Title: Bridging the micronanomanufacturing gap

Authors: Robert Hoyle, David Tolfree

Addresses: Manufacturing Engineering Centre, Cardiff University, The Parade, Newport Road, Cardiff CF24 3AA, UK. ' MANCEF, 469 Stockport Road, Denton, Manchester M34 6EG, UK

Abstract: New facilities have been established at the Manufacturing Engineering Centre at Cardiff University to provide an open access service to UK industry known as |MicroBridge|. This will provide its customers with a suite of equipment and facilities based on a focused ion beam machine, a picosecond laser ablation system and nano imprinting lithography. In this paper, we will outline the key requirements for micronanomanufacturing and show how MicroBridge will provide an essential provision for design engineers and manufacturers who wish to have a competitive advantage in the markets for micronanotechnology-based products and systems, estimated to be $1 trillion within the next decade. Examples will be given of microtooling that can be developed for manufacturing products made from a range of non-silicon materials.

Keywords: microengineering; micromanufacturing; nanomanufacturing, microtooling; nanoimprinting; MicroBridge; lithography; picrosecond laser ablation; precision engineering; SEM; scanning electron microscopy; focused ion beam; nanotechnology; open access services.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTTC.2008.021030

International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, 2008 Vol.7 No.4, pp.308 - 327

Published online: 31 Oct 2008 *

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