Nanotechnology is the technology of the future, we are told! But what exactly does this scientific field cover? To enlighten us on the question, a public debate will be organised in Caen, on the 10th of December. In the meantime, here’s a review of Lower Normandy’s “nano-world”.

On a nanometre scale, i.e. from 1 to 100 billionths of a metre, or 30,000 times smaller than a hair, metals are demonstrating totally new properties. For example, gold, reputed for centuries as being a passive matter, proves in fact to act as a high performance catalyst at nanometre scale, hence becoming active. “At this scale, matter no longer abides by ordinary rules. That’s the great particularity of the nanosciences,” explains Christophe Dolabdjian, in charge of the electronics team at the GREYC. Consequently, in the nano-world, there is but a very thin line between chemistry and physics.

Four laboratories are involved

Four of Lower Normandy’s public research laboratories study nanotechnologies: the CRISMAT, the CIMAP, the LCS and the GREYC. ⁽¹⁾
The CIMAP (CEA, CNRS, ENSICAEN, UCBN laboratory) is currently working on the potential of silicon. On a nanometric scale, the characteristics of this material offer promising prospects for tomorrow’s optic connections. “We conduct advanced research to produce nanostructured silicon thin films for future devices that will help improve data transfer via optic systems,” explains Fabrice Gourbilleau, the regional correspondent for nanotechnologies and a CNRS researcher based at ENSICAEN. CIMAP’s research in nanomaterials also focuses on eco-energies, via the improvement of photovoltaic panel solar sensors.
As for the CRISMAT (CNRS, ENSICAEN, UCBN laboratory), the lab synthesises controlled oxides on a nanometric scale, thus generating original structures with specific physical properties. “We then pay particular attention to the nanometric characteristics of these oxides. Thanks to these characteristics, we have discovered that we can modify electronic properties, such as electric resistance,” explains Wilfrid Prellier, a CNRS researcher. Processes which are aimed at perfecting computer memories.
The GREYC’s electronics team (CNRS, UCBN, ENSICAEN laboratory), is working on a number of research themes. “We characterise nanotransistors produced by the IMEC⁽²⁾ ,” explains Christophe Dolabdjian, in charge of the GREYC’s electronics team. Research work in bolometry (electromagnetic radiation measurement) on nano-objects has also been initiated over the past year. When they become smaller, the properties of radiation detectors or nanotransistors change, which also implies changes in measurement and characterisation systems. “For the past two years, we have been working on the characterisation of nanomagnetic particles.” And this work is of particular interest to pharmaceutical laboratories.
The LCS (CNRS, ENSICAEN, UCBN laboratory) in turn synthesises zeolite nanoparticles, for the development of catalytic applications. “We explore the nanopores located inside zeolite nanoparticles and then we endeavour to precisely define their composition and what happens there,” adds Frédéric Thibault-Starzyk, CNRS research director at the LCS. Results are exploited not only in petroleum refining, but also in automobile pollution control. Reunited within the research group entitled “C-nano Nord-Ouest”, these four laboratories now benefit from increased international exposure.
The creation of regional skill centres by the CNRS aims at improving the organisation and coordination of research in the nanosciences. The “Groupement Nord Ouest” (North-Western group), created in 2005, reunites some 40 labs across seven French regions stretching from Lille to Poitiers. There are six of such groups throughout France.

Businesses increasingly concerned

A few of Lower Normandy’s businesses are also working on these novel techniques. In the forefront, Quertech Ingénierie, an SME founded in 2004 and now with 14 salaried workers. The company sells processes that transform the surface of certain materials via ion bombardment. “We control impact at a resolution of around 3 to 5 nanometres,” explains Frédéric Guernalec, the company’s Managing Director.
The particularity of this technique is its capacity to treat extremely large surfaces and, consequently, to offer solutions to hitherto unsolved problems. For example, the company recently succeeded in developing a composite fuselage which evacuates electrostatic charges. Research that will indubitably be of much interest to industrialists in the aeronautical field. Electronics is another of the region’s key sectors to have integrated nanotechnologies. With its staff of 90, IPDIA has recently set up business in NXP’s former Côte de Nacre premises, specialising in the integration of passive components in silicon plates: a process which has enabled a considerable reduction in the size of microchips. “Among other sectors, we develop our know-how and our technologies in the medical field. For example, we have contributed towards dividing the size of cardiac stimulators by three,” notes Franck Murray, the company’s Managing Director.
And if components offer increased performance when reduced in size, they also operate differently, and we need to understand and adapt such operation, via a number of partnerships with research institutes. At NXP in Caen, engineers have also been endeavouring for many years to push techniques to their very limits by integrating ever-increased functions within integrated circuits. “We have an excellent command of development and design technologies on strips measuring from 45 to 65 nanometres in width which we integrate into microchips,” explains Stéphane Bouyère, NXP’s Quality and Communications Director. Techniques which, today, are used in all electronic applications from television picture reception to extremely complex and secure applications such as distance payment via mobile phones, e-passports or credit cards.

(1) Crystallography and Material Sciences laboratory (CRISMAT), Centre for Research on Ions, Materials and Photonics (CIMAP), Catalysis and Spectrochemistry Laboratory (LCS) and the Caen Research Group in Computer Science, Imaging, Control and Instrumentation (GREYC)
(2) Interuniversities MicroElectronics Center, located in Louvain la Neuve (B )

> Fabrice Gourbilleau
Regional correspondent for nanotechnologies
Tel: 02 31 45 26 56
Website: www.cnanono.org

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