Scanning Probe Microscopy
Probe Based Lithography
Probe based lithography involves creating nanometer sized features from photoresist and metal on conducting and semiconducting substrates. Near field optical, electrical and thermal fields are employed in combination with evaporation, etching and electroplating to provide high-speed alternatives for mask-less nanofabrication.
Nanopositioning
A nanopositioner is a electromechanical device for moving objects in three dimensions with atomic, or sub-atomic resolution. Nanopositioners are employed in applications such as imaging, fabrication and optics. This field encompasses mechanical design, sensor design, and control theory. More details.
Electroactive Optics
Piezoelectric actuators can be combined with mirrors, lenses and objectives to actively control the path and properties of an optical field or laser beam. High speed electro-optics are required for precision lasers, maskless lithography, and microscopy.
Precision Sensors
This project aims to study the fundamental limitations of capacitive, optical and magnetic position sensors. New techniques are under development to provide sub-atomic resolution over extremely wide bandwidth.
Biomedical Devices
An endoscopic pill robot is being developed for noninvasive imaging and intervention. The robot can be swallowed and includes power transmission, 6-Dimensional localization, and locomotion.
Piezo Actuators and Amplifiers

Piezo bender actuator with integrated 200V power electronics
Piezo Robotics
Due to their compact size and high efficiency, piezoelectric actuators are ideal for micro-actuation in bio-inspired robotics. This project is developing actuators and mechanics for a piezoelectric dragon-fly robot.
Fleming, A J; Ruppert, M G; Routley, B S; McCourt, L Overcoming the Limitations of Tip Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy with Intermittent Contact AFM Conference 8th Multifrequency AFM Conference, Madrid, Spain, 2020. @conference{Fleming2020, title = {Overcoming the Limitations of Tip Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy with Intermittent Contact AFM}, author = {A. J. Fleming and M. G. Ruppert and B. S. Routley and L. McCourt}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-10-27}, booktitle = {8th Multifrequency AFM Conference}, address = {Madrid, Spain}, abstract = {Tip enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is a promising technique for mapping the chemical composition of surfaces with molecular scale. However, current TERS methods are limited by a number of issues including high tip-sample forces, high laser power, low topographical resolution, and short probe lifetime. As a result, TERS methods are best suited to robust samples that can tolerate high optical intensity. To overcome these issues and extend the application of TERS to delicate samples, a number of new probes andimaging modes are in development at the University of Newcastle. This talk will provide an overview of these methods and present preliminary results, including new methods for optical probe optimization and fabrication, and a new dynamic-mode AFM method to reduce contact forces and applied laser power.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } Tip enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is a promising technique for mapping the chemical composition of surfaces with molecular scale. However, current TERS methods are limited by a number of issues including high tip-sample forces, high laser power, low topographical resolution, and short probe lifetime. As a result, TERS methods are best suited to robust samples that can tolerate high optical intensity. To overcome these issues and extend the application of TERS to delicate samples, a number of new probes andimaging modes are in development at the University of Newcastle. This talk will provide an overview of these methods and present preliminary results, including new methods for optical probe optimization and fabrication, and a new dynamic-mode AFM method to reduce contact forces and applied laser power. ![]() |
Ruppert, M G; Harcombe, D M; Fleming, A J Traditional and Novel Demodulators for Multifrequency Atomic Force Microscopy Conference 8th Multifrequency AFM Conference, Madrid, Spain, 2020. @conference{Ruppert2020b, title = {Traditional and Novel Demodulators for Multifrequency Atomic Force Microscopy}, author = {M. G. Ruppert and D. M. Harcombe and A. J. Fleming}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-10-27}, booktitle = {8th Multifrequency AFM Conference}, address = {Madrid, Spain}, abstract = {A number of multifrequency atomic force microscopy (MF-AFM) methods make use of the excitation and detection of higher harmonics of the fundamental frequency, higher flexural eigenmodes or intermodulation products generated by the non-linear tip-sample force [1]. Schematically, these methods are depicted in Figure 1(a) where the main difference is the resulting spacing and amplitude of the frequency components in the generated spectrum shown in Figure 1(b). Regardless of which particular MF-AFM method is employed, each requires a demodulator to obtain amplitude and phase to form observables for the characterization of nanomechanical sample information. Since high-speed non-synchronous demodulators such as the peak-hold method, peak detector and RMS-to-DC converter are incompatible with MF-AFM [2], there is a need for high-bandwidth demodulation techniques capable of estimating multiple frequencies at once while maintaining robustness against unwanted frequency components [3]. In this talk, the performance of traditional and recently proposed demodulators for multifrequency atomic force microscopy is assessed experimentally. The compared methods include the lock-in amplifier, coherent demodulator, Kalman filter, Lyapunov filter, and direct-design demodulator. Each method is implemented on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) with a sampling rate of 1.5 MHz. The metrics for comparison include implementation complexity, the sensitivity to other frequency components and the magnitude of demodulation artifacts for a range of demodulator bandwidths. Performance differences are demonstrated through higher harmonic atomic force microscopy imaging.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {conference} } A number of multifrequency atomic force microscopy (MF-AFM) methods make use of the excitation and detection of higher harmonics of the fundamental frequency, higher flexural eigenmodes or intermodulation products generated by the non-linear tip-sample force [1]. Schematically, these methods are depicted in Figure 1(a) where the main difference is the resulting spacing and amplitude of the frequency components in the generated spectrum shown in Figure 1(b). Regardless of which particular MF-AFM method is employed, each requires a demodulator to obtain amplitude and phase to form observables for the characterization of nanomechanical sample information. Since high-speed non-synchronous demodulators such as the peak-hold method, peak detector and RMS-to-DC converter are incompatible with MF-AFM [2], there is a need for high-bandwidth demodulation techniques capable of estimating multiple frequencies at once while maintaining robustness against unwanted frequency components [3]. In this talk, the performance of traditional and recently proposed demodulators for multifrequency atomic force microscopy is assessed experimentally. The compared methods include the lock-in amplifier, coherent demodulator, Kalman filter, Lyapunov filter, and direct-design demodulator. Each method is implemented on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) with a sampling rate of 1.5 MHz. The metrics for comparison include implementation complexity, the sensitivity to other frequency components and the magnitude of demodulation artifacts for a range of demodulator bandwidths. Performance differences are demonstrated through higher harmonic atomic force microscopy imaging. ![]() |
McCourt, L; Ruppert, M G; Routley, B S; Indirathankam, S; Fleming, A J A comparison of gold and silver nanocones and geometry optimisation for tip-enhanced microscopy Journal Article In: Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, pp. 1-9, 2020. @article{McCourt2020, title = {A comparison of gold and silver nanocones and geometry optimisation for tip-enhanced microscopy}, author = {L. McCourt and M. G. Ruppert and B. S. Routley and S. Indirathankam and A. J. Fleming}, url = {http://www.precisionmechatronicslab.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/J20e.pdf}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1002/jrs.5987}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-08-24}, journal = {Journal of Raman Spectroscopy}, pages = {1-9}, abstract = {In this article, boundary element method simulations are used to optimise the geometry of silver and gold nanocone probes to maximise the localised electric field enhancement and tune the near-field resonance wavelength. These objectives are expected to maximise the sensitivity of tip-enhanced Raman microscopes. Similar studies have used limited parameter sets or used a performance metric other than localised electric field enhancement. In this article, the optical responses for a range of nanocone geometries are simulated for excitation wavelengths ranging from 400 to 1000 nm. Performance is evaluated by measuring the electric field enhancement at the sample surface with a resonant illumination wavelength. These results are then used to determine empirical models and derive optimal nanocone geometries for a particular illumination wavelength and tip material. This article concludes that gold nanocones are expected to provide similar performance to silver nanocones at red and nearinfrared wavelengths, which is consistent with other results in the literature. In this article, 633 nm is determined to be the shortest usable illumination wavelength for gold nanocones. Below this limit, silver nanocones will provide superior enhancement. The use of gold nanocone probes is expected to dramatically improve probe lifetime, which is currently measured in hours for silver coated probes. Furthermore, the elimination of passivation coatings is expected to enable smaller probe radii and improved topographical resolution.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } In this article, boundary element method simulations are used to optimise the geometry of silver and gold nanocone probes to maximise the localised electric field enhancement and tune the near-field resonance wavelength. These objectives are expected to maximise the sensitivity of tip-enhanced Raman microscopes. Similar studies have used limited parameter sets or used a performance metric other than localised electric field enhancement. In this article, the optical responses for a range of nanocone geometries are simulated for excitation wavelengths ranging from 400 to 1000 nm. Performance is evaluated by measuring the electric field enhancement at the sample surface with a resonant illumination wavelength. These results are then used to determine empirical models and derive optimal nanocone geometries for a particular illumination wavelength and tip material. This article concludes that gold nanocones are expected to provide similar performance to silver nanocones at red and nearinfrared wavelengths, which is consistent with other results in the literature. In this article, 633 nm is determined to be the shortest usable illumination wavelength for gold nanocones. Below this limit, silver nanocones will provide superior enhancement. The use of gold nanocone probes is expected to dramatically improve probe lifetime, which is currently measured in hours for silver coated probes. Furthermore, the elimination of passivation coatings is expected to enable smaller probe radii and improved topographical resolution. ![]() |
Omidbeike, M; Yong, Y K; Fleming, A J Sensing and Decentralized Control of a Five-Axis Monolithic Nanopositioning Stage Inproceedings In: IFAC World Congress, 2020. @inproceedings{C20a, title = {Sensing and Decentralized Control of a Five-Axis Monolithic Nanopositioning Stage}, author = {M. Omidbeike and Y. K. Yong and A. J. Fleming}, url = {http://www.precisionmechatronicslab.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/C20a.pdf}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-07-11}, booktitle = {IFAC World Congress}, abstract = {This article describes the design and calibration of a five degree-of-freedom linearand angular displacement sensor utilizing piezoresistive strain gages. A simple decentralized controller is then implemented to follow linear and angular reference signals. The foremost difficulty with piezoresistive sensors is their high-temperature sensitivity. In addition, they are sensitive to motion in multiple degrees of freedom, which must be decoupled before use as a displacement sensor. A new sensing design is proposed which provides decoupled measurements of linear and angular displacements in multi-axis monolithic nanopositioning stages. The proposed method employs system identification and feedforward techniques to calibrate each axis and minimize cross-coupling. }, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } This article describes the design and calibration of a five degree-of-freedom linearand angular displacement sensor utilizing piezoresistive strain gages. A simple decentralized controller is then implemented to follow linear and angular reference signals. The foremost difficulty with piezoresistive sensors is their high-temperature sensitivity. In addition, they are sensitive to motion in multiple degrees of freedom, which must be decoupled before use as a displacement sensor. A new sensing design is proposed which provides decoupled measurements of linear and angular displacements in multi-axis monolithic nanopositioning stages. The proposed method employs system identification and feedforward techniques to calibrate each axis and minimize cross-coupling. ![]() |
Xavier, M S; Fleming, A J; Yong, Y K Modelling and Simulation of Pneumatic Sources for Soft Robotic Applications Inproceedings In: IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics, Boston, MA, 2020. @inproceedings{C20b, title = {Modelling and Simulation of Pneumatic Sources for Soft Robotic Applications}, author = {M. S. Xavier and A. J. Fleming and Y. K. Yong}, url = {http://www.precisionmechatronicslab.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/AIM2020_Published.pdf}, doi = {10.1109/aim43001.2020.9158802}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-07-01}, booktitle = {IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics}, address = {Boston, MA}, abstract = {The mathematical models for two widely used pneumatic systems in the soft robotics community are presented: syringe pumps and compressed air systems. These models enable prediction and optimisation of performance of soft actuators under pressurisation, allowing the user to select pneumatic components for a desired behaviour. Analytical models are confirmed with simulations developed using SimScape Fluids and SimScape Electrical within Simulink/MATLAB. By using a polytropic law, the models show agreement with the simulations with less than 10% discrepancy for the typical pressures used with soft actuators. Syringe pumps are shown to be much slower compared to the compressed air systems. In the latter, the addition of an air receiver allows very short actuation time.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } The mathematical models for two widely used pneumatic systems in the soft robotics community are presented: syringe pumps and compressed air systems. These models enable prediction and optimisation of performance of soft actuators under pressurisation, allowing the user to select pneumatic components for a desired behaviour. Analytical models are confirmed with simulations developed using SimScape Fluids and SimScape Electrical within Simulink/MATLAB. By using a polytropic law, the models show agreement with the simulations with less than 10% discrepancy for the typical pressures used with soft actuators. Syringe pumps are shown to be much slower compared to the compressed air systems. In the latter, the addition of an air receiver allows very short actuation time. ![]() |