Nanofabrication of Nanofluidic Components for an Integrated Solid-State Nanopore Platform

This research project focuses on the development and optimization of nanofabrication techniques to create these nanofluidic components. The issue lies in achieving the precision, scale, wettability and functionality for manipulating biomolecules at the nanoscale. The PhD candidate will explore various fabrication methodologies combining novel materials, various lithography techniques, and advanced etching techniques, to construct a nanofluidic component that can seamlessly interface with advanced nanopores while maintaining the desired properties of all nano-scale components. The goal is to create a scalable nanofluidic system that enhances the molecule throughput and overall performance of nanopore-based devices.

In addition to fabrication, the project will involve characterizing the nanofluidic structures and their interaction with nanopores, and iterating on the design to optimize functionality. By addressing key issues in nanofabrication and integrating these solutions with nanopore technology, this research has the potential to significantly advance the field of nanotechnology, paving the way for new innovations in molecular  diagnostics.

The successful completion of this PhD research will not only contribute to the scientific understanding of nanofabrication processes and their impact on nanofluidic functionality but also to the development of next-generation nanopore technologies that could revolutionize fields such as genomics, proteomics, and personalized medicine. Imec is soliciting enthusiastic PhD candidates to advance single-molecule electrical sensing technology, approaching the problem both from the fabrication and experimental and design/modeling side.

Figure 1. Illustration of a channel-nanopore combination (from Analytical Chemistry  2020, 92, 12, 8108-8116)