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Fabrication of novel nano-probes for biotechnology applications. / CUHK electronic theses & dissertations collection

This thesis presents a novel fabrication process to realize high-aspect-ratio, micron- and nano-sized probes and pipettes which can be used for biological applications. The basic fabrication process employs hydrofluoric (HF) acid to etch the outer layer of the end of capillary tubings and optical fibers as previously reported by other researchers. However, we invented a " sacrificial boundary etching" technique that can be used to shape capillary tubings and fibers into sharp micron-sized pipettes or probes with controllable tip angle. The tip profile and the length of its taper can be controlled by the initial height of HF acid inside a glass tube, which is used as a sacrificial material in shaping the tip profile. Our experimental results showed that capillary tubings and optical fibers can be sharpen into tips with angle as small as 2.1° and with tip diameter of ranging from 300 nm to 5 mum (the initial diameter being 125 mum). If the aspect-ratio (A.R.) of a probe is defined as the ratio between the length of its taper distance and the length of its base diameter, the A.R. for our fabricated probe can be as high as 10∼15. We also conducted cell probing experiments by using the fabricated probe. In addition, we performed microinjection of fluid into cells. On the other hand, by using the fabricated probe, an automated Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) microspotting system was developed for rapid and batch assembly of bulk multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) based nanosensors. By combining dielectrophoretic (DEP) and microspotting technique, MWNT bundles were successfully and repeatably manipulated between arrays of micro-fabricated electrodes. This feasible batch manufacturable method will dramatically reduce production costs and production time of nano sensing devices. / Lai Wai Chiu King. / "August 2005." / Adviser: Wen J. Li. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-07, Section: B, page: 4064. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 92-101). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:cuhk.edu.hk/oai:cuhk-dr:cuhk_343650
Date January 2005
ContributorsLai, Wai Chiu King., Chinese University of Hong Kong Graduate School. Division of Automation and Computer-Aided Engineering.
Source SetsThe Chinese University of Hong Kong
LanguageEnglish, Chinese
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeText, theses
Formatelectronic resource, microform, microfiche, 1 online resource (ix, 101 p. : ill.)
RightsUse of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons “Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International” License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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