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Master thesis |
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for K.U.Leuven
for Chalmers University of Technology
for Delft University of Technology & Leiden University
for T.U. Dresden
K.U.Leuven
Major Nanotechnology:
- The study of electrophoretic transport of biomolecules through nanoconstrictions for lab-on-a-chip applications
The study of movement and detection of small quantities of biomolecules is invaluable for lab-on-a-chip applications. The last years, microfluidics has provided researchers with a means to manipulate very small volumes of analyte using microfluidic flow, electroosmosis and electrophoresis. While these methods have more than proven their use, they are still based on phenomena which are in essence macroscopic in nature. While they allow the manipulation of very small volumes, they do not address the individual molecules that are present in the solution.
When we enter the field of nanofluidics by reducing the size of our (micro-)channels even further, we can stop thinking in terms of movement of liquids and start addressing the biomolecules individually. Nanofluidics is a very new field of research, and researchers are only just beginning to understand all of the phenomena that come into play when biomolecules enter constrictions of nanometer sizes.
This thesis project would start with the basic study of a nanoconstriction, at first only filled with a simple salt solution, and later on used for the electrophoretic transport of biomolecules. Depending on the interest of the student, the project can focus on the creation of simple nanofluidic devices and setups for measuring the transport of biomolecules, by using for example fluorescence, or can focus more on modeling and simulations.
Promotors: Prof. Jeroen Lammertyn and Dr. Wim Laureyn
Daily supervision: Dr. Wim Laureyn and Ronald Kox
Contact details: laureyn@imec.be and jeroen.lammertyn@biw.kuleuven.be
- Microbial nanostructures for organocatalysis
In the evolution to 'green chemistry' there is a tendency to apply catalysts in organic synthesis. The last decade has witnessed an explosive growth in the design of chiral organocatalysts to replace metal complexes as catalysts. Inspired by nature, where enzymes are the most effective catalysts, chemists make use of amino acids and peptides to catalyse asymmetric reactions. Nevertheless, amino acids and short peptides lack the possibility to fold into supramolecular structures, as a result of which reactions take place slowly and stereoselectivity remains limited. In nature, besides enzymes, other macromolecules may function as potential organocatalysts, namely lipoteichoic acids (LTAs). LTA belongs to the cell wall of gram-positive bacteria (e.g. Lactobacillus). Together with WTA and peptidoglycan, LTA provides a protecting barrier which is essential for survival, shape and integrity of the cell. Studies proved that LTAs are involved in the release of cytokines, signal molecules of the immune system.
The purpose of this project is the design of a competent chiral organocatalyst based on LTA. LTA will be obtained by the growth of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and the isolation and purification of LTA by means of extraction and chromatography. These natural LTAs will be used for further chemical modification. In a second phase of the project, the LTA catalysts will be screened in model reactions. In this thesis microbiological techniques and methods for organic synthesis as well as analytical techniques (NMR, GC, GC-MS) will be applied. The project is part of ongoing collaboration between the Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics and the Centre of Surface Catalysis.
Promotors: Jos Vanderleyden and Bert Sels
Supervisor: Anneleen Demuynck
contact details: anneleen.demuynck@biw.kuleuven.be
- The mistery of a zeolite formation process
Zeolites are crystalline, microporous porous silicates. They are used as catalysts, adsorbents and cation exchangers. The structural variability is huge. Zeolites are crystallized under hydrothermal conditions. Despite their widespread application, today the knowledge on the molecular mechanisms responsible for the formation of zeolite crystals is still quite limited. Open questions are on the role of organic structure giving molecules that besome entrapped inside the pores and which need to be removed for the final application.
In this project, the genesis of a zeolite crystal will be followed using a unique, new technique, viz. in situ Raman spectroscopy coupled with X ray diffraction. The working hypothesis is that initially silicate rings are formed, specific for the framework topology. These rings condense to precursor units which assemble into the final structure. Raman is a very suitable technique to probe the development of silicate rings, while X-ray diffraction will probe the onset of crystallization.
A unique Raman-XRD combination is being assembled as Anouschka Depla in the laboratory of the promotor and Prof. Kirschhock. It will be ready by the time the thesis will start. The thesis will be one of the first studies performed with this advanced new tool.
Promotor: Prof. J. Martens (in co-promotorship with Prof. C. Kirschhock)
Supervisor: Anouschka Depla
contact details: anouschka.depla@biw.kuleuven.be
- Lab-on-a-chip technology based on digital microfluidics
Biosensors are chemical sensors in which a target molecule interacts with a high specificity to a biorecognition element (enzyme, DNA, antibody, cell, etc.). A successful interaction results in a change in optical, thermal or electrochemical properties which is then converted by a transducer into an electronic signal. A recent trend in biosensor research is the integration of the biosensing mechanism on a chip. Lab-on-a-chip technology refers to the implementation, miniaturization and automation of laboratory bench-top manipulations on a microchip. It allows conducting cheap and sensitive analysis in a high-throughput context. In this project we study a lab-on-a-chip concept based on digital microfluidics for a wide range of applications in food safety and quality, medical diagnostics, etc. Digital microfluidics is described as the micromanipulation of micro- and nanoliter droplets: discrete packages of liquid are transported, mixed, cut and react at the microscale on the chip. In contrast to the traditional and well known continuous microfluidics digital or discrete microfluidics reflect better what happens in a laboratory environment, but on a smaller scale and fully automated. Digital microfluidics have become very popular over the last years since control over nanodroplets in a microfluidic system has a large potential for the development of new scientific methods and fundamental insight in enzyme kinetics, screening and synthesis of organic molecules and catalysts, DNA-analysis, proteomics and bioassays.
Promotor: Prof. Jeroen Lammertyn
Supervisers: Ir. Steven Vermeir and Dr. Pieter Verboven
Contact details:
jeroen.lammertyn@biw.kuleuven.be
- >Transmission Plasmon Biosensor for food quality and safety
Noble metal nanoparticles exhibit Localized Surface Plasmon (LSPR° properties that can be strongly influenced by th dielectric constant of the surrounding material, and as such, noble metal particles can act as the transduction mechanism in biosensing events. The detection principle relies on the difference in absorption of light when analytes bind to the receptor-coated surface or not. This nanoparticle-based biosensing principle can be seen as an easy cost-effective alternative for conventional biosensing techniques, using less reagents, no carcinogenic agents, enabling shorter assay times and detailed monitoring of receptor immobilization. In this master thesis project, we will study the performance of the LSPR based Transmission Plasmon Biosensor (TPB) for analytes related to taste analysis (e.g. glucose and caffeine sensing). Aspects such as nanoparticle synthesis, preparation of substrates and assay performance, reproducibility and sensitivity of the sensor for these different analytes well be evaluated. This project fits in a larger collaboration between IMEC and the Division Mechatronics, Biostatistics and Sensors of the K.U.Leuven.
Promotor: Prof. Jeroen Lammertyn
Daily Supervision: Ir. Filip Delport, Dr. Kristien Bonroy and Gunter Reekmans
Contact details: bonroyk@imec.be and
jeroen.lammertyn@biw.kuleuven.be
- Multiscale models for transport of metabolic gasses in plant tissue
Transport of metabolic gasses such as oxygen and production of carbon dioxide is vital for maintaining the biological function of plant tissue. In this thesis, we search for a better understanding of the gas transport in plant parenchyma tissue. Multiscale modelling provides a means to study the effect of the microstructure of tissue on the gas transport properties. In the thesis, a mesoscale network model is developed. The network consists of interconnected nodes. The nodes represent the pore spaces (with a characteristic diameter) and the connecting tubes (with a characteristic length and diameter) represent channels connecting the pores. Fickean diffusion is used to model gas transport through the channels and mass balances are applied at the nodes. Geometrical features of the plant pore space will be derived from synchrotron microfocus computer tomographic images with a 750 nm voxel resolution. The student will first develop a software program that generates the network from statistical distributions of pore and channel characteristics of plant tissue. Then the model is implemented and solved for the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Finally, validation is performed by means of gas diffusion measurements on plant tissue disks. Programming will be performed in Matlab.
Promotor: Prof. Bart Nicolaï
Daily Supervision: Dr. Pieter Verboven
Contact details: bart.nicolai@biw.kuleuven.be
- Development of a wearable monitoring platform
Today wireless technology becomes available at lower cost and this opens possibilities for data monitoring. The objective of this thesis is to make a design for a low cost and low energy using wearable data logger. Sensors systems are already used to monitor data on individuals but they are too heavy, too slow and they take too much energy. The system should have a first sensor module that is collecting the data from a sensor. These sensor modules are in wireless contact with a central body module to collect and synchronize all data. The central body module should send the data to a mobile phone by wireless signal or to a transmitter or telemetry. The system characteristics have been defined and first designs have been made. The specific objective is to improve the existing system by better design of subparts.
The thesis is in collaboration with IMEC.
Pomotors: Daniel Berckmans and Dr. Bert Gheyselinck
Major Nanoscience:
1. Department of Physics and Astronomy:
- Nanogranular films composed of clusters of superconducting materials: study of structural and physical properties
Section Solid State Physics and Magnetism, group Clusters en Laser Spectroscopy
Promotors: Prof. P. Lievens and Dr. M. Van Bael
The aim of this research topic is to investigate the structural, electrical and superconducting properties of thin nanostructured layers consisting of clusters (~2 nm) of superconducting materials (e.g. Nb, Pb, Ta).
Due to their ultra-small dimensions, nanoparticles in general behave very different compared to their bulk counterparts. When using nanoclusters as building blocks for creating nanogranular cluster-assembled layers, these systems will show unique structural, electrical, magnetic, and superconducting properties. In the framework of this research topic, we will concentrate on nanogranular films of superconducting materials. These samples will be prepared by carefully depositing on a substrate a beam of clusters created in a laser vaporization source. An important challenge is to reach good control on the cluster size and interaction after deposition. We will investigate the structure of the nanogranular systems by different techniques (x-ray diffraction, scanning probe techniques, Rutherford backscattering, transmission electron microscopy) and study the influence of the structure on the physical properties. Specifically, the nanogranular structure will affect the superconducting properties, such as the critical parameters and the pinning and dynamics of the flux line lattice (i.e., a lattice of quantized flux tubes that penetrates the superconductor in a magnetic field). These properties will be investigated mainly by magnetization and susceptibility measurements and electrical transport measurements at low temperatures and in magnetic fields.
You will work as a member in the research team and take part in all aspects of the research with emphasis according to your personnel interest.
- Controlling nanostructure formation on Si(111) using surfactants
Section Nuclear and Radiation Physics, group Nuclear Solid State Physics
Contact: Prof. A. Vantomme
- Mechanical and electromechanical properties of carbon nanotubes
Section Solid State Physics and Magnetism, group Nanophysics with scanning probes
Contact: Prof. C. Van Haesendonck
Coiled multiwalled carbon nanotubes are produced by catalytic decomposition of a carbon containing gas at elevated temperature. The purified carbon nanotube material is sonicated at low power in isopropanol and is deposited onto a piece of an oxidized silicon wafer. Electron beam lithography is used to attach electrical gold contacts to individual nanotubes. The mechanical and electromechanical response of the coiled nanotubes are probed by inducing mechanical oscillations of the windings of the nanotubes at high frequencies. Magnetoresistance measurements and atomic force microscopy are combined to probe the unique electrical and mechanical properties of the coiled carbon nanotubes.
- -Ratchet effects in nanostructured superconductors
Study of the influence of a regular pattern of holes on the pinning of fluxlines in thin superconducting films. By designing the hole array pattern, one can compose an asymmetric pinning potential. As a result, when an AC current is driving the vortices, the net movement of the vortex lines will be predominant in one given direction. This effect is called a vortex rachet.
-Superconductor/ Ferromagnet hybrid nanostructures
A thin superconducting layer of Pb or Nb is combined with an array of magnetic Co or Co/Pt dots (<1 µm) to study the pinning of flux lines at these artificial magnetic defects. The behavior and pinning of the flux line lattice define the properties of the superconductor. A major challenge in this respect is the visualization of these effects by Scanning Hall Probe Microscopy (SPHM).
-Confinement effects in superconducting nanostructures
Quantization and confinement phenomena are studied in individual superconducting nanostructures of different size and shape. Stabilized vortex- antivortex patterns in superconducting discs, triangles or squares are being investigated by magnetization and transport measurements. Vortex patterns will be numerically simulated using Ginzburg-Landau formalism.
Section Solid State Physics and Magnetism, group Nanoscale superconductivity and Magnetism & Pulsed Fields
Contact: Prof. V. Moshchalkov; Prof. J. Vanacken.
- Electron spectroscopy of defects in two dimensional semiconductor/insulator structures
Section Semiconductor Physics, group Semiconductor Electron Spectroscopy
Contact: Prof. A. Stesmans; Prof. V. V. Afanas’ev
Progress in future generations of semiconductor electron devices necessitates the replacement of the SiO 2 insulator by a material with higher dielectric constant. It raises a formidable challenge to the integrated circuit technology. The understanding of the relationship between the atomic structure of nanolayers and the energy distribution of electron states in semiconductor/insulator heterostructures represents an overall issue for emerging nanotechnologies in electronics and optics. A crucial element in this development is the tight control of the quality of the interface and near interfacial layers in terms of occurring malignant charge traps –no device will work without reducing these to subcritical limits. Internal photoelectron spectroscopy, standard electrical analyzing tools, and electron spin resonance are combined to characterize and identify the atomic nature of detrimental point defects operating as charge traps and/or electron/hole recombination centers located at the interface or in the dielectric layer of semiconductor/insulator structures. Studied newly applied dielectrics include ZrO 2, HfO 2, Hf xO yN z ,, and LaAlO 3, deposited on Si or Ge.
2. Department of Chemistry
- Supramolecular patterning of molecules at surfaces at a controlled potential. Laboratory for Photochemistry and Spectroscopy
Contact : Prof. S. De Feyter, Prof. M. Van der Auweraer
Surface chemistry and physics play an important role in nanoscience and nanotechnology. One of the challenges in this field is the controlled structuring of a surface e.g. by self-assembly of molecules at surfaces. Self-organization supposes on one hand that the molecule can explore unhindered the complete conformational space to form the thermodynamically most stable supramolecular structure. On the other hand the molecule substrate interactions should be strong enough to give the structures formed the necessary stability. An elegant way to influence the latter interaction strength is based on potential control. In a combined electrochemical cell - scanning tunneling microscope (EC-STM) the potential induced structuring of functional compounds will be studied.
- Theoretical study of carbon nanomaterials using quantumchemical models of electronic structure and phonons and computational packages
Quantum Chemistry Group
Contact: A. Ceulemans and L. Chibotaru (QCG), W. Magnus (IMEC)
Systems: carbon nanomaterials: nanotubes, nanohorns, graphitic planes
Methods: - quantum-chemical models of electronic structure and phonons
- computational packages, such as TRANSIESTA, for finite size systems
Properties: conductivity and electron phonon coupling magnetism, interaction with strong magnetic fields optical properties (excitonic phenomena)
Chalmers University of Technology
Chalmers University of Technology has compiled an
overview of master thesis projects at Chalmers related to micro/nanotechnology
2007. You can contact the programme coordinator
of the Nanotechnology programme at Chalmers for further information.
E-mail: per.rudquist@mc2.chalmers.se
Delft University of Technology &
Leiden University
The universities of Leiden and Delft in The Netherlands
have compiled a research
guide with the descriptions of most research-groups working
in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology at Delft University
of Technology and at Leiden University. It includes the website
of each group so that one can easily find more information. You
might want to contact one of the staff members for an appointment
for a visit, or just join one of the group meetings or one of
the regular tours through the groups. These tours are usually
announced on the website. The staff as well as their collaborators
will be happy to explain to you what they are doing and why.
You can also contact the programme coordinator
of the NanoScience programme in Delft/Leiden for further questions.
E-mail: leidendelft@nanoscience.nl
Tel: +31 15 278 61 44
Research
Guide MSc NanoScience 2006/2007
T.U. Dresden (Nanoscience)
- Combined AFM and fluorescence spectroscopy on single molecules
Prof. Dr. Petra Schwille, Group Biophysics, Biotec, TU Dresden
- Artificial cell design on micro- and nanofluidic structures
Prof. Dr. Petra Schwille, Group Biophysics, Biotec, TU Dresden
- Mechanics of single biomolecules measured with optical tweezers
Dr. Erik Schaeffer, Group Single Molecule Nanomechanics with Optical Tweezers, Biotec, TU Dresden
- Understanding mechanisms of activating and deactivating G-protein coupled receptors
Prof. Dr. Daniel Müller, Group Cellular Machines, Biotec, TU Dresden
You can also find more information and a description of each research group working at the Biotec of TU Dresden at www.biotec.tu-dresden.de
Other topics are possible. You can contact the professors and group leaders of your fields of interest anytime to discuss possible topics.
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