Analytical Instrumentation in the ETH Domain. It will lead to the creation of an analytical portal on the CCMX website.

;ZkYWj_ed WdZ jhW_d_d] Education activities planned for 2008 include the SPERU Annual Course shaped for industry researchers which will take place end of October in Lucern. The MatLife Travelling Lab Workshop (TLab) will provide academic and industrial Annual Report 2007

participants hand-on experience with new functional materials and systems in a clinical and industrial perspective. A workshop on Nanoanalytics organised by the platform (NMMC) will take place in June at Empa. The workshop will mainly target participants from the industry but will also be open to academic participants. The MMNS Summer School on “Nanoelectronic circuits and tools” will take place in July at EPFL, Lausanne. This mini-course targets essentially PhD students. The master thesis support programme will be continued in 2008 and will encourage more undergraduate students from top foreign universities to obtain their master thesis within a CCMX funded project. For a full list of education and training activities, please visit the CCMX website (www.ccmx.ch).

research tickets may comprise an in-kind contribution together with a cash contribution. Matching funds will be provided by CCMX once research tickets are purchased by a company. The industry outreach activities that are planned for 2008 include the ERUs and platform Science & Networking Days which will bring together industry researchers with the academic researchers involved in the ERU/platform projects. These events will be exclusively open to Club CCMX members and to industrial partners. MatLife will be associated to several conferences including the Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Biointerface Science that will take place in Aussois, France in September 2008 and the 3rd International Workshop on Single Cell Analysis taking place in September in Zurich

The ERUs and the platform will be organising several Technology Aperitifs. These ?dZkijh_Wb b_W_ied WdZ ekjh[WY^ WYj_l_j_[i 5-to-7 events aim at bringing the research activities closer to industry and thus geneA common industrial liaison model will be applied as of 2008 by all ERUs. It addresses rating creative ideas for new applications. The first SPERU/ MatLife joint Technologiboth large and small companies who can cal Aperitif is planned to take place in June either purchase “research” tickets for participation in research projects and for playing in Basel to foster the contacts between the a role in the decisions made in the selected pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and the academic institutions. thematic area, or join Club CCMX giving them access to education and networking activities (see «What to know about Club CCMX» above). Company contribution to

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FkXb_YWj_edi Ikh\WY[" YeWj_d]i WdZ fWhj_Yb[i [d]_d[[h_d] # IF;HK B. Steitz, J. Salaklang, A. Finka, C. O’Neil, H. Hofmann, A. Petri-Fink, Fixed Bed Reactor for Solid-Phase Surface Derivatization of Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles, Bioconjugate Chemistry, 18 (2007) 1684-1690. A. Petri-Fink, B. Steitz, A. Finka, J. Salaklang, H. Hofmann, Effect of cell media on polymer coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs): colloidal stability, cytotoxicity, and cellular uptake studies, European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 68 (2008) 129-137.

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R. Tornay, T. Braschler, N. Demierre, B. Steitz, A. Finka, H. Hofmann, J.A. Hubbell, P. Renaud, Dielectrophoresis-based manipulation and surface functionalization of particles in a microfluidic device, Lab on a Chip, 8 (2008) 267-273. A. Tricoli, M. Graf, S. E. Pratsinis, Optimal doping for enhanced SnO2 Sensitivity and Thermal Stability, Advanced Functional Materials (2008), in press. S. Heiroth, T. Lippert, A. Wokaun, M. Döbeli, Microstructure and electrical conductivity of YSZ thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition, submitted to Appl. Phys. A.

CWj[h_Wbi \eh j^[ b_\[ iY_[dY[i CWjB_\[ C. Danelon, M.G. Jenke, C. Schreiter, G.M. Kim, J.B. Perez, C. Santschi, J. Brugger, H. Vogel, Micro- and nanostructured devices for the investigation of biomolecular interactions, Chimia, 60 (2006) A754-A760. O. Guillaume-Gentil, Y. Akiyama, M. Schuler, C. Tang, M. Textor, M. Yamato, T. Okano, J. Vörös, Polyelectrolyte coatings with a potential for electronic control and cell sheet engineering, Advanced Materials, 20 (2008) 560-565. ¨ Annual Report 2007


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H[i[WhY^ The CCMX steering committee agreed to continue funding 15 of the current flagship projects following the requests for continuation and the excellent results that were shown. These projects will be running into 2008 and 2009. A new call for proposals was launched at the end of 2007. 22 outline proposals were received in October 2007 and 15 full proposals were finally submitted in January 2008. At the moment of the writing of this report the projects are being evaluated and the process will allow for new projects to be funded as of April 2008. These projects will be funded according to the new CCMX rule requiring matching funds from the industry. The analytical platform (NMMC) will carry out a project entitled “Evaluation of the analytical instrumentation within the ETH Domain”. The goal of this survey is to establish the situation of Analytical Instrumentation in the ETH Domain. It will lead to the creation of an analytical portal on the CCMX website.

;ZkYWj_ed WdZ jhW_d_d] Education activities planned for 2008 include the SPERU Annual Course shaped for industry researchers which will take place end of October in Lucern. The MatLife Travelling Lab Workshop (TLab) will provide academic and industrial Annual Report 2007

participants hand-on experience with new functional materials and systems in a clinical and industrial perspective. A workshop on Nanoanalytics organised by the platform (NMMC) will take place in June at Empa. The workshop will mainly target participants from the industry but will also be open to academic participants. The MMNS Summer School on “Nanoelectronic circuits and tools” will take place in July at EPFL, Lausanne. This mini-course targets essentially PhD students. The master thesis support programme will be continued in 2008 and will encourage more undergraduate students from top foreign universities to obtain their master thesis within a CCMX funded project. For a full list of education and training activities, please visit the CCMX website (www.ccmx.ch).

research tickets may comprise an in-kind contribution together with a cash contribution. Matching funds will be provided by CCMX once research tickets are purchased by a company. The industry outreach activities that are planned for 2008 include the ERUs and platform Science & Networking Days which will bring together industry researchers with the academic researchers involved in the ERU/platform projects. These events will be exclusively open to Club CCMX members and to industrial partners. MatLife will be associated to several conferences including the Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Biointerface Science that will take place in Aussois, France in September 2008 and the 3rd International Workshop on Single Cell Analysis taking place in September in Zurich

The ERUs and the platform will be organising several Technology Aperitifs. These ?dZkijh_Wb b_W_ied WdZ ekjh[WY^ WYj_l_j_[i 5-to-7 events aim at bringing the research activities closer to industry and thus geneA common industrial liaison model will be applied as of 2008 by all ERUs. It addresses rating creative ideas for new applications. The first SPERU/ MatLife joint Technologiboth large and small companies who can cal Aperitif is planned to take place in June either purchase “research” tickets for participation in research projects and for playing in Basel to foster the contacts between the a role in the decisions made in the selected pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and the academic institutions. thematic area, or join Club CCMX giving them access to education and networking activities (see «What to know about Club CCMX» above). Company contribution to

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R. Tornay, T. Braschler, N. Demierre, B. Steitz, A. Finka, H. Hofmann, J.A. Hubbell, P. Renaud, Dielectrophoresis-based manipulation and surface functionalization of particles in a microfluidic device, Lab on a Chip, 8 (2008) 267-273. A. Tricoli, M. Graf, S. E. Pratsinis, Optimal doping for enhanced SnO2 Sensitivity and Thermal Stability, Advanced Functional Materials (2008), in press. S. Heiroth, T. Lippert, A. Wokaun, M. Döbeli, Microstructure and electrical conductivity of YSZ thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition, submitted to Appl. Phys. A.

CWj[h_Wbi \eh j^[ b_\[ iY_[dY[i CWjB_\[ C. Danelon, M.G. Jenke, C. Schreiter, G.M. Kim, J.B. Perez, C. Santschi, J. Brugger, H. Vogel, Micro- and nanostructured devices for the investigation of biomolecular interactions, Chimia, 60 (2006) A754-A760. O. Guillaume-Gentil, Y. Akiyama, M. Schuler, C. Tang, M. Textor, M. Yamato, T. Okano, J. Vörös, Polyelectrolyte coatings with a potential for electronic control and cell sheet engineering, Advanced Materials, 20 (2008) 560-565. ¨ Annual Report 2007


FkXb_YWj_edi

M.G. Jenke, C. Schreiter, G.M. Kim, H. Vogel, J. Brugger, Micropositioning and microscopic observation of individual picoliter-sized containers within SU-8 microchannels, Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, 3 (2007) 189-194.

A.-K. Born, M. Rottmar, A. Bruinink, K. Maniura-Weber, Correlating cell architecture with osteogenesis: first steps towards live single cell monitoring, submitted to European Cells & Materials Journal.

M. Ochsner, M.R. Dusseiller, H.M. Grandin, S. Luna-Morris, M. Textor, V. Vogel, M.L. Smith, Micro-well arrays for 3D shape control and high resolution analysis of single cells, Lab on a Chip, 7 (2007)1074 -1077.

D. Grieshaber, R. MacKenzie, J. Vörös, E. Reimhult, Electrochemical Biosensors – Sensor Principles and Architectures, submitted to Sensors.

C. Merz, W. Knoll, M. Textor, E. Reimhult, Formation of supported bacterial lipid S.T. Reddy, M.A. Swartz, J.A. Hubbell, Targeting dendritic cells with biomaterials: membrane mimics, developing the next generation of vaccines, submitted to Biointerphases. Trends Immunol., 27 (2006) 573-579. T. Rhaman Khan, H.M. Grandin, A.N. Morozov, A. Mashaghi, M. Textor, S.T. Reddy, A.J. van der Vlies, E. Simeoni, E. Reimhult, I. Reviakine, V. Angeli, G.J. Randolph, C.P. O’Neill, L.K. Lipid redistribution in phosphatidylserineLee, M.A. Swartz, J.A. Hubbell, containing vesicles adsorbing on titania, Exploiting lymphatic transport and submitted to Biointerphases. complement activation in nanoparticle vaccines, Nature Biotechnology, 25 (2007) 1159-1164. CWj[h_Wbi \eh c_Yhe# WdZ dWdeioij[ci E. Reimhult, K. Kumar, Membrane biosensor platforms using nano- and microporous supports, Trends Biotechnol., 26 (2007) 82-89. M.A. Swartz, J.A. Hubbell, S.T. Reddy, Lymphatic drainage function and its immunological implications: From dendritic cell homing to vaccine design, Seminars in Immunology (2008), in press. Annual Report 2007

Supports the Metastable-Catalyst Growth of Carbon Nanotubes, Nano Letters, 7 (2007) 1598-1602. U. Lehmann, D. de Courten, C. Vandevyver, V.K. Parashar, M.A.M. Gijs, On-chip antibody handling and colorimetric detection in a magnetic droplet manipulation system, Microelectronic Engineering, 84 (2007) 1669-1672. A. Magrez, J.W. Seo, V.L. Kuznetsov, L. Forro, Evidence of an equimolar C2H2-CO2 reaction in the synthesis of carbon nanotubes, Angewandte Chemie-International Edition, 46 (2007) 441-444. L. Malin, I. Stolitchnov, N. Setter, Ferroelectric polymer gate on AlGaN/GaN Heterostructure, J. Appl. Phys., 102 (2007) 114101.

S. Olliges, P.A. Gruber, V. Auzelyte, Y. Ekinci, H.H. Solak, R. Spolenak, Tensile Strength of Gold Nanointerconnects without the Influence of Strain CCDI Gradients, C. Hierold, A. Jungen, C. Stampfer, T. Helbling, Acta Materialia, 55 (2007) 5201-5210. Nano electromechanical sensors based on S. Olliges, P.A. Gruber, S.N. Orso, carbon nanotubes, V. Auzelyte, Y. Ekinci, H.H. Solak, R. Spolenak, Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, In situ Observation of Cracks in Gold 136 (2007) 51-61. Nano-interconnects on Flexible Substrates, Scripta Materialia, 58 (2008) 175-178. K. Lee, B. Lukic, A. Magrez, J.W. Seo, G.A.D. Briggs, A.J. Kulik, L. Forro, B. Städler, H.H. Solak, S. Frerker, K. Bonroy, Diameter-Dependent Elastic Modulus

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K.E. Moselund, D. Bouvet, M.H. Ben Jamaa, D. Atienza, Y. Leblebici, G. De Micheli, A.M. Ionescu, Prospects for Logic-On-A-Wire, Microelectronic Engineering (2008), in press.

F. Frederix, J. Vörös, H.M. Grandin, Nanopatterning of gold colloids for label-free biosensing, Nanotechnology, 18 (2007) 155306. C. Stampfer, T. Helbling, A. Jungen, C. Hierold, Micromachined pressure sensors for electromechanical characterization of carbon nanotubes, Physica Status Solidi B, 243 (2006) 3537-3541.

R. MacKenzie, D. Grieshaber, J. Vörös, E. Reimhult, Electrochemical Biosensors – Sensor Principles and Architectures, submitted to J. Appl. Phys.

C. Stampfer, T. Helbling, D. Obergfell, B. Schoberle, M.K. Tripp, A. Jungen, S. Roth, V.M. Bright, C. Hierold, Fabrication of single-walled carbon-nanotube-based pressure sensors, Nano Letters, 6 (2006) 233-237. I. Stolichnov, L. Malin, P. Muralt, N. Setter, Non-volatile gate effect in the PZT/AlGaN/ GaN heterostructure, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 27 (2007) 4307-4311.

B. Städler, M. Limacher, N. Li, J. Vörös, Photobleaching Induced Damage of Biomolecules : Streptavidin as ‘Bio’-Photoresist, submitted to ChemPhysChem.

DWde# WdZ c_YheiYWb[ cWj[h_Wbi Y^WhWYj[h_iWj_ed # DCC9 B. Fan, R. Hany, J.-E Moser, F. Nüesch, Enhanced cyanine solar cell performance upon oxygen doping, Org. Electr., 9 (2008) 85-94. P. Pittet, L. Kyumin, A. Kulik, J.-J. Meister, B. Hinz, Fibrogenic fibroblasts increase intercellular adhesion strength by reinforcing individual OB-cadherin bonds, J Cell Sci., 121 (2008) 877-886.

Report LSI, Nikkei Microdevices, November 2007, p. 114. U. Lehmann, M. Sergio, S. Pietrocola, E. Dupont, C. Niclass, M.A.M. Gijs, E. Charbon, Microparticle photometry in a CMOS microsystem combining magnetic actuation and in-situ optical detection, Sensors and Actuators B (2007), in press.

P.-J. Wipff, D.B. Rifkin, J.J. Meister, B. Hinz, Myofibroblast contraction activates TGFß1 from the extracellular matrix, J Cell Biol., 179 (2007) 1311-1323. D. Bayat, T. Akiyama, N. F. de Rooij, U. Staufer,

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Dynamic behavior of the tuning fork AFM probe, Microelectronic Engineering (2008), in press. D. Crespy, R.M. Rossi, D. Reiss, P. Schmutz, M. Heuberger, J.F. Lübben, AFM Investigations of a Smart Temperature and Humidity Responsive Film, submitted to Macromolecular Rapid Communications. A. Geiser, F. Bin, H. Benmansour, J. Heier, B. Keller, F. Nüesch, R. Hany, Poly(3-hexylthiophene) / C60 Heterojunction Solar Cells: Implication of Morphology on Performance and Ambipolar Charge Collection, submitted to Adv. Func. Mat. S. Hochstrasser(-Kurz), T.Suter, D.Reiss, C. Latkoczy, D. Günther, S. Virtanen, P.J. Uggowitzer, P. Schmutz, ICP-MS, SKPFM, XPS and microcapillary investigation of the local corrosion mechanisms of WC-Co hardmetal, submitted to J. Electrochem. Soc. P. Schmutz, D.Reiss, P.J. Uggowitzer, S. Virtanen, Microscale investigation of surface reactivity and corrosion initiation processes of Mg-Al-Zn (AZ91) Alloy, submitted to J. Electrochem. Soc. P.-J. Wipff, B. Hinz, Integrins and the activation of latent transforming growth factor ß1 - an intimate relationship, submitted to Eur. J. Cell Biol. Annual Report 2007


FkXb_YWj_edi

M.G. Jenke, C. Schreiter, G.M. Kim, H. Vogel, J. Brugger, Micropositioning and microscopic observation of individual picoliter-sized containers within SU-8 microchannels, Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, 3 (2007) 189-194.

A.-K. Born, M. Rottmar, A. Bruinink, K. Maniura-Weber, Correlating cell architecture with osteogenesis: first steps towards live single cell monitoring, submitted to European Cells & Materials Journal.

M. Ochsner, M.R. Dusseiller, H.M. Grandin, S. Luna-Morris, M. Textor, V. Vogel, M.L. Smith, Micro-well arrays for 3D shape control and high resolution analysis of single cells, Lab on a Chip, 7 (2007)1074 -1077.

D. Grieshaber, R. MacKenzie, J. Vörös, E. Reimhult, Electrochemical Biosensors – Sensor Principles and Architectures, submitted to Sensors.

C. Merz, W. Knoll, M. Textor, E. Reimhult, Formation of supported bacterial lipid S.T. Reddy, M.A. Swartz, J.A. Hubbell, Targeting dendritic cells with biomaterials: membrane mimics, developing the next generation of vaccines, submitted to Biointerphases. Trends Immunol., 27 (2006) 573-579. T. Rhaman Khan, H.M. Grandin, A.N. Morozov, A. Mashaghi, M. Textor, S.T. Reddy, A.J. van der Vlies, E. Simeoni, E. Reimhult, I. Reviakine, V. Angeli, G.J. Randolph, C.P. O’Neill, L.K. Lipid redistribution in phosphatidylserineLee, M.A. Swartz, J.A. Hubbell, containing vesicles adsorbing on titania, Exploiting lymphatic transport and submitted to Biointerphases. complement activation in nanoparticle vaccines, Nature Biotechnology, 25 (2007) 1159-1164. CWj[h_Wbi \eh c_Yhe# WdZ dWdeioij[ci E. Reimhult, K. Kumar, Membrane biosensor platforms using nano- and microporous supports, Trends Biotechnol., 26 (2007) 82-89. M.A. Swartz, J.A. Hubbell, S.T. Reddy, Lymphatic drainage function and its immunological implications: From dendritic cell homing to vaccine design, Seminars in Immunology (2008), in press. Annual Report 2007

Supports the Metastable-Catalyst Growth of Carbon Nanotubes, Nano Letters, 7 (2007) 1598-1602. U. Lehmann, D. de Courten, C. Vandevyver, V.K. Parashar, M.A.M. Gijs, On-chip antibody handling and colorimetric detection in a magnetic droplet manipulation system, Microelectronic Engineering, 84 (2007) 1669-1672. A. Magrez, J.W. Seo, V.L. Kuznetsov, L. Forro, Evidence of an equimolar C2H2-CO2 reaction in the synthesis of carbon nanotubes, Angewandte Chemie-International Edition, 46 (2007) 441-444. L. Malin, I. Stolitchnov, N. Setter, Ferroelectric polymer gate on AlGaN/GaN Heterostructure, J. Appl. Phys., 102 (2007) 114101.

S. Olliges, P.A. Gruber, V. Auzelyte, Y. Ekinci, H.H. Solak, R. Spolenak, Tensile Strength of Gold Nanointerconnects without the Influence of Strain CCDI Gradients, C. Hierold, A. Jungen, C. Stampfer, T. Helbling, Acta Materialia, 55 (2007) 5201-5210. Nano electromechanical sensors based on S. Olliges, P.A. Gruber, S.N. Orso, carbon nanotubes, V. Auzelyte, Y. Ekinci, H.H. Solak, R. Spolenak, Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, In situ Observation of Cracks in Gold 136 (2007) 51-61. Nano-interconnects on Flexible Substrates, Scripta Materialia, 58 (2008) 175-178. K. Lee, B. Lukic, A. Magrez, J.W. Seo, G.A.D. Briggs, A.J. Kulik, L. Forro, B. Städler, H.H. Solak, S. Frerker, K. Bonroy, Diameter-Dependent Elastic Modulus

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K.E. Moselund, D. Bouvet, M.H. Ben Jamaa, D. Atienza, Y. Leblebici, G. De Micheli, A.M. Ionescu, Prospects for Logic-On-A-Wire, Microelectronic Engineering (2008), in press.

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C. Stampfer, T. Helbling, D. Obergfell, B. Schoberle, M.K. Tripp, A. Jungen, S. Roth, V.M. Bright, C. Hierold, Fabrication of single-walled carbon-nanotube-based pressure sensors, Nano Letters, 6 (2006) 233-237. I. Stolichnov, L. Malin, P. Muralt, N. Setter, Non-volatile gate effect in the PZT/AlGaN/ GaN heterostructure, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 27 (2007) 4307-4311.

B. Städler, M. Limacher, N. Li, J. Vörös, Photobleaching Induced Damage of Biomolecules : Streptavidin as ‘Bio’-Photoresist, submitted to ChemPhysChem.

DWde# WdZ c_YheiYWb[ cWj[h_Wbi Y^WhWYj[h_iWj_ed # DCC9 B. Fan, R. Hany, J.-E Moser, F. Nüesch, Enhanced cyanine solar cell performance upon oxygen doping, Org. Electr., 9 (2008) 85-94. P. Pittet, L. Kyumin, A. Kulik, J.-J. Meister, B. Hinz, Fibrogenic fibroblasts increase intercellular adhesion strength by reinforcing individual OB-cadherin bonds, J Cell Sci., 121 (2008) 877-886.

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Dynamic behavior of the tuning fork AFM probe, Microelectronic Engineering (2008), in press. D. Crespy, R.M. Rossi, D. Reiss, P. Schmutz, M. Heuberger, J.F. Lübben, AFM Investigations of a Smart Temperature and Humidity Responsive Film, submitted to Macromolecular Rapid Communications. A. Geiser, F. Bin, H. Benmansour, J. Heier, B. Keller, F. Nüesch, R. Hany, Poly(3-hexylthiophene) / C60 Heterojunction Solar Cells: Implication of Morphology on Performance and Ambipolar Charge Collection, submitted to Adv. Func. Mat. S. Hochstrasser(-Kurz), T.Suter, D.Reiss, C. Latkoczy, D. Günther, S. Virtanen, P.J. Uggowitzer, P. Schmutz, ICP-MS, SKPFM, XPS and microcapillary investigation of the local corrosion mechanisms of WC-Co hardmetal, submitted to J. Electrochem. Soc. P. Schmutz, D.Reiss, P.J. Uggowitzer, S. Virtanen, Microscale investigation of surface reactivity and corrosion initiation processes of Mg-Al-Zn (AZ91) Alloy, submitted to J. Electrochem. Soc. P.-J. Wipff, B. Hinz, Integrins and the activation of latent transforming growth factor ß1 - an intimate relationship, submitted to Eur. J. Cell Biol. Annual Report 2007


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