Shielded and low-damping SPM probes for quantitative electrical and electrochemical characterization

This Phase 1 SBIR proposal by Scuba Probe Technologies LLC entitled Shielded and low- damping SPM probes for quantitative electrical and electrochemical characterization is responsive to section 7.b Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM), where insulated and shielded probes and electrochemical cells for high-resolution electrical imaging in conductive solutions are specifically named. Dominik Ziegler Ph.D. will be the principle investigator. High performance energy technologies for next generation light harvesting, energy storage, and energy efficient devices requires nanoscale engineering of charge carrier transport in materials. SPM methods make essential contributions to the understanding of new energy technology materials by mapping electrical function such as surface potential, conductivity, photoconductivity, dielectric function, and ion motion. Unfortunatley, many advanced SPM techniques or the highest performance requires specialty probe fabrication and thus remain limited to a few groups of experts. The lack of commercially available, low-cost high- performance probes clearly hinders wide spread application of these advanced SPM techniques for energy materials today. Scuba Probe Technologies LLC will develop two new models of scanning probe microscopy probes for the elucidation of electrical and electrochemical properties at the nanoscale using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) and Electrochemical Strain Microscopy (ESM). These are realized by a modification of our existing and proprietary encased cantilevers for gentle imaging of soft materials. In this proposal, we aim to create an electrical shielding extending within one micron of the probe apex to significantly increase resolution and result in reliable and artifact free Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy mapping of surface potentials. Due to the simple processing involved in our proposed technology we anticipate that these probes will cost significantly less than $100 for the end user. The second probe probe will enable highly sensitive and quantitative mapping of electrochemical processes in electrolytes. Scuba Probe Technologies LLC will use our proprietary deposition and selective etching techniques to fabricate these novel probes. Furthermore, we will develop methods to create multiple electrical contacts reliably using probe holders from a variety of instrument manufacturers. We will partner with the dominant instrument manufacturers such as Oxford Instruments, Bruker, JPK, and Park Systems. We will leverage the resources of the Molecular Foundry at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory though the user program for development and testing.