Microscopic black-and-white image of a tiny house model situated on the tip of a pencil, with a scale bar indicating 10 micrometers.

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Advanced Microstructures in Materials Research – Linking What Seems Unrelated

byZEISS Microscopy 2 April 2025 7 min read

Introduction

Nanorobotics: Changing Materials Science and Shaping the Future

What do the smallest house in the world and Alzheimer’s disease have to do with each other? Read on and find out. This much can be revealed in advance: It's about materials research and device fabrication in the nanometer range.

Materials researchers develop advanced microstructures that can contribute significantly to the understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. By creating specialized tools and technologies for diagnostics and therapy, they improve our ability to address conditions like Alzheimer’s and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

A promising approach in this field involves microrobots that operate with nanoscale objects. These tiny robots manipulate and assemble materials, allowing for the creation of complex designs that were once unattainable. Such advancements not only open new avenues in materials science but also lead to innovative solutions for diagnostics and therapies in neurodegenerative diseases within the so-called NEMRO project.

Jean-Yves Rauch, a research engineer at the University of Marie & Louis Pasteur at the FEMTO-ST Institute in Besançon, France, works with the μRobotex Platform, which addresses the challenges of materials research at this scale. However, the creation of such devices requires unique tools that allow high-precision manipulation and control of the nanomanufacturing process. Using nanomanipulators and nanorobots in the chamber of an electron microscope, it is possible to produce high-precision multifunctional nanodevices for various applications.

FEMTO-ST
The ZEISS FIB-SEM at FEMTO-ST: A Setup for Advanced Materials Research.

The μRobotex Platform: Transforming Advanced Materials Research

The μRobotex platform combines

a ZEISS Focus Ion Beam – Scanning Electron Microscope (FIB-SEM) Auriga 60,
a robotic system from SmarAct, and
an Oxford Instrument gas injector.

This powerful combination provides the FEMTO-ST team with a tool for precise manipulation and positioning of materials at the nanoscale. The platform allows for ultra-precise positioning and permanent welding of objects, enabling the creation of complex microstructures that advance materials research.

In FIB-SEM microscopy, the process of deposition involves applying thin films or coathings to a surface, allowing for precise modifications of the substrate's properties. This process uses techniques that are seamlessly integrated into the platform's capabilities. Such integration enhances functionality, making the μRobotex an asset for innovative materials research.

The µRobotex Team:
Olivier Lehmann, Joel Abadie, Joel Agnus, François Marionnet, Yuning Lei (PhD student).

FEMTO-ST
Jean-Yves Rauch working with the μRobotex platform.

Transforming Challenges into Innovations: The Journey of Jean-Yves Rauch and the FEMTO-ST Team

Jean-Yves Rauch addressed the deposition challenges, leveraging his expertise in vacuum reactions and techniques like PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) and CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition).
He found that the styrene in the cartridge had completely polymerized, causing a clog. By switching to a naphthalene cartridge and optimizing the process, he restored optimal conditions for platinum deposition.

Jean-Yves Rauch and his team serendipitously discovered the origami phenomenon of silica membranes, which they extended to silicon, titanium, and other materials. This led to the creation of the world's smallest house, gaining significant global media attention.

In 2019, they advanced their research by modeling spontaneous folding induced by gallium ion bombardment of ceramics, published in Advanced Materials. Three years later, they received the Gold Micron at the Micronora exhibition for their innovative light-activated microstructure at the end of a stretched optical fiber.
These achievements highlight the advanced nature of the origami folding process for materials like silica, lithium niobate, and glass membranes.

Finally, this explains how the FEMTO-ST team built the smallest house in the world.

Our discovery of the origami phenomenon in silica membranes not only led to the creation of the world's smallest house but also opened new avenues for innovation in materials science.

Jean-Yves Rauch Research engineer, University of Marie & Louis Pasteur, Institute FEMTO-ST, Besançon, France

A Microscopic View of a Self-Assembling Structure: Measuring Less Than 50 Micrometers, This Tiny Innovation is Smaller Than a Human Hair by Yuning Lei, PhD.

Revolutionizing Microstructures: Future Advancements in Optical Detection & Beyond

The discoveries made by Jean-Yves Rauch and his team have gained international attention. Their work is important for advancing optical detection technologies. These innovative microstructures can be used in various fields, including aerospace and healthcare. They are designed to perform well in challenging environments, like jet engines or blood vessels, and have the potential to lead to new diagnostic and monitoring tools.

Currently, the team is exploring more complex 3D propulsion systems. They are also investigating origami techniques to create 3D-actuated microstructures that can move in multiple ways. Their main goal is to reduce energy use while maintaining high performance. This work aims to produce smaller, lighter, and more efficient micro and nano systems. As they continue to innovate, the team focuses on creating low-power microsystems that deliver high performance in minimal sizes.

Rauch's journey shows how perseverance and creativity can change the fields of microscopy and robotics. His work expands scientific possibilities and addresses real-world challenges across many areas.

FEMTO-ST
Diagram of Nasal Anatomy: Key Components, Olfactory Bulb, Mucosa, and OCT System with Laptop, Actuator, and Micro-Robot.

NEMRO Project: Advancing Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnosis

The NEMRO project, led by the FEMTO-ST Institute and supported by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR), aims to improve the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This innovative initiative focuses on the link between these diseases and loss of smell.

The project plans to create a small robotic nasal endoscope with a fiber-based imaging system called Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). This device will provide high-resolution, non-invasive images of the olfactory system, allowing for early diagnosis and monitoring.

By developing new diagnostic techniques, NEMRO has the potential to significantly enhance our understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

About FEMTO-ST Institute

The FEMTO-ST Institute is a dynamic research hub located in France, where innovation meets expertise in micro and nanotechnology, optical detection systems, and robotics. This multidisciplinary institute brings together the fields of physics, engineering, and materials science to solve complex challenges that impact our world, from aerospace to healthcare and telecommunications.

At FEMTO-ST, researchers develop advanced microstructures and pioneering fabrication techniques. The institute thrives on collaboration, uniting scientists, engineers, and industry partners to turn groundbreaking research into practical solutions that enhance technology and improve everyday life.

LinkedIn profile of FEMTO-ST
LinkedIn profile of Jean-Yves Rauch

Advanced microstructures play a significant role in developing specialized tools and technologies that enhance our understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
The μRobotex platform combines various advanced tools, allowing for precise manipulation and positioning of materials at the nanoscale. This capability enables researchers to create complex microstructures and advance materials research effectively.
The NEMRO project focuses on improving the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases by exploring the link between these diseases and olfactory deficiencies. It aims to develop innovative diagnostic techniques that could lead to earlier detection and better understanding of these conditions.