Address: | Via P. Gobetti 101, 40128 Bologna |
Country: | Italy |
Website: |
Organisation type: | Commercial |
Storage activities: | R&D into molecule-based storage systems |
Profile: | The Institute of Nanostructured Materials (ISMN) in Bologna is multidisciplinary center for the growth, fabrication, chemical-physical characterization, and devices based on molecular, inorganic and hybrid thin films and nanostructures. ISMN Bologna has been ranked among the excellence centers in nanotechnology in Europe. Research topics include:
Our investigations demonstrate that molecular spin-transition compounds can be fashioned into robust micro- and nanometer-scale structures for data-storage devices. We have shown that an Fe(II) phenanthroline ST compound can be used to form well-ordered and durable nanoscale patterns and that the material retains its spin-flipping quality after processing. Demonstrating the Fe(II) compound’s usefulness as a nanoscale “ink,” we employed lithographic stamping methods to draw a replica of the data-storage pattern encoded on a compact disc, which consists of nanometer-thick dots and lines. On the basis of microscopy, X-ray measurements, and Raman spectroscopy, we have found that – after patterning – the material is highly crystalline and can be induced to switch between magnetic states by altering the temperature. |
Email: | (Researcher) |
Tel: | +39 051 639 8519 |
Fax: | +39 051 639 8540 |