Laboratory of Nano and Quantum Engineering
The Laboratory of Nano and Quantum Engineering ( LNQE ) is an interdisciplinary research center for nanotechnology at Leibniz Universität Hannover.
Objectives
Content aims both excellent basic research and application-oriented engineering at the nanoscale are here accompanied by appropriate multidisciplinary training. In particular, the development and understanding of new materials and functions are in the foreground. To this end, new tools are developed. The close cooperation of scientists and engineers immediately leads to synergistic effects in the development of novel solutions for nanotechnology devices. In the winter semester 2008 started at the Leibniz University of Hanover, the program " Nanotechnology" Bachelor, the winter semester starts the Master's program. To achieve its objectives the LNQE operates its own research facility in Hanover, laboratories, equipment, etc., and especially clean rooms.
Members
The LNQE comprises 29 research groups from the natural sciences and engineering at the Leibniz University Hannover. It is governed by a board of at least four members who determine from among its members a Speaker. The Board is supported by the LNQE office.
Research
The collective term nanotechnology describes the exploration and manipulation of things at the atomic and molecular size. Generally, nanotechnology deals with structures in the size range of 1-100 nanometers in at least one spatial direction. 100 nanometers to about one thousandth of the diameter of a normal human hair. At these small dimensions contact surface properties compared to the bulk properties of the materials more and more to the fore and, moreover, often quantum effects must be considered. Nanotechnology is therefore the technology of small things with new features and functionalities.
Nano Engineering is the engineering on the nanoscale, ie the deliberate, artificial manufacture of structures of nanotechnology such as minuscule transistors on computer chips. Closely related to the quantum nano- engineering concept engineering aimed at the generation of a specific physical quantum state, such as for example the realization of a Bose -Einstein condensate and a device having selectively adjusted electron spin. The size of such systems is often also in the nanometer range.
Nano materials of different shape, composition, and size in the nanometer range are prepared and tested in the laboratory. Nanoparticles possess unique chemical and physical properties that significantly differ from the properties of macroscopic particles and solids due to their small dimensions. The reason for this is the large ratio of surface to volume of the nanoparticles, thereby strongly interact with your environment. In addition, where appropriate quantum-mechanical effects.
The structure of large electrical devices on a computer chip are much smaller than 100 nanometers nowadays. The construction of structures and the materials are virtually unchanged in recent years, only the structure size was reduced gradually in the different technology generations. Achieved are now 32 nanometers, in some cases even smaller. For some time, it is assumed that these will be ever smaller scale very soon reaches its physical limits. There are therefore explored novel, revolutionary concepts to reduce the feature size continues. This silicon is at least remain so in the coming years, mainly used semiconductors.
Teaching
Activities in the area of teaching:
- Colloquium series
- Workshop NanoDay: A one-day workshop, which shows the wide range of nanotechnology in LNQE with presentations and a poster session. This annual event has been held since 2005.
- Course Nanotechnology: Bachelor's degree and Master's degree program at the University of Hannover.
- Doctoral program " Hannover School for Nanotechnology ".
Research Building LNQE
The Research Building of the LNQE stands in the middle of the northern city, the university district of Hanover, on Schneiderberg 39, 30167 Hannover, Germany. It offers 430 m² of space for chemistry laboratories, measuring and laser laboratories. 410 m² stand for a research clean room and 509 m² for offices for 44 employees available. The costs amounted to approximately 14 million euros. After evaluation by the Scientific Council of the new building was funded under the Federal / State funding of research at universities ( on the basis of Article 91b Section 1 No. 3 of the Basic Law ). The project management lay with the State Construction Hanover, with the planning, the architectural firm KSP Jürgen Engel Architekten was commissioned. The building was opened in November 2009.