Building a structure out of toothpicks and glue takes creativity, patience and careful planning. But imagine trying to build a similar structure which height is the thickness of a piece of paper. The beams and supports, a 50th the thickness. Sounds impossible, right?
Although he cant see them with his naked eye, nanoscientist and Penticton native Nigel Clarke has been building these microscopic structure, as well as other creations, for years. For nanoscientists, thinking small in a big way is key.
Based out of Mountain View, California, Clarke works to explore new product ideas with Samsungs Thing Tank Team. His day-to-day is spent brainstorming and building new creations; from new TV displays to virtual reality, and even robot arms that cook in your kitchen.
Born and raised in Penticton, the now 27-year-old Senior Research Engineer is working to develop game-changing technology which could affect many things.
[Story continues below]
[Nanoscientist and research engineer, Nigel Clarke. Supplied]
I always liked inventing things, so I wanted to be on the bleeding edge of something, said Clarke. So when I first about nanotechnology, I was immediately attracted to it. Because it seemed like such a new field, there were so many opportunities to create new things.
After graduating from Penticton Secondary School in 2010 and the University of Waterloo for Nanotechnology Engineering in 2015, Clarke went on to receive his masters in Mechanical Engineering and Design Methodology from Stanford University in 2018. His masters was based on the most efficient way of testing and learning from products in order to figure out what should be produced.
Throughout his education he explored nanofabrication and the creation of objects so small, their structure cannot be fully appreciated with light-based microscopes.
By designing these microscopic structures, scientists can observe how certain materials behave. This allows them to create structures with unique properties, not normally seen in larger materials.
Clarke has previously worked with a group, led by California Institute of Technology professor Julia Greer, to develop this technology and turn it into something practical.
In addition to these microscopic structures, Clarke has also researched how light behaves differently at the nanoscale, which helped in the development health sensors. He also worked on the development of thin flexible electronics, used in contact lenses.
Imagine shining light through a microscope; at a certain point the ray of light is so concentrated that it has the ability to burn. At the very centre of this hourglass shape, the light is the brightest.
To start the creation of these microscopic structures, Clarke covers a surface with a light-sensitive material, Photoresist, which reacts when it comes into contact with light. When exposed to light, the Photoresist then changes from appearing like a liquid, to appearing like a solid. In other words areas that are exposed to the bright light crosslink and become a hard material, eventually forming a structure.
By moving lasers around in 3D space, they can draw microscopic structures one line at a time out of thin air.
The main thing this group was trying to do was look at these unique properties that you only get at the nano scale, pretty much a strength improvement in this normally brittle material and say; are there ways that we can bring that type of property to larger materials that we use every day, said Clarke.
In future, this could result in the creation of extremely strong structures which are also very lightweight. One use already implemented is the creation of artificial bone.
To see Clarkes photos up close, visit the St. Germain caf downtown Penticton where they are currently on display. He credited his mother for allowing him to view his photographs as art, and showcase them to the world.
READ MORE: Morning Start: Did you know there is a liquid you can breathe like air?
@PentictonNews editor@pentictonwesternnews.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Lake Country Calendar
See original here:
Okanagan-born nanoscientist thinking small in a big way - BCLocalNews
- Electronic Materials Company Cambrios Announces Closing $14.5 Million Round [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Europe's 'Extreme light infrastructure' project gears up for launch [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Industrial nanotechnology processes getting closer [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Konsultation zum Austria Nano-Aktionsplan [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Bewegungen von Viren auf Membranen live verfolgen [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Thailand Nanotechnology Conference on health, energy, environment [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Samsung Intensifies Advanced Foundry Logic Process Development with New Semiconductor Research Center [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Infineon and TSMC to Jointly Develop 65nm Embedded Flash Process Technology For Automotive and Chip Card Applications [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Abraxis Health Dedicates State of the Art Nanotechnology and Biologics Facility in Phoenix, Arizona [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Beneq Announces The First Continous Mode Atomic Layer Deposition Research Tool [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- An electron microscope with glasses [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Give your opinion on the Nanotechnology Research Code of Conduct [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Presentations from the OECD Conference on the Potential Environmental Benefits of Nanotechnology [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- DFI Nanotechnology Expands Into China With Strategic Alliance in Hong Kong [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Pre-announcement: Call for proposals within 'Energy Efficiency with Nanotechnology' [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- This week in nanotechnology [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- New funding for development and deployment of UAlbany nanofabrication strategies [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Applied Materials Acquires the Assets of Advent Solar [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Advanced Researcher Grant 2009 an Nanowissenschaftlerin Luisa de Cola [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Ocean Optics Launches Dedicated OEM Website [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- New synthetic molecules trigger immune response to HIV and prostate cancer [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Computer predicts reactions between molecules and surfaces, with 'chemical precision' [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Austria showcases its nanotechnology initiative [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Nanocapsules for artificial photosynthesis [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Work begins on laboratory for world's strongest microscope [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- New cancer detection method with fluorescent silica beads [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Die Magnetisierung einzelner Atome manipulieren [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Novel nanoparticles could become a safer alternative to gene therapy delivered by viruses [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- DOE awards Argonne, partners more than $7 million for solar energy-related research projects [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Magnetic nanoparticles to simultaneously diagnose, monitor and treat [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Study of ultracold atoms proves theory about universal quantum mechanism [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- RUSNANO Supervisory Council approves nanostructured non-metallic coatings project [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Julian Wess Award for outstanding achievements in elementary particle and astroparticle physics [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- New Pegasus300 Sold to Leading French Research Institute for CMOS Packaging [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Soitec Expands Into the Fast Growing Solar Energy Market With the Acquisition of Concentrix Solar [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Students send microbe nanobiotechnology experiment on Space Shuttle Atlantis [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Photovoltaic cells to power biological nanorobots inside the body [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Environmental and human health impacts of nanotechnology [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Elusive 'hot' electrons captured in ultra-thin solar cells [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Light-generating transistors to power labs on chips [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Combining rare-earth clusters with traditional metal catalysts reveals secrets of chemical transformation [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Hexagon Expands Its Offering in the Vision Metrology Business [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Azaya Therapeutics Receives FDA Authorization to Start Phase I Cancer Trial [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Researchers engineer bacteria to turn carbon dioxide into liquid fuel [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Argonne creates green home for world-class nanotechnology research [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- The mechanism behind superinsulation may lead to new types of electronics [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Biosensors change color when they detect specific neural messages [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- First measurement of cancer biomarkers in whole blood [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Nanoprobes hit targets in tumors, could lessen chemo side effects [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- EYP/energy group joins UAlbany NanoCollege's National Institute for Sustainable Energy [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Scientists isolate new antifreeze molecule in Alaska beetle [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Ocean Optics XR-Series Spectrometers Cover 200-1050 nm Wavelengths [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- All-in-one cancer-killing nanoparticle can be tracked in real time with MRI [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Nanobodies modifizieren die Form und Funktion von Proteinen [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D. to Join Leica Microsystems' Parent Company Board of Directors [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- France to invest billions in nanotechnology [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- AlphaRx Appoints President for its China Operations [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Vistec Enters Into Electron-Beam Lithograpy Project With Moscow University [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Record-breaking ultrasensitive spectrometer identifies trace gases in real time [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- NanoMech Receives Navy Contract to Develop Nanotechnology Lubricant [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Heart cells display a behavior-guiding 'nanosense' on new lab-on-a-chip [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- New curriculum mixes nanotechnology and skiing [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Rexahn and TheraTarget Form Nanotechnology Research Collaboration [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Unidym Enters Agreement to Integrate Carbon Nanotube Films Into LCDs [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Carl Zeiss Meditec Closes Financial Year on a High [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- The Scott Partnership Appointed to Launch Innovative New Printed Electronics Business [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- New Centre for Molecular Epidemiology to put bacteria on the world map [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- New nanotechnology association established to address 21st century natural resource and energy security challenges [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Analysis of information gathering initiatives on manufactured nanomaterials [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- OECD publishes manufactured nanomaterials roadmap 2010 [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- New imaging technique allows quick evaluation of graphene sheets [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- National Institute of Standards and Technology invests up to $71 million in new manufacturing, infrastructure research and development [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]
- Southwest Nanotechnologies Recieves Two Prestigious Research Grants To Deveop A New Generation of Carbon Nanotubes [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]
- Nanolithographic technique allows multiple chemicals on a single chip [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]
- Study documents puzzling movement of electricity-producing bacteria near energy sources [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]
- Erstmals Daten aus lebenden Zellen: Optisches Verfahren misst molekulare Reaktionszeiten [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]
- New Constant Diameter NeedleProbes with Unique Ability to Measure Liquid Surface Properties by AFM [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]
- Chemical Nanotechnology Talks X: Green nano - challenges of sustainability [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]
- Patents Issued for Licensed PAL-M Super-resolution Technology [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]
- International Network CONTACT researches the use of carbon nanotubes in various applications [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]