Focused ion beam technology : implementation in manufacturing platforms and process optimisation

Process chains are regarded as viable manufacturing platforms for the production of Microand Nano Technology (MNT) enabled products. In particular, by combining several manufacturing technologies, each utilised in its optimal process window, they could benefit from the unique advantages of high-profile research technologies such as the focused ion beam (FIB) machining. The present work concerns the development of process chains and the investigation of pilot cost-effective implementations of the FIB technology in manufacturing platforms forfabrication of serial replication masters.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Focused ion beam technology: implementation in manufacturing platforms and process optimisation

Process chains are regarded as viable manufacturing platforms for the production of Microand Nano Technology (MNT) enabled products. In particular, by combining several manufacturing technologies, each utilised in its optimal process window, they could benefit from the unique advantages of high-profile research technologies such as the focused ion beam (FIB) machining. The present work concerns the development of process chains and the investigation of pilot cost-effective implementations of the FIB technology in manufacturing platforms forfabrication of serial replication masters

Novel process chain for fabrication of Ni shims

This paper presents a novel process chain for fabrication of replication masters for micro injection molding, hot embossing and roll to roll imprinting. The advantages and limitations of the component technologies in the proposed process chain are analyzed and their sequence in a process chain for producing both 2.5D and 3D nano- and micro- structures is justified. In order to fabricate Ni shims incorporating different length scale features, the proposed master-making route relies on using different technologies for micro structuring and sub-micron and nano patterning in their optimal processing windows. In particular, the capabilities of photolithography as a micro structuring technology are combined with those of FIB machining to add sub-micron and nano features on micro patterned fused silica templates. Then, by applying UV nano imprinting such templates were validated and the nano and micro structures were consistently replicated in one step. Finally, the transfer of such imprints into Ni shims was also successfully accomplished with only 10% deviations from the target dimensions

Process chain for serial manufacture of 3D micro- and nano-scale structures

This paper presents a cost effective route for serial fabrication of 3D structures and the achievement of function and length scale integration (FLSI) in products. A complex 3D functional pattern was designed and then used to validate this route for serial manufacture of component that integrates micro and nano scale functional features. It employs a viable master-making process chain that integrates, innovatively compatible and at the same time complementary, structuring and replication technologies to fabricate Ni shims. The shims are then utilised for the hot embossing of structures incorporating different 2.5D and 3D length-scale features. The resulting 3D profiles at different stages of the process chain were investigated and the factors affecting its overall performance were analysed

Length scale integration: implementation of a new process chain for producing replication masters with micro and nano scale features

Emerging micro-engineered products tend to integrate a multitude of functionalities into single enclosures/packages. This trend for “function integration” has to be underpinned by manufacturing capabilities for “length-scale integration” at component and product levels, i.e. the ability to manufacture parts incorporating features from a few hundreds of micrometres to sub-100 nm. In order to design novel process chains that enable such function and length scale integration into miniaturised devices, it is required to utilise materials that are compatible with the various component manufacturing processes in such chains. At the same time, these materials should be able to satisfy the functional requirements of the produced devices. One family of materials, which can fulfil these criteria, is bulk metallic glasses. In particular, the absence of grain boundaries in bulk metallic glasses makes them mechanically and chemically homogeneous for processing at all length scales down to a few nanometres. A number of recent studies have shown that pico-second laser ablation and focused ion beam milling are promising technologies for structuring this type of amorphous alloys at the micro and sub-micro scales respectively without introducing any changes in their non-crystalline structure. In this context, this research presents an experimental investigation to establish the validity of the process pair “pico-second laser” and “focused ion beam” when it is considered for structuring a particular type of bulk metallic glasses to produce replication masters incorporating micro and nano scale structures

CoCoNet: Towards coast to coast networks of marine protected areas (From the shore to the high and deep sea), coupled with sea-based wind energy potential

This volume contains the main results of the EC FP7 "The Ocean of Tomorrow" Project CoCoNet, divided in two sections: 1) a set of guidelines to design networks of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas; 2) a smart wind chart that will allow evaluating the possibility of installing Offshore Wind Farms in both seas. The concept of Cells of Ecosystem Functioning, based on connectivity, is introduced to define natural units of management and conservation. The definition of Good Environmental Status, as defined in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, is fully embraced to set the objectives of the project, by adopting a holistic approach that integrates a full set of disciplines, ranging from physics to bio-ecology, economics, engineering and many sub-disciplines. The CoCoNet Consortium involved scientist sfrom 22 states, based in Africa, Asia, and Europe, contributing to build a coherent scientific community

CoCoNet: towards coast to coast networks of marine protected areas (from the shore to the high and deep sea), coupled with sea-based wind energy potential

This volume contains the main results of the EC FP7 “The Ocean of Tomorrow” Project CoCoNet, divided in two sections: 1) a set of guidelines to design networks of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas; 2) a smart wind chart that will allow evaluating the possibility of installing Offshore Wind Farms in both seas. The concept of Cells of Ecosystem Functioning, based on connectivity, is introduced to define natural units of management and conservation. The definition of Good Environmental Status, as defined in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, is fully embraced to set the objectives of the project, by adopting a holistic approach that integrates a full set of disciplines, ranging from physics to bio-ecology, economics, engineering and many sub-disciplines. The CoCoNet Consortium involved scientist sfrom 22 states, based in Africa, Asia, and Europe, contributing to build a coherent scientific community

Editorial. A supplement of Scires-it on the COCONET european project

The Supplement to vol. 6, 2016 of SCIRES-IT contains the result of CoCoNet (Towards COast to COast NETworks of marine protected areas, coupled with sea-based wind energy potential), a project of the EU Oceans of Tomorrow programme (http://www.coconet-fp7.eu). The European Union requires Open Access to the results of the projects resulting from its support to scientific advancement. This is in full accordance with the policy of SCIRES-IT, an eco-sustainable open–access journal, which joins the main principles of the Berlin Declaration on Open Access with the aims of the International Convention on Biological Diversity. CoCoNet tackled two problems that are closely linked with each other: the protection of the marine environment and clean energy production. Hence, the Supplement is divided into two parts that, together, form a unicum

CoCoNet: Towards coast to coast networks of marine protected areas (From the shore to the high and deep sea), coupled with sea-based wind energy potential

This volume contains the main results of the EC FP7 "The Ocean of Tomorrow" Project CoCoNet, divided in two sections: 1) a set of guidelines to design networks of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas; 2) a smart wind chart that will allow evaluating the possibility of installing Offshore Wind Farms in both seas. The concept of Cells of Ecosystem Functioning, based on connectivity, is introduced to define natural units of management and conservation. The definition of Good Environmental Status, as defined in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, is fully embraced to set the objectives of the project, by adopting a holistic approach that integrates a full set of disciplines, ranging from physics to bio-ecology, economics, engineering and many sub-disciplines. The CoCoNet Consortium involved scientist sfrom 22 states, based in Africa, Asia, and Europe, contributing to build a coherent scientific community