During the last years the field of manipulation, characterization and processing of nanomaterials has become one of the main research topics in material science and nanotechnology. The extraordinary physical properties of novel nanomaterials enable numerous applications. We are working with nanomaterials referring to structures with nanometer sizes in at least one dimension: monolayered sheets of carbon, so-called graphene, is the best-known example for two-dimensional nanostructures, while nanotubes and nanowires made of different materials, such as Au, Si, and ZnO, are fascinating one-dimensional structures in which carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are the most prominent example. These nanomaterials provide a basis for novel actuator and sensor technologies and can improve existing electronic devices, aiming primarily at nano-electro-mechanical systems (NEMS).

To optimize the nanomaterials’ fabrication techniques and allow the assembly of prototypic devices, reliable manipulation, characterization and flexible processing of these nanomaterials is required. In this area, the micro-nano-integration of these nanomaterials into existing microsystems remains a challenge. Automated nanorobotic systems are one of the most promising enabling technologies for this challenge closing the gap between bottom-up and top-down approaches. We develop nanorobotic strategies for the manipulation, characterization and processing of nanomaterials bringing them one step closer to their potential applications.

Research on “beyond CMOS” requires smart tools to investigate, manipulate and transport materials, objects and systems in the nanoscale range. One crucial part along these track is imaging and characterizing the electric and dielectric properties in the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum. With our nanorobotic approach we working on new instruments measuring electric/dielectric parameters, like our novel in-situ Scanning Microwave Microscope.

Fig.: Scanning Probe Microscopy techniques in the frequency spectrum