Automated nanorobotic handling of bio- and nano-materials

Automated handling on the nanoscale is a crucial challenge for commercialization of bio- and nano-technologies. This paper describes current implementations towards two fields of application: Micro-nano integration for NEMS prototyping, and biosensor development. (1) The integration of nanomaterials into micro-systems can improve the properties of such systems and enable novel innovative solutions. Using nanorobotic systems operating inside the vacuum chamber of a scanning electron microscope is a promising approach. Nanorobotic strategies for the microgripper-based handling with focus on automation are presented. A fully automated handling sequence demonstrates the micro-nano integration of prototypic nanotube-enhanced atomic force microscope probes. (2) Nanorobotic systems employing an atomic force microscope are a promising approach for the handling of nanoscopic biomaterials. Methods for the handling of DNA to design bio-nano chips and to solve packaging problems on the nanoscale are presented. Additionally, an AFM-based approach for the structuring of biomaterials is presented.