An Instrumental Platform for Identifying, Collecting, and Analyzing Particles with Micron and Submicron Dimensions

1. Problem Statement Many technological fields would benefit greatly from an instrumental platform capable manipulating particles with µm- to nm-scale dimensions in a non-destructive, non-contaminating manner. A prime example is the field of nuclear forensics, where the elemental/isotopic analysis of individual µm-scale particles of actinide-containing materials is critical to ongoing nuclear non- proliferation efforts. The ability to accurately identify, collect, and relocate individual µm-scale particles thus plays a direct role in ensuring national security, but more broadly these capabilities are increasingly desired across a wide variety of technological sectors where the need to fabricate and manipulate materials on smaller and smaller length scales continues to increase. 2. Overall Approach An instrumental platform has been designed with the ability to efficiently locate individual µm- to nm-scale particles, collect said particles in a non-destructive, non-contaminating manner, and relocate the particles to another substrate for further analysis. The platform employs a simple, widely applicable approach combining optical imaging for fast particle identification and a micromanipulation system for particle relocation, both controlled through custom software capable of automating many aspects of the particle manipulation process. 3. Phase I Accomplishments An instrumental platform was constructed and shown to be capable of identifying individual particles of refractory materials with dimensions between 0.1 and 1000 µm, collecting specific particles, and relocating them to another location for further analysis. The developed micromanipulation platform was evaluated using relevant model particle systems and found to be fast and highly reproducible. Phase I thoroughly demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed technology, showing that it can serve as an ideal tool for the manipulation of µm-scale particles and is compatible with any desired ex situ analytical methods. 4. Phase II Work Plan Phase II will focus on the continued development of the manipulation platform demonstrated in Phase I with the ultimate goal of producing a functional prototype system for commercialization. The developed system will be optimized using particle systems relevant to customer needs. Prototyping, software development, customer outreach, and beta-testing in Phase II will produce a robust commercial-ready platform, capable of meeting the needs of current and emerging high- tech applications. 5. Commercial Application, Benefits The described instrumental platform is customizable and directly applicable to many commercial industries and advanced sectors, including microanalytical fields such as semiconductors, electronics, smart materials, sensors, and nanotechnology. Industries will benefit from the platform’s ability to manipulate specific particles in a nondestructive, noncontaminating manner, enabling the development of domestic high tech manufacturing economies. The developed instrumentation will enable a variety of micro- and nanotechnologies by providing a platform which can nondestructively rearrange particulate materials in desired patterns without contamination.