August 2010 – The Federal Service for Intellectual Property, Patents and Trademarks (Rospatent) has recognized as perspective the following patents by R. V. Lapshin “Procedure of movement of sonde of scanning microscope-nanolithograph in field of coarse X-Y positioner”, “Method for measuring surface relief by means of scanning probe type microscope”, “Method for reading digital information in probe memory device”. Inventions are considered as perspective if they meet criteria of high technical level in comparison with world analogs, originality of technical solution, comprehensive technical analysis, and readiness for application in industry. The patents are inserted in the full-text database Perspective Inventions (in Russian)
June 2010 – The chapter “Feature-oriented scanning probe microscopy” (FOSPM) written by Dr. R. V. Lapshin has been published in Encyclopedia of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (edited by H. S. Nalwa, American Scientific Publishers). This chapter is a short review of the feature-oriented scanning (FOS) methodology that is applicable for high-precision, high-resolution scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and bottom-up nanofabrication. The FOS methodology can be employed in any instrument of SPM family: a scanning tunneling microscope (STM), an atomic-force microscope (AFM), a magnetic-force microscope (MFM), etc. It can also be used in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) or even it can simultaneously control a SEM and an SPM integrated in this SEM. The SPM under FOS control becomes essentially insensitive to temperature variations. The FOSPM is able to effectively organize a multiprobe bottom-up nanomanufacturing where nanoparticles, single molecules, or even separate atoms are used as construction blocks. The FOSPM allows a self-adjusting, self-calibrating, and self-testing; it transforms an SPM into the unmanned instrument that is able to operate according to the principle “run and forget”
June 2010 – As an expert in the field of microscopy, Dr. R. V. Lapshin was engaged in a study concerning to use of microscopy techniques in research work. The aim of the study is to help microscopy manufacturers improve their instruments and services according to the real demands of research community. The study is conducted by the Science Advisory Board, a group of scientists, physicians, and biomedical professionals who are expressing their opinions about the tools and technologies transforming science and medicine
May 2010 – Dr. R. V. Lapshin was invited to participate as an expert respondent in the sociolinguistical study “English language in Russian academic community”. The study is conducted by Elena P. Lawrick, a researcher from the College of Liberal Arts, Department of English, Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana, USA). The aim of the study is to better understand a value of English language knowledge for professional advancement of a Russian scientist. The study is intended for precise description of language competence in Russian science
- May 2010 – Application for patent “Walking robot-nanopositioner and movement method”, inventor R. V. Lapshin has been submitted to the Federal Service for Intellectual Property, Patents and Trademarks (Rospatent)
April 2010 – The artwork “Nanogyri of polyurethane brain” created by R. V. Lapshin has been presented to public at the scientific photo contest “Art of Science 2010”, section “Microworld”. This all-Russian nonprofit project is arranged by publisher the Russian Science and Technology and supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation, by the Federal Agency for Science and Innovation, and by the Moscow State University named after M. V. Lomonosov. The project is intended for popularization of science and scientific research in Russian Federation. The contest artworks will be exhibited at the Polytechnical museum, Moscow. Click here to get a free desktop wallpaper
March 2010 – The report “Formation of catalytic Ni-nanoparticles in glow-discharge Ar-plasma for low-temperature synthesis of carbon nanostructures” prepared by R. V. Lapshin, P. V. Azanov, E. A. Ilyichev, G. N. Petruhin, and L. L. Kupchenko has been presented at the XIV International Symposium “Nanophysics and Nanoelectronics” held in Nizhni Novgorod, Russian Federation. A simple method based on glow-discharge Ar-plasma was suggested for deposition of catalytic Ni-nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are intended for synthesis of various carbon nanostructures including carbon nanotubes (CNT) by the Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) technique. The method developed allows for direct formation of the required catalytic nanoparticles (CNP) on the polished surface of a silicon wafer. Application of the obtained catalytic nanoparticles has permitted to substantially reduce temperature of the sample in the PECVD reactor from 750°C to 150°C that opens a perspective for using cheap substrates such as glass or polymers for cold emission consumer nanoelectronics. The synthesized donut-like carbon nanostructure imaged with an atomic-force microscope (AFM) is shown in the figure as an example of catalytic abilities of the deposited nanoparticles
March 2010 – “Russian scientists demonstrated precision modification of nanotopography of polymer surface with ultraviolet radiation”, News, Federal internet-portal “Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials”: Today, the polymer called poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), also commonly known as organic glass or Plexiglass, is widely applied in various fields of science and engineering. In particular, poly(methyl methacrylate) is actively used in nanoelectronics as electron, UV or X-ray sensitive resist; it is often applied in micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems as structural material. Poly(methyl methacrylate) has proved itself to be good in transplantology as nontoxic biocompatible material suitable for fabrication of a number of human artificial organs – intraocular lens, contact lenses, dentures, bone cement and others. … Full story (the same story in Russian). Further reading
March 2010 – The English translation of the paper “Vacuum ultraviolet smoothing of nanometer-scale asperities of poly(methyl methacrylate) surface” written by R. V. Lapshin, A. P. Alekhin, A. G. Kirilenko, S. L. Odintsov, and V. A. Krotkov has been published in the Journal of Surface Investigation. X-ray, Synchrotron and Neutron Techniques, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.
February 2010 – By request of the Russian Corporation of Nanotechnologies, several dictionary entries were prepared by Dr. R. V. Lapshin for the new Dictionary of Nanotechnological Terms (in Russian). This dictionary is aimed to become a valuable terminology source for the fast developing field of nanotechnology. The dictionary is written in simple and clear language, it is intended for a wide variety of readers – students, engineers, businessmen, government officials, scientists and others
January 2010 – “Plexiglass film became smoother”, News, Russian Science and Technology: In the Institute of Physical Problems named after F. V. Lukin, the State Scientific Center of Russian Federation, Zelenograd, a method was developed and successfully tested which is capable to smooth asperities of poly(methyl methacrylate) surface in nanometer or subnanometer scales by means of 124 nm wavelength vacuum ultraviolet (VUV). … Full story (in Russian). Further reading
January 2010 – The investigation “Vacuum ultraviolet smoothing of nanometer-scale asperities of poly(methyl methacrylate) surface” conducted by Dr. R. V. Lapshin with co-workers has been published in the Journal of Surface. Roentgen, Synchrotron and Neutron Studies. The paper successfully demonstrates a possibility for controllable nanometer scale smoothing of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) surface by means of ultraviolet radiation (λ≈124 nm) in low vacuum environment (2-100 Pa). Moreover, the effect of PMMA surface nanostructuring in oxygen RF-plasma was clearly demonstrated in this research. The obtained results can be applied in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to reduce friction between moving PMMA-parts, in medicine to improve biocompatibility of PMMA-implants, in electron-beam, UV, and X-ray nanolithographies to treat PMMA-resists, in microfluidic PMMA-devices to adjust flow characteristics of their micro- or nanochannels, etc.
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