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Nanoscience

Nanoscience and nanotechnologies are widely predicted to become a central focus for driving economic growth in the 21st century. NPL places major emphasis on nanosciences and technologies involving numerous dedicated scientists with a capital base worth millions of pounds.

The aim is to make a significant impact on the UK economy and quality of life through the development of key and novel measurement techniques and standards that will enable industries to innovate and adopt new technologies.

NPLs nanoscience supports a wide range of industries from plastic electronics and personal care to high-density magnetic storage and spintronics. This frontier research is focused into the following key areas:

  • Nanoparticle characterisation - the development of new techniques, methods and standards necessary to measure the size and number distributions of nanoparticles and the surface to core chemistry of nanoparticles. NPL has unique capabilities to bring together expertise in ambient and engineered nanoparticles.
  • NPL is internationally leading in the science base for the characterisation of nanoscale chemical and physical properties of materials on atomic and molecular length scales including a wide range of techniques. We are pioneering new analytical methods based on scanning probe and near-field optics to characterise surface chemical properties at the highest resolution.
  • NPL is developing essential capability for the microfabrication of nano-probes to underpin the use of nanotechnology for metrology and metrology for nanotechnology.
  • NPL is developing novel measurement techniques for quantifying magnetic and electronic properties on the nanoscale in support of ICT industry in high-density magnetic storage and spintronics research.
  • The development of standards for nanoscience and nanotechnologies is of major importance. NPL provides key leadership in the development of international standards based on innovative and robust measurement science.

Nanoscience areas

  • Nano-Dimensional - Overview
    NPL is currently engaged in research to improve metrology at the nano metre level which builds on a number of instruments previously developed at NPL which were designed for measuring surface texture and form with traceability to the metre.
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  • Nanophysics - Overview
    NPL develops various devices and instruments to reveal and quantify them.
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  • Surface and Nanoanalysis - Overview
    Surface and nanoanalysis are essential tools for today’s high technology and innovative industries. Interactions of surfaces with the surrounding environment are key to durability, compatibility and enhanced product quality.
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  • Nanomaterials
    The characterisation, analysis and application of nanomaterials are research areas of increasing importance. At NPL , the emphasis is on developing traceable measurement methods for these nanomaterials.
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  • Nano Electrochemistry
    The challenge is to make electrochemical-scan probe microscopy measurements routinely in the nanometre realm, principally by the development of nanometre sized electrodes, thus providing insight into catalysis, transport in porous media, and (electro)chemical activity at a highly localised level.
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  • Nanoparticles
    Nanoparticles are exploited commercially, in the ink industry, pharmacuticals, and in materials. The lack of traceable calibration standards of sub-50 nm nanoparticles means that the characterisation and standardisation of nanoparticles, and their toxicological impact, is critical for regulation purposes and to sustain innovation.
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