fine-tuning-the-size-and-minimizing-the-noise-of-solid-state-nanopores

Fine-tuning the Size and Minimizing the Noise of Solid-state Nanopores

Solid-state nanopores have emerged as a versatile tool for the characterization of single biomolecules such as nucleic acids and proteins1. However, the ...

University of Ottawa

Molecular dynamics simulations were used to model grain boundary sliding in stressed Fe-Ni bicrystals exposed to low energy neutron irradiation. We studied how sliding stress thresholds and sliding mechanisms changed with variations in the Ni boundary morphology and boundary geometry. Simulations corresponding to ordered boundary Ni distributions and coincident-site lattice (CSL) geometries relaxed stress through a dislocation-mediated sliding mechanism. Such a mechanism was found to follow Orowan's law, in which the stress relaxation rate is proportional to the dislocation velocity. Alternatively, simulations of disordered Ni distributions and non-CSL boundary geometries were described by a random shuffling process with time-dependent stress relaxation rate. Nevertheless, irrespective of the stress relaxation process followed by the bicrystals, after reaching equilibrium, the amounts of boundary displacement and stress relaxation were always found to be proportionally related. These observations might prove useful to groups working on building continuum (macroscopic) models of deformations in irradiated materials.

Grain boundary sliding in irradiated stressed Fe-Ni bicrystals: a molecular dynamics study.

We present a methodology for preparing silicon nitride nanopores that provides in situ control of size with sub-nanometer precision while simultaneously reducing electrical noise by up to three orders of magnitude through the cyclic application of high electric fields in an aqueous environment. Over 90% of nanopores treated with this technique display desirable noise characteristics and readily exhibit translocation of double-stranded DNA molecules. Furthermore, previously used nanopores with degraded electrical properties can be rejuvenated and used for further single-molecule experiments.

Article	Year
Grain boundary sliding in irradiated stressed Fe-Ni bicrystals: a molecular dynamics study. Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal\| PubMed ID: 21403250	2010
Precise control of the size and noise of solid-state nanopores using high electric fields. Nanotechnology\| PubMed ID: 22983670	2012

Eric Beamish

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