Microfabrication with metallic nanoparticles: from plasmonic sensing to biomimetic additive manufacturing

Nanotechnology offers a full palette of tools for solving engineering problems. Nobel metal nanoparticles stand out in this toolkit for being as multifunctional as a Swiss army knife. They exhibit strong interaction with light (plasmon resonance), catalytic behaviour and even anti-microbial properties. The first challenge concerning their use in microsystems is to control their manipulation. In this talk I will introduce the use of lithographic nanocomposites, where the metallic nanoparticles are synthesized “in-situ” in a patternable polymer thanks to a synergistic reaction. A maximal resolution of 120 nm has been achieved while nanofabricating with these materials. Next, I will speak about their use as optical sensors. By exploiting their localized surface plasmon resonance, the nanoparticles can be used for colorimetric sensing. With this technique it has been possible to detect important organic molecules, not only in low dilution but even in vapour. I will go on to speak about the added value that metallic nanoparticles can bring in the field of additive manufacturing. Finally, I will resume the use of biomimetic strategies to speed up the nanoparticle synthesis, such as the use of plant extracts, which constitutes the core of the EPSRC project PhotobioformII (Marc Desmulliez and Jose Marques-Hueso)