Surface nanostructuring technology is a technology that uses nanoscience to fabricate nanostructured surface features on macroscopic objects. Nanostructured features are features that have a size smaller than 1 micron and are typically less than 100 nanometers in size. This technology has found a wide range of applications in industry and research, from microelectronics to optics and biomedicine.
Surface nanostructuring technology has enabled the fabrication of nanostructured surfaces that have superior properties and performance compared to those fabricated by conventional methods. For example, surface nanostructuring can lead to increased mechanical strength, improved tribology, and enhanced optical performance due to the controlled distribution of nanoscopic surface structures. This technology can also provide a level of control of surface energy that may be used to improve adhesion, and it may be used to create electrically conductive surfaces.
The range of applications is expanding as the technology develops. Examples of applications include lithography and patterning of microelectronic and photonic devices, functional coatings for tribology and corrosion resistance, thin film surface structures for gas and radiation sensors, and surface-engineering of nanomaterials for nanobiotechnologies like the targeted delivery of drugs or cells.
Surface nanostructuring technology offers the potential for the development of multifunctional surfaces that combine multiple functionalities within one surface. Multifunctional surfaces may have both chemical and mechanical properties, and may be able to react to external stimuli such as temperature, light, and pressure. For example, surfaces may be designed to change shape or color, or to release a desired compound from the surface upon contact. This could be used in biomedical applications to provide targeted drug or cell delivery, or in aerospace applications to control the aerodynamic characteristics of a wing or body.
The fabrication of nanostructured surfaces relies on various techniques, including those involving plasma, chemical, and electrochemical treatments, physical lithography, template-assisted self-assembly, and additive manufacturing techniques. The choice of fabrication method depends on the application and the desired properties.
The use of surface nanostructuring technology has been limited by the cost and complexity of the fabrication methods. As the technology develops, new materials and techniques are being developed to reduce the cost and complexity of fabrication.
Surface nanostructuring technology is an important and growing area of research and development, as it shows promise for a broad range of applications. With continued advances in fabrication techniques, the range of applications is likely to expand and enable new possibilities in industry and research.
