Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies

This film derives from the Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies DVD. Physicist Etienne Klein traces the history of quantum physics and shows how it gradually forced scientists to question seemingly established notions in classical physics. In particular, classical physics distinguishes two clearly separated categories of objects: particles and waves, whereas a quantum object may behave alternatively as a wave or as a particle. One of the controversial theoretical consequences of quantum…

This film derives from the Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies DVD. Annick Loiseau (ONERA, Microstructures Laboratory) describes carbon nanotubes, their geometries, properties and multiple applications. They were discovered in Japan in 1991 by Sumio Iijima but are the result of extensive research on the various possible structures of carbon compounds. This research was stimulated by the discovery of fullerenes in 1985 by Harold Kroto, Robert Curl and Richard Smalley. Carbon nanotubes…

This film derives from the Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies DVD. At the interface between electronics and biology, one important application of nanotechnologies in biology and medicine is the development of biochips. The first biochips were DNA chips, but today they have diversified: protein chips, cell chips, etc. Aren't they becoming real laboratories on chips Xavier Gidrol (Functional Genomics Laboratory of the Evry Genopole) describes the principle of DNA chips, which make it…

This film derives from the Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies DVD. Vincent Berger, researcher at the University of Paris VII, presents photonics and the main lines of research in this field. Photonics uses different semiconductors to make devices that emit, detect or manipulate light. His aim is is to obtain electronic-like circuits but in which the photons would play the role of electrons, thus enabling light-speed calculations.

This film derives from the Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies DVD. Jean-Pierre Sauvage of the Laboratoire de chimie organo-minérale (laboratory of inorganic chemistry) presents the philosophy of his work as what he calls a "molecularist". His team seeks to produce molecules with non-trivial topological properties, i.e. with intertwining chains. If the different parts of these molecules can be set into relative motion, one obtains molecular machines or motors. Such discoveries are…

This film derives from the Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies DVD. The physicist Denis Vion of the CEA's Quantronique laboratory and his team are working on a new type of processor: the quantronium . The quantronium is a quantum electronic component, i.e. a component that will use quantum effects to obtain more efficient electronic circuits. Superposing quantum states can thus multiply the computing power of future quantum computers. Denis Vion describes the manufacturing steps of the…

This film derives from the Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies DVD. LPN research teams (photonics and nanostructures laboratory, Marcoussis) study the electrical and optical properties of the nano-objects they design and manufacture. These nano-objects are made of various semiconductor materials and must be manufactured in clean rooms because the slightest dust particles could disrupt the operation of the devices obtained. The first manufacturing step is lithography and, in the case…

This film stems from the DVD “Nanosciences Nanotechnologies”. The outbreak of nanotechnologies in the biomedical field has allowed to emphasize researches on the vectorization of medicines, that is to say the specific administration of the necessary dose of active substance into the organ, or the tissue or the specified cell.