Electron microscopic evaluation of a gold glaucoma micro shunt after explantation.

PubMed

Berk, Thomas A; Tam, Diamond Y; Werner, Liliana; Mamalis, Nick; Ahmed, Iqbal Ike K

2015-03-01

We present a case of an explanted gold glaucoma micro shunt (GMS Plus) and the subsequent light and electron microscopic analyses. The shunt was implanted in a patient with medically refractive glaucoma. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was stable at 12 mm Hg 6 months postoperatively but spiked to 26 mm Hg 6 months later; membranous growth was visible on the implant gonioscopically. A second gold micro shunt was placed 2 years after the first. The IOP was 7 mm Hg 1 week postoperatively but increased to 23 mm Hg 3 weeks later; similar membranous growth was visible on this implant. One of the shunts was explanted, and light and scanning electron microscopic analyses revealed encapsulation around the shunt exterior and connective tissue invasion of the microstructure. This represents the first electron microscopic analysis of an explanted gold glaucoma micro shunt and the first unequivocal images of the fibrotic pseudo-capsule traversing its microchannels and fenestrations. Dr. Ahmed is a consultant to and has received research grants from Solx, Inc. No other author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned. Copyright © 2015 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Microstructural studies of 35 degrees C copper Ni-Ti orthodontic wire and TEM confirmation of low-temperature martensite transformation.

PubMed

Brantley, William A; Guo, Wenhua; Clark, William A T; Iijima, Masahiro

2008-02-01

Previous temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) study of nickel-titanium orthodontic wires revealed a large exothermic low-temperature peak that was attributed to transformation within martensitic NiTi. The purpose of this study was to use transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to verify this phase transformation in a clinically popular nickel-titanium wire, identify its mechanism and confirm other phase transformations found by TMDSC, and to provide detailed information about the microstructure of this wire. The 35 degrees C Copper nickel-titanium wire (Ormco) with cross-section dimensions of 0.016 in. x 0.022 in. used in the earlier TMDSC investigation was selected. Foils were prepared for TEM analyses by mechanical grinding, polishing, dimpling, ion milling and plasma cleaning. Standard bright-field and dark-field TEM images were obtained, along with convergent-beam electron diffraction patterns. A cryo-stage with the electron microscope (Phillips CM 200) permitted the specimen to be observed at -187, -45, and 50 degrees C, as well as at room temperature. Microstructures were also observed with an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Room temperature microstructures had randomly oriented, elongated grains that were twinned. Electron diffraction patterns confirmed that phase transformations took place over temperature ranges previously found by TMDSC. TEM observations revealed a high dislocation density and fine-scale oxide particles, and that twinning is the mechanism for the low-temperature transformation in martensitic NiTi. TEM confirmed the low-temperature peak and other phase transformations observed by TMDSC, and revealed that twinning in martensite is the mechanism for the low-temperature peak. The high dislocation density and fine-scale oxide particles in the microstructure are the result of the wire manufacturing process.

SEM analysis of ionizing radiation effects in linear integrated circuits. [Scanning Electron Microscope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stanley, A. G.; Gauthier, M. K.

1977-01-01

A successful diagnostic technique was developed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) as a precision tool to determine ionization effects in integrated circuits. Previous SEM methods radiated the entire semiconductor chip or major areas. The large area exposure methods do not reveal the exact components which are sensitive to radiation. To locate these sensitive components a new method was developed, which consisted in successively irradiating selected components on the device chip with equal doses of electrons /10 to the 6th rad (Si)/, while the whole device was subjected to representative bias conditions. A suitable device parameter was measured in situ after each successive irradiation with the beam off.

Atomic-scale luminescence measurement and theoretical analysis unveiling electron energy dissipation at a p-type GaAs(110) surface.

PubMed

Imada, Hiroshi; Miwa, Kuniyuki; Jung, Jaehoon; Shimizu, Tomoko K; Yamamoto, Naoki; Kim, Yousoo

2015-09-11

Luminescence of p-type GaAs was induced by electron injection from the tip of a scanning tunnelling microscope into a GaAs(110) surface. Atomically-resolved photon maps revealed a significant reduction in luminescence intensity at surface electronic states localized near Ga atoms. Theoretical analysis based on first principles calculations and a rate equation approach was performed to describe the perspective of electron energy dissipation at the surface. Our study reveals that non-radiative recombination through the surface states (SS) is a dominant process for the electron energy dissipation at the surface, which is suggestive of the fast scattering of injected electrons into the SS.

Tomography experiment of an integrated circuit specimen using 3 MeV electrons in the transmission electron microscope.

PubMed

Zhang, Hai-Bo; Zhang, Xiang-Liang; Wang, Yong; Takaoka, Akio

2007-01-01

The possibility of utilizing high-energy electron tomography to characterize the micron-scale three dimensional (3D) structures of integrated circuits has been demonstrated experimentally. First, electron transmission through a tilted SiO(2) film was measured with an ultrahigh-voltage electron microscope (ultra-HVEM) and analyzed from the point of view of elastic scattering of electrons, showing that linear attenuation of the logarithmic electron transmission still holds valid for effective specimen thicknesses up to 5 microm under 2 MV accelerating voltages. Electron tomography of a micron-order thick integrated circuit specimen including the Cu/via interconnect was then tried with 3 MeV electrons in the ultra-HVEM. Serial projection images of the specimen tilted at different angles over the range of +/-90 degrees were acquired, and 3D reconstruction was performed with the images by means of the IMOD software package. Consequently, the 3D structures of the Cu lines, via and void, were revealed by cross sections and surface rendering.

Realization of a four-step molecular switch in scanning tunneling microscope manipulation of single chlorophyll-a molecules

PubMed Central

Iancu, Violeta; Hla, Saw-Wai

2006-01-01

Single chlorophyll-a molecules, a vital resource for the sustenance of life on Earth, have been investigated by using scanning tunneling microscope manipulation and spectroscopy on a gold substrate at 4.6 K. Chlorophyll-a binds on Au(111) via its porphyrin unit while the phytyl-chain is elevated from the surface by the support of four CH3 groups. By injecting tunneling electrons from the scanning tunneling microscope tip, we are able to bend the phytyl-chain, which enables the switching of four molecular conformations in a controlled manner. Statistical analyses and structural calculations reveal that all reversible switching mechanisms are initiated by a single tunneling-electron energy-transfer process, which induces bond rotation within the phytyl-chain. PMID:16954201

The Application of High-Resolution Electron Microscopy to Problems in Solid State Chemistry: The Exploits of a Peeping TEM.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eyring, LeRoy

1980-01-01

Describes methods for using the high-resolution electron microscope in conjunction with other tools to reveal the identity and environment of atoms. Problems discussed include the ultimate structure of real crystalline solids including defect structure and the mechanisms of chemical reactions. (CS)

Morphological and Microstructural Evolution of Phosphorous-Rich Layer in SnAgCu/Ni-P UBM Solder Joint

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Yung-Chi; Shih, Toung-Yi; Tien, Shih-Kang; Duh, Jenq-Gong

2007-11-01

Interfacial morphologies and microstructure of Sn-3Ag-0.5Cu/Ni-P under bump metallization (UBM) with various phosphorous contents were investigated by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and field emission electron probe microanalyzer (FE-EPMA). It was revealed that as the Ni-Sn-P compound was formed between the solder matrix and Ni-P UBM, the conventionally so-called phosphorous-rich (P-rich) layer was transformed to a series of layer compounds, including Ni3P, Ni12P5 and Ni2P. The relationship between Ni-Sn-P formation and evolution of P-rich layers was probed by electron microscopic characterization with the aid of the phase diagram of Ni-P. On the basis of the TEM micrograph, the selected area diffraction (SAD) pattern, and the FE-EPMA results, the detailed phase evolution of P-rich layers in the SnAgCu/Ni-P joint was revealed and proposed.

In Situ Observation of Kinetic Processes of Lath Bainite Nucleation and Growth by Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope in Reheated Weld Metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, Gaojun; Cao, Rui; Guo, Xili; Jiang, Yong; Chen, Jianhong

2017-12-01

The kinetic processes of nucleation and growth of bainite laths in reheated weld metals are observed and analyzed by a combination of a laser confocal scanning microscope and an electron backscattering diffraction with a field emission scanning electron microscope. The results indicate that the surface relief induced by phase transformation is able to reveal the real microstructural morphologies of bainite laths when viewed from various angles. Five nucleation modes and six types of growth behaviors of bainite laths are revealed. The bainite lath growth rates are measured to vary over a wide range, from 2 μm/s to higher than 2000 μm/s. The orientations of the bainite laths within a prior austenite grain are examined and denoted as different variants. On the basis of variant identification, the reason is analyzed for various growth rates which are demonstrated to be affected by (1) the density of the high-angle misorientation in it, (2) the included angle between habit planes of different variants, and (3) the direction of lath growth with respect to the free (polished) surface.

Silicone intraocular lens surface calcification in a patient with asteroid hyalosis.

PubMed

Matsumura, Kazuhiro; Takano, Masahiko; Shimizu, Kimiya; Nemoto, Noriko

2012-07-01

To confirm a substance presence on the posterior intraocular lens (IOL) surface in a patient with asteroid hyalosis. An 80-year-old man had IOLs for approximately 12 years. Opacities and neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet pits were observed on the posterior surface of the right IOL. Asteroid hyalosis and an epiretinal membrane were observed OD. An IOL exchange was performed on 24 March 2008, and the explanted IOL was analyzed using a light microscope and a transmission electron microscope with a scanning electron micrograph and an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer for elemental analysis. To confirm asteroid hyalosis, asteroid bodies were examined with the ionic liquid (EtMeIm+ BF4-) method using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) with digital beam control RGB mapping. X-ray spectrometry of the deposits revealed high calcium and phosphorus peaks. Spectrometry revealed that the posterior IOL surface opacity was due to a calcium-phosphorus compound. Examination of the asteroid bodies using FE-SEM with digital beam control RGB mapping confirmed calcium and phosphorus as the main components. Calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate deposits were probably responsible for the posterior IOL surface opacity. Furthermore, analysis of the asteroid bodies demonstrated that calcium and phosphorus were its main components.

Synthesis, characterization, in vitro anti-proliferative and hemolytic activity of hydroxyapatite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palanivelu, R.; Ruban Kumar, A.

2014-06-01

Hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, HAP) nanoparticles are widely used in several biomedical applications due to its compositional similarities to bone mineral, excellent biocompatibility and bioactivity, osteoconductivity. In this present investigation, HAP nanoparticles synthesized by precipitation technique using calcium nitrate and di-ammonium phosphate. The crystalline nature and the functional group analysis are confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy (FT-Raman) respectively. The morphological observations are ascertained from field emission electron scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). In vitro anti-proliferative and hemolytic activities are carried out on the synthesized HAP samples and the studies reveals that HAP have mild activity against erythrocytes.

Bi2Te3 thin hexagonal nanoplatelets: Synthesis and its characterization studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vinoth, S.; Balaganapathi, T.; KaniAmuthan, B.; Arun, T.; Muthuselvam, I. Panneer; Chou, Fang-Cheng; Thilakan, P.

2017-08-01

Solvothermal synthesis and optimization of pure Bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) hexagonal nanoplatelets was carried out from Bismuth Oxide (Bi2O3) and Tellurium dioxide (TeO2). XRD measurements revealed a sensitive change in crystallization behaviour in correlation with variation in Te/Bi stoichiometry identified through the exchange in intensities between (10 10 ̅) and (110) peaks. Further, Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDAX) analysis revealed the variation in Te/Bi ratio with respect to autoclave temperature. Field emission scanning electron Microscope (FESEM) and the high resolution transmission electron Microscope (HRTEM) studies show the complete growth of hexagonal nanoplatelets at 200 °C. Confocal Micro-Raman measurements revealed the occurrence of symmetry breaking in the synthesized hexagonal nanoplatelets. The electrical conductivity and the activation energy were recorded as 6.01×10-3 S/m and 0.042 eV respectively. Highest maximum absolute value of Seebeck coefficient of -355 μV/K was obtained for the hexagonal nanoplatelets.

Electron beam dynamics in an ultrafast transmission electron microscope with Wehnelt electrode.

PubMed

Bücker, K; Picher, M; Crégut, O; LaGrange, T; Reed, B W; Park, S T; Masiel, D J; Banhart, F

2016-12-01

High temporal resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques have shown significant progress in recent years. Using photoelectron pulses induced by ultrashort laser pulses on the cathode, these methods can probe ultrafast materials processes and have revealed numerous dynamic phenomena at the nanoscale. Most recently, the technique has been implemented in standard thermionic electron microscopes that provide a flexible platform for studying material's dynamics over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. In this study, the electron pulses in such an ultrafast transmission electron microscope are characterized in detail. The microscope is based on a thermionic gun with a Wehnelt electrode and is operated in a stroboscopic photoelectron mode. It is shown that the Wehnelt bias has a decisive influence on the temporal and energy spread of the picosecond electron pulses. Depending on the shape of the cathode and the cathode-Wehnelt distance, different emission patterns with different pulse parameters are obtained. The energy spread of the pulses is determined by space charge and Boersch effects, given by the number of electrons in a pulse. However, filtering effects due to the chromatic aberrations of the Wehnelt electrode allow the extraction of pulses with narrow energy spreads. The temporal spread is governed by electron trajectories of different length and in different electrostatic potentials. High temporal resolution is obtained by excluding shank emission from the cathode and aberration-induced halos in the emission pattern. By varying the cathode-Wehnelt gap, the Wehnelt bias, and the number of photoelectrons in a pulse, tradeoffs between energy and temporal resolution as well as beam intensity can be made as needed for experiments. Based on the characterization of the electron pulses, the optimal conditions for the operation of ultrafast TEMs with thermionic gun assembly are elaborated. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Silver nanoparticle production by Rhizopus stolonifer and its antibacterial activity against extended spectrum {beta}-lactamase producing (ESBL) strains of Enterobacteriaceae

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Banu, Afreen; Rathod, Vandana, E-mail: drvandanarathod@rediffmail.com; Ranganath, E.

Highlights: {yields} Silver nanoparticle production by using Rhizopus stolonifer. {yields} Antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles against extended spectrum {beta}-lactamase producing (ESBL) strains of Enterobacteriaceae. {yields} Synergistic effect of antibiotics with silver nanoparticles towards ESBL-strains. {yields} Characterization of silver nanoparticles made by UV-vis spectra, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM). -- Abstract: This report focuses on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the fungus, Rhizopus stolonifer and its antimicrobial activity. Research in nanotechnology highlights the possibility of green chemistry pathways to produce technologically important nanomaterials. Characterization of newly synthesized silvermore » nanoparticles was made by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and atomic force microscope (AFM). TEM micrograph revealed the formation of spherical nanoparticles with size ranging between 3 and 20 nm. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) showed excellent antibacterial activity against ESBL-strains which includes E. coli, Proteus. sp. and Klebsiella sp.« less

Three-dimensional reconstruction of highly complex microscopic samples using scanning electron microscopy and optical flow estimation.

PubMed

Baghaie, Ahmadreza; Pahlavan Tafti, Ahmad; Owen, Heather A; D'Souza, Roshan M; Yu, Zeyun

2017-01-01

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) as one of the major research and industrial equipment for imaging of micro-scale samples and surfaces has gained extensive attention from its emerge. However, the acquired micrographs still remain two-dimensional (2D). In the current work a novel and highly accurate approach is proposed to recover the hidden third-dimension by use of multi-view image acquisition of the microscopic samples combined with pre/post-processing steps including sparse feature-based stereo rectification, nonlocal-based optical flow estimation for dense matching and finally depth estimation. Employing the proposed approach, three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of highly complex microscopic samples were achieved to facilitate the interpretation of topology and geometry of surface/shape attributes of the samples. As a byproduct of the proposed approach, high-definition 3D printed models of the samples can be generated as a tangible means of physical understanding. Extensive comparisons with the state-of-the-art reveal the strength and superiority of the proposed method in uncovering the details of the highly complex microscopic samples.

Synthesis and characterization of Ag@polycarbazole coaxial nanocables and their enhanced dispersion behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zahoor, Ahmad; Teng, Qiu; Wang, Haiqiao; Choudhry, M. A.; Li, Xiaoyu

2011-06-01

Ag@polycarbazole coaxial nanocables (CNCs) have been successfully fabricated by the oxidative polymerization of carbazole over Ag nanowires (NWs) in acetonitrile. The morphology of Ag NWs and CNCs was studied by employing a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM), which showed them to be a monodisperse material. The thickness of the polymer sheath was found to be 5 nm to 8 nm by observation under a high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM). Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), FT-IR and Raman measurements were used to characterize the polymer sheath, which demonstrated it to be a carbon material in polycarbazole form. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used for an interfacial study, which revealed that Ag surface atoms remained intact during polymer growth. In the end, zeta potential showed that the dispersion stability of Ag NWs increased due to polymer encapsulation, which is significant to obtain a particular alignment for anisotropic measurement of electrical conductivity.

The trajectories of secondary electrons in the scanning electron microscope.

PubMed

Konvalina, Ivo; Müllerová, Ilona

2006-01-01

Three-dimensional simulations of the trajectories of secondary electrons (SE) in the scanning electron microscope have been performed for plenty of real configurations of the specimen chamber, including all its basic components. The primary purpose was to evaluate the collection efficiency of the Everhart-Thornley detector of SE and to reveal fundamental rules for tailoring the set-ups in which efficient signal acquisition can be expected. Intuitive realizations about the easiness of attracting the SEs towards the biased front grid of the detector have shown themselves likely as false, and all grounded objects in the chamber have been proven to influence the spatial distribution of the signal-extracting field. The role of the magnetic field penetrating from inside the objective lens is shown to play an ambiguous role regarding possible support for the signal collection.

Synthesis, characterization, in vitro anti-proliferative and hemolytic activity of hydroxyapatite.

PubMed

Palanivelu, R; Ruban Kumar, A

2014-06-05

Hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, HAP) nanoparticles are widely used in several biomedical applications due to its compositional similarities to bone mineral, excellent biocompatibility and bioactivity, osteoconductivity. In this present investigation, HAP nanoparticles synthesized by precipitation technique using calcium nitrate and di-ammonium phosphate. The crystalline nature and the functional group analysis are confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy (FT-Raman) respectively. The morphological observations are ascertained from field emission electron scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). In vitro anti-proliferative and hemolytic activities are carried out on the synthesized HAP samples and the studies reveals that HAP have mild activity against erythrocytes. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cometary particles - Thin sectioning and electron beam analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bradley, J. P.; Brownlee, D. E.

1986-01-01

Thin sections (500 to 1000 angstroms thick) of individual micrometeorites (5 to 15 micrometers) have been prepared with an ultramicrotome equipped with a diamond knife. Electron microscope examination of these sections has revealed the internal structures of chondritic micrometeorites, and a subset of highly porous, fragile particles has been identified. Delicate meteoritic materials such as these are characteristic of debris from cometary meteors.

Electron microscopy of the nuclear membrane of Amoeba proteus.

PubMed

FRAJOLA, W J; GREIDER, M H; KOSTIR, W J

1956-07-25

An electron microscope study of the nuclear membrane of Amoeba proteus by thin sectioning techniques has revealed an ultrastructure in the outer layer of the membrane that is homologous to the pores and annuli observed in the nuclear membranes of many other cell types studied by these techniques. An inner honeycombed layer apparently unique to Amoeba proteus is also described.

Scanning nuclear resonance imaging of a hyperfine-coupled quantum Hall system.

PubMed

Hashimoto, Katsushi; Tomimatsu, Toru; Sato, Ken; Hirayama, Yoshiro

2018-06-07

Nuclear resonance (NR) is widely used to detect and characterise nuclear spin polarisation and conduction electron spin polarisation coupled by a hyperfine interaction. While the macroscopic aspects of such hyperfine-coupled systems have been addressed in most relevant studies, the essential role of local variation in both types of spin polarisation has been indicated in 2D semiconductor systems. In this study, we apply a recently developed local and highly sensitive NR based on a scanning probe to a hyperfine-coupled quantum Hall (QH) system in a 2D electron gas subject to a strong magnetic field. We succeed in imaging the NR intensity and Knight shift, uncovering the spatial distribution of both the nuclear and electron spin polarisation. The results reveal the microscopic origin of the nonequilibrium QH phenomena, and highlight the potential use of our technique in microscopic studies on various electron spin systems as well as their correlations with nuclear spins.

Low temperature synthesis of coiled carbon nanotubes and their magnetic properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krishna, Vemula Mohana; Somanathan, T.; Manikandan, E.

2018-04-01

In this paper, coiled like structure of carbon nanotubes (c-CNTs) have been effectively grown on bi-metal substituted α-alumina nanoparticles catalyst by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system. Highly graphitized and dense bundles of carbon product were attained at a low temperature of 550 °C. The coiled carbon nanostructures in very longer lengths were noticed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) observation. Furthermore, high purity material was achieved, which correlates the energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. High resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) revealed the diameter and graphitization of coiled structures. The superparamagnetic like behavior was observed at room temperature for the as-synthesized product, which was found by VSM investigation.

Ultrastructural changes in tracheal epithelial cells exposed to oxygen

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Philpott, D. E.; Harrison, G. A.; Turnbill, C.; Black, S.

1977-01-01

White albino rats were sacrificed after 24, 36, 48, 72, and 96 h of exposure to 100% O2 at 1 atm. Tissue was prepared for the scanning electron microscope (SEM) by Critical Point Drying and for the transmission electron microscope (TEM) by plastic embedding. Scanning microscopy showed a loss of microvilli after 48 h of exposure. Cilia appeared relatively normal with SEM, but TEM revealed changes in the outer membrane. In TEM, nonciliated cells appeared swollen and often encroached on the ciliated cells. A heavy mucous blanket remained even after processing. All the changes observed that are induced by oxygen exposure contribute to mucostasis, reducing and/or halting mucociliary clearance.

Scanning electron microscopic study on the microarchitecture of the vascular system in the pigeon lung.

PubMed

Nasu, Tetsuo

2005-10-01

The resin casts of the respiratory and vascular systems in pigeon lung were examined using a scanning electron microscope. The primary bronchi branched to form many secondary bronchi that anastomosed with each other via the parabronchi. Numerous infundibula protruded from the parabronchi via the atria and ramified into the air capillaries. The pulmonary artery entered into the lung and branched into three vessels that coursed the interparabronchial parts. The intraparabronchial arterioles penetrated the gas-exchange tissue to form the anastomosing networks of blood capillaries. The observation of the double casts of the respiratory and vascular systems revealed three-dimensional complicated networks of air capillaries and blood capillaries.

Structural and optical properties of ZnO nanorods synthesized via template free approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kajal, Priyanka; D, Pooja; Jaggi, Neena

2016-06-01

In this paper, we report a novel method for synthesis of semiconducting ZnO nanorods using Zinc acetate dehydrate precursor in a methanol—de-ionized (1:5) mixture via template free approach. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images of as synthesized nanorods revealed hexagonal symmetry of rods, whereas x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis for structure and phase has shown high crystallinity with wurtzite crystal structure. The structural characterization by FT-IR analysis revealed presence of various groups on as synthesized ZnO nanorods, whereas the UV-Vis analysis has shown a blue shift in the absorption spectra as compared to bulk ZnO due to quantum confinement of charge carriers. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy study has also been performed revealing a good degree of phosphorescence in the ZnO nanorods. Further, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that as synthesized nanorods by present method are highly stable at high temperature (1000 °C). This study provides an alternative, less expensive and a very simple method for the fabrication of ZnO nanorods in abundance, which can be further used for various sensing applications, in particular, gas sensing.

Parallel nano-assembling of a multifunctional GO/HapNP coating on ultrahigh-purity magnesium for biodegradable implants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santos, C.; Piedade, C.; Uggowitzer, P. J.; Montemor, M. F.; Carmezim, M. J.

2015-08-01

This work reports the one-step fabrication of a novel coating on ultra high purity magnesium using a parallel nano assembling process. The multifunctional biodegradable surface was obtained by adding hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HapNP) plus graphene oxide (GO). The coating was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), micro-Raman spectroscopy. The thin phosphate coating (thickness of 1 μm) reveals a uniform coverage with cypress like structures. The incorporation of HapNP and GO promotes the hydrophilic behavior of the coating surface. The results revealed that the proposed coating can be used to tailor the surface properties such as wettability by adjusting the contents of HapNP and GO. The in vitro degradation rate of the coated magnesium suggests that the presence of HapNP and GO/HapNP in the phosphate coating decreased the current density compared to the single phosphate coating and uncoated magnesium. This study also reveals the HapNP/GO/phosphate coating induces apatite formation, showing suitable degradability that makes it a promising coating candidate for enhanced bone regeneration.

Contributed review: Review of integrated correlative light and electron microscopy.

PubMed

Timmermans, F J; Otto, C

2015-01-01

New developments in the field of microscopy enable to acquire increasing amounts of information from large sample areas and at an increased resolution. Depending on the nature of the technique, the information may reveal morphological, structural, chemical, and still other sample characteristics. In research fields, such as cell biology and materials science, there is an increasing demand to correlate these individual levels of information and in this way to obtain a better understanding of sample preparation and specific sample properties. To address this need, integrated systems were developed that combine nanometer resolution electron microscopes with optical microscopes, which produce chemically or label specific information through spectroscopy. The complementary information from electron microscopy and light microscopy presents an opportunity to investigate a broad range of sample properties in a correlated fashion. An important part of correlating the differences in information lies in bridging the different resolution and image contrast features. The trend to analyse samples using multiple correlated microscopes has resulted in a new research field. Current research is focused, for instance, on (a) the investigation of samples with nanometer scale distribution of inorganic and organic materials, (b) live cell analysis combined with electron microscopy, and (c) in situ spectroscopic and electron microscopy analysis of catalytic materials, but more areas will benefit from integrated correlative microscopy.

Atomic-scale diffractive imaging of sub-cycle electron dynamics in condensed matter

PubMed Central

Yakovlev, Vladislav S.; Stockman, Mark I.; Krausz, Ferenc; Baum, Peter

2015-01-01

For interaction of light with condensed-matter systems, we show with simulations that ultrafast electron and X-ray diffraction can provide a time-dependent record of charge-density maps with sub-cycle and atomic-scale resolutions. Using graphene as an example material, we predict that diffraction can reveal localised atomic-scale origins of optical and electronic phenomena. In particular, we point out nontrivial relations between microscopic electric current and density in undoped graphene. PMID:26412407

Atomic-scale diffractive imaging of sub-cycle electron dynamics in condensed matter

DOE PAGES

Yakovlev, Vladislav S.; Stockman, Mark I.; Krausz, Ferenc; ...

2015-09-28

For interaction of light with condensed-matter systems, we show with simulations that ultrafast electron and X-ray diffraction can provide a time-dependent record of charge-density maps with sub-cycle and atomic-scale resolutions. Using graphene as an example material, we predict that diffraction can reveal localised atomic-scale origins of optical and electronic phenomena. Here, we point out nontrivial relations between microscopic electric current and density in undoped graphene.

Possible etiology of calculi formation in salivary glands: biophysical analysis of calculus.

PubMed

Mimura, Masafumi; Tanaka, Nobuyuki; Ichinose, Shizuko; Kimijima, Yutaka; Amagasa, Teruo

2005-09-01

Sialolithiasis is one of the common diseases of the salivary glands. It was speculated that, in the process of calculi formation, degenerative substances are emitted by saliva and calcification then occurs around these substances, and finally calculi are formed. However, the exact mechanism of the formation of calculi is still unclear. In this study, we identify some possible etiologies of calculi formation in salivary glands through biophysical analysis. Calculi from 13 patients with submandibular sialolithiasis were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microanalyzer, and electron diffraction. Transmission electron microscopic observation of calculi was performed in the submandibular gland (n = 13). In 3 of the 13 cases, a number of mitochondria-like structures and lysosomes were found near calcified materials. Scanning electron microscopic examination of these materials revealed that there were lamellar and concentric structures and that the degree of calcification was different among the calculi. X-ray microanalysis disclosed the component elements in the calculi to be Ca, P, S, Na, etc., and the main constituents were Ca and P. The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio was 1.60-1.89. Analysis of the area including mitochondria-like structures, lysosomes, and the fibrous structures by electron diffraction revealed the presence of hydroxyapatite and calcified materials. It is speculated that mitochondria and lysosomal bodies from the ductal system of the submandibular gland are an etiological source for calcification in the salivary gland.

Plasma sprayed Fe(76)Nd(16)B(8) permanent magnets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Overfelt, R. A.; Anderson, C. D.; Flanagan, W. F.

1986-01-01

Thin coatings (0.16 mm) and thick coatings (0.50 mm) of Fe(76)Nd(16)B(8) were deposited on stainless-steel substrates by low pressure plasma spraying. Microscopic examination of the coatings in a light microscope revealed excessive porosity, but good bonding to the substrate. Fracture cross sections examined in a scanning electron microscope showed the grains to be equiaxed and approximately 1 micron or less in diameter in the as-sprayed condition. The intrinsic coercivities of the as-sprayed coatings varied from 5.8 to 10.9 kOe. The effects of postspray heat treatments on the intrinsic coercivity are also given.

Science 101: How Does an Electron Microscope Work?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robertson, Bill

2013-01-01

Contrary to popular opinion, electron microscopes are not used to look at electrons. They are used to look for structure in things that are too small to observe with an optical microscope, or to obtain images that are magnified much more than is obtainable with an optical microscope. To understand how electron microscopes work, it will help to go…

Scanning electron microscopy of a pink inclusion from the Allende meteorite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grossman, L.; Fruland, R. M.; Mckay, D. S.

1975-01-01

A scanning electron microscope study of a fine-grained, pin, Ca-rich inclusion from the Allende meteorite has revealed strong evidence for direct condensation of its constituent minerals from a vapor. This observation extends to the alkali-bearing phases in addition to the Ca-, Al-silicates and suggests that the feldspathoids as well as the refractory silicates are solar nebular condensates.

Tunneling-Electron-Induced Light Emission from Single Gold Nanoclusters.

PubMed

Yu, Arthur; Li, Shaowei; Czap, Gregory; Ho, W

2016-09-14

The coupling of tunneling electrons with the tip-nanocluster-substrate junction plasmon was investigated by monitoring light emission in a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). Gold atoms were evaporated onto the ∼5 Å thick Al2O3 thin film grown on the NiAl (110) surface where they formed nanoclusters 3-7 nm wide. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) of these nanoclusters revealed quantum-confined electronic states. Spatially resolved photon imaging showed localized emission hot spots. Size dependent study and light emission from nanocluster dimers further support the viewpoint that coupling of tunneling electrons to the junction plasmon is the main radiative mechanism. These results showed the potential of the STM to reveal the electronic and optical properties of nanoscale metallic systems in the confined geometry of the tunnel junction.

Three-dimensional characterization of extreme ultraviolet mask blank defects by interference contrast photoemission electron microscopy.

PubMed

Lin, Jingquan; Weber, Nils; Escher, Matthias; Maul, Jochen; Han, Hak-Seung; Merkel, Michael; Wurm, Stefan; Schönhense, Gerd; Kleineberg, Ulf

2008-09-29

A photoemission electron microscope based on a new contrast mechanism "interference contrast" is applied to characterize extreme ultraviolet lithography mask blank defects. Inspection results show that positioning of interference destructive condition (node of standing wave field) on surface of multilayer in the local region of a phase defect is necessary to obtain best visibility of the defect on mask blank. A comparative experiment reveals superiority of the interference contrast photoemission electron microscope (Extreme UV illumination) over a topographic contrast one (UV illumination with Hg discharge lamp) in detecting extreme ultraviolet mask blank phase defects. A depth-resolved detection of a mask blank defect, either by measuring anti-node peak shift in the EUV-PEEM image under varying inspection wavelength condition or by counting interference fringes with a fixed illumination wavelength, is discussed.

Amphibian ocular malformation associated with frog virus 3.

PubMed

Burton, Elizabeth C; Miller, Debra L; Styer, Eloise L; Gray, Matthew J

2008-09-01

During an on-going amphibian ecology study, a free-ranging American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) metamorph was captured in a pitfall trap adjacent to a constructed farm pond at the Plateau Research and Education Center (PREC) on the Cumberland Plateau near Crossville, Tennessee, USA. Grossly, the right eye was approximately 50% the size of the left. Stereo and light microscopic examination revealed two granulomas within the orbit. Electron microscopic examination revealed virus particles scattered throughout one structure but mostly aggregated toward the center. Subsequent PCR and sequencing (GenBank accession Number EF175670) confirmed frog virus 3 (FV3). This represents the first report of a malformation in an anuran associated with FV3.

Nondestructive determination of the depth of planar p-n junctions by scanning electron microscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chi, J.-Y.; Gatos, H. C.

1977-01-01

A method was developed for measuring nondestructively the depth of planar p-n junctions in simple devices as well as in integrated-circuit structures with the electron-beam induced current (EBIC) by scanning parallel to the junction in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results were found to be in good agreement with those obtained by the commonly used destructive method of lapping at an angle to the junction and staining to reveal the junction.

[Syphilitic pleuritis. Description of a clinical case].

PubMed

Cattini, G C; Greco, N; Tosto, L; Falcieri, E; Biagini, G

1983-02-25

A rare case of luetic pleurisy diagnosed in a patient with tertiary syphilis, when the aetiological agent was discovered in the pleuritic exudate is described. The spirochaetes, first revealed by dark field microscopy, were studied further under the electron microscope, using negative colouring and fine sections.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gao, Shan, E-mail: coralgao@hotmail.com; Engineering Ceramics Key Laboratory of Shandong Province, Shandong University, Jinan 250061; Sun, Kangning, E-mail: sunkangning@sdu.edu.cn

Highlights: ► We succeeded in synthesizing hydroxyapatite nano fibers by a chemical method. ► The reaction temperature is only 90 °C. ► The synthetic hydroxyapatite nano fiber is single crystal. - Abstract: We report a novel chemical precipitation route for the synthesis of hydroxyapatite (Ca{sub 10}(PO{sub 4}){sub 6}(OH){sub 2}, HA) fibers using surfactants as templates. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) reveal the characteristic peaks of HA. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and high-resolution TEM revealed the nano structure, crystallinity and morphology of the HA fibers. The morphology of the HA fibers after calcinations were characterized bymore » scanning electron microscope (SEM). Br{sup −} ions were quickly replaced by the excess PO{sub 4}{sup 3−} ions in the solution after the addition of cetyltrime-thylammonium bromide (CTAB). Meanwhile, CTAB formed a rod-like micelles. Precursors reacted with PO{sub 4}{sup 3−} at the surface of CTAB micelles and finally formed the nanofiber structure.« less

A crypto-lymphatic unit at the uvula of the monkey Macaca fascicularis. A light- and electron-microscopic study.

PubMed

Nair, P N

1983-01-01

A crypto-lymphatic unit was observed at the left lateral aspect of the uvula of a mature female monkey, Macaca fascicularis. A light- and transmission electron-microscopic investigation revealed that the lumen of the crypt was filled with bacteria, desquamated epithelial cells, lymphocytes and neutrophils. The non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium of the crypt was fragmented and showed heavy mononuclear cell infiltration and surface discontinuities, exposing lymphoid cells to foreign material. The lymphatic parenchyma consisted of organized lymphatic tissue including germinal centres. The resident cell population included lymphocytes of varying size, blastforming B- and T-lymphocytes and two types of reticular cells resembling the fibroblastic reticulum cell and the follicular dendritic cell, respectively. Occasionally granulocytes were encountered. At its base and laterally the crypto-lymphatic unit was ensheathed by a thin connective tissue capsule. Three other monkeys of the same species failed to reveal similar structures at the same site.

An ultrastructural study on corkscrew hairs and cigarette-ash-shaped hairs observed by dermoscopy of tinea capitis.

PubMed

Lu, Mao; Ran, Yuping; Dai, Yaling; Lei, Song; Zhang, Chaoliang; Zhuang, Kaiwen; Hu, Wenying

2016-01-01

This study was aimed to explain the formation mechanisms of corkscrew hairs and cigarette-ash-shaped hairs observed by dermoscopy of tinea capitis. In the present work, the ultrastructure of the involved hairs collected from a girl with tinea capitis caused by Trichophyton violaceum was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). SEM observation of the corkscrew hair revealed bent hair shaft and asymmetrically disrupted cuticle layer. TEM findings demonstrated the hair shaft became weak. The corkscrew hairs closely covered by scales on the scalp were observed under dermoscopy. We speculate that the formation of corkscrew hairs is a result of a combination of internal damage due to hair degradation by T. violaceum and external resistance due to scales covering the hair. SEM observation of the cigarette-ash-shaped hair revealed irregularly disrupted and incompact end, which might represent the stump of the broken corkscrew hair after treatment. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Demonstration of bacterial biofilms in culture-negative silicone stent and jones tube.

PubMed

Parsa, Kami; Schaudinn, Christoph; Gorur, Amita; Sedghizadeh, Parish P; Johnson, Thomas; Tse, David T; Costerton, John W

2010-01-01

To demonstrate the presence of bacterial biofilms on a dacryocystorhinostomy silicone stent and a Jones tube. One dacryocystorhinostomy silicone stent and one Jones tube were removed from 2 patients who presented with an infection of their respective nasolacrimal system. Cultures were obtained, and the implants were processed for scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy, advanced microscopic methods that are applicable for detection of uncultivable biofilm organisms. Routine bacterial cultures revealed no growth, but bacterial biofilms on outer and inner surfaces of both implants were confirmed by advanced microscopic techniques. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first article that documents the presence of biofilms on a Crawford stent or a Jones tube on patients who presented with infections involving the nasolacrimal system. Although initial cultures revealed absence of any bacterial growth, confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy documented bacterial colonization. Clinicians should consider the role of biofilms and the limitation of our standard culturing techniques while treating patients with device- or implant-related infections.

Automatic Focus Adjustment of a Microscope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huntsberger, Terrance

2005-01-01

AUTOFOCUS is a computer program for use in a control system that automatically adjusts the position of an instrument arm that carries a microscope equipped with an electronic camera. In the original intended application of AUTOFOCUS, the imaging microscope would be carried by an exploratory robotic vehicle on a remote planet, but AUTOFOCUS could also be adapted to similar applications on Earth. Initially control software other than AUTOFOCUS brings the microscope to a position above a target to be imaged. Then the instrument arm is moved to lower the microscope toward the target: nominally, the target is approached from a starting distance of 3 cm in 10 steps of 3 mm each. After each step, the image in the camera is subjected to a wavelet transform, which is used to evaluate the texture in the image at multiple scales to determine whether and by how much the microscope is approaching focus. A focus measure is derived from the transform and used to guide the arm to bring the microscope to the focal height. When the analysis reveals that the microscope is in focus, image data are recorded and transmitted.

In-situ deformation studies of an aluminum metal-matrix composite in a scanning electron microscope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manoharan, M.; Lewandowski, J. J.

1989-01-01

Tensile specimens made of a metal-matrix composite (cast and extruded aluminum alloy-based matrix reinforced with Al2O3 particulate) were tested in situ in a scanning electron microscope equipped with a deformation stage, to directly monitor the crack propagation phenomenon. The in situ SEM observations revealed the presence of microcracks both ahead of and near the crack-tip region. The microcracks were primarily associated with cracks in the alumina particles. The results suggest that a region of intense deformation exists ahead of the crack and corresponds to the region of microcracking. As the crack progresses, a region of plastically deformed material and associated microcracks remains in the wake of the crack.

Density-matrix approach for the electroluminescence of molecules in a scanning tunneling microscope.

PubMed

Tian, Guangjun; Liu, Ji-Cai; Luo, Yi

2011-04-29

The electroluminescence (EL) of molecules confined inside a nanocavity in the scanning tunneling microscope possesses many intriguing but unexplained features. We present here a general theoretical approach based on the density-matrix formalism to describe the EL from molecules near a metal surface induced by both electron tunneling and localized surface plasmon excitations simultaneously. It reveals the underlying physical mechanism for the external bias dependent EL. The important role played by the localized surface plasmon on the EL is highlighted. Calculations for porphyrin derivatives have reproduced corresponding experimental spectra and nicely explained the observed unusual large variation of emission spectral profiles. This general theoretical approach can find many applications in the design of molecular electronic and photonic devices.

[Morphofunctional properties of the peripheral blood and bone marrow cells of rats following a flight on board the Kosmos-936 biosatellite].

PubMed

Kozinets, G I; Korol'kov, V I; Britvan, I I; Bykova, I A; Spitsyna, N E

1983-01-01

Morphofunctional properties of peripheral blood cells of Cosmos-936 rats were examined, using morphological, interferometric and electron microscopic techniques. As follows from the morphological data, immediately after recovery the weightless rats showed symptoms of a stress reaction which disappeared by R+3. The centrifuged rats exhibited less expressed symptoms of this sort. The percentage of bone marrow cell distribution was shifted towards enhanced myelopoiesis and diminished erythropoiesis. By the end of the readaptation period the ratio of bone marrow cell composition returned to normal. Interferometric and electron microscopic examinations did not reveal any irreversible changes in the structure and function of cells that may be caused by zero-g.

Comparative study of image contrast in scanning electron microscope and helium ion microscope.

PubMed

O'Connell, R; Chen, Y; Zhang, H; Zhou, Y; Fox, D; Maguire, P; Wang, J J; Rodenburg, C

2017-12-01

Images of Ga + -implanted amorphous silicon layers in a 110 n-type silicon substrate have been collected by a range of detectors in a scanning electron microscope and a helium ion microscope. The effects of the implantation dose and imaging parameters (beam energy, dwell time, etc.) on the image contrast were investigated. We demonstrate a similar relationship for both the helium ion microscope Everhart-Thornley and scanning electron microscope Inlens detectors between the contrast of the images and the Ga + density and imaging parameters. These results also show that dynamic charging effects have a significant impact on the quantification of the helium ion microscope and scanning electron microscope contrast. © 2017 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2017 Royal Microscopical Society.

The preparation of nanosized polyethylene particles via novel heterogeneous non-metallocene catalyst (m-CH3PhO)TiCl3/CNTs/AlEt3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, J.; Guo, J. P.; Yi, J. J.; Huang, Q. G.; Li, H. M.; Li, Y. F.; Gao, K. J.; Yang, W. T.

2014-08-01

This paper reports the preparation of coral-shaped topological morphology nascent polyethylene (PE) particles promoted by the novel heterogeneous non-metallocene catalyst (m-CH3PhO)TiCl3/carbon nanotubes (CNTs), with AlEt3 used as a cocatalyst. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) emission spectroscopy were used to determine the morphology of the catalyst particles and the content of (m-CH3PhO)TiCl3. The carbon nanotube surface was treated with Grignard Reagent prior to reacting with (m-CH3PhO)TiCl3. The catalyst system could effectively catalyze ethylene polymerization and ethylene with 1- hexene copolymerization, the catalytic activity could reach up to 5.8 kg/((gTi)h). Morphology of the obtained polymer particles by SEM and HR-TEM technique revealed that the nascent polyethylene particles looked like coral shape in micro-size. The multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) supported catalysts polymerized ethylene to form polymer nanocomposite in situ. The microscopic examination of this nanocomposite revealed that carbon nanoparticles in PE matrix had a good distribution and the cryogenically fractured surface was ductile-like when polymerization time was 2 min.

Three-dimensional fine structure of the organization of microtubules in neurite varicosities by ultra-high voltage electron microscope tomography.

PubMed

Nishida, Tomoki; Yoshimura, Ryoichi; Endo, Yasuhisa

2017-09-01

Neurite varicosities are highly specialized compartments that are involved in neurotransmitter/ neuromodulator release and provide a physiological platform for neural functions. However, it remains unclear how microtubule organization contributes to the form of varicosity. Here, we examine the three-dimensional structure of microtubules in varicosities of a differentiated PC12 neural cell line using ultra-high voltage electron microscope tomography. Three-dimensional imaging showed that a part of the varicosities contained an accumulation of organelles that were separated from parallel microtubule arrays. Further detailed analysis using serial sections and whole-mount tomography revealed microtubules running in a spindle shape of swelling in some other types of varicosities. These electron tomographic results showed that the structural diversity and heterogeneity of microtubule organization supported the form of varicosities, suggesting that a different distribution pattern of microtubules in varicosities is crucial to the regulation of varicosities development.

HISTOLOGIC, IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL, AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF A MALIGNANT IRIDOPHOROMA IN A DWARF BEARDED DRAGON (POGONA HENRYLAWSONI).

PubMed

de Brot, Simone; Sydler, Titus; Nufer, Lisbeth; Ruetten, Maja

2015-09-01

A dwarf bearded dragon (Pogona henrylawsoni) was presented with a white subcutaneous mandibular mass and multiple nodules in the oral mucosa, heart, liver, kidney, intestine, and visceral fat. Histologically, the tumor consisted of densely packed spindle-shaped cells with brow intracytoplasmic pigment that exhibited white-blue birefringence with polarized light. Immunohistochemical staining was negative for S-100 and weakly positive with melan A. Electron microscopic examination revealed cytoplasmic irregular and oblong empty spaces, laminated and often arranged into short stacks, compatible with reflecting platelet profiles typically seen in iridophores. However, in unstained ultrathin sections, electron-dense crystalline material was present, which filled the empty spaces described for stained sections before. Based on histology, immunohistochemistry, and biologic behavior, a malignant iridophoroma was diagnosed. To the authors' knowledge, iridophoromas in lizards have rarely been characterized by using electronic microscopy. Moreover, this is the first description of an iridophoroma in a dwarf bearded dragon.

Identification of two new phylogenetically distant phytoplasmas from Senna surattensis plants exhibiting stem fasciation and shoot proliferation symptoms

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Sunshine trees (Senna surattensis Burm.) exhibiting unusual stem fasciation symptoms were observed in Yunnan, China. Morphological abnormalities of the affected plants included enlargement and flattening of stems and excessive proliferation of shoots. An electron microscopic investigation revealed...

ß-Ga2O3 nanorod synthesis with a one-step microwave irradiation hydrothermal method and its efficient photocatalytic degradation for perfluorooctanoic acid.

PubMed

Zhao, Baoxiu; Li, Xiang; Yang, Long; Wang, Fen; Li, Jincheng; Xia, Wenxiang; Li, Weijiang; Zhou, Li; Zhao, Colin

2015-01-01

ß-Ga2O3 nanorod was first directly prepared by the microwave irradiation hydrothermal way without any subsequent heat treatments, and its characterizations were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), UV-Vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy techniques, and also its photocatalytic degradation for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was investigated. XRD patterns revealed that ß-Ga2O3 crystallization increased with the enhancement of microwave power and the adding of active carbon (AC). PFOA, as an environmental and persistent pollutant, is hard decomposed by hydroxyl radicals (HO·); however, it is facilely destroyed by ß-Ga2O3 photocatalytic reaction in an anaerobic atmosphere. The important factors such as pH, ß-Ga2O3 dosage and bubbling atmosphere were researched, and the degradation and defluorination was 98.8% and 56.2%, respectively. Reductive atmosphere reveals that photoinduced electron may be the major reactant for PFOA. Furthermore, the degradation kinetics for PFOA was simulated and constant and half-life was calculated, respectively. © 2014 The American Society of Photobiology.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Timmermans, F. J.; Otto, C.

New developments in the field of microscopy enable to acquire increasing amounts of information from large sample areas and at an increased resolution. Depending on the nature of the technique, the information may reveal morphological, structural, chemical, and still other sample characteristics. In research fields, such as cell biology and materials science, there is an increasing demand to correlate these individual levels of information and in this way to obtain a better understanding of sample preparation and specific sample properties. To address this need, integrated systems were developed that combine nanometer resolution electron microscopes with optical microscopes, which produce chemicallymore » or label specific information through spectroscopy. The complementary information from electron microscopy and light microscopy presents an opportunity to investigate a broad range of sample properties in a correlated fashion. An important part of correlating the differences in information lies in bridging the different resolution and image contrast features. The trend to analyse samples using multiple correlated microscopes has resulted in a new research field. Current research is focused, for instance, on (a) the investigation of samples with nanometer scale distribution of inorganic and organic materials, (b) live cell analysis combined with electron microscopy, and (c) in situ spectroscopic and electron microscopy analysis of catalytic materials, but more areas will benefit from integrated correlative microscopy.« less

Large area fabrication of plasmonic nanoparticle grating structure by conventional scanning electron microscope

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sudheer,, E-mail: sudheer@rrcat.gov.in; Tiwari, P.; Rai, V. N.

Plasmonic nanoparticle grating (PNG) structure of different periods has been fabricated by electron beam lithography using silver halide based transmission electron microscope film as a substrate. Conventional scanning electron microscope is used as a fabrication tool for electron beam lithography. Optical microscope and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) have been used for its morphological and elemental characterization. Optical characterization is performed by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopic technique.

Protein immobilization onto electrochemically synthesized CoFe nanowires

PubMed Central

Torati, Sri Ramulu; Reddy, Venu; Yoon, Seok Soo; Kim, CheolGi

2015-01-01

CoFe nanowires have been synthesized by the electrodeposition technique into the pores of a polycarbonate membrane with a nominal pore diameter of 50 nm, and the composition of CoFe nanowires varying by changing the source concentration of iron. The synthesized nanowire surfaces were functionalized with amine groups by treatment with aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) linker, and then conjugated with streptavidin-Cy3 protein via ethyl (dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide coupling chemistry. The oxide surface of CoFe nanowire is easily modified with aminopropyltriethoxysilane to form an amine terminating group, which is covalently bonded to streptavidin-Cy3 protein. The physicochemical properties of the nanowires were analyzed through different characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer. Fluorescence microscopic studies and Fourier transform infrared studies confirmed the immobilization of protein on the nanowire surface. In addition, the transmission electron microscope analysis reveals the thin protein layer which is around 12–15 nm on the nanowire surfaces. PMID:25609966

Unravelling the secret of seed-based gels in water: the nanoscale 3D network formation.

PubMed

Samateh, Malick; Pottackal, Neethu; Manafirasi, Setareh; Vidyasagar, Adiyala; Maldarelli, Charles; John, George

2018-05-09

Chia (Salvia hispanica) and basil (Ocimum basilicum) seeds have the intrinsic ability to form a hydrogel concomitant with moisture-retention, slow releasing capability and proposed health benefits such as curbing diabetes and obesity by delaying digestion process. However, the underlying mode of gelation at nanoscopic level is not clearly explained or explored. The present study elucidates and corroborates the hypothesis that the gelling behavior of such seeds is due to their nanoscale 3D-network formation. The preliminary study revealed the influence of several conditions like polarity, pH and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity on fiber extrusion from the seeds which leads to gelation. Optical microscopic analysis clearly demonstrated bundles of fibers emanating from the seed coat while in contact with water, and live growth of fibers to form 3D network. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) studies confirmed 3D network formation with fiber diameters ranging from 20 to 50 nm.

Transmission electron microscope CCD camera

DOEpatents

Downing, Kenneth H.

1999-01-01

In order to improve the performance of a CCD camera on a high voltage electron microscope, an electron decelerator is inserted between the microscope column and the CCD. This arrangement optimizes the interaction of the electron beam with the scintillator of the CCD camera while retaining optimization of the microscope optics and of the interaction of the beam with the specimen. Changing the electron beam energy between the specimen and camera allows both to be optimized.

Imaia, a new truffle genus to accommodate TerJezia gigantea

Treesearch

Gabor M. Kovacs; James M. Trappe; Abulmagid Alsheikh; Karoly Boka

2008-01-01

Originally described from Japan by Sanshi Imai in 1933, the hypogeous ascomycete Terjezia gigantea was subsequently discovered in the Appalachian Mountains of the USA. Morphological, electron microscopic, and phylogenetic studies of specimens collected in both regions revealed that, despite this huge geographic disjunction, (1) the Japanese and...

ELECTRON MICROSCOPE AND X-RAY DIFFRACTION STUDIES ON A HOMOLOGOUS SERIES OF SATURATED PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINES.

PubMed

ELBERS, P F; VERVERGAERT, P H

1965-05-01

Three homologous saturated phosphatidylcholines were studied by electron microscopy after tricomplex fixation. The results are compared with those obtained by x-ray diffraction analysis of the same and some other homologous compounds, in the dry crystalline state and after tricomplex fixation. By electron microscopy alternating dark and light bands are observed which are likely to correspond to phosphatide double layers. X-Ray diffraction reveals the presence of lamellar structures of regular spacing. The layer spacings obtained by both methods are in good agreement. From the electron micrographs the width of the polar parts of the double layers can be derived directly. The width of the carboxylglycerylphosphorylcholine moiety of the layers is found by extrapolating the x-ray diffraction data to zero chain length of the fatty acids. When from this width the contribution of the carboxylglyceryl part of the molecules is subtracted, again we find good agreement with the electron microscope measurements. An attempt has been made to account for the different layer spacings measured in terms of orientation of the molecules within the double layers.

Micromorphology of sialoliths in submandibular salivary gland: a scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction analysis.

PubMed

Kasaboğlu, Oğuzcan; Er, Nuray; Tümer, Celal; Akkocaoğlu, Murat

2004-10-01

Sialoliths are common in the submandibular gland and its duct system. The exact cause of formation of a sialolith is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to analyze 6 sialoliths ultrastructurally to determine their development mechanism in the submandibular salivary glands. Six sialoliths retrieved from the hilus and duct of the submandibular salivary glands of 6 patients with sialadenitis were analyzed ultrastructurally by scanning electron microscope and x-ray diffractometer. Scanning electron microscope revealed mainly irregular, partly rudely hexagonal, needle-like and plate-shaped crystals. The cross-section from the surface to the inner part of the sialoliths showed no organic material. X-ray diffraction showed that the sialoliths were composed of hydroxyapatite crystals. Energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis showed that all of the samples contained high levels of Ca and P, and small amounts of Mg, Na, Cl, Si, Fe, and K. The main structures of the submandibular sialoliths were found to be hydroxyapatite crystals. No organic cores were observed in the central parts of the sialoliths. In accordance with these preliminary results, sialoliths in the submandibular salivary glands may arise secondary to sialadenitis, but not via a luminal organic nidus.

Quantitative and structural analyses of the in vitro and ex vivo biofilm-forming ability of dermatophytes.

PubMed

Brilhante, Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira; Correia, Edmilson Emanuel Monteiro; Guedes, Glaucia Morgana de Melo; Pereira, Vandbergue Santos; Oliveira, Jonathas Sales de; Bandeira, Silviane Praciano; Alencar, Lucas Pereira de; Andrade, Ana Raquel Colares de; Castelo-Branco, Débora de Souza Collares Maia; Cordeiro, Rossana de Aguiar; Pinheiro, Adriana de Queiroz; Chaves, Lúcio Jackson Queiroz; Pereira Neto, Waldemiro de Aquino; Sidrim, José Júlio Costa; Rocha, Marcos Fábio Gadelha

2017-07-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro and ex vivo biofilm-forming ability of dermatophytes on a nail fragment. Initially, four isolates of Trichophyton rubrum, six of Trichophyton tonsurans, three of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, ten of Microsporum canis and three of Microsporum gypseum were tested for production biomass by crystal violet assay. Then, one strain per species presenting the best biofilm production was chosen for further studies by optical microscopy (Congo red staining), confocal laser scanning (LIVE/DEAD staining) and scanning electron (secondary electron) microscopy. Biomass quantification by crystal violet assay, optical microscope images of Congo red staining, confocal microscope and scanning electron microscope images revealed that all species studied are able to form biofilms both in vitro and ex vivo, with variable density and architecture. M. gypseum, T. rubrum and T. tonsurans produced robust biofilms, with abundant matrix and biomass, while M. canis produced the weakest biofilms compared to other species. This study sheds light on biofilms of different dermatophyte species, which will contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of dermatophytosis. Further studies of this type are necessary to investigate the processes involved in the formation and composition of dermatophyte biofilms.

Microscopic evolution of dielectric nanoparticles at different calcination temperatures synthesized via sol-gel auto-combustion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Adil, Muhammad, E-mail: muhammadadil86@hotmail.com; Zaid, Hasnah Mohd, E-mail: hasnamz@petronas.com.my; Chuan, Lee Kean, E-mail: lee.kc@petronas.com.my

2015-07-22

Dielectric nano powder synthesis is carried by a simple and fast sol-gel auto-combustion method. The transformation of crystalline phases of as-synthesized nano powders is investigated through the detailed transmission electron microscopy (TEM), revealed the crystallographic alterations and morphological information even at lattice scale. From specific area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern, has specified the d-spacing and corresponding planes supported by the observed lattice fringes. The morphological characterization of nanoparticles is performed through field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), exhibiting the increment in particle size due to agglomeration with the increase in annealing temperature. Furthermore, EDX pattern has been used to verify themore » formation of nanoparticles by revealing the presence of required elements.« less

76 FR 65696 - Battelle Energy Alliance, et al.;

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-24

... of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI Company, the... research or scientific educational uses requiring an electron microscope. We know of no electron microscope...

Scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy: application to biology and technology.

PubMed

Hansma, P K; Elings, V B; Marti, O; Bracker, C E

1988-10-14

The scanning tunneling microscope (STM) and the atomic force microscope (AFM) are scanning probe microscopes capable of resolving surface detail down to the atomic level. The potential of these microscopes for revealing subtle details of structure is illustrated by atomic resolution images including graphite, an organic conductor, an insulating layered compound, and individual adsorbed oxygen atoms on a semiconductor. Application of the STM for imaging biological materials directly has been hampered by the poor electron conductivity of most biological samples. The use of thin conductive metal coatings and replicas has made it possible to image some biological samples, as indicated by recently obtained images of a recA-DNA complex, a phospholipid bilayer, and an enzyme crystal. The potential of the AFM, which does not require a conductive sample, is shown with molecular resolution images of a nonconducting organic monolayer and an amino acid crystal that reveals individual methyl groups on the ends of the amino acids. Applications of these new microscopes to technology are demonstrated with images of an optical disk stamper, a diffraction grating, a thin-film magnetic recording head, and a diamond cutting tool. The STM has even been used to improve the quality of diffraction gratings and magnetic recording heads.

Microstructure of friction stir welded joints of 2017A aluminium alloy sheets.

PubMed

Mroczka, K; Dutkiewicz, J; Pietras, A

2010-03-01

The present study examines a friction stir welded 2017A aluminium alloy. Transmission electron microscope investigations of the weld nugget revealed the average grain size of 5 microm, moderate density of dislocations as well as the presence of nanometric precipitates located mostly in grains interiors. Scanning electron microscope observations of fractures showed the presence of ductile fracture in the region of the weld nugget with brittle precipitates in the lower part. The microhardness analysis performed on the cross-section of the joints showed fairly small changes; however, after the artificial ageing process an increase in hardness was observed. The change of the joint hardness subject to the ageing process indicates partial supersaturation in the material during friction stir welding and higher precipitation hardening of the joint.

[Ultrastructural organization of cytoplasmatic membrane of Anaerobacter polyendosporus studied by electron microscopic cryofractography].

PubMed

Duda, V I; Suzina, N E; Dmitriev, V V

2001-01-01

Anaerobacter polyendosporus cells do not have typical mesosomes. However, the analysis of this anaerobic multispore bacterium by electron microscopic cryofractography showed that its cytoplasmic membrane contains specific intramembrane structures in the form of flat lamellar inverted lipid membranes tenths of nanometers to several microns in size. It was found that these structures are located in the hydrophobic interior between the outer and inner leaflets of the cytoplasmic membrane and do not contain intramembrane particles that are commonly present on freeze-fracture replicas. The flat inverted lipid membranes were revealed in bacterial cells cultivated under normal growth conditions, indicating the existence of a complex-type compartmentalization in biological membranes, which manifests itself in the formation of intramembrane compartments having the appearance of vesicles and inverted lipid membranes.

Ultrafast structural and electronic dynamics of the metallic phase in a layered manganite

PubMed Central

Piazza, L.; Ma, C.; Yang, H. X.; Mann, A.; Zhu, Y.; Li, J. Q.; Carbone, F.

2013-01-01

The transition between different states in manganites can be driven by various external stimuli. Controlling these transitions with light opens the possibility to investigate the microscopic path through which they evolve. We performed femtosecond (fs) transmission electron microscopy on a bi-layered manganite to study its response to ultrafast photoexcitation. We show that a photoinduced temperature jump launches a pressure wave that provokes coherent oscillations of the lattice parameters, detected via ultrafast electron diffraction. Their impact on the electronic structure are monitored via ultrafast electron energy loss spectroscopy, revealing the dynamics of the different orbitals in response to specific structural distortions. PMID:26913564

Carbon p Electron Ferromagnetism in Silicon Carbide

PubMed Central

Wang, Yutian; Liu, Yu; Wang, Gang; Anwand, Wolfgang; Jenkins, Catherine A.; Arenholz, Elke; Munnik, Frans; Gordan, Ovidiu D.; Salvan, Georgeta; Zahn, Dietrich R. T.; Chen, Xiaolong; Gemming, Sibylle; Helm, Manfred; Zhou, Shengqiang

2015-01-01

Ferromagnetism can occur in wide-band gap semiconductors as well as in carbon-based materials when specific defects are introduced. It is thus desirable to establish a direct relation between the defects and the resulting ferromagnetism. Here, we contribute to revealing the origin of defect-induced ferromagnetism using SiC as a prototypical example. We show that the long-range ferromagnetic coupling can be attributed to the p electrons of the nearest-neighbor carbon atoms around the VSiVC divacancies. Thus, the ferromagnetism is traced down to its microscopic electronic origin. PMID:25758040

Carbon p electron ferromagnetism in silicon carbide

DOE PAGES

Wang, Yutian; Liu, Yu; Wang, Gang; ...

2015-03-11

Ferromagnetism can occur in wide-band gap semiconductors as well as in carbon-based materials when specific defects are introduced. It is thus desirable to establish a direct relation between the defects and the resulting ferromagnetism. Here, we contribute to revealing the origin of defect-induced ferromagnetism using SiC as a prototypical example. We show that the long-range ferromagnetic coupling can be attributed to the p electrons of the nearest-neighbor carbon atoms around the V SiV C divacancies. Thus, the ferromagnetism is traced down to its microscopic electronic origin.

Formation of bimetallic clusters in superfluid helium nanodroplets analysed by atomic resolution electron tomography

PubMed Central

Haberfehlner, Georg; Thaler, Philipp; Knez, Daniel; Volk, Alexander; Hofer, Ferdinand; Ernst, Wolfgang E.; Kothleitner, Gerald

2015-01-01

Structure, shape and composition are the basic parameters responsible for properties of nanoscale materials, distinguishing them from their bulk counterparts. To reveal these in three dimensions at the nanoscale, electron tomography is a powerful tool. Advancing electron tomography to atomic resolution in an aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope remains challenging and has been demonstrated only a few times using strong constraints or extensive filtering. Here we demonstrate atomic resolution electron tomography on silver/gold core/shell nanoclusters grown in superfluid helium nanodroplets. We reveal morphology and composition of a cluster identifying gold- and silver-rich regions in three dimensions and we estimate atomic positions without using any prior information and with minimal filtering. The ability to get full three-dimensional information down to the atomic scale allows understanding the growth and deposition process of the nanoclusters and demonstrates an approach that may be generally applicable to all types of nanoscale materials. PMID:26508471

Milk kefir: ultrastructure, antimicrobial activity and efficacy on aflatoxin B1 production by Aspergillus flavus.

PubMed

Ismaiel, Ahmed A; Ghaly, Mohamed F; El-Naggar, Ayman K

2011-05-01

The association of kefir microbiota was observed by electron microscopic examination. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations revealed that kefir grain surface is very rough and the inner portions had scattered irregular holes on its surface. The interior of the grain comprised fibrillar materials which were interpreted as protein, lipid and a soluble polysaccharide, the kefiran complex that surrounds yeast and bacteria in the grain. Yeast was observed more clearly than bacteria on the outer portion of the grain. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) observations of kefir revealed that the grain comprised a mixed culture of yeast and bacteria growing in close association with each other. Microbiota is dominated by budded and long-flattened yeast cells growing together with lactobacilli and lactococci bacteria. Bacterial cells with rounded ends were also observed in this mixed culture. Kefir grains, kefir suspensions, and kefiran were tested for antimicrobial activities against several bacterial and fungal species. The highest activity was obtained against Streptococcus faecalis KR6 and Fusarium graminearum CZ1. Growth of Aspergillus flavus AH3 producing for aflatoxin B1 for 10 days in broth medium supplemented with varying concentrations of kefir filtrate (%, v/v) showed that sporulation was completely inhibited at the higher concentrations of kefir filtrate (7-10%, v/v). The average values of both mycelial dry weights and aflatoxin B1 were completely inhibited at 10% (v/v). This is the first in vitro study about the antifungal characteristics of kefir against filamentous fungi which was manifested by applying its inhibitory effect on the productivity of aflatoxin B1 by A. flavus AH3.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhou, Dan, E-mail: danzhou@is.mpg.de; Sigle, Wilfried; Wang, Yi

We studied ZrO{sub 2} − La{sub 2/3}Sr{sub 1/3}MnO{sub 3} pillar–matrix thin films which were found to show anomalous magnetic and electron transport properties. With the application of an aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope, interfacial chemistry, and atomic-arrangement of the system, especially of the pillar–matrix interface were revealed at atomic resolution. Minor amounts of Zr were found to occupy Mn positions within the matrix. The Zr concentration reaches a minimum near the pillar–matrix interface accompanied by oxygen vacancies. La and Mn diffusion into the pillar was revealed at atomic resolution and a concomitant change of the Mn valence state was observed.

Scanning electron microscopy of clays and clay minerals

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bohor, B.F.; Hughes, R.E.

1971-01-01

The scanning electron microscope (SEM) proves to be ideally suited for studying the configuration, texture, and fabric of clay samples. Growth mechanics of crystalline units—interpenetration and interlocking of crystallites, crystal habits, twinning, helical growth, and topotaxis—also are uniquely revealed by the SEM.Authigenic kaolins make up the bulk of the examples because their larger crystallite size, better crystallinity, and open texture make them more suited to examination by the SEM than most other clay mineral types.

Cooperative inter- and intra-layer lattice dynamics of photoexcited multi-walled carbon nanotubes studied by ultrafast electron diffraction.

PubMed

Sun, Shuaishuai; Li, Zhongwen; Li, Zi-An; Xiao, Ruijuan; Zhang, Ming; Tian, Huanfang; Yang, Huaixin; Li, Jianqi

2018-04-26

Optical tuning and probing ultrafast structural response of nanomaterials driven by electronic excitation constitute a challenging but promising approach for understanding microscopic mechanisms and applications in microelectromechanical systems and optoelectrical devices. Here we use pulsed electron diffraction in a transmission electron microscope to investigate laser-induced tubular lattice dynamics of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with varying laser fluence and initial specimen temperature. Our photoexcitation experiments demonstrate cooperative and inverse collective atomic motions in intralayer and interlayer directions, whose strengths and rates depend on pump fluence. The electron-driven and thermally driven structural responses with opposite amplitudes cause a crossover between intralayer and interlayer directions. Our ab initio calculations support these findings and reveal that electrons excited from π to π* orbitals in a carbon tube weaken the intralayer bonds while strengthening the interlayer bonds along the radial direction. Moreover, by probing the structural dynamics of MWCNTs at initial temperatures of 300 and 100 K, we uncover the concomitance of thermal and nonthermal dynamical processes and their mutual influence in MWCNTs. Our results illustrate the nature of electron-driven nonthermal process and electron-phonon thermalization in the MWCNTs, and bear implications for the intricate energy conversion and transfer in materials at the nanoscale.

Microstructural and thermal study of Al-Si-Mg/melon shell ash particulate composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdulwahab, M.; Umaru, O. B.; Bawa, M. A.; Jibo, H. A.

The microstructural study via scanning electron microscope (SEM) and thermal study via differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) study of Al-7%Si-0.3Mg/melon shell ash particulate composite has been carried out. The melon shell ash was used in the production of MMC ranging from 5% to 20% at interval of 5% addition using stir casting method. The melon shell ash was characterized using X-ray fluorescent (XRF) that reveal the presence of CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, and TiO2 as major compounds. The composite was machined and subjected to heat treatment. Microstructural analyses of the composite produced were done using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The microstructure obtained reveals a dark ceramic (reinforcer) and white metallic phase. Equally, the 5 wt% DSC result gives better thermal conductivity than other proportions (10 wt%, 15 wt%, and 20 wt%). These results showed that an improved property of Al-Si-Mg alloy was achieved using melon shell ash particles as reinforcement up to a maximum of 20 wt% for microstructural and 5% wt DSC respectively.

Pyogranulomatous pleuropneumonia and mediastinitis in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) associated with Pseudomonas luteola Infection.

PubMed

Martínez, J; Martorell, J; Abarca, M L; Olvera, A; Ramis, A; Woods, L; Cheville, N; Juan-Sallés, C; Moya, A; Riera, A; Soto, S

2012-01-01

Between 2008 and 2009, three pet ferrets from different sources presented with acute episode of dyspnoea. Cytological examination of pleural exudates revealed severe purulent inflammation with abundant clusters of rod-shaped microorganisms with a clear surrounding halo. Treatment was ineffective and the ferrets died 2-5 days later. Two ferrets were subjected to necropsy examination, which revealed pyothorax, mediastinal lymphadenopathy and multiple white nodules (1-2mm) in the lungs. Microscopical examination showed multifocal necrotizing-pyogranulomatous pleuropneumonia and lymphadenitis with aggregates of encapsulated microorganisms, some of which were positively stained by periodic acid-Schiff and alcian blue. In-situ hybridization for Pneumocystis spp., Ziehl-Neelsen staining and immunohistochemistry for distemper, coronavirus and influenza antigen were negative in all cases. Electron microscopically, the bacteria were 2-3 μm long with a thick electron-lucent capsule. Microbiology from one ferret yielded a pure culture of gram-negative bacteria identified phenotypically as Pseudomonas luteola. This speciation was later confirmed by 16S RNA gene amplification. Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Thickness-dependent multiferroic behavior of BiFe0.75Cr0.25O3 films over Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

William, R. V.; Sivaprakash, P.; Marikani, A.; Reddy, V. Raghavendra; Arumugam, S.

2018-02-01

We present here the experimental results of BiFe0.75Cr0.25O3 (BFCO) thin film deposited by sol-gel spin coating technique directly on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si substrate at different thicknesses. The crystal structure of BFCO has been investigated using X-ray diffraction which acts as a double perovskite structure with high crystallinity obtained at 400 °C. Further microscopic studies such as scanning electron microscope (SEM) with EDAX, transmission electron microscope (TEM) were also used in identifying the grain size and particle distribution over Pt (111) substrate. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) on the films at a different thickness (- 80 to - 250 nm) reveals that the surface roughness and other amplitude parameters increases with the increase in thickness signifying an increase of grain size with thickness. Increase in grain size and substrate clamping effect between the BFCO film and the substrate induces change in ferroelectric polarization and dielectric properties in relation to thickness effect. Similarly, decrease in magnetization from 9.241 emu/cm3 (- 80 nm) to 5.7791 emu/cm3 (- 250 nm) is attributed to the formation of anti-sites and anti-phase boundaries in the films. In addition, temperature dependence of magnetization reveals ferromagnetic super-exchange interaction of BFCO which is unlike the spin structure of antiferromagnetic BiFeO3.

Intraocular Gnathostoma spinigerum. Clinicopathologic study of two cases with review of literature.

PubMed

Biswas, J; Gopal, L; Sharma, T; Badrinath, S S

1994-01-01

Live intraocular nematode is a rare occurrence that is mostly reported in Southeast Asian countries. Common nematodes that are seen live in the eye are microfilaria, Gnathostoma, and Angiostrongylus. Approximately 12 cases of intraocular gnathostomiasis have been reported in the literature. Two cases of intraocular gnathostoma, removed by vitrectomy in the first case and by paracentesis in the second case, are reported. Morphologic study of the parasites in wet preparation was performed under dissecting microscope and fixed in Karnovosky's fixative. Light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic studies were also performed. The first patient had anterior uveitis, multiple iris holes, and dense vitreous haze with fibrous proliferation over the optic disc. On resolution of the vitreous haze, a live worm was seen in the vitreous cavity. The second patient had anterior uveitis with secondary glaucoma, multiple iris holes, mild vitritis, and focal subretinal haemorrhage with subretinal tracts. Four days later a live worm was seen in the anterior chamber and removed. Microscopic study of the parasites from both patients revealed typical head bulb with four circumferential rows of hooklets, and fine cuticular spines were seen on the surface of the body. Iris holes, uveitis, and subretinal haemorrhage with subretinal tract can be characteristic features of intraocular gnathostomiasis. Identification of this parasite can be made by typical features, which can be identified on light and scanning electron microscopic study.

Achieving atomic resolution magnetic dichroism by controlling the phase symmetry of an electron probe

DOE PAGES

Rusz, Jan; Idrobo, Juan -Carlos; Bhowmick, Somnath

2014-09-30

The calculations presented here reveal that an electron probe carrying orbital angular momentum is just a particular case of a wider class of electron beams that can be used to measure electron magnetic circular dichroism (EMCD) with atomic resolution. It is possible to obtain an EMCD signal with atomic resolution by simply breaking the symmetry of the electron probe phase front using the aberration-corrected optics of a scanning transmission electron microscope. The probe’s required phase distribution depends on the sample’s magnetic symmetry and crystal structure. The calculations indicate that EMCD signals that use the electron probe’s phase are as strongmore » as those obtained by nanodiffraction methods.« less

Mechanical, morphological and structural properties of cellulose nanofibers reinforced epoxy composites.

PubMed

Saba, N; Mohammad, F; Pervaiz, M; Jawaid, M; Alothman, O Y; Sain, M

2017-04-01

Present study, deals about isolation and characterization of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) from the Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) pulp, fabrication by hand lay-up technique and characterization of fabricated epoxy nanocomposites at different filler loadings (0.5%, 0.75%, 1% by wt.). The effect of CNFs loading on mechanical (tensile, impact and flexural), morphological (scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope) and structural (XRD and FTIR) properties of epoxy composites were investigated. FTIR analysis confirms the introduction of CNFs into the epoxy matrix while no considerable change in the crystallinity and diffraction peaks of epoxy composites were observed by the XRD patterns. Additions of CNFs considerably enhance the mechanical properties of epoxy composites but a remarkable improvement is observed for 0.75% CNFs as compared to the rest epoxy nanocomposites. In addition, the electron micrographs revealed the perfect distribution and dispersion of CNFs in the epoxy matrix for the 0.75% CNFs/epoxy nanocomposites, while the existence of voids and agglomerations were observed beyond 0.75% CNFs filler loadings. Overall results analysis clearly revealed that the 0.75% CNFs filler loading is best and effective with respect to rest to enhance the mechanical and structural properties of the epoxy composites. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Investigations of the drift mobility of carriers and density of states in nanocrystalline CdS thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Baljinder; Singh, Janpreet; Kaur, Jagdish; Moudgil, R. K.; Tripathi, S. K.

2016-06-01

Nanocrystalline Cadmium Sulfide (nc-CdS) thin films have been prepared on well-cleaned glass substrate at room temperature (300 K) by thermal evaporation technique using inert gas condensation (IGC) method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that the films crystallize in hexagonal structure with preferred orientation along [002] direction. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Transmission electron microscope (TEM) studies reveal that grains are spherical in shape and uniformly distributed over the glass substrates. The optical band gap of the film is estimated from the transmittance spectra. Electrical parameters such as Hall coefficient, carrier type, carrier concentration, resistivity and mobility are determined using Hall measurements at 300 K. Transit time and mobility are estimated from Time of Flight (TOF) transient photocurrent technique in gap cell configuration. The measured values of electron drift mobility from TOF and Hall measurements are of the same order. Constant Photocurrent Method in ac-mode (ac-CPM) is used to measure the absorption spectra in low absorption region. By applying derivative method, we have converted the measured absorption data into a density of states (DOS) distribution in the lower part of the energy gap. The value of Urbach energy, steepness parameter and density of defect states have been calculated from the absorption and DOS spectra.

An Effective Method of Preparing Sections of Bacillus polymyxa Sporangia and Spores for Electron Microscopy

PubMed Central

Holbert, Pauline E.

1960-01-01

Bacillus polymyxa sporangia and spores were prepared for examination in the electron microscope by methods whose critical features were apparently: judicious use of vacuum, to encourage complete penetration of the embedding medium; the use of epoxy resins as embedding media; and cutting of the thin sections with a diamond knife. Electron micrographs of material prepared in this manner exhibit undeformed sporangial sections. Some of the structures revealed have been shown before, though perhaps less distinctly; other structures are revealed here for the first time. While this single study does not pretend to elucidate all the complexities of sporulation in bacteria, these and similar images should make this possible, and some mention of the preparatory techniques that lead to them seems advisable at this time. PMID:14402552

Magnetic properties of Y3+ doped Bi4-xTi2FeO12 aurivillius phase ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tirupathi, Patri; Reddy, H. Satish Kumar; Babu, P. D.

2018-05-01

In the present paper reports a comprehensive investigation of structural, microstructural and magnetic phase transition in Y3+ doped BITF Aurivillius phase compounds. The study of surface morphology by scanning electron microscope reveals the growth of plate-like grains and further the grain size increase with increasing Y3+ composition. Low temperature magnetic studies reveals enhanced magnetic property with doping of Y3+ in BITF. It was explained by considering exchange interaction between the neighboring Fe+3 ions via electron trapped electrons at oxygen vacancies. Temperature dependent dc-magnetic studies exhibit a magnetic transitions TC = 750 K for x=0.0 TC ˜ 674 K for x=1.0 & TC ˜ 645 K for x=1.50 ceramics respectively in high temperature magnetization studies

Orientation and phase mapping in the transmission electron microscope using precession-assisted diffraction spot recognition: state-of-the-art results.

PubMed

Viladot, D; Véron, M; Gemmi, M; Peiró, F; Portillo, J; Estradé, S; Mendoza, J; Llorca-Isern, N; Nicolopoulos, S

2013-10-01

A recently developed technique based on the transmission electron microscope, which makes use of electron beam precession together with spot diffraction pattern recognition now offers the possibility to acquire reliable orientation/phase maps with a spatial resolution down to 2 nm on a field emission gun transmission electron microscope. The technique may be described as precession-assisted crystal orientation mapping in the transmission electron microscope, precession-assisted crystal orientation mapping technique-transmission electron microscope, also known by its product name, ASTAR, and consists in scanning the precessed electron beam in nanoprobe mode over the specimen area, thus producing a collection of precession electron diffraction spot patterns, to be thereafter indexed automatically through template matching. We present a review on several application examples relative to the characterization of microstructure/microtexture of nanocrystalline metals, ceramics, nanoparticles, minerals and organics. The strengths and limitations of the technique are also discussed using several application examples. ©2013 The Authors. Journal of Microscopy published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Royal Microscopical Society.

Multi-MHz time-of-flight electronic bandstructure imaging of graphene on Ir(111)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tusche, C., E-mail: c.tusche@fz-juelich.de; Peter Grünberg Institut; Goslawski, P.

2016-06-27

In the quest for detailed spectroscopic insight into the electronic structure at solid surfaces in a large momentum range, we have developed an advanced experimental approach. It combines the 3D detection scheme of a time-of-flight momentum microscope with an optimized filling pattern of the BESSY II storage ring. Here, comprehensive data sets covering the full surface Brillouin zone have been used to study faint substrate-film hybridization effects in the electronic structure of graphene on Ir(111), revealed by a pronounced linear dichroism in angular distribution. The method paves the way to 3D electronic bandmapping with unprecedented data recording efficiency.

Three-dimensional Architecture of Hair-bundle Linkages Revealed by Electron-microscopic Tomography

PubMed Central

Auer, Manfred; Koster, Abrahram J.; Ziese, Ulrike; Bajaj, Chandrajit; Volkmann, Niels; Wang, Da Neng

2008-01-01

The senses of hearing and balance rest upon mechanoelectrical transduction by the hair bundles of hair cells in the inner ear. Located at the apical cellular surface, each hair bundle comprises several tens of stereocilia and a single kinocilium that are interconnected by extracellular proteinaceous links. Using electron-microscopic tomography of bullfrog saccular sensory epithelia, we examined the three-dimensional structures of basal links, kinociliary links, and tip links. We observed significant differences in the appearances and dimensions of these three structures and found two distinct populations of tip links suggestive of the involvement of different proteins, splice variants, or protein–protein interactions. We noted auxiliary links connecting the upper portions of tip links to the taller stereocilia. Tip links and auxiliary links show a tendency to adopt a globular conformation when disconnected from the membrane surface. PMID:18421501

[Morphological changes of hemomicrocirculatory bed of the organs of rat masticatory apparatus after the exposure to general vibration and during pharmacologic correction].

PubMed

Gaĭvoronskiĭ, I V; Iordanishvili, A K; Kovalevskiĭ, A M

2013-01-01

The effect of chronic exposure to general vibration on the state of hemomicrocirculatory bed in the organs of rat masticatory apparatus and the efficacy of antihypoxants and adaptogens for its pharmacological prophylaxis was studied. The experiments were performed in 210 albino male rats aged 8 to 30 weeks. The intact rats served as control. Transcapillary injections with 1% collargol solution, histological, electron microscopic and morphometric methods were used. It was found that chronic exposure to general vibration induced a hemodynamic disturbances at the level of hemomicrocirculatory bed vessels in the organs of masticatory apparatus with subsequent hypoxia. Electron microscopic study revealed the damage of the cellular ultrastructure in the endotheliocytes of blood vessels of the hemomicrocirculatory bed. Antihypoxants, adaptogens and their combinations demonstrated a pronounced protective effect

Gastroesophageal junction of Anatolian shepherd dog; a study by topographic anatomy, scanning electron and light microscopy.

PubMed

Alsafy, M A M; El-Gendy, S A A

2012-03-01

The aim of this study was to cast a spotlight on the topography and to point out the clinical importance of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) in Anatolian Shepherd dogs. Nine Anatolian Shepherd dogs were used to study the morphology of the GEJ. The esophagus was appeared has a portion within the thoracic cavity while no portion of the esophagus presented within the abdominal cavity that documented the absence of the intra-abdominal portion in all studied dogs. The topographic anatomy, scanning electron and light microscopic examinations revealed that the gastroesophageal junction was located at the level of the phrenico-esophageal ligament (PEL) inside the esophageal hiatus. Our results were distinguished the morphology of the esophageal and gastric cardiac mucosa at the level of the gastroesophageal junction by the scanning electron micrographs. The light microscopical examination was explained the PEL attached to the esophageal side in one dog and to the gastric cardiac side in three dogs.

Sharing of secondary electrons by in-lens and out-lens detector in low-voltage scanning electron microscope equipped with immersion lens.

PubMed

Kumagai, Kazuhiro; Sekiguchi, Takashi

2009-03-01

To understand secondary electron (SE) image formation with in-lens and out-lens detector in low-voltage scanning electron microscopy (LV-SEM), we have evaluated SE signals of an in-lens and an out-lens detector in LV-SEM. From the energy distribution spectra of SEs with various boosting voltages of the immersion lens system, we revealed that the electrostatic field of the immersion lens mainly collects electrons with energy lower than 40eV, acting as a low-pass filter. This effect is also observed as a contrast change in LV-SEM images taken by in-lens and out-lens detectors.

Unusual chemical compositions of noctilucent-cloud particle nuclei

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hemenway, C. L.

1973-01-01

Two sounding rocket payloads were launched from the ESRO range in Sweden during a noctilucent cloud display. Large numbers of submicron particles were collected, most of which appear to be made up of a high density material coated with a low density material. Typical electron micrographs are shown. Particle chemical compositions have been measured by use of dispersive X-ray analysis equipment attached to an electron microscope and have revealed that most of the high density particle nuclei have atomic weights greater than iron.

Preparation of high-quality planar FeRh thin films for in situ TEM investigations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Almeida, Trevor P.; McGrouther, Damien; Pivak, Yevheniy; Perez Garza, Hector Hugo; Temple, Rowan; Massey, Jamie; Marrows, Christopher H.; McVitie, Stephen

2017-10-01

The preparation of a planar FeRh thin film using a focused ion beam (FIB) secondary electron microscope (SEM) for the purpose of in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is presented. A custom SEM stub with 45° faces allows for the transfer and milling of the sample on a TEM heating chip, whilst Fresnel imaging within the TEM revealed the presence of the magnetic domain walls, confirming the quality of the FIB-prepared sample.

High-resolution, high-throughput imaging with a multibeam scanning electron microscope.

PubMed

Eberle, A L; Mikula, S; Schalek, R; Lichtman, J; Knothe Tate, M L; Zeidler, D

2015-08-01

Electron-electron interactions and detector bandwidth limit the maximal imaging speed of single-beam scanning electron microscopes. We use multiple electron beams in a single column and detect secondary electrons in parallel to increase the imaging speed by close to two orders of magnitude and demonstrate imaging for a variety of samples ranging from biological brain tissue to semiconductor wafers. © 2015 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2015 Royal Microscopical Society.

Light and scanning electron microscope investigations comparing calculus removal using an Er:YAG laser and a frequency-doubled alexandrite laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rechmann, Peter; Hennig, Thomas; Sadegh, Hamid M. M.; Goldin, Dan S.

1997-05-01

With respect to lasers emitting within the mid-IR spectral domain fiber applicators are being developed. Intended is the use of these lasers in periodontal therapy and their application inside the gingival pocket. Aim of the study presented here is to compare the effect of an Er:YAG laser on dental calculus with the results following irradiation with a frequency doubled Alexandrite laser. The surface of freshly extracted wisdom teeth and of extracted teeth suffering from severe periodontitis were irradiated with both laser wavelengths using a standardized application protocol. Calculus on the enamel surface, at the enamel cementum junction and on the root surface was irradiated. For light microscope investigations undecalcified histological sections were prepared after treatment. For the scanning electron microscope teeth were dried in alcohol and sputtered with gold. Investigations revealed that with both laser systems calculus can be removed. Using the frequency doubled Alexandrite laser selective removal of calculus is possible while engaging the Er:YAG laser even at lowest energies necessary for calculus removal healthy cementum is ablated without control.

Twisted ribbon structure of paired helical filaments revealed by atomic force microscopy.

PubMed Central

Pollanen, M. S.; Markiewicz, P.; Bergeron, C.; Goh, M. C.

1994-01-01

Progressive deposition of phosphorylated tau into the paired helical filaments (PHF) that compose neurofibrillary tangles, dystrophic neurites, and neuropil threads is an obligate feature of Alzheimer's disease. The standard model of PHF structure, derived from electron microscopic studies, suggests that two 8- to 10-nm filaments each composed of three to four protofilaments are wound into a helix with a maximal diameter of -20 nm and a half period of 65 to 80 nm. However, recent vertical platinum-carbon replicas of PHF more closely resemble a thin helical ribbon without constitutive protofilaments. Here we report that native PHF imaged with an atomic force microscope appear as twisted ribbons rather than the generally accepted structure derived from electron microscopic studies. These data imply that the assembly of PHF is not due to the twisting of pair-wise filaments but rather the helical winding of self-associated tau molecules arranged into a flattened structure. Future structural models of PHF should be based on quantitative data obtained from imaging techniques, such as scanning probe microscopy, which do not require harsh specimen preparation procedures. Images Figure 1 PMID:8178938

Twisted ribbon structure of paired helical filaments revealed by atomic force microscopy.

PubMed

Pollanen, M S; Markiewicz, P; Bergeron, C; Goh, M C

1994-05-01

Progressive deposition of phosphorylated tau into the paired helical filaments (PHF) that compose neurofibrillary tangles, dystrophic neurites, and neuropil threads is an obligate feature of Alzheimer's disease. The standard model of PHF structure, derived from electron microscopic studies, suggests that two 8- to 10-nm filaments each composed of three to four protofilaments are wound into a helix with a maximal diameter of -20 nm and a half period of 65 to 80 nm. However, recent vertical platinum-carbon replicas of PHF more closely resemble a thin helical ribbon without constitutive protofilaments. Here we report that native PHF imaged with an atomic force microscope appear as twisted ribbons rather than the generally accepted structure derived from electron microscopic studies. These data imply that the assembly of PHF is not due to the twisting of pair-wise filaments but rather the helical winding of self-associated tau molecules arranged into a flattened structure. Future structural models of PHF should be based on quantitative data obtained from imaging techniques, such as scanning probe microscopy, which do not require harsh specimen preparation procedures.

Dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopic features of exogenous ochronosis.

PubMed

Gil, Inmaculada; Segura, Sonia; Martínez-Escala, Estela; Lloreta, Josep; Puig, Susana; Vélez, Mariano; Pujol, Ramón M; Herrero-González, Josep E

2010-09-01

Exogenous ochronosis presents as an acquired asymptomatic hyperpigmentation on photoexposed areas, predominantly over bony prominences, and is caused by the topical application of several skin-lightening agents. We describe a 63-year-old Hispanic woman who developed exogenous ochronosis lesions on her face after using topical bleaching creams containing hydroquinone, 2% to 3%, and oxybenzone, 2%, for several years. Dermoscopy revealed irregular brown-gray globular, annular, and arciform structures that corresponded to focal deposition of ochronotic pigment on the dermis. These deposits correlated with multiple banana-shaped nonrefractile structures seen using reflectance confocal microscopy. Histopathologic sections revealed the deposition of a banana-shaped, yellow to brown material in the papillary and middle dermis. Ultrastructural examination revealed an amorphous electron-dense material mostly located in the core of elastic fibers and also in smaller amounts in the interstitium with prominent degenerative changes in the elastic fibers. A good correlation was observed between the results of both noninvasive techniques and the diagnostic histologic features of this condition. We characterized by means of dermoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy, and electronic microscopy a case of exogenous ochronosis. To our knowledge, this is the first description of reflectance confocal microscopic findings in this condition. Dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy are proved to be useful noninvasive techniques for the diagnosis of this pigmentary disorder.

Micromechanics of ultra-toughened electrospun PMMA/PEO fibres as revealed by in-situ tensile testing in an electron microscope

PubMed Central

Andersson, Richard L.; Ström, Valter; Gedde, Ulf W.; Mallon, Peter E.; Hedenqvist, Mikael S.; Olsson, Richard T.

2014-01-01

A missing cornerstone in the development of tough micro/nano fibre systems is an understanding of the fibre failure mechanisms, which stems from the limitation in observing the fracture of objects with dimensions one hundredth of the width of a hair strand. Tensile testing in the electron microscope is herein adopted to reveal the fracture behaviour of a novel type of toughened electrospun poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(ethylene oxide) fibre mats for biomedical applications. These fibres showed a toughness more than two orders of magnitude greater than that of pristine PMMA fibres. The in-situ microscopy revealed that the toughness were not only dependent on the initial molecular alignment after spinning, but also on the polymer formulation that could promote further molecular orientation during the formation of micro/nano-necking. The true fibre strength was greater than 150 MPa, which was considerably higher than that of the unmodified PMMA (17 MPa). This necking phenomenon was prohibited by high aspect ratio cellulose nanocrystal fillers in the ultra–tough fibres, leading to a decrease in toughness by more than one order of magnitude. The reported necking mechanism may have broad implications also within more traditional melt–spinning research. PMID:25208692

Designs for a quantum electron microscope.

PubMed

Kruit, P; Hobbs, R G; Kim, C-S; Yang, Y; Manfrinato, V R; Hammer, J; Thomas, S; Weber, P; Klopfer, B; Kohstall, C; Juffmann, T; Kasevich, M A; Hommelhoff, P; Berggren, K K

2016-05-01

One of the astounding consequences of quantum mechanics is that it allows the detection of a target using an incident probe, with only a low probability of interaction of the probe and the target. This 'quantum weirdness' could be applied in the field of electron microscopy to generate images of beam-sensitive specimens with substantially reduced damage to the specimen. A reduction of beam-induced damage to specimens is especially of great importance if it can enable imaging of biological specimens with atomic resolution. Following a recent suggestion that interaction-free measurements are possible with electrons, we now analyze the difficulties of actually building an atomic resolution interaction-free electron microscope, or "quantum electron microscope". A quantum electron microscope would require a number of unique components not found in conventional transmission electron microscopes. These components include a coherent electron beam-splitter or two-state-coupler, and a resonator structure to allow each electron to interrogate the specimen multiple times, thus supporting high success probabilities for interaction-free detection of the specimen. Different system designs are presented here, which are based on four different choices of two-state-couplers: a thin crystal, a grating mirror, a standing light wave and an electro-dynamical pseudopotential. Challenges for the detailed electron optical design are identified as future directions for development. While it is concluded that it should be possible to build an atomic resolution quantum electron microscope, we have also identified a number of hurdles to the development of such a microscope and further theoretical investigations that will be required to enable a complete interpretation of the images produced by such a microscope. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electron microscopic study of soot particulate matter emissions from aircraft turbine engines.

PubMed

Liati, Anthi; Brem, Benjamin T; Durdina, Lukas; Vögtli, Melanie; Dasilva, Yadira Arroyo Rojas; Eggenschwiler, Panayotis Dimopoulos; Wang, Jing

2014-09-16

The microscopic characteristics of soot particulate matter (PM) in gas turbine exhaust are critical for an accurate assessment of the potential impacts of the aviation industry on the environment and human health. The morphology and internal structure of soot particles emitted from a CFM 56-7B26/3 turbofan engine were analyzed in an electron microscopic study, down to the nanoscale, for ∼ 100%, ∼ 65%, and ∼ 7% static engine thrust as a proxy for takeoff, cruising, and taxiing, respectively. Sampling was performed directly on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grids with a state-of-the-art sampling system designed for nonvolatile particulate matter. The electron microscopy results reveal that ∼ 100% thrust produces the highest amount of soot, the highest soot particle volume, and the largest and most crystalline primary soot particles with the lowest oxidative reactivity. The opposite is the case for soot produced during taxiing, where primary soot particles are smallest and most reactive and the soot amount and volume are lowest. The microscopic characteristics of cruising condition soot resemble the ones of the ∼ 100% thrust conditions, but they are more moderate. Real time online measurements of number and mass concentration show also a clear correlation with engine thrust level, comparable with the TEM study. The results of the present work, in particular the small size of primary soot particles present in the exhaust (modes of 24, 20, and 13 nm in diameter for ∼ 100%, ∼ 65% and ∼ 7% engine thrust, respectively) could be a concern for human health and the environment and merit further study. This work further emphasizes the significance of the detailed morphological characteristics of soot for assessing environmental impacts.

Direct nanopatterning of polymer/silver nanoblocks under low energy electron beam irradiation.

PubMed

El Mel, Abdel-Aziz; Stephant, Nicolas; Gautier, Romain

2016-10-06

In this communication, we report on the growth, direct writing and nanopatterning of polymer/silver nanoblocks under low energy electron beam irradiation using a scanning electron microscope. The nanoblocks are produced by placing a droplet of an ethylene glycol solution containing silver nitrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone diluted in ethanol directly on a hot substrate heated up to 150 °C. Upon complete evaporation of the droplet, nanospheres, nano- and micro-triangles and nanoblocks made of silver-containing polymers, form over the substrate surface. Considering the nanoblocks as a model system, we demonstrate that such nanostructures are extremely sensitive to the e-beam extracted from the source of a scanning electron microscope operating at low acceleration voltages (between 5 and 7 kV). This sensitivity allows us to efficiently create various nanopatterns (e.g. arrays of holes, oblique slits and nanotrenches) in the material under e-beam irradiation. In addition to the possibility of writing, the nanoblocks revealed a self-healing ability allowing them to recover a relatively smooth surface after etching. Thanks to these properties, such nanomaterials can be used as a support for data writing and erasing on the nanoscale under low energy electron beam irradiation.

Performance of low-voltage STEM/TEM with delta corrector and cold field emission gun.

PubMed

Sasaki, Takeo; Sawada, Hidetaka; Hosokawa, Fumio; Kohno, Yuji; Tomita, Takeshi; Kaneyama, Toshikatsu; Kondo, Yukihito; Kimoto, Koji; Sato, Yuta; Suenaga, Kazu

2010-08-01

To reduce radiation damage caused by the electron beam and to obtain high-contrast images of specimens, we have developed a highly stabilized transmission electron microscope equipped with a cold field emission gun and spherical aberration correctors for image- and probe-forming systems, which operates at lower acceleration voltages than conventional transmission electron microscopes. A delta-type aberration corrector is designed to simultaneously compensate for third-order spherical aberration and fifth-order 6-fold astigmatism. Both were successfully compensated in both scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) modes in the range 30-60 kV. The Fourier transforms of raw high-angle annular dark field (HAADF) images of a Si[110] sample revealed spots corresponding to lattice spacings of 111 and 96 pm at 30 and 60 kV, respectively, and those of raw TEM images of an amorphous Ge film with gold particles showed spots corresponding to spacings of 91 and 79 pm at 30 and 60 kV, respectively. Er@C(82)-doped single-walled carbon nanotubes, which are carbon-based samples, were successfully observed by HAADF-STEM imaging with an atomic-level resolution.

Correlation between resistance-change effect in transition-metal oxides and secondary-electron contrast of scanning electron microscope images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kinoshita, K.; Yoda, T.; Kishida, S.

2011-09-01

Conductive atomic-force microscopy (C-AFM) writing is attracting attention as a technique for clarifying the switching mechanism of resistive random-access memory by providing a wide area filled with filaments, which can be regarded as one filament with large radius. The writing area on a nickel-oxide (NiO) film formed by conductive atomic-force microscopy was observed by scanning electron microscope, and a correlation between the contrast in a secondary-electron image (SEI) and the resistance written by C-AFM was revealed. In addition, the dependence of the SEI contrast on the beam accelerating voltage (Vaccel) suggests that the resistance-change effect occurs near the surface of the NiO film. As for the effects of electron irradiation and vacuum annealing on the C-AFM writing area, it was shown that the resistance-change effect is caused by exchange of oxygen with the atmosphere at the surface of the NiO film. This result suggests that the low-resistance and high-resistance areas are, respectively, p-type Ni1+δO (δ < 0) and insulating (stoichiometric) or n-type Ni1+δO (δ ≥ 0).

Scanning electron microscope fractography in failure analysis of steels

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wouters, R.; Froyen, L.

1996-04-01

For many failure cases, macroscopic examination of the fracture surface permits discrimination of fatigue fractures from overload fractures. For clarifying fatigue fractures, the practical significance of microfractography is limited to an investigation of the crack initiation areas. Scanning electron microscopy is successfully used in tracing local material abnormalities that act as fatigue crack initiators. The task for the scanning electron microscope, however, is much more substantial in failure analysis of overload fractures, especially for steels. By revealing specific fractographic characteristics, complemented by information about the material and the loading conditions, scanning electron microscopy provides a strong indication of the probablemore » cause of failure. A complete dimple fracture is indicative of acceptable bulk material properties; overloading, by subdimensioning or excessive external loading, has to be verified. The presence of cleavage fracture makes the material properties questionable if external conditions causing embrittlement are absent. Intergranular brittle fracture requires verification of grain-boundary weakening conditions--a sensitized structure, whether or not combined with a local stress state or a specific environment. The role of scanning electron microscopy in failure analysis is illustrated by case histories of the aforementioned fracture types.« less

Decomposition of L a2 -xS rxCu O4 into several L a2O3 phases at elevated temperatures in ultrahigh vacuum inside a transmission electron microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeong, Jong Seok; Wu, Wangzhou; Topsakal, Mehmet; Yu, Guichuan; Sasagawa, Takao; Greven, Martin; Mkhoyan, K. Andre

2018-05-01

We report the decomposition of L a2 -xS rxCu O4 into L a2O3 and Cu nanoparticles in ultrahigh vacuum, observed by in situ heating experiments in a transmission electron microscope. The analysis of electron diffraction data reveals that the phase decomposition process starts at about 150 °C and is considerably expedited in the temperature range of 350 °C-450 °C. Two major resultant solid phases are identified as metallic Cu and L a2O3 by electron diffraction, simulation, and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) analyses. With the aid of calculations, L a2O3 phases are further identified to be derivatives of a fluorite structure—fluorite, pyrochlore, and (distorted) bixbyite—characterized by different oxygen-vacancy order. Additionally, the bulk plasmon energy and the fine structures of the O K and La M4 ,5 EELS edges are reported for these structures, along with simulated O K x-ray absorption near-edge structure. The resultant Cu nanoparticles and L a2O3 phases remain unchanged after cooling to room temperature.

Influence of Ultrasonic Surface Rolling on Microstructure and Wear Behavior of Selective Laser Melted Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

PubMed Central

Wang, Zhen; Xiao, Zhiyu; Huang, Chuanshou; Wen, Liping; Zhang, Weiwen

2017-01-01

The present article studied the effect of ultrasonic surface rolling process (USRP) on the microstructure and wear behavior of a selective laser melted Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Surface characteristics were investigated using optical microscope, nano-indentation, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and laser scanning confocal microscope. Results indicated that the thickness of pore-free surfaces increased to 100~200 μm with the increasing ultrasonic surface rolling numbers. Severe work hardening occurred in the densified layer, resulting in the formation of refined grains, dislocation walls and deformation twins. After 1000 N 6 passes, about 15.5% and 14.1% increment in surficial Nano-hardness and Vickers-hardness was obtained, respectively. The hardness decreased gradually from the top surface to the substrate. Wear tests revealed that the friction coefficient declined from 0.74 (polished surface) to 0.64 (USRP treated surface) and the wear volume reduced from 0.205 mm−3 to 0.195 mm−3. The difference in wear volume between USRP treated and polished samples increased with sliding time. The enhanced wear resistance was concluded to be associated with the improvement of hardness and shear resistance and also the inhibition of delamination initiation. PMID:29048344

Quantum coherent optical phase modulation in an ultrafast transmission electron microscope.

PubMed

Feist, Armin; Echternkamp, Katharina E; Schauss, Jakob; Yalunin, Sergey V; Schäfer, Sascha; Ropers, Claus

2015-05-14

Coherent manipulation of quantum systems with light is expected to be a cornerstone of future information and communication technology, including quantum computation and cryptography. The transfer of an optical phase onto a quantum wavefunction is a defining aspect of coherent interactions and forms the basis of quantum state preparation, synchronization and metrology. Light-phase-modulated electron states near atoms and molecules are essential for the techniques of attosecond science, including the generation of extreme-ultraviolet pulses and orbital tomography. In contrast, the quantum-coherent phase-modulation of energetic free-electron beams has not been demonstrated, although it promises direct access to ultrafast imaging and spectroscopy with tailored electron pulses on the attosecond scale. Here we demonstrate the coherent quantum state manipulation of free-electron populations in an electron microscope beam. We employ the interaction of ultrashort electron pulses with optical near-fields to induce Rabi oscillations in the populations of electron momentum states, observed as a function of the optical driving field. Excellent agreement with the scaling of an equal-Rabi multilevel quantum ladder is obtained, representing the observation of a light-driven 'quantum walk' coherently reshaping electron density in momentum space. We note that, after the interaction, the optically generated superposition of momentum states evolves into a train of attosecond electron pulses. Our results reveal the potential of quantum control for the precision structuring of electron densities, with possible applications ranging from ultrafast electron spectroscopy and microscopy to accelerator science and free-electron lasers.

Quantum coherent optical phase modulation in an ultrafast transmission electron microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feist, Armin; Echternkamp, Katharina E.; Schauss, Jakob; Yalunin, Sergey V.; Schäfer, Sascha; Ropers, Claus

2015-05-01

Coherent manipulation of quantum systems with light is expected to be a cornerstone of future information and communication technology, including quantum computation and cryptography. The transfer of an optical phase onto a quantum wavefunction is a defining aspect of coherent interactions and forms the basis of quantum state preparation, synchronization and metrology. Light-phase-modulated electron states near atoms and molecules are essential for the techniques of attosecond science, including the generation of extreme-ultraviolet pulses and orbital tomography. In contrast, the quantum-coherent phase-modulation of energetic free-electron beams has not been demonstrated, although it promises direct access to ultrafast imaging and spectroscopy with tailored electron pulses on the attosecond scale. Here we demonstrate the coherent quantum state manipulation of free-electron populations in an electron microscope beam. We employ the interaction of ultrashort electron pulses with optical near-fields to induce Rabi oscillations in the populations of electron momentum states, observed as a function of the optical driving field. Excellent agreement with the scaling of an equal-Rabi multilevel quantum ladder is obtained, representing the observation of a light-driven `quantum walk' coherently reshaping electron density in momentum space. We note that, after the interaction, the optically generated superposition of momentum states evolves into a train of attosecond electron pulses. Our results reveal the potential of quantum control for the precision structuring of electron densities, with possible applications ranging from ultrafast electron spectroscopy and microscopy to accelerator science and free-electron lasers.

Imaging the electron-boson coupling in superconducting FeSe films using a scanning tunneling microscope.

PubMed

Song, Can-Li; Wang, Yi-Lin; Jiang, Ye-Ping; Li, Zhi; Wang, Lili; He, Ke; Chen, Xi; Hoffman, Jennifer E; Ma, Xu-Cun; Xue, Qi-Kun

2014-02-07

Scanning tunneling spectroscopy has been used to reveal signatures of a bosonic mode in the local quasiparticle density of states of superconducting FeSe films. The mode appears below Tc as a "dip-hump" feature at energy Ω∼4.7kBTc beyond the superconducting gap Δ. Spectra on strained regions of the FeSe films reveal simultaneous decreases in Δ and Ω. This contrasts with all previous reports on other high-Tc superconductors, where Δ locally anticorrelates with Ω. A local strong coupling model is found to reconcile the discrepancy well, and to provide a unified picture of the electron-boson coupling in unconventional superconductors.

Green tea extract induces protective autophagy in A549 non-small lung cancer cell line.

PubMed

Izdebska, Magdalena; Klimaszewska-Wiśniewska, Anna; Hałas, Marta; Gagat, Maciej; Grzanka, Alina

2015-12-31

For many decades, polyphenols, including green tea extract catechins, have been reported to exert multiple anti-tumor activities. However, to date the mechanisms of their action have not been completely elucidated. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of green tea extract on non-small lung cancer A549 cells. A549 cells following treatment with GTE were analyzed using the inverted light and fluorescence microscope. In order to evaluate cell sensitivity and cell death, the MTT assay and Tali image-based cytometer were used, respectively. Ultrastructural alterations were assessed using a transmission electron microscope. The obtained data suggested that GTE, even at the highest dose employed (150 μM), was not toxic to A549 cells. Likewise, the treatment with GTE resulted in only a very small dose-dependent increase in the population of apoptotic cells. However, enhanced accumulation of vacuole-like structures in response to GTE was seen at the light and electron microscopic level. Furthermore, an increase in the acidic vesicular organelles and LC3-II puncta formation was observed under the fluorescence microscope, following GTE treatment. The analysis of the functional status of autophagy revealed that GTE-induced autophagy may provide self-protection against its own cytotoxicity, since we observed that the blockage of autophagy by bafilomycin A1 decreased the viability of A549 cells and potentiated necrotic cell death induction in response to GTE treatment. Collectively, our results revealed that A549 cells are insensitive to both low and high concentrations of the green tea extract, probably due to the induction of cytoprotective autophagy. These data suggest that a potential utility of GTE in lung cancer therapy may lie in its synergistic combinations with drugs or small molecules that target autophagy, rather than in monotherapy.

Hemorrhagic enteritis in captive American kestrels (Falco sparverius)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sileo, L.; Franson, J.C.; Graham, D.L.; Domermuth, C.H.; Rattner, B.A.; Pattee, O.H.

1983-01-01

Hemorrhagic enteritis and hepatitis of suspected adenovirus etiology were the apparent cause of death of nine captive American kestrels. Cloacal hemorrhage was the only prominent gross lesion: disseminated hepatocellular necrosis, and intranuclear inclusion bodies were evident microscopically. Electron microscopy revealed numerous adenovirus-like particles associated with the hepatic lesions. Attempts to serologically identify the agent were unsuccessful.

75 FR 13486 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-22

... University, One Waterfront Place, PO Box 6024, Morgantown, WV 26506. Instrument: Electron Microscope.... Justification for Duty-Free Entry: There are no domestic manufacturers of this type of electron microscope.... Lawrence University, 23 Romoda Drive, Canton, NY 13617. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI...

77 FR 20009 - Howard Hughes Medical Institute, et al.; Notice of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty...

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2012-04-03

... decision consolidated pursuant to Section 6(c) of the Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Materials... 07470. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: Hitachi High Technologies America, Inc., Japan... educational uses requiring an electron microscope. We know of no electron microscope, or any other instrument...

The Design and Construction of a Simple Transmission Electron Microscope for Educational Purposes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hearsey, Paul K.

This document presents a model for a simple transmission electron microscope for educational purposes. This microscope could demonstrate thermonic emission, particle acceleration, electron deflection, and flourescence. It is designed to be used in high school science courses, particularly physics, taking into account the size, weight, complexity…

75 FR 20982 - West Virginia University, et al., Notice of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free...

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2010-04-22

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2010-06-10

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76 FR 68717 - University of Arkansas, et al.; Notice of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free...

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Secondary electron imaging of monolayer materials inside a transmission electron microscope

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cretu, Ovidiu, E-mail: cretu.ovidiu@nims.go.jp; Lin, Yung-Chang; Suenaga, Kazutomo

2015-08-10

A scanning transmission electron microscope equipped with a backscattered and secondary electron detector is shown capable to image graphene and hexagonal boron nitride monolayers. Secondary electron contrasts of the two lightest monolayer materials are clearly distinguished from the vacuum level. A signal difference between these two materials is attributed to electronic structure differences, which will influence the escape probabilities of the secondary electrons. Our results show that the secondary electron signal can be used to distinguish between the electronic structures of materials with atomic layer sensitivity, enhancing its applicability as a complementary signal in the analytical microscope.

Integration of a high-NA light microscope in a scanning electron microscope.

PubMed

Zonnevylle, A C; Van Tol, R F C; Liv, N; Narvaez, A C; Effting, A P J; Kruit, P; Hoogenboom, J P

2013-10-01

We present an integrated light-electron microscope in which an inverted high-NA objective lens is positioned inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM objective lens and the light objective lens have a common axis and focal plane, allowing high-resolution optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy on the same area of a sample simultaneously. Components for light illumination and detection can be mounted outside the vacuum, enabling flexibility in the construction of the light microscope. The light objective lens can be positioned underneath the SEM objective lens during operation for sub-10 μm alignment of the fields of view of the light and electron microscopes. We demonstrate in situ epifluorescence microscopy in the SEM with a numerical aperture of 1.4 using vacuum-compatible immersion oil. For a 40-nm-diameter fluorescent polymer nanoparticle, an intensity profile with a FWHM of 380 nm is measured whereas the SEM performance is uncompromised. The integrated instrument may offer new possibilities for correlative light and electron microscopy in the life sciences as well as in physics and chemistry. © 2013 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2013 Royal Microscopical Society.

Ultrastructural effects of silicone oil on the clear crystalline lens of the human eye.

PubMed

Soliman, Wael; Sharaf, Mohamed; Abdelazeem, Khaled; El-Gamal, Dalia; Nafady, Allam

2018-03-01

To evaluate light and electron microscopic changes of the anterior capsule and its epithelium after clear lens extraction of vitrectomized myopic eyes with silicone oil tamponade. This prospective, controlled, non-randomized, interventional study included 20 anterior lens capsular specimens that were excised during combined clear lens extraction and silicone oil removal from previously vitrectomized highly myopic patients with silicone oil tamponade for previous retinal detachment surgeries. The specimens were examined via light microscopy and electron microscopy and compared with 20 anterior capsule specimens removed during clear lens extraction of non-vitrectomized highly myopic eyes. Light microscopic examination of clear lens anterior capsule specimens of vitrectomized myopic eyes filled with silicone oil showed relatively more flat cells with irregular outline of lens' epithelial cells with wide intercellular spaces, deeply stained nuclei, and multiple intracytoplasmic vacuoles. Scanning electron microscopy revealed collagenous surfaces filled with multiple pits, depressions, and abnormal deposits. Transmission electron microscopy revealed lens epithelial cells with apoptotic changes, many cytoplasmic vacuoles, and filopodia-like protrusions between lens epithelial cells and the capsule. Epithelial proliferation and multilayering were also observed. silicone oil may play a role in the development of apoptotic and histopathological changes in clear lens epithelial cells. Clarity of the lens at the time of silicone oil removal does not indicate an absence of cataractous changes. We found justification of combined clear lens extraction and silicone oil removal or combined phacovitrectomy when silicone oil injection is planned, but further long-term studies with larger patient groups are required.

The influence of structure depth on image blurring of micrometres-thick specimens in MeV transmission electron imaging.

PubMed

Wang, Fang; Sun, Ying; Cao, Meng; Nishi, Ryuji

2016-04-01

This study investigates the influence of structure depth on image blurring of micrometres-thick films by experiment and simulation with a conventional transmission electron microscope (TEM). First, ultra-high-voltage electron microscope (ultra-HVEM) images of nanometer gold particles embedded in thick epoxy-resin films were acquired in the experiment and compared with simulated images. Then, variations of image blurring of gold particles at different depths were evaluated by calculating the particle diameter. The results showed that with a decrease in depth, image blurring increased. This depth-related property was more apparent for thicker specimens. Fortunately, larger particle depth involves less image blurring, even for a 10-μm-thick epoxy-resin film. The quality dependence on depth of a 3D reconstruction of particle structures in thick specimens was revealed by electron tomography. The evolution of image blurring with structure depth is determined mainly by multiple elastic scattering effects. Thick specimens of heavier materials produced more blurring due to a larger lateral spread of electrons after scattering from the structure. Nevertheless, increasing electron energy to 2MeV can reduce blurring and produce an acceptable image quality for thick specimens in the TEM. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tunable Electron-Electron Interactions in LaAlO 3 / SrTiO 3 Nanostructures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cheng, Guanglei; Tomczyk, Michelle; Tacla, Alexandre B.

The interface between the two complex oxides LaAlO 3 and SrTiO 3 has remarkable properties that can be locally reconfigured between conducting and insulating states using a conductive atomic force microscope. Prior investigations of “sketched” quantum dot devices revealed a phase in which electrons form pairs, implying a strongly attractive electron-electron interaction. Here, we show that these devices with strong electron-electron interactions can exhibit a gate-tunable transition from a pair-tunneling regime to a single-electron (Andreev bound state) tunneling regime where the interactions become repulsive. The electron-electron interaction sign change is associated with a Lifshitz transition where the d xz andmore » d yz bands start to become occupied. This electronically tunable electron-electron interaction, combined with the nanoscale reconfigurability of this system, provides an interesting starting point towards solid-state quantum simulation.« less

Tunable Electron-Electron Interactions in LaAlO 3 / SrTiO 3 Nanostructures

DOE PAGES

Cheng, Guanglei; Tomczyk, Michelle; Tacla, Alexandre B.; ...

2016-12-01

The interface between the two complex oxides LaAlO 3 and SrTiO 3 has remarkable properties that can be locally reconfigured between conducting and insulating states using a conductive atomic force microscope. Prior investigations of “sketched” quantum dot devices revealed a phase in which electrons form pairs, implying a strongly attractive electron-electron interaction. Here, we show that these devices with strong electron-electron interactions can exhibit a gate-tunable transition from a pair-tunneling regime to a single-electron (Andreev bound state) tunneling regime where the interactions become repulsive. The electron-electron interaction sign change is associated with a Lifshitz transition where the d xz andmore » d yz bands start to become occupied. This electronically tunable electron-electron interaction, combined with the nanoscale reconfigurability of this system, provides an interesting starting point towards solid-state quantum simulation.« less

Dental microwear textures: reconstructing diets of fossil mammals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DeSantis, Larisa R. G.

2016-06-01

Dietary information of fossil mammals can be revealed via the analysis of tooth morphology, tooth wear, tooth geochemistry, and the microscopic wear patterns on tooth surfaces resulting from food processing. Although dental microwear has long been used by anthropologists and paleontologists to clarify diets in a diversity of mammals, until recently these methods focused on the counting of wear features (e.g., pits and scratches) from two-dimensional surfaces (typically via scanning electron microscopes or low-magnification light microscopes). The analysis of dental microwear textures can instead reveal dietary information in a broad range of herbivorous, omnivorous, and carnivorous mammals by characterizing microscopic tooth surfaces in three-dimensions, without the counting of individual surface features. To date, dental microwear textures in ungulates, xenarthrans, marsupials, carnivorans, and primates (including humans and their ancestors) are correlated with known dietary behavior in extant taxa and reconstruct ancient diets in a diversity of prehistoric mammals. For example, tough versus hard object feeding can be characterized across disparate phylogenetic groups and can distinguish grazers, folivorous, and flesh consumers (tougher food consumers) from woody browsers, frugivores, and bone consumers (harder object feeders). This paper reviews how dental microwear textures can be useful to reconstructing diets in a broad array of living and extinct mammals, with commentary on areas of future research.

Membranous nephropathy (bubbling appearance and spike formation) without immunoglobulin deposition in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

PubMed

Miura, Naoto; Mori, Yuki; Yoshino, Masabumi; Suga, Norihiro; Kitagawa, Wataru; Yamada, Harutaka; Nishikawa, Kazuhiro; Imai, Hirokazu

2008-12-01

A 53-year-old Japanese man with systemic lupus erythematosus developed proteinuria and hematuria after a urinary stone episode. A light microscopic study of a kidney biopsy specimen demonstrated a bubbling appearance and spike formation of the basement membrane. Immunofluorescent studies revealed that there were no significant depositions of immunoglobulins, such as IgG (-), IgA (-), IgM (+/-), kappa light chain (+/-), lambda light chain (+/-), or C3 (-) in the glomerular capillary wall, though C1q was present as one-plus positive staining in mesangial areas. Electron microscopic studies showed that the thickness of the basement membrane varied from thin to thick without electron dense deposits, and that the cellular components of the podocyte were irregularly present in the basement membrane. Urinary protein decreased after the usage of prednisolone and mizoribine; however, proteinuria aggravated after an episode of urinary stone during the same treatment.

Synthesis and characterization of nano-hydroxyapatite in maltodextrin matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phan, Bich T. N.; Nguyen, Hanh T.; Đao, Huong Q.; Pham, Lam V.; Quan, Trang T. T.; Nguyen, Duong B.; Nguyen, Huong T. L.; Vu, Thuan T.

2017-02-01

In this study, we report the direct precipitation of nano-HA in the present of maltodextrins with the different dextrose equivalent (DE) values in the range of 10-30. Characterization of the obtained samples, using X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, indicated that the presence of maltodextrins, with the different DE values, does not affect the phase composition and structure of the obtained composites. Morphology studies of the samples, using field emission scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope, revealed that maltodextrin has obvious effect on the size, shape, and morphology of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. In particular, in studied DE range, maltodextrin DE 28-30 with dominant structure of debranched chain is the most preferable choice to obtain the composite with highly dispersed nanoparticles. In vitro assay on pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells demonstrated the ability of the composites to stimulate alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization during differentiation of the cells.

Intravascular detection of Giardia trophozoites in naturally infected mice. An electron microscopic study.

PubMed

el-Shewy, K A; Eid, R A

2003-06-01

During routine transmission electron microscopic (TEM) examination of mice naturally infected with Giardia muris, an intense infection with Giardia trophozoites was demonstrated within intestinal and renal tissues. Examination of randomly taken sections from these heavily infected tissues revealed marked deep affection with mixed pathology. Duodenal sections were found loaded with Giardia trophozoites in intimate contact with necrotic gut cells. Some of these trophozoites were detected within central lacteal of damaged villi and nearby blood vessels. Interestingly, and for the first time to be demonstrated, morphologically identical G. muris trophozoite was detected in a renal blood vessel. An intense cellular immune reaction was obviously demonstrated with remarkable interaction between giant macrophages and the trophozoites particulates. Involvement of deep tissues by Giardia trophozoites and their presence within vascular channels could open up questions about the possible invasive and disseminative behavior of G. muris, particularly in heavily and naturally infected hosts.

L-Phenylalanine functionalized silver nanoparticles: Photocatalytic and nonlinear optical applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nidya, M.; Umadevi, M.; Sankar, Pranitha; Philip, Reji; Rajkumar, Beulah J. M.

2015-04-01

An extensive study on the behavior of L-Phenylalanine capped silver nanoparticles (Phe-Ag NPs) in the aqueous phase and in a sol-gel thin film showed different UV/Vis, Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering and Zeta potential profiles. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of the samples in the sol gel film showed Ag embedded in the SiO2 matrix. Surface Enhanced Raman Spectra (SERS) confirmed that both in the aqueous media and in the sol gel film, the attachment of Phe to the Ag NP surface was through the benzene ring, with the sol-gel film showing a better enhancement. Photocatalytic degradation of crystal violet was measured spectrophotometrically using Phe-Ag NPs as a nanocatalyst under visible light illumination. Intensity-dependent nonlinear optical absorption of Phe-Ag measured using the open aperture Z-scan technique revealed that the material is an efficient optical limiter with potential applications.

Growth of carbon nanotubes in arc plasma treated graphite disc: microstructural characterization and electrical conductivity study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nayak, B. B.; Sahu, R. K.; Dash, T.; Pradhan, S.

2018-03-01

Circular graphite discs were treated in arc plasma by varying arcing time. Analysis of the plasma treated discs by field emission scanning electron microscope revealed globular grain morphologies on the surfaces, but when the same were observed at higher magnification and higher resolution under transmission electron microscope, growth of multiwall carbon nanotubes of around 2 nm diameter was clearly seen. In situ growth of carbon nanotube bundles/bunches consisting of around 0.7 nm tube diameter was marked in the case of 6 min treated disc surface. Both the untreated and the plasma treated graphite discs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectra of X-ray, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, micro Raman spectroscopy and BET surface area measurement. From Raman spectra, BET surface area and microstructure observed in transmission electron microscope, growth of several layers of graphene was identified. Four-point probe measurements for electrical resistivity/conductivity of the graphite discs treated under different plasma conditions showed significant increase in conductivity values over that of untreated graphite conductivity value and the best result, i.e., around eightfold increase in conductivity, was observed in the case of 6 min plasma treated sample exhibiting carbon nanotube bundles/bunches grown on disc surface. By comparing the microstructures of the untreated and plasma treated graphite discs, the electrical conductivity increase in graphite disc is attributed to carbon nanotubes (including bundles/bunches) growth on disc surface by plasma treatment.

Correction of image drift and distortion in a scanning electron microscopy.

PubMed

Jin, P; Li, X

2015-12-01

Continuous research on small-scale mechanical structures and systems has attracted strong demand for ultrafine deformation and strain measurements. Conventional optical microscope cannot meet such requirements owing to its lower spatial resolution. Therefore, high-resolution scanning electron microscope has become the preferred system for high spatial resolution imaging and measurements. However, scanning electron microscope usually is contaminated by distortion and drift aberrations which cause serious errors to precise imaging and measurements of tiny structures. This paper develops a new method to correct drift and distortion aberrations of scanning electron microscope images, and evaluates the effect of correction by comparing corrected images with scanning electron microscope image of a standard sample. The drift correction is based on the interpolation scheme, where a series of images are captured at one location of the sample and perform image correlation between the first image and the consequent images to interpolate the drift-time relationship of scanning electron microscope images. The distortion correction employs the axial symmetry model of charged particle imaging theory to two images sharing with the same location of one object under different imaging fields of view. The difference apart from rigid displacement between the mentioned two images will give distortion parameters. Three-order precision is considered in the model and experiment shows that one pixel maximum correction is obtained for the employed high-resolution electron microscopic system. © 2015 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2015 Royal Microscopical Society.

Synthesis of gold nanoparticles with graphene oxide.

PubMed

Wang, Wenshuo; He, Dawei; Zhang, Xiqing; Duan, Jiahua; Wu, Hongpeng; Xu, Haiteng; Wang, Yongsheng

2014-05-01

Single sheets of functionalized graphene oxide are derived through chemical exfoliation of natural flake graphite. We present an effective synthetic method of graphene-gold nanoparticles hybrid nanocomposites. AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) was used to measure the thickness of the individual GO nanosheet. FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy was used to verify the attachment of oxygen functionalities on the surface of graphene oxide. TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) data revealed the average diameters of the gold colloids and characterized the composite particles situation. Absorption spectroscopy showed that before and after synthesis the gold particle size did not change. Our studies indicate that the hybrid is potential substrates for catalysts and biosensors.

The future of electron microscopy

DOE PAGES

Zhu, Yimei; Durr, Hermann

2015-04-01

Seeing is believing. So goes the old adage and seen evidence is undoubtedly satisfying because it can be interpreted easily, though not always correctly. For centuries, humans have developed such instruments as telescopes that observe the heavens and microscopes that reveal bacteria and viruses. The 2014 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Eric Betzig, Stefan Hell, and William Moerner for their foundational work on superresolution fluorescence microscopy in which they overcame the Abbe diffraction limit for the resolving power of conventional light microscopes. (See Physics Today, December 2014, page 18.) That breakthrough enabled discoveries in biological research and testifiesmore » to the importance of modern microscopy.« less

[Thirty years of the electron microscope investigation in zoology and parasitology in the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences].

PubMed

Shatrov, A B

2003-01-01

The history of the electron microscope investigations in zoology and parasitology in the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences and progress in scanning and transmission electron microscope investigations in this field of biology to the moment are briefly accounted.

75 FR 52928 - Emory University, et al., Notice of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free Entry of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-30

... Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free Entry of Electron Microscopes This is a decision... 30322. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: JEOL, Ltd., Japan. Intended Use: See notice at 75... Department of Health, Menands, NY 12204-2719. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: JEOL Ltd., Japan...

Imaging of Norway spruce early somatic embryos with the ESEM, Cryo-SEM and laser scanning microscope.

PubMed

Neděla, Vilém; Hřib, Jiří; Havel, Ladislav; Hudec, Jiří; Runštuk, Jiří

2016-05-01

This article describes the surface structure of Norway spruce early somatic embryos (ESEs) as a typical culture with asynchronous development. The microstructure of extracellular matrix covering ESEs were observed using the environmental scanning electron microscope as a primary tool and using the scanning electron microscope with cryo attachment and laser electron microscope as a complementary tool allowing our results to be proven independently. The fresh samples were observed in conditions of the air environment of the environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) with the pressure from 550Pa to 690Pa and the low temperature of the sample from -18°C to -22°C. The samples were studied using two different types of detector to allow studying either the thin surface structure or material composition. The scanning electron microscope with cryo attachment was used for imaging frozen extracellular matrix microstructure with higher resolution. The combination of both electron microscopy methods was suitable for observation of "native" plant samples, allowing correct evaluation of our results, free of error and artifacts. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electron microscopy methods in studies of cultural heritage sites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vasiliev, A. L., E-mail: a.vasiliev56@gmail.com; Kovalchuk, M. V.; Yatsishina, E. B.

The history of the development and application of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDXMA) in studies of cultural heritage sites is considered. In fact, investigations based on these methods began when electron microscopes became a commercial product. Currently, these methods, being developed and improved, help solve many historical enigmas. To date, electron microscopy combined with microanalysis makes it possible to investigate any object, from parchment and wooden articles to pigments, tools, and objects of art. Studies by these methods have revealed that some articles were made by ancient masters using ancient “nanotechnologies”; hence,more » their comprehensive analysis calls for the latest achievements in the corresponding instrumental methods and sample preparation techniques.« less

Electron microscopy methods in studies of cultural heritage sites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasiliev, A. L.; Kovalchuk, M. V.; Yatsishina, E. B.

2016-11-01

The history of the development and application of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDXMA) in studies of cultural heritage sites is considered. In fact, investigations based on these methods began when electron microscopes became a commercial product. Currently, these methods, being developed and improved, help solve many historical enigmas. To date, electron microscopy combined with microanalysis makes it possible to investigate any object, from parchment and wooden articles to pigments, tools, and objects of art. Studies by these methods have revealed that some articles were made by ancient masters using ancient "nanotechnologies"; hence, their comprehensive analysis calls for the latest achievements in the corresponding instrumental methods and sample preparation techniques.

Grayscale inhomogeneity correction method for multiple mosaicked electron microscope images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Fangxu; Chen, Xi; Sun, Rong; Han, Hua

2018-04-01

Electron microscope image stitching is highly desired to acquire microscopic resolution images of large target scenes in neuroscience. However, the result of multiple Mosaicked electron microscope images may exist severe gray scale inhomogeneity due to the instability of the electron microscope system and registration errors, which degrade the visual effect of the mosaicked EM images and aggravate the difficulty of follow-up treatment, such as automatic object recognition. Consequently, the grayscale correction method for multiple mosaicked electron microscope images is indispensable in these areas. Different from most previous grayscale correction methods, this paper designs a grayscale correction process for multiple EM images which tackles the difficulty of the multiple images monochrome correction and achieves the consistency of grayscale in the overlap regions. We adjust overall grayscale of the mosaicked images with the location and grayscale information of manual selected seed images, and then fuse local overlap regions between adjacent images using Poisson image editing. Experimental result demonstrates the effectiveness of our proposed method.

High-resolution, high-throughput imaging with a multibeam scanning electron microscope

PubMed Central

EBERLE, AL; MIKULA, S; SCHALEK, R; LICHTMAN, J; TATE, ML KNOTHE; ZEIDLER, D

2015-01-01

Electron–electron interactions and detector bandwidth limit the maximal imaging speed of single-beam scanning electron microscopes. We use multiple electron beams in a single column and detect secondary electrons in parallel to increase the imaging speed by close to two orders of magnitude and demonstrate imaging for a variety of samples ranging from biological brain tissue to semiconductor wafers. Lay Description The composition of our world and our bodies on the very small scale has always fascinated people, making them search for ways to make this visible to the human eye. Where light microscopes reach their resolution limit at a certain magnification, electron microscopes can go beyond. But their capability of visualizing extremely small features comes at the cost of a very small field of view. Some of the questions researchers seek to answer today deal with the ultrafine structure of brains, bones or computer chips. Capturing these objects with electron microscopes takes a lot of time – maybe even exceeding the time span of a human being – or new tools that do the job much faster. A new type of scanning electron microscope scans with 61 electron beams in parallel, acquiring 61 adjacent images of the sample at the same time a conventional scanning electron microscope captures one of these images. In principle, the multibeam scanning electron microscope’s field of view is 61 times larger and therefore coverage of the sample surface can be accomplished in less time. This enables researchers to think about large-scale projects, for example in the rather new field of connectomics. A very good introduction to imaging a brain at nanometre resolution can be found within course material from Harvard University on http://www.mcb80x.org/# as featured media entitled ‘connectomics’. PMID:25627873

Novel Starch-PVA Polymer for Microparticle Preparation and Optimization Using Factorial Design Study

PubMed Central

Chattopadhyay, Helen; De, Amit Kumar; Datta, Sriparna

2015-01-01

The aim of our present work was to optimize the ratio of a very novel polymer, starch-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), for controlled delivery of Ornidazole. Polymer-coated drug microparticles were prepared by emulsion method. Microscopic study, scanning electron microscopic study, and atomic force microscopic study revealed that the microparticles were within 10 micrometers of size with smooth spherical shape. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed absence of drug polymer interaction. A statistical 32 full factorial design was used to study the effect of different concentration of starch and PVA on the drug release profile. The three-dimensional plots gave us an idea about the contribution of each factor on the release kinetics. Hence this novel polymer of starch and polyvinyl alcohol can be utilized for control release of the drug from a targeted delivery device. PMID:27347511

Facile preparation of nanofiller-paper using mixed office paper without deinking

Treesearch

Qianqian Wang; J.Y. Zhu

2015-01-01

Mixed office paper (MOP) pulp without deinking with an ash content of 18.1 ± 1.5% was used as raw material to produce nanofiller-paper. The MOP pulp with filler was mechanically fibrillated using a laboratory stone grinder. Scanning electron microscope imaging revealed that the ground filler particles were wrapped by cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), which substantially...

Analysis of improvement in performance and design parameters for enhancing resolution in an atmospheric scanning electron microscope.

PubMed

Yoon, Yeo Hun; Kim, Seung Jae; Kim, Dong Hwan

2015-12-01

The scanning electron microscope is used in various fields to go beyond diffraction limits of the optical microscope. However, the electron pathway should be conducted in a vacuum so as not to scatter electrons. The pretreatment of the sample is needed for use in the vacuum. To directly observe large and fully hydrophilic samples without pretreatment, the atmospheric scanning electron microscope (ASEM) is needed. We developed an electron filter unit and an electron detector unit for implementation of the ASEM. The key of the electron filter unit is that electrons are transmitted while air molecules remain untransmitted through the unit. The electron detector unit collected the backscattered electrons. We conducted experiments using the selected materials with Havar foil, carbon film and SiN film. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Japanese Society of Microscopy. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

High cycle fatigue in the transmission electron microscope

DOE PAGES

Bufford, Daniel C.; Stauffer, Douglas; Mook, William M.; ...

2016-06-28

One of the most common causes of structural failure in metals is fatigue induced by cyclic loading. Historically, microstructure-level analysis of fatigue cracks has primarily been performed post mortem. However, such investigations do not directly reveal the internal structural processes at work near micro- and nanoscale fatigue cracks and thus do not provide direct evidence of active microstructural mechanisms. In this paper, the tension–tension fatigue behavior of nanocrystalline Cu was monitored in real time at the nanoscale by utilizing a new capability for quantitative cyclic mechanical loading performed in situ in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Controllable loads were appliedmore » at frequencies from one to several hundred hertz, enabling accumulations of 10 6 cycles within 1 h. The nanometer-scale spatial resolution of the TEM allows quantitative fatigue crack growth studies at very slow crack growth rates, measured here at ~10 –12 m·cycle –1. This represents an incipient threshold regime that is well below the tensile yield stress and near the minimum conditions for fatigue crack growth. Evidence of localized deformation and grain growth within 150 nm of the crack tip was observed by both standard imaging and precession electron diffraction orientation mapping. Finally, these observations begin to reveal with unprecedented detail the local microstructural processes that govern damage accumulation, crack nucleation, and crack propagation during fatigue loading in nanocrystalline Cu.« less

High cycle fatigue in the transmission electron microscope

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bufford, Daniel C.; Stauffer, Douglas; Mook, William M.

One of the most common causes of structural failure in metals is fatigue induced by cyclic loading. Historically, microstructure-level analysis of fatigue cracks has primarily been performed post mortem. However, such investigations do not directly reveal the internal structural processes at work near micro- and nanoscale fatigue cracks and thus do not provide direct evidence of active microstructural mechanisms. In this paper, the tension–tension fatigue behavior of nanocrystalline Cu was monitored in real time at the nanoscale by utilizing a new capability for quantitative cyclic mechanical loading performed in situ in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Controllable loads were appliedmore » at frequencies from one to several hundred hertz, enabling accumulations of 10 6 cycles within 1 h. The nanometer-scale spatial resolution of the TEM allows quantitative fatigue crack growth studies at very slow crack growth rates, measured here at ~10 –12 m·cycle –1. This represents an incipient threshold regime that is well below the tensile yield stress and near the minimum conditions for fatigue crack growth. Evidence of localized deformation and grain growth within 150 nm of the crack tip was observed by both standard imaging and precession electron diffraction orientation mapping. Finally, these observations begin to reveal with unprecedented detail the local microstructural processes that govern damage accumulation, crack nucleation, and crack propagation during fatigue loading in nanocrystalline Cu.« less

Isolation, electron microscopic imaging, and 3-D visualization of native cardiac thin myofilaments.

PubMed

Spiess, M; Steinmetz, M O; Mandinova, A; Wolpensinger, B; Aebi, U; Atar, D

1999-06-15

An increasing number of cardiac diseases are currently pinpointed to reside at the level of the thin myofilaments (e.g., cardiomyopathies, reperfusion injury). Hence the aim of our study was to develop a new method for the isolation of mammalian thin myofilaments suitable for subsequent high-resolution electron microscopic imaging. Native cardiac thin myofilaments were extracted from glycerinated porcine myocardial tissue in the presence of protease inhibitors. Separation of thick and thin myofilaments was achieved by addition of ATP and several centrifugation steps. Negative staining and subsequent conventional and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) of thin myofilaments permitted visualization of molecular details; unlike conventional preparations of thin myofilaments, our method reveals the F-actin moiety and allows direct recognition of thin myofilament-associated porcine cardiac troponin complexes. They appear as "bulges" at regular intervals of approximately 36 nm along the actin filaments. Protein analysis using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that only approximately 20% troponin I was lost during the isolation procedure. In a further step, 3-D helical reconstructions were calculated using STEM dark-field images. These 3-D reconstructions will allow further characterization of molecular details, and they will be useful for directly visualizing molecular alterations related to diseased cardiac thin myofilaments (e.g., reperfusion injury, alterations of Ca2+-mediated tropomyosin switch). Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Size determination of Acipenser ruthenus spermatozoa in different types of electron microscopy.

PubMed

Psenicka, Martin; Tesarová, Martina; Tesitel, Jakub; Nebesárová, Jana

2010-07-01

In this study three types of scanning electron microscopes were used for the size determination of spermatozoa of sterlet Acipenser ruthenus - high vacuum scanning electron microscope (SEM, JEOL 6300), environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM, Quanta 200 FEG), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM, JEOL 7401F) with cryoattachment Alto 2500 (Gatan) and transmission electron microscope (TEM, JEOL 1010). The use of particular microscopes was tied with different specimen preparation techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate to what degree the type of used electron microscope can influence the size of different parts of spermatozoa. For high vacuum SEM the specimen was prepared using two slightly different procedures. After chemical fixation with 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1M phosphate buffer and post-fixation by 1% osmium tetroxide, the specimen was dehydrated by acetone series and dried either by critical point method or by means of t-butylalcohol. For ESEM fresh, unfixed material was used, which was dropped on microscopic copper grids. In FESEM working in cryo-mode the specimen was observed in a frozen state. Ultrathin sections from chemically fixed and Epon embedded specimens were prepared for TEM observation. Distinct parts of sterlet spermatozoa were measured in each microscope and the data obtained was statistically processed. Results confirmed that the classical chemical procedure of specimen preparation for SEM including critical point drying method led to a significant contraction of all measured values, which could deviate up to 30% in comparison with values measured on the fresh chemically untreated specimen in ESEM. Surprisingly sperm dimensions determinated on ultrathin sections by TEM are comparable with values obtained in ESEM or FESEM. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electron microscopic investigation of crystal lattice bending-torsion and internal stresses in deformed polycrystalline alloys

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Koneva, N. A., E-mail: koneva@tsuab.ru; Kozlov, E. V.

2016-01-15

Generalization of the results of electron microscopy investigations of the crystal lattice bending-torsion (χ) and the internal stresses (IS) was conducted. The deformed polycrystalline alloys and steels were investigated. The sources of χ and IS origin were established. The regularities of their change with the distance from the sources and the evolution with deformation were revealed. The contribution of IS into the deformation resistance was determined. The nature of formation of two sequences of dislocation substructure transformations during deformation of alloys was established.

An electron microscope for the aberration-corrected era.

PubMed

Krivanek, O L; Corbin, G J; Dellby, N; Elston, B F; Keyse, R J; Murfitt, M F; Own, C S; Szilagyi, Z S; Woodruff, J W

2008-02-01

Improved resolution made possible by aberration correction has greatly increased the demands on the performance of all parts of high-end electron microscopes. In order to meet these demands, we have designed and built an entirely new scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). The microscope includes a flexible illumination system that allows the properties of its probe to be changed on-the-fly, a third-generation aberration corrector which corrects all geometric aberrations up to fifth order, an ultra-responsive yet stable five-axis sample stage, and a flexible configuration of optimized detectors. The microscope features many innovations, such as a modular column assembled from building blocks that can be stacked in almost any order, in situ storage and cleaning facilities for up to five samples, computer-controlled loading of samples into the column, and self-diagnosing electronics. The microscope construction is described, and examples of its capabilities are shown.

Secondary signal imaging (SSI) electron tomography (SSI-ET): A new three-dimensional metrology for mesoscale specimens in transmission electron microscope.

PubMed

Han, Chang Wan; Ortalan, Volkan

2015-09-01

We have demonstrated a new electron tomography technique utilizing the secondary signals (secondary electrons and backscattered electrons) for ultra thick (a few μm) specimens. The Monte Carlo electron scattering simulations reveal that the amount of backscattered electrons generated by 200 and 300keV incident electrons is a monotonic function of the sample thickness and this causes the thickness contrast satisfying the projection requirement for the tomographic reconstruction. Additional contribution of the secondary electrons emitted from the edges of the specimens enhances the visibility of the surface features. The acquired SSI tilt series of the specimen having mesoscopic dimensions are successfully reconstructed verifying that this new technique, so called the secondary signal imaging electron tomography (SSI-ET), can directly be utilized for 3D structural analysis of mesoscale structures. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Facile synthesis and photocatalytic activity of ZnO/zinc titanate core-shell nanorod arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Ding-Chao; Fu, Qiu-Ming; Ma, Zhi-Bin; Zhao, Hong-Yang; Tu, Ya-Fang; Tian, Yu; Zhou, Di; Zheng, Guang; Lu, Hong-Bing

2018-02-01

ZnO/zinc titanate core-shell nanorod arrays (CSNRs) were successfully prepared via a simple synthesis process by combining hydrothermal synthesis and liquid phase deposition (LPD). The surface morphologies, crystalline characteristics, optical properties and surface electronic states of the ZnO/zinc titanate CSNRs were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, x-ray diffractometer, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, PL and ultraviolet (UV)-visible absorption spectra. By controlling the reaction time of LPD, the shell thickness could vary with the reaction time. Furthermore, the impacts of the reaction time and post-annealing temperature on the crystalline structure and chemical composition of the CSNRs were also investigated. The studies of photocatalytic activity under UV light irradiation revealed that the ZnO/zinc titanate CSNRs annealed at 700 °C with 30 min deposition exhibited the best photocatalytic activity and good stability for degradation of methylene blue. It had been found that the effective separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs in the CSNRs led to the enhanced photocatalytic activity. Moreover, the ZnO/zinc titanate CSNRs grown on quartz glass substrate could be easily recycled for reuse with almost unchanged photocatalytic activity.

2013 R&D 100 Award: Movie-mode electron microscope captures nanoscale

ScienceCinema

Lagrange, Thomas; Reed, Bryan

2018-01-26

A new instrument developed by LLNL scientists and engineers, the Movie Mode Dynamic Transmission Electron Microscope (MM-DTEM), captures billionth-of-a-meter-scale images with frame rates more than 100,000 times faster than those of conventional techniques. The work was done in collaboration with a Pleasanton-based company, Integrated Dynamic Electron Solutions (IDES) Inc. Using this revolutionary imaging technique, a range of fundamental and technologically important material and biological processes can be captured in action, in complete billionth-of-a-meter detail, for the first time. The primary application of MM-DTEM is the direct observation of fast processes, including microstructural changes, phase transformations and chemical reactions, that shape real-world performance of nanostructured materials and potentially biological entities. The instrument could prove especially valuable in the direct observation of macromolecular interactions, such as protein-protein binding and host-pathogen interactions. While an earlier version of the technology, Single Shot-DTEM, could capture a single snapshot of a rapid process, MM-DTEM captures a multiframe movie that reveals complex sequences of events in detail. It is the only existing technology that can capture multiple electron microscopy images in the span of a single microsecond.

2013 R&D 100 Award: Movie-mode electron microscope captures nanoscale

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lagrange, Thomas; Reed, Bryan

2014-04-03

A new instrument developed by LLNL scientists and engineers, the Movie Mode Dynamic Transmission Electron Microscope (MM-DTEM), captures billionth-of-a-meter-scale images with frame rates more than 100,000 times faster than those of conventional techniques. The work was done in collaboration with a Pleasanton-based company, Integrated Dynamic Electron Solutions (IDES) Inc. Using this revolutionary imaging technique, a range of fundamental and technologically important material and biological processes can be captured in action, in complete billionth-of-a-meter detail, for the first time. The primary application of MM-DTEM is the direct observation of fast processes, including microstructural changes, phase transformations and chemical reactions, that shapemore » real-world performance of nanostructured materials and potentially biological entities. The instrument could prove especially valuable in the direct observation of macromolecular interactions, such as protein-protein binding and host-pathogen interactions. While an earlier version of the technology, Single Shot-DTEM, could capture a single snapshot of a rapid process, MM-DTEM captures a multiframe movie that reveals complex sequences of events in detail. It is the only existing technology that can capture multiple electron microscopy images in the span of a single microsecond.« less

Ruptured pericardial perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) leading to sudden death: an autopsy case report and review of the literature.

PubMed

Zhang, Lingxin; Carpenter, Danielle; Dehner, Louis P

2016-01-01

A 30-year-old man with past medical history of atrial fibrillation/flutter passed away after presenting with sudden-onset cardiac dysfunction. The postmortem examination revealed cardiac tamponade secondary to rupture of a 7.2-cm pericardial perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa). The tumor grossly appeared to arise from the transverse pericardial sinus and focally penetrated the epicardium of the right atrium. Microscopically, it was composed of predominately spindle cells with low nuclear grade, no pleomorphism, or readily apparent mitoses. Immunohistochemistry revealed cytoplasmic reactivity for HMB-45, desmin, and smooth muscle actin. Electron microscopic findings were characterized by melanosome-like structures intermixed with intermediate filaments and abundant stacked endoplasmic reticulum. The present case is unique among previously reported pericardial/myocardial PEComas as a first example resulting in unexpected cardiac tamponade and sudden cardiac death. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Hartmann characterization of the PEEM-3 aberration-corrected X-ray photoemission electron microscope.

PubMed

Scholl, A; Marcus, M A; Doran, A; Nasiatka, J R; Young, A T; MacDowell, A A; Streubel, R; Kent, N; Feng, J; Wan, W; Padmore, H A

2018-05-01

Aberration correction by an electron mirror dramatically improves the spatial resolution and transmission of photoemission electron microscopes. We will review the performance of the recently installed aberration corrector of the X-ray Photoemission Electron Microscope PEEM-3 and show a large improvement in the efficiency of the electron optics. Hartmann testing is introduced as a quantitative method to measure the geometrical aberrations of a cathode lens electron microscope. We find that aberration correction leads to an order of magnitude reduction of the spherical aberrations, suggesting that a spatial resolution of below 100 nm is possible at 100% transmission of the optics when using x-rays. We demonstrate this improved performance by imaging test patterns employing element and magnetic contrast. Published by Elsevier B.V.

A new apparatus for electron tomography in the scanning electron microscope

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Morandi, V., E-mail: morandi@bo.imm.cnr.it; Maccagnani, P.; Masini, L.

2015-06-23

The three-dimensional reconstruction of a microscopic specimen has been obtained by applying the tomographic algorithm to a set of images acquired in a Scanning Electron Microscope. This result was achieved starting from a series of projections obtained by stepwise rotating the sample under the beam raster. The Scanning Electron Microscope was operated in the scanning-transmission imaging mode, where the intensity of the transmitted electron beam is a monotonic function of the local mass-density and thickness of the specimen. The detection strategy has been implemented and tailored in order to maintain the projection requirement over the large tilt range, as requiredmore » by the tomographic workflow. A Si-based electron detector and an eucentric-rotation specimen holder have been specifically developed for the purpose.« less

ultraLM and miniLM: Locator tools for smart tracking of fluorescent cells in correlative light and electron microscopy.

PubMed

Brama, Elisabeth; Peddie, Christopher J; Wilkes, Gary; Gu, Yan; Collinson, Lucy M; Jones, Martin L

2016-12-13

In-resin fluorescence (IRF) protocols preserve fluorescent proteins in resin-embedded cells and tissues for correlative light and electron microscopy, aiding interpretation of macromolecular function within the complex cellular landscape. Dual-contrast IRF samples can be imaged in separate fluorescence and electron microscopes, or in dual-modality integrated microscopes for high resolution correlation of fluorophore to organelle. IRF samples also offer a unique opportunity to automate correlative imaging workflows. Here we present two new locator tools for finding and following fluorescent cells in IRF blocks, enabling future automation of correlative imaging. The ultraLM is a fluorescence microscope that integrates with an ultramicrotome, which enables 'smart collection' of ultrathin sections containing fluorescent cells or tissues for subsequent transmission electron microscopy or array tomography. The miniLM is a fluorescence microscope that integrates with serial block face scanning electron microscopes, which enables 'smart tracking' of fluorescent structures during automated serial electron image acquisition from large cell and tissue volumes.

Quadriplegic areflexic ICU illness: selective thick filament loss and normal nerve histology.

PubMed

Sander, Howard W; Golden, Marianna; Danon, Moris J

2002-10-01

Areflexic quadriplegia that occurs in the intensive care unit (ICU) is commonly ascribed to critical illness polyneuropathy based upon electrophysiology or muscle light microscopy. However, electron microscopy often documents a selective thick filament loss myopathy. Eight ICU patients who developed areflexic quadriplegia underwent biopsy. Seven patients had received steroids, and 2 had also received paralytic agents. Electrodiagnostic studies revealed absent or low-amplitude motor responses in 7. Sensory responses were normal in 5 of 6 and absent in 1. Initial electromyography revealed absent (n = 3), small (n = 3), or polyphasic (n = 1) motor unit potentials, and diffuse fibrillation potentials (n = 5). In all 8, light microscopy of muscle revealed numerous atrophic-angulated fibers and corelike lesions, and electron microscopy revealed extensive thick filament loss. Morphology of sural and intramuscular nerves, and, in one autopsied case, of the obturator nerve and multiple nerve roots, was normal. Although clinical, electrodiagnostic, and light microscopic features mimicked denervating disease, muscle electron microscopy revealed thick filament loss, and nerve histology was normal. This suggests that areflexic ICU quadriplegia is a primary myopathy and not an axonal polyneuropathy. Copyright 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 26: 499-505, 2002

Antibacterial and cytotoxic potential of silver nanoparticles synthesized using latex of Calotropis gigantea L.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rajkuberan, Chandrasekaran; Sudha, Kannaiah; Sathishkumar, Gnanasekar; Sivaramakrishnan, Sivaperumal

2015-02-01

The present study aimed to synthesis silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in a greener route using aqueous latex extract of Calotropis gigantea L. toward biomedical applications. Initially, synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed through UV-Vis spectroscopy which shows the surface plasmonic resonance peak (SPR) at 420 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis provides clear evidence that protein fractions present in the latex extract act as reducing and stabilizing bio agents. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDAX) spectroscopy confirms the presence of silver as a major constituent element. X-ray diffractograms displays that the synthesized AgNPs were biphasic crystalline nature. Electron microscopic studies such as Field emission scanning electron microscopic (Fe-SEM) and Transmission electron microscope (TEM) reveals that synthesized AgNPs are spherical in shape with the size range between 5 and 30 nm. Further, crude latex aqueous extract and synthesized AgNPs were evaluated against different bacterial pathogens such as Bacillus cereus, Enterococci sp, Shigella sp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Compared to the crude latex aqueous extract, biosynthesized AgNPs exhibits a remarkable antimicrobial activity. Likewise invitro anticancer study manifests the cytotoxicity value of synthesized AgNPs against tested HeLa cells. The output of this study clearly suggesting that biosynthesized AgNPs using latex of C. gigantea can be used as promising nanomaterial for therapeutic application in context with nanodrug formulation.

Correlative SEM SERS for quantitative analysis of dimer nanoparticles.

PubMed

Timmermans, F J; Lenferink, A T M; van Wolferen, H A G M; Otto, C

2016-11-14

A Raman microscope integrated with a scanning electron microscope was used to investigate plasmonic structures by correlative SEM-SERS analysis. The integrated Raman-SEM microscope combines high-resolution electron microscopy information with SERS signal enhancement from selected nanostructures with adsorbed Raman reporter molecules. Correlative analysis is performed for dimers of two gold nanospheres. Dimers were selected on the basis of SEM images from multi aggregate samples. The effect of the orientation of the dimer with respect to the polarization state of the laser light and the effect of the particle gap size on the Raman signal intensity is observed. Additionally, calculations are performed to simulate the electric near field enhancement. These simulations are based on the morphologies observed by electron microscopy. In this way the experiments are compared with the enhancement factor calculated with near field simulations and are subsequently used to quantify the SERS enhancement factor. Large differences between experimentally observed and calculated enhancement factors are regularly detected, a phenomenon caused by nanoscale differences between the real and 'simplified' simulated structures. Quantitative SERS experiments reveal the structure induced enhancement factor, ranging from ∼200 to ∼20 000, averaged over the full nanostructure surface. The results demonstrate correlative Raman-SEM microscopy for the quantitative analysis of plasmonic particles and structures, thus enabling a new analytical method in the field of SERS and plasmonics.

Decomposition of L a 2 – x S r x Cu O 4 into several L a 2 O 3 phases at elevated temperatures in ultrahigh vacuum inside a transmission electron microscope

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jeong, Jong Seok; Wu, Wangzhou; Topsakal, Mehmet

Here, we report the decomposition of La 2–xSr xCuO 4 into La 2O 3 and Cu nanoparticles in ultrahigh vacuum, observed by in situ heating experiments in a transmission electron microscope. The analysis of electron diffraction data reveals that the phase decomposition process starts at about 150°C and is considerably expedited in the temperature range of 350°C–450°C. Two major resultant solid phases are identified as metallic Cu and La 2O 3 by electron diffraction, simulation, and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) analyses. With the aid of calculations, La 2O 3 phases are further identified to be derivatives of a fluorite structure—fluorite,more » pyrochlore, and (distorted) bixbyite—characterized by different oxygen-vacancy order. Additionally, the bulk plasmon energy and the fine structures of the O K and LaM 4,5 EELS edges are reported for these structures, along with simulated O K x-ray absorption near-edge structure. The resultant Cu nanoparticles and La 2O 3 phases remain unchanged after cooling to room temperature.« less

Decomposition of L a 2 – x S r x Cu O 4 into several L a 2 O 3 phases at elevated temperatures in ultrahigh vacuum inside a transmission electron microscope

DOE PAGES

Jeong, Jong Seok; Wu, Wangzhou; Topsakal, Mehmet; ...

2018-05-15

Here, we report the decomposition of La 2–xSr xCuO 4 into La 2O 3 and Cu nanoparticles in ultrahigh vacuum, observed by in situ heating experiments in a transmission electron microscope. The analysis of electron diffraction data reveals that the phase decomposition process starts at about 150°C and is considerably expedited in the temperature range of 350°C–450°C. Two major resultant solid phases are identified as metallic Cu and La 2O 3 by electron diffraction, simulation, and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) analyses. With the aid of calculations, La 2O 3 phases are further identified to be derivatives of a fluorite structure—fluorite,more » pyrochlore, and (distorted) bixbyite—characterized by different oxygen-vacancy order. Additionally, the bulk plasmon energy and the fine structures of the O K and LaM 4,5 EELS edges are reported for these structures, along with simulated O K x-ray absorption near-edge structure. The resultant Cu nanoparticles and La 2O 3 phases remain unchanged after cooling to room temperature.« less

Structural and electronic properties of extremely long perylene bisimide nanofibers formed through a stoichiometrically mismatched, hydrogen-bonded complexation.

PubMed

Yagai, Shiki; Seki, Tomohiro; Murayama, Haruno; Wakikawa, Yusuke; Ikoma, Tadaaki; Kikkawa, Yoshihiro; Karatsu, Takashi; Kitamura, Akihide; Honsho, Yoshihito; Seki, Shu

2010-12-06

Extremely long nanofibers, whose lengths reach the millimeter regime, are generated via co-aggregation of a melamine-appended perylene bisimide semiconductor and a substituted cyanurate, both of which are ditopic triple-hydrogen-bonding building blocks; they co-aggregate in an unexpected stoichiometrically mismatched 1:2 ratio. Various microscopic and X-ray diffraction studies suggest that hydrogen-bonded polymeric chains are formed along the long axis of the nanofibers by the 1:2 complexation of the two components, which further stack along the short axis of the nanofibers. The photocarrier generation mechanism in the nanofibers is investigated by time-of-flight (TOF) experiments under electric and magnetic fields, revealing the birth and efficient recombination of singlet geminate electron-hole pairs. Flash-photolysis time-resolved microwave conductivity (FP-TRMC) measurements revealed intrinsic 1D electron mobilities up to 0.6 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) within nanofibers.

Flexible high-voltage supply for experimental electron microscope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chapman, G. L.; Jung, E. A.; Lewis, R. N.; Van Loon, L. S.; Welter, L. M.

1969-01-01

Scanning microscope uses a field-emission tip for the electron source, an electron gun that simultaneously accelerates and focuses electrons from the source, and one auxiliary lens to produce a final probe size at the specimen on the order of angstroms.

Endocardial fibrosarcoma in a reticulated python (Python reticularis).

PubMed

Gumber, Sanjeev; Nevarez, Javier G; Cho, Doo-Youn

2010-11-01

A female, reticulated python (Python reticularis) of unknown age was presented with a history of lethargy, weakness, and distended coelom. Physical examination revealed severe dystocia and stomatitis. The reticulated python was euthanized due to a poor clinical prognosis. Postmortem examination revealed marked distention of the reproductive tract with 26 eggs (10-12 cm in diameter), pericardial effusion, and a slightly firm, pale tan mass (3-4 cm in diameter) adhered to the endocardium at the base of aorta. Based on histopathologic and transmission electron microscopic findings, the diagnosis of endocardial fibrosarcoma was made.

Scanning-electron-microscope used in real-time study of friction and wear

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brainard, W. A.; Buckley, D. H.

1975-01-01

Small friction and wear apparatus built directly into scanning-electron-microscope provides both dynamic observation and microscopic view of wear process. Friction and wear tests conducted using this system have indicated that considerable information can readily be gained.

Ultramicroscopic Structure of Intrasporangium calvum (Actinomycetales)

PubMed Central

Lechevalier, Hubert; Lechevalier, Mary P.

1969-01-01

The electron microscopic observation of vesicles formed by Intrasporangium calvum revealed that they do not contain spores. It thus seems that these vesicles should not be called sporangia. Isolation and study of three other strains of actinomycetes forming similar vesicles indicated that such structures can be formed by actinomycetes with very different properties. The taxonomic value of vesicle formation in actinomycetes is questioned. Images PMID:5344111

Coherent Electron Transfer at the Ag / Graphite Heterojunction Interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Shijing; Dai, Yanan; Zhang, Shengmin; Liu, Liming; Zhao, Jin; Petek, Hrvoje

2018-03-01

Charge transfer in transduction of light to electrical or chemical energy at heterojunctions of metals with semiconductors or semimetals is believed to occur by photogenerated hot electrons in metal undergoing incoherent internal photoemission through the heterojunction interface. Charge transfer, however, can also occur coherently by dipole coupling of electronic bands at the heterojunction interface. Microscopic physical insights into how transfer occurs can be elucidated by following the coherent polarization of the donor and acceptor states on the time scale of electronic dephasing. By time-resolved multiphoton photoemission spectroscopy (MPP), we investigate the coherent electron transfer from an interface state that forms upon chemisorption of Ag nanoclusters onto graphite to a σ symmetry interlayer band of graphite. Multidimensional MPP spectroscopy reveals a resonant two-photon transition, which dephases within 10 fs completing the coherent transfer.

Multi-heme cytochromes provide a pathway for survival in energy-limited environments

PubMed Central

Deng, Xiao; Dohmae, Naoshi; Nealson, Kenneth H.; Hashimoto, Kazuhito; Okamoto, Akihiro

2018-01-01

Bacterial reduction of oxidized sulfur species (OSS) is critical for energy production in anaerobic marine subsurfaces. In organic-poor sediments, H2 has been considered as a major energy source for bacterial respiration. We identified outer-membrane cytochromes (OMCs) that are broadly conserved in sediment OSS-respiring bacteria and enable cells to directly use electrons from insoluble minerals via extracellular electron transport. Biochemical, transcriptomic, and microscopic analyses revealed that the identified OMCs were highly expressed on the surface of cells and nanofilaments in response to electron donor limitation. This electron uptake mechanism provides sufficient but minimum energy to drive the reduction of sulfate and other OSS. These results suggest a widespread mechanism for survival of OSS-respiring bacteria via electron uptake from solid minerals in energy-poor marine sediments. PMID:29464208

Thermal-Wave Microscope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Robert E.; Kramarchuk, Ihor; Williams, Wallace D.; Pouch, John J.; Gilbert, Percy

1989-01-01

Computer-controlled thermal-wave microscope developed to investigate III-V compound semiconductor devices and materials. Is nondestructive technique providing information on subsurface thermal features of solid samples. Furthermore, because this is subsurface technique, three-dimensional imaging also possible. Microscope uses intensity-modulated electron beam of modified scanning electron microscope to generate thermal waves in sample. Acoustic waves generated by thermal waves received by transducer and processed in computer to form images displayed on video display of microscope or recorded on magnetic disk.

Formation of pure Cu nanocrystals upon post-growth annealing of Cu-C material obtained from focused electron beam induced deposition: comparison of different methods.

PubMed

Szkudlarek, Aleksandra; Rodrigues Vaz, Alfredo; Zhang, Yucheng; Rudkowski, Andrzej; Kapusta, Czesław; Erni, Rolf; Moshkalev, Stanislav; Utke, Ivo

2015-01-01

In this paper we study in detail the post-growth annealing of a copper-containing material deposited with focused electron beam induced deposition (FEBID). The organometallic precursor Cu(II)(hfac)2 was used for deposition and the results were compared to that of compared to earlier experiments with (hfac)Cu(I)(VTMS) and (hfac)Cu(I)(DMB). Transmission electron microscopy revealed the deposition of amorphous material from Cu(II)(hfac)2. In contrast, as-deposited material from (hfac)Cu(I)(VTMS) and (hfac)Cu(I)(DMB) was nano-composite with Cu nanocrystals dispersed in a carbonaceous matrix. After annealing at around 150-200 °C all deposits showed the formation of pure Cu nanocrystals at the outer surface of the initial deposit due to the migration of Cu atoms from the carbonaceous matrix containing the elements carbon, oxygen, and fluorine. Post-irradiation of deposits with 200 keV electrons in a transmission electron microscope favored the formation of Cu nanocrystals within the carbonaceous matrix of freestanding rods and suppressed the formation on their surface. Electrical four-point measurements on FEBID lines from Cu(hfac)2 showed five orders of magnitude improvement in conductivity when being annealed conventionally and by laser-induced heating in the scanning electron microscope chamber.

Scanned gate microscopy of inter-edge channel scattering in the quantum Hall regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woodside, Michael T.; Vale, Chris; McEuen, Paul L.; Kadow, C.; Maranowski, K. D.; Gossard, A. C.

2000-03-01

Novel scanned probe techniques have recently been used to study in detail the microscopic properties of 2D electron gases in the quantum Hall regime [1]. We report local measurements of the scattering between edge states in a quantum Hall conductor with non-equilibrium edge state populations. Using an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip as a local gate to perturb the edge states, we find that the scattering is dominated by individual, microscopic scattering sites, which we directly image and characterise. The dependence of the scattering on the AFM tip voltage reveals that it involves tunneling both through quasi-bound impurity states and through disorder-induced weak links between the edge states. [1] S. H. Tessmer et al., Nature 392, 51 (1998); K. L. McCormick et al., Phys. Rev. B 59, 4654 (1999); A. Yacoby et al., Solid State Comm. 111, 1 (1999).

Improvement of acoustical characteristics : wideband bamboo based polymer composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farid, M.; Purniawan, A.; Rasyida, A.; Ramadhani, M.; Komariyah, S.

2017-07-01

Environmental friendly and comfortable materials are desirable for applications in the automobile interior. The objective of this research was to examine and develop bamboo based polymer composites applied to the sound absorption materials of automobile door panels. Morphological analysis of the polyurethane/bamboo powder composite materials was carried out using scanning electron microscope to reveal the microscopic material behavior and followed by the FTIR and TGA testing. The finding demonstrated that this acoustical polymer composite materials provided a potential wideband sound absorption material. The range of frequency can be controlled between 500 and 4000 Hz with an average of sound absorption coefficient around 0.411 and it met to the door panels criteria.

Electron coherent diffraction tomography of a nanocrystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dronyak, Roman; Liang, Keng S.; Tsai, Jin-Sheng; Stetsko, Yuri P.; Lee, Ting-Kuo; Chen, Fu-Rong

2010-05-01

Coherent diffractive imaging (CDI) with electron or x-ray sources is a promising technique for investigating the structure of nanoparticles down to the atomic scale. In electron CDI, a two-dimensional reconstruction is demonstrated using highly coherent illumination from a field-emission gun as a source of electrons. In a three-dimensional (3D) electron CDI, we experimentally determine the morphology of a single MgO nanocrystal using the Bragg diffraction geometry. An iterative algorithm is applied to invert the 3D diffraction pattern about a (200) reflection of the nanoparticle measured at an angular range of 1.8°. The results reveal a 3D image of the sample at ˜8 nm resolution, and agree with a simulation. Our work demonstrates an alternative approach to obtain the 3D structure of nanocrystals with an electron microscope.

Morphological studies of the developing human esophageal epithelium.

PubMed

Ménard, D

1995-06-15

This article focusses on the structural development of human esophageal ciliated epithelium. A combination of transmission electron microscopic (TEM), scanning electron microscopic (SEM), radioautographic, and light microscopic (LM) analyses were carried out using intact fetal tissues between 8 and 20 weeks of gestation as well as cultured esophageal explants. Up to the age of 10 weeks, the stratified esophageal epithelium consisted of two longitudinal primary folds. The surface cells were undifferentiated and contained large glycogen aggregates. Between 11 and 16 weeks, the primary folds (now up to four) had developed secondary folds. The thickness of the epithelium drastically increased (123%) in concomittance with a differentiation of surface columnar ciliated cells. These highly specialized surface cells exhibited junctional complexes and well-developed organelles with numerous microvilli interspersed among the cilia. Transverse sections revealed the internal structure of the cilia with a consistent pattern of nine doublet microtubules surrounding a central pair of single microtubules. Freeze-fracture studies illustrated the presence of a ciliary necklace composed of 6 ring-like rows of intramembranous particles. They also revealed the structure of ciliary cell tight junctions consisting of up to nine anastomosing strands (P-face) or complementary grooves (E-face). Ultrastructural studies (LM, TEM, SEM) of the esophageal squamous epithelium obtained after 15 days of culture showed that the newly formed epithelium was similar to adult human epithelium. Finally LM and SEM observations established that the esophagogastric junction was not yet well delineated, consisting of a transitional area composed of a mixture of esophageal ciliated cells and gastric columnar mucous cells.

Nanometres-resolution Kikuchi patterns from materials science specimens with transmission electron forward scatter diffraction in the scanning electron microscope.

PubMed

Brodusch, N; Demers, H; Gauvin, R

2013-04-01

A charge-coupled device camera of an electron backscattered diffraction system in a scanning electron microscope was positioned below a thin specimen and transmission Kikuchi patterns were collected. Contrary to electron backscattered diffraction, transmission electron forward scatter diffraction provides phase identification and orientation mapping at the nanoscale. The minimum Pd particle size for which a Kikuchi diffraction pattern was detected and indexed reliably was 5.6 nm. An orientation mapping resolution of 5 nm was measured at 30 kV. The resolution obtained with transmission electron forward scatter diffraction was of the same order of magnitude than that reported in electron nanodiffraction in the transmission electron microscope. An energy dispersive spectrometer X-ray map and a transmission electron forward scatter diffraction orientation map were acquired simultaneously. The high-resolution chemical, phase and orientation maps provided at once information on the chemical form, orientation and coherency of precipitates in an aluminium-lithium 2099 alloy. © 2013 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2013 Royal Microscopical Society.

Dynamic Architecture of Eukaryotic DNA Replication Forks In Vivo, Visualized by Electron Microscopy.

PubMed

Zellweger, Ralph; Lopes, Massimo

2018-01-01

The DNA replication process can be heavily perturbed by several different conditions of genotoxic stress, particularly relevant for cancer onset and therapy. The combination of psoralen crosslinking and electron microscopy has proven instrumental to reveal the fine architecture of in vivo DNA replication intermediates and to uncover their remodeling upon specific conditions of genotoxic stress. The replication structures are stabilized in vivo (by psoralen crosslinking) prior to extraction and enrichment procedures, allowing their visualization at the transmission electron microscope. This chapter outlines the procedures required to visualize and interpret in vivo replication intermediates of eukaryotic genomic DNA, and includes an improved method for enrichment of replication intermediates, compared to previously used BND-cellulose columns.

Direct measurement of electron transfer distance decay constants of single redox proteins by electrochemical tunneling spectroscopy.

PubMed

Artés, Juan M; Díez-Pérez, Ismael; Sanz, Fausto; Gorostiza, Pau

2011-03-22

We present a method to measure directly and at the single-molecule level the distance decay constant that characterizes the rate of electron transfer (ET) in redox proteins. Using an electrochemical tunneling microscope under bipotentiostatic control, we obtained current−distance spectroscopic recordings of individual redox proteins confined within a nanometric tunneling gap at a well-defined molecular orientation. The tunneling current decays exponentially, and the corresponding decay constant (β) strongly supports a two-step tunneling ET mechanism. Statistical analysis of decay constant measurements reveals differences between the reduced and oxidized states that may be relevant to the control of ET rates in enzymes and biological electron transport chains.

Negative exchange interactions in coupled few-electron quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Kuangyin; Calderon-Vargas, F. A.; Mayhall, Nicholas J.; Barnes, Edwin

2018-06-01

It has been experimentally shown that negative exchange interactions can arise in a linear three-dot system when a two-electron double quantum dot is exchange coupled to a larger quantum dot containing on the order of one hundred electrons. The origin of this negative exchange can be traced to the larger quantum dot exhibiting a spin tripletlike rather than singletlike ground state. Here we show using a microscopic model based on the configuration interaction (CI) method that both tripletlike and singletlike ground states are realized depending on the number of electrons. In the case of only four electrons, a full CI calculation reveals that tripletlike ground states occur for sufficiently large dots. These results hold for symmetric and asymmetric quantum dots in both Si and GaAs, showing that negative exchange interactions are robust in few-electron double quantum dots and do not require large numbers of electrons.

Electron-beam-induced-current and active secondary-electron voltage-contrast with aberration-corrected electron probes

DOE PAGES

Han, Myung-Geun; Garlow, Joseph A.; Marshall, Matthew S. J.; ...

2017-03-23

The ability to map out electrostatic potentials in materials is critical for the development and the design of nanoscale electronic and spintronic devices in modern industry. Electron holography has been an important tool for revealing electric and magnetic field distributions in microelectronics and magnetic-based memory devices, however, its utility is hindered by several practical constraints, such as charging artifacts and limitations in sensitivity and in field of view. In this article, we report electron-beam-induced-current (EBIC) and secondary-electron voltage-contrast (SE-VC) with an aberration-corrected electron probe in a transmission electron microscope (TEM), as complementary techniques to electron holography, to measure electric fieldsmore » and surface potentials, respectively. These two techniques were applied to ferroelectric thin films, multiferroic nanowires, and single crystals. Electrostatic potential maps obtained by off-axis electron holography were compared with EBIC and SE-VC to show that these techniques can be used as a complementary approach to validate quantitative results obtained from electron holography analysis.« less

Scanning electron microscope fine tuning using four-bar piezoelectric actuated mechanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hatamleh, Khaled S.; Khasawneh, Qais A.; Al-Ghasem, Adnan; Jaradat, Mohammad A.; Sawaqed, Laith; Al-Shabi, Mohammad

2018-01-01

Scanning Electron Microscopes are extensively used for accurate micro/nano images exploring. Several strategies have been proposed to fine tune those microscopes in the past few years. This work presents a new fine tuning strategy of a scanning electron microscope sample table using four bar piezoelectric actuated mechanisms. The introduced paper presents an algorithm to find all possible inverse kinematics solutions of the proposed mechanism. In addition, another algorithm is presented to search for the optimal inverse kinematic solution. Both algorithms are used simultaneously by means of a simulation study to fine tune a scanning electron microscope sample table through a pre-specified circular or linear path of motion. Results of the study shows that, proposed algorithms were able to minimize the power required to drive the piezoelectric actuated mechanism by a ratio of 97.5% for all simulated paths of motion when compared to general non-optimized solution.

Probing plasmonic breathing modes optically

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Krug, Markus K., E-mail: markus.krug@uni-graz.at; Reisecker, Michael; Hohenau, Andreas

2014-10-27

The confinement of surface plasmon modes in flat nanoparticles gives rise to plasmonic breathing modes. With a vanishing net dipole moment, breathing modes do not radiate, i.e., they are optically dark. Having thus escaped optical detection, breathing modes were only recently revealed in silver nanodisks with electron energy loss spectroscopy in an electron microscope. We show that for disk diameters >200 nm, retardation induced by oblique optical illumination relaxes the optically dark character. This makes breathing modes and thus the full plasmonic mode spectrum accessible to optical spectroscopy. The experimental spectroscopy data are in excellent agreement with numerical simulations.

Investigation on microstructure and mechanical properties on pulsed current gas tungsten arc welded super alloy 617

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mageshkumar, K.; Kuppan, P.; Arivazhagan, N.

2017-11-01

The present research work investigates the metallurgical and mechanical properties of weld joint fabricated by alloy 617 by pulsed current gas tungsten arc welding (PCGTAW) technique. Welding was done by ERNiCrCoMo-1 filler wire. Optical and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) revealed the fine equiaxed dendritic in the fusion zone. Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) demonstrates the presence of Mo-rich secondary phases in the grain boundary regions. Tensile test shows improved mechanical properties compared to the continuous current mode. Bend test didn’t indicate the presence of defects in the weldments.

Aflatoxicosis in nine dogs after exposure to contaminated commercial dog food.

PubMed

Newman, Shelley Joy; Smith, Joanne R; Stenske, Kate A; Newman, Leslie B; Dunlap, John R; Imerman, Paula M; Kirk, Claudia A

2007-03-01

The purpose of this study was to characterize light and electron microscopic findings from 9 dogs that had consumed aflatoxin-contaminated commercial dog food from recalled batches. Four dogs died and 5 were euthanized after signs of liver failure. Analysis of feed and liver samples confirmed exposure to aflatoxin. Of the 9 dogs, 8 had classic signs of liver failure, and 1 had signs of liver failure. Enlarged, pale yellow livers were seen macroscopically at necropsy in the dogs with subacute hepatopathy, and cirrhosis was noted in the dog with chronic hepatopathy. Histopathologic findings included hepatic lipidosis, portal fibroplasia, and biliary hyperplasia, which supported a diagnosis of subacute toxic hepatopathy in the 8 symptomatic animals. Marked lobular atrophy, bridging portal fibrosis, and regenerative hepatocellular nodules characterized the dog with chronic hepatopathy. Electron microscopy revealed marked hepatocellular lipid vacuolation and early fibroplasia in the dogs with acute hepatopathy and marked fibrosis and regeneration in the dog with chronic hepatopathy. Analysis of feed for aflatoxin consistently revealed high levels of aflatoxin B1 (range of 223-579 ppb), and hepatic tissue contained elevated levels of aflatoxin B1 metabolite M1 (0.6-4.4 ppb). Although dogs are not commonly affected by aflatoxicosis, they are highly susceptible and can present with classic signs of acute or chronic hepatopathy. Characteristic gross, histologic, and electron microscopic changes help pathologists determine a presumptive toxic insult. Detecting aflatoxins or their metabolites in feed or liver specimens can help confirm the diagnosis of aflatoxicosis.

Towards native-state imaging in biological context in the electron microscope

PubMed Central

Weston, Anne E.; Armer, Hannah E. J.

2009-01-01

Modern cell biology is reliant on light and fluorescence microscopy for analysis of cells, tissues and protein localisation. However, these powerful techniques are ultimately limited in resolution by the wavelength of light. Electron microscopes offer much greater resolution due to the shorter effective wavelength of electrons, allowing direct imaging of sub-cellular architecture. The harsh environment of the electron microscope chamber and the properties of the electron beam have led to complex chemical and mechanical preparation techniques, which distance biological samples from their native state and complicate data interpretation. Here we describe recent advances in sample preparation and instrumentation, which push the boundaries of high-resolution imaging. Cryopreparation, cryoelectron microscopy and environmental scanning electron microscopy strive to image samples in near native state. Advances in correlative microscopy and markers enable high-resolution localisation of proteins. Innovation in microscope design has pushed the boundaries of resolution to atomic scale, whilst automatic acquisition of high-resolution electron microscopy data through large volumes is finally able to place ultrastructure in biological context. PMID:19916039

Hematology, morphology, cytochemical staining, and ultrastuctural characteristics of blood cells in king cobras (Ophiophagus hannah).

PubMed

Salakij, Chaleow; Salakij, Jarernsak; Apibal, Suntaree; Narkkong, Nual-Anong; Chanhome, Lawan; Rochanapat, Nirachara

2002-01-01

King cobras (Ophiophagus hannah) have been captive-bred at Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute since 1996 to supply venom for antivenom production. Hematologic tests would be useful for evaluating the health of the snakes, however, basic hematologic data and morphology have not been described for this species. The purpose of this study was to determine basic hematologic values and evaluate light microscopic, cytochemical, and electron microscopic characteristics of king cobra blood cells. Blood samples from 13 wild-caught and 15 captive-bred king cobras were collected into EDTA from the ventral caudal vein. A CBC was done using standard methods. Significant differences between groups were determined using t-tests. Cytochemical stains (periodic acid-Schiff [PAS], Sudan black B [SBB], alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase [ANAE], acid phosphatase [AcP], and beta-glucuronidase [beta-glu]), and scanning and transmission electron microscopy were done using standard techniques. Eighteen snakes (64.3%) were positive for Hepatozoon infection. Hepatozoon organisms were detected nearly twice as frequently in wild-caught (11/13) as in captive-bred (7/15) snakes. Total WBC, azurophil, and lymphocyte counts were higher and fibrinogen concentration was lower in Hepatozoon-positive snakes. Captive-bred snakes had higher RBC values, lower azurophil, heterophil, and punctate reticulocyte percentages, and higher lymphocyte numbers compared with wild-caught snakes. Lymphocytes were the most commonly observed WBCs, and stained positive with PAS, ANAE, AcP, and beta-glu. Azurophil granules stained positive with SBB, PAS, and ANAE. Heterophils were the largest WBCs; their granules stained with SBB, ANAE, and beta-glu. Basophil granules stained with PAS, SBB, ANAE, and beta-glu. Thrombocytes were strongly positive with PAS. Transmission electron microscopic examination revealed organelles within all WBCs except eosinophils and revealed the gamonts of Hepatozoon sp in RBCs and azurophils. These results provide comparative hematologic data and a guide for identification of blood cells in wild-caught and captive-bred king cobra snakes. Hepatozoon infection was relatively common, but was not associated with severe hematologic abnormalities.

Lines of Evidence–Incremental Markings in Molar Enamel of Soay Sheep as Revealed by a Fluorochrome Labeling and Backscattered Electron Imaging Study

PubMed Central

Kierdorf, Horst; Kierdorf, Uwe; Frölich, Kai; Witzel, Carsten

2013-01-01

We studied the structural characteristics and periodicities of regular incremental markings in sheep enamel using fluorochrome injections for vital labeling of forming enamel and backscattered electron imaging in the scanning electron microscope. Microscopic analysis of mandibular first molars revealed the presence of incremental markings with a daily periodicity (laminations) that indicated successive positions of the forming front of interprismatic enamel. In addition to the laminations, incremental markings with a sub-daily periodicity were discernible both in interprismatic enamel and in enamel prisms. Five sub-daily increments were present between two consecutive laminations. Backscattered electron imaging revealed that each sub-daily growth increment consisted of a broader and more highly mineralized band and a narrower and less mineralized band (line). The sub-daily markings in the prisms of sheep enamel morphologically resembled the (daily) prisms cross striations seen in primate enamel. Incremental markings with a supra-daily periodicity were not observed in sheep enamel. Based on the periodicity of the incremental markings, maximum mean daily apposition rates of 17.0 µm in buccal enamel and of 13.4 µm in lingual enamel were recorded. Enamel extension rates were also high, with maximum means of 180 µm/day and 217 µm/day in upper crown areas of buccal and lingual enamel, respectively. Values in more cervical crown portions were markedly lower. Our results are in accordance with previous findings in other ungulate species. Using the incremental markings present in primate enamel as a reference could result in a misinterpretation of the incremental markings in ungulate enamel. Thus, the sub-daily growth increments in the prisms of ungulate enamel might be mistaken as prism cross striations with a daily periodicity, and the laminations misidentified as striae of Retzius with a supra-daily periodicity. This would lead to a considerable overestimation of crown formation times in ungulate teeth. PMID:24040293

Purchase of a Transmission Electron Microscope for Xavier University of Louisiana

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-15

imaging facility on the second floor of the Pharmacy Addition at Xavier University that already includes two scanning electron microscopes. The new TEM...is now in use. Xavier University has formally pledged to provide funds for the 1. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY) 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 13. SUPPLEMENTARY...for Public Release; Distribution Unlimited Final Report: Purchase of a Transmission Electron Microscope for Xavier University of Louisiana The views

Heavy-ion damage of an amorphous metallic alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaki, T. K.; Li, J. C. M.

1986-09-01

A Ni base amorphous alloy BN12 (Ni 69.2Cr 6.6Si 13.7B 7.9Fe 2.6 supplied by Allied Corporation), with its shiny surface polished and covered with a 20-30 nm Al film to avoid contamination and sputtering, was irradiated with 70 MeV Ni +6 ions at a dose of about {10 16}/{cm 2}. The Al film was removed by 2 g NaOH dissolved in 1 liter water solution. A Dektak surface profilometer showed surface swelling of the irradiated spot by about 200 nm surrounded by higher ridges. Optical and scanning electron microscopic observations revealed considerable roughness within the irradiated spot. Annealing for 3 h at each 50 K. increment of temperature between 500 and 800 K did not remove the swelling. However, transmission electron microscopic studies gave no indication of voids. It seems that swelling may not associate with structural damage. This important possibility is discussed in the light of generation and disappearance of point defects.

Comparative evaluation of enamel abrasivity by toothbrush and velcro: An in vitro scanning electron microscope study

PubMed Central

Ojha, Saroj Kumar; Javdekar, Sadashiv Bhaskar; Dhir, Sangeeta

2015-01-01

Context: Plaque control has been shown to be pivotal in maintaining the optimal periodontal health. Mechanical plaque control is the most popular option for establishing the optimal oral health. Toothbrushes have been the novel tool for mechanical cleansing. However, the abrasive potential of the toothbrushes on the enamel surface is an area in gray. Aims: The aim of this in vitro study is to evaluate the abrasivity of the toothbrush versus the velcro fasteners. Materials and Methods: The mounted teeth of both the groups were subjected to abrasion test, and the tooth surfaces were observed for the possible abrasions from the oscillating strokes (toothbrush) and frictional contacts (hook and loop velcro) and examined under the scanning electron microscope. Results: Comparative assessment of both velcro (hook and loop) and toothbrush bristles did not reveal any evidence of abrasion on the tooth specimens. Conclusions: Veclro fasteners are safe and qualitatively at par to the manual toothbrush for their efficacy and efficiency in teeth cleansing PMID:26229264

ELectron microscopic abnormality and therapeutic efficacy in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy with anti-neurofascin155 immunoglobulin G4 antibody.

PubMed

Kuwahara, Motoi; Suzuki, Hidekazu; Oka, Nobuyuki; Ogata, Hidenori; Yanagimoto, Satoshi; Sadakane, Shuji; Fukumoto, Yuta; Yamana, Masaki; Yuhara, Yoshiko; Yoshikawa, Keisuke; Morikawa, Miyuki; Kawai, Shigeru; Okazaki, Masahiro; Tsujimoto, Toru; Kira, Jun-Ichi; Kusunoki, Susumu

2018-03-01

Neurofascin155 (NF155) is a target antigen for autoantibodies in a subset of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). We report the cases of 4 patients with anti-NF155 immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) antibody-positive CIDP who underwent sural nerve biopsies. All patients were relatively young at onset. Three patients experienced tremors, and 2 patients had severe ataxia. Although the response to intravenous immunoglobulin was poor in all patients, plasma exchange and corticosteroids were at least partially effective. Immunoadsorption plasmapheresis was performed in 1 patient but was ineffective. Electron microscopic examination of sural nerve biopsies revealed loss of paranodal transverse bands in all patients. Anti-NF155 IgG4 antibody-positive CIDP shows distinctive clinicopathological features, indicating that the IgG4 antibody is directly associated with the pathogenic mechanisms of anti-NF155 IgG4 antibody-positive CIDP. Muscle Nerve 57: 498-502, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Influence of graphene quantum dots on electrical properties of polymer composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arthisree, D.; Joshi, Girish M.

2017-07-01

We successfully prepared synthetic nanocomposite (SNC) by dispersing graphene quantum dots (GQD) in cellulose acetate (CA) polymer system. The dispersion and occupied network of GQD were foreseen by microscopic techniques. The variation of plane to crossed linked array network was observed by the polarizing optical microscopic (POM) technique. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the leaves like impressions of GQD in host polymer system. The series network of GQD occupied in CA at higher resolution was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The two dimensional (2D) topographic images demonstrated an entangled polymer network to plane morphology. The variation in surface roughness was evaluated from the dimensional (3D) topography. The influence of temperature on AC conductivity with highest value (4  ×  10-5 S cm-1), contributes to the decrease in activation energy. The DC conductivity obeys the percolation criteria co-related to the GQD loading by weight fraction. Furthermore, this synthetic nanocomposite is feasible for the development of sensing and electrical applications.

Structural transformation study of TiO2 nanoparticles annealing at different temperatures and the photodegradation process of eosin-Y

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pandi, P.; Gopinathan, C.

2018-04-01

Hydrothermal method was used to prepare TiO2 nanoparticles with annealing temperature at 500 °C-700 °C. The mixture of anatase-rutile phase was investigated by powerful tool of X-ray diffraction (XRD). The structural parameters of anatase and rutile mixture phaseTiO2 nanoparticles were calculated from the Rietveld refinement. The transformation rate of rutile was increased linearly with an annealing temperature of 500 °C-700 °C. The spherical morphology of the anatase and rutile mixed phase were obtained by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The spherical particle of the anatase and rutile TiO2 shows with great aggregation with different size and within the range of few tens nm. The EDAX study revealed the presence of titanium and oxygen. The best photocatalytic activity was identified as the 87.04% of anatase and 12.96% of rutile mixer phase of TiO2. Various factors could be involved for a better photocatalytic activity.

Size-dependent extravasation and interstitial localization of polyethyleneglycol liposomes in solid tumor-bearing mice.

PubMed

Ishida, O; Maruyama, K; Sasaki, K; Iwatsuru, M

1999-11-10

We have examined the size dependence of extravasation and interstitial localization of polyethyleneglycol-coated liposomes (PEG-liposomes) in the solid tumor tissue by means of electron microscopic observation. Liposomes composed of distearoyl phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine derivative of polyethyleneglycol (PEG) were prepared in various size ranges. PEG-liposomes with an average diameter of 100-200 nm showed the most prolonged circulation time and the greatest tumor accumulation in all the solid tumors employed in this experiment. Although large PEG-liposomes with a diameter of 400 nm showed a short circulation time in normal mice, the results in splenectomized mice indicated that they do have an intrinsic prolonged circulation character in vivo. However, large PEG-liposomes could not extravasate into solid tumor tissue. These results indicate that the size of liposomes is critical for extravasation. The electron microscopic observations revealed the almost exclusive engulfment of extravasated liposomes by tumor-associated macrophages; very few were taken up by tumor cells.

A new approach to preparing Bi2Zr2O7 photocatalysts for dye degradation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Yijia; Cao, Liyun; Huang, Jianfeng; Feng, Liangliang; Yao, Chunyan

2018-01-01

A new synthetic route is presented to prepared pure Bi2Zr2O7 material, in which a NaNO3/KNO3 molten salt is used to obtain the resulting Bi2Zr2O7 at a relatively low temperature of 400 °C under atmospheric pressure. Powder x-ray diffraction confirmed the structure type and purity of the as-prepared sample, and further revealed that a single-source Bi(OH)3 · Zr(OH)4 · nH2O complex precursor plays a crucial role to synthesize Bi2Zr2O7 nanocrystals. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope show the morphologies and sizes of Bi2Zr2O7 crystal in detail, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance measurements evidenced the wide light absorption range. Furthermore, the as-synthesized Bi2Zr2O7 with smaller particle size and larger specific surface area exhibit superior photocatalytic activities compared with the sample obtained without adding molten salts.

Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange and bromophenol blue dyes in water using sol-gel synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhanalakshmi, J.; Pathinettam Padiyan, D.

2017-09-01

TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared by a sol-gel method using titanium tetra isopropoxide as a precursor. The structural, optical, morphological and electrical properties were studied by x-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), a high resolution scanning electron microscope (HR-SEM), a transmission electron microscope (TEM), Raman analysis, Photoluminescence (PL) and impedance spectroscopy. The XRD and Raman spectra revealed that the synthesized samples are in pure anatase phase with an average crystallite size of 18 nm. Photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 nanoparticles was investigated for the degradation of 10 ppm methyl orange (MO) and bromophenol blue (BPB) dye using 10 mg of catalyst. Anatase TiO2 exhibited the removal of 67.12% and 85.51% of MO and BPB, respectively, within 240 min. The photocatalytic degradation process is explained using pseudo second order kinetics and fits well with the higher correlation coefficient.

Atom Resolved Electron Microscpe Images of Polyvinylidene Fluoride Nanofibers for Water Desalination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Suqi; Reneker, Darrell

Ultra-thin nanofibers of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), observed with an aberration corrected transmission electron microscope, in a through focus series of 50 images, revealed three-dimensional positions and motions of some molecular segments. The x,y positions of fluorine atoms in the PVDF segments were observed at high resolution as described in (DOI: 10.1039/c5nr01619c). The methods described in (DOI:10.1038/nature11074) were used to measure the positions of fluorine atoms along the observation direction of the microscope. PVDF is widely used to separate salt ions from water in reverse osmosis systems. The observed separation depends on the atomic scale positions and motions of segments of the PVDF molecules. Conformational changes and the associated changes in the directions of the dipole moments of PVDF segments distinguish the diffusion of dipolar water molecules from diffusion of salt ions to accomplish desalination. Authors thank Coalescence Filtration Nanofibers Consortium at The University of Akron for support.

Synthesis of nanoparticle emulsion collector HNP and its application in microfine chalcopyrite flotation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, G. C.; Ding, J.; Huang, C. H.; Kang, Q.

2018-01-01

Hydrophobic polystyrene nanoparticles bearing thiazole groups named HNP were used as collectors to improve recovery of microfine chalcopyrite in flotation. HNP adsorbs onto microfine particles selectively, which were modified hydrophobically to induce flotation effectively. Particle size and scanning electron microscope analysis for HNP show that HNP is a spherical nano particles with small size, uniform distribution and good dispersion. Infrared spectrum analysis for HNP proved that functional monomer 2-mercapto styrene acrylic thiazole was bonded chemically onto styrene. Flotation test results indicate that HNP is the right collector of chalcopyrite. Especially, the recovery of chalcopyrite is higher than 95% in neutral and acid media. FTIR results reveal that the flotation selectivity of collector HNP is due to strong chemical absorption onto chalcopyrite surface. Zeta potential analysis shows that the zeta potential of chalcopyrite decreased more quickly after interaction with HNP with the increase of pulp pH value, confirming that collector HNP is an anionic collector. Scanning electron microscope conform that HNP has good selective adsorption on chalcopyrite.

Nanocellulose based polymer composite for acoustical materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farid, Mohammad; Purniawan, Agung; Susanti, Diah; Priyono, Slamet; Ardhyananta, Hosta; Rahmasita, Mutia E.

2018-04-01

Natural fibers are biodegradable materials that are innovatively and widely used for composite reinforcement in automotive components. Nanocellulose derived from natural fibers oil palm empty bunches have properties that are remarkable for use as a composite reinforcement. However, there have not been many investigations related to the use of nanocellulose-based composites for wideband sound absorption materials. The specimens of nanocellulose-based polyester composite were prepared using a spray method. An impedance tube method was used to measure the sound absorption coefficient of this composite material. To reveal the characteristics of the nanocellulose-based polyester composite material, SEM (scanning electron microscope), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infra Red), TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis), and density tests were performed. Sound absorption test results showed the average value of sound absorption coefficient of 0.36 to 0,46 for frequency between 500 and 4000 Hz indicating that this nanocellulose-based polyester composite materials had a tendency to wideband sound absorption materials and potentially used as automotive interior materials.

Dopant concentration dependent growth of Fe:ZnO nanostructures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sahai, Anshuman; Goswami, Navendu, E-mail: navendugoswami@gmail.com

2016-05-23

Systematic investigations of structural properties of 1-10% Fe doped ZnO nanostructure (Fe:ZnO NS) prepared via chemical precipitation method have been reported. Structural properties were probed thoroughly employing scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDAX) analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Morphological transformation of nanostructures (NS) with Fe incorporation is evident in SEM/TEM images. Nanoparticles (NP) obtained with 1% Fe, evolve to nanorods (NR) for 3% Fe; NR transform to nanocones (NC) (for 5% and 7% Fe) and finally NC transform to nanoflakes (NF) at 10% Fe. Morover, primary phase of Zn{sub 1-x}Fe{sub x}O along withmore » secondary phases of ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} were also revealed through XRD measurements. Based on collective XRD, SEM, TEM, and EDAX interpretations, a model for morphological evolution of NS was proposed and the pivotal role of Fe dopant was deciphered.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Srivastava, Himanshu; Ganguli, Tapas; Deb, S. K.

The in-situ growth of CuO nanowires was studied by Energy Dispersive X-ray Diffraction (EDXRD) to observe the mechanism of growth. The study was carried out for comparison at two temperatures—at 500 °C, the optimum temperature of the nanowires growth, and at 300 °C just below the temperature range of the growth. The in situ observation revealed the successive oxidation of Cu foil to Cu{sub 2}O layer and finally to CuO layer. Further analysis showed the presence of a compressive stress in CuO layer due to interface at CuO and Cu{sub 2}O layers. The compressive stress was found to increase withmore » the growth of the nanowires at 500 °C while it relaxed with the growth of CuO layer at 300 °C. The present results do not support the existing model of stress relaxation induced growth of nanowires. Based on the detailed Transmission Electron Microscope, Scanning Electron Microscope, and EDXRD results, a microstructure based growth model has been suggested.« less

Ultrathin molybdenum diselenide nanosheets anchored on multi-walled carbon nanotubes as anode composites for high performance sodium-ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zhian; Yang, Xing; Fu, Yun; Du, Ke

2015-11-01

Ultrathin molybdenum diselenide nanosheets are decorated on the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) via a one-step hydrothermal method. Uniform MoSe2 nanosheets are firmly anchored on MWCNT according to the characterizations of scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM). When evaluated as anodes for sodium storage, the MoSe2@MWCNT composites deliver a reversible specific capacity of 459 mAh g-1 at a current of 200 mA g-1 over 90 cycles, and a specific capacity of 385 mAh g-1 even at a current rate of 2000 mAh g-1, which is better than the MoSe2 nanosheets. The enhanced electrochemical performance of the MoSe2@MWCNT composites can be ascribed to the synergic effects of MoSe2 nanosheets and MWCNT. The high capacity and good rate performance reveal that the MoSe2@MWCNT composites are very promising for applications in sodium-ion batteries.

Integrating sol-gel with cold plasmas modified porous polycaprolactone membranes for the drug-release of silver-sulfadiazine and ketoprofen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mangindaan, Dave; Chen, Chao-Ting; Wang, Meng-Jiy

2012-12-01

A controlled release system composed of surface modified porous polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes combined with a layer of tetraorthosilicate (TEOS)-chitosan sol-gel was reported in this study. PCL is a hydrophobic, semi-crystalline, and biodegradable polymer with a relatively slow degradation rate. The drugs chosen for release experiments were silver-sulfadiazine (AgSD) and ketoprofen which were impregnated in the TEOS-chitosan sol-gel. The surface modification was achieved by O2 plasma and the surfaces were characterized by water contact angle (WCA) measurements, atomic force microscope (AFM), scanning electron microscope and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). The results showed that the release of AgSD on O2 plasma treated porous PCL membranes was prolonged when compared with the pristine sample. On the contrary, the release rate of ketoprofen revealed no significant difference on pristine and plasma treated PCL membranes. The prepared PCL membranes showed good biocompatibility for the wound dressing biomaterial applications.

Testicular cellular toxicity of cadmium : transmission electron microscopy examination.

PubMed

Haffor, A S; Abou-Tarboush, F M

2004-07-01

It is clear that environmental heavy metals influence life systems and reproductive system. In the present study histological investigation revealed that cadmium was testicular toxicant in mice. Here we compared the fine-structure of spermatogenesis in two groups of mice (SWR), experimental and control. The experimental group underwent cadmium ingestion at 1 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks. The control group underwent ingestion of distilled water with equal dosages, using the same type of injectors, for 4-weeks. After cadmium exposure period both control and experimental groups were killed and samples of the testes were processed for microscopic examination. Ultra sections were examined and photographed by Transmission Electron Microscope (JEOL- 100SX) at 80KV. Ultrastructure examination revealed, vascular endothelial, interstitial, and sertoli cells damages. Early impairments of germinal cellular differentiation resulted in deformations in all parts of late spermatid. There were dislocation of accrosomal granules, nuclear damage associated with chromatin heterogeneity, detached spermatid from the apical process of sertoli cell, disarrangement of the mitochondria, abnormal oriented tail piece, and abnormal microtubules complex. These ultra morphological abnormalities relate to cell injury and to the resulting physiological abnormality, necrobiosis. Based on the results of this investigation it can be concluded that cadmium ingestion at 1000 microg/kg caused testicular toxicity and abnormalities in early sperm development.

Growth of ultrananocrystalline diamond film by DC Arcjet plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, G. C.; Li, B.; Yan, Z. Q.; Liu, J.; Lu, F. X.; Ye, H.

2012-06-01

Self-standing diamond films were grown by DC Arcjet plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The feed gasses were Ar/H2/CH4, in which the flow ratio of CH4 to H2 (F/F) was varied from 5% to 20%. Two distinct morphologies were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), i.e. the "pineapple-like" morphology and the "cauliflower-like" morphology. It was found that the morphologies of the as-grown films are strongly dependent on the flow ratio of CH4 to H2 in the feed gasses. High resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) survey results revealed that there were nanocrystalline grains within the "pineapple-like" films whilst there were ultrananocrystalline grains within "cauliflower-like" films. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results suggested that (110) crystalline plane was the dominant surface in the "cauliflower-like" films whilst (100) crystalline plane was the dominant surface in the "pineapple-like" films. Raman spectroscopy revealed that nanostructured carbon features could be observed in both types of films. Plasma diagnosis was carried out in order to understand the morphology dependent growth mechanism. It could be concluded that the film morphology was strongly influenced by the density of gas phases. The gradient of C2 radical was found to be different along the growth direction under the different growth conditions.

Electron microscope mapping of the pericentric and intercalary heterochromatic regions of the polytene chromosomes of the mutant Suppressor of underreplication in Drosophila melanogaster.

PubMed

Semeshin, F; Belyaeva, S; Zhimulev, F

2001-12-01

Breaks and ectopic contacts in the heterochromatic regions of Drosophila melanogaster polytene chromosomes are the manifestations of the cytological effects of DNA underreplication. Their appearance makes these regions difficult to map. The Su(UR)ES gene, which controls the phenomenon, has been described recently. Mutation of this locus gives rise to new blocks of material in the pericentric heterochromatic regions and causes the disappearance of breaks and ectopic contacts in the intercalary heterochromatic regions, thereby making the banding pattern distinct and providing better opportunities for mapping of the heterochromatic regions in polytene chromosomes. Here, we present the results of an electron microscope study of the heterochromatic regions. In the wild-type salivary glands, the pericentric regions correspond to the beta-heterochromatin and do not show the banding pattern. The most conspicuous cytological effect of the Su(UR)ES mutation is the formation of a large banded chromosome fragment comprising at least 25 bands at the site where the 3L and 3R proximal arms connect. In the other pericentric regions, 20CF, 40BF and 41BC, 15, 12 and 9 new bands were revealed, respectively. A large block of densely packed material appears in the most proximal part of the fourth chromosome. An electron microscope analysis of 26 polytene chromosome regions showing the characteristic features of intercalary heterochromatin was also performed. Suppression of DNA underreplication in the mutant transforms the bands with weak spots into large single bands.

Anti-methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Compound Isolation from Halophilic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MHB1 and Determination of Its Mode of Action Using Electron Microscope and Flow Cytometry Analysis.

PubMed

Jeyanthi, Venkadapathi; Velusamy, Palaniyandi

2016-06-01

The aim of this study was to purify, characterize and evaluate the antibacterial activity of bioactive compound against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The anti-MRSA compound was produced by a halophilic bacterial strain designated as MHB1. The MHB1 strain exhibited 99 % similarity to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens based on 16S rRNA gene analysis. The culture conditions of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MHB1 were optimized using nutritional and environmental parameters for enhanced anti-MRSA compound production. The pure bioactive compound was isolated using silica gel column chromatography and Semi-preparative High-performance liquid chromatography (Semi-preparative HPLC). The Thin layer chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and proton NMR ((1)H NMR) analysis indicated the phenolic nature of the compound. The molecular mass of the purified compound was 507 Da as revealed by Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. The compound inhibited the growth of MRSA with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 62.5 µg mL(-1). MRSA bacteria exposed to 4× MIC of the compound and the cell viability was determined using flow cytometric analysis. Scanning electron microscope and Transmission electron microscope analysis was used to determine the ultrastructural changes in bacteria. This is the first report on isolation of anti-MRSA compound from halophilic B. amyloliquefaciens MHB1 and could act as a promising biocontrol agent.

Skeletal muscle biopsy analysis in reducing body myopathy and other FHL1-related disorders.

PubMed

Malfatti, Edoardo; Olivé, Montse; Taratuto, Ana Lía; Richard, Pascale; Brochier, Guy; Bitoun, Marc; Gueneau, Lucie; Laforêt, Pascal; Stojkovic, Tanya; Maisonobe, Thierry; Monges, Soledad; Lubieniecki, Fabiana; Vasquez, Gabriel; Streichenberger, Nathalie; Lacène, Emmanuelle; Saccoliti, Maria; Prudhon, Bernard; Alexianu, Marilena; Figarella-Branger, Dominique; Schessl, Joachim; Bonnemann, Carsten; Eymard, Bruno; Fardeau, Michel; Bonne, Gisèle; Romero, Norma Beatriz

2013-09-01

FHL1 mutations have been associated with various disorders that include reducing body myopathy (RBM), Emery-Dreifuss-like muscular dystrophy, isolated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and some overlapping conditions. We report a detailed histochemical, immunohistochemical, electron microscopic, and immunoelectron microscopic analyses of muscle biopsies from 18 patients carrying mutations in FHL1: 14 RBM patients (Group 1), 3 Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy patients (Group 2), and 1 patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and muscular hypertrophy (Group 2). Group 1 muscle biopsies consistently showed RBs associated with cytoplasmic bodies. The RBs showed prominent FHL1 immunoreactivity whereas desmin, αB-crystallin, and myotilin immunoreactivity surrounded RBs. By electron microscopy, RBs were composed of electron-dense tubulofilamentous material that seemed to spread progressively between the myofibrils and around myonuclei. By immunoelectron microscopy, FHL1 protein was found exclusively inside RBs. Group 2 biopsies showed mild dystrophic abnormalities without RBs; only minor nonspecific myofibrillar abnormalities were observed under electron microscopy. Molecular analysis revealed missense mutations in the second FHL1 LIM domain in Group 1 patients and ins/del or missense mutations within the fourth FHL1 LIM domain in Group 2 patients. Our findings expand the morphologic features of RBM, clearly demonstrate the localization of FHL1 in RBs, and further illustrate major morphologic differences among different FHL1-related myopathies.

Computation of the influence of scanning probe microscope (SPM) on quantum dot eigenstates and 2DEG potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stopa, Michael

2005-03-01

We calculate the electronic structure of GaAs-AlGaAs two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) devices, such as quantum dots and quantum point contacts (QPCs) in the presence of a tip of a scanning probe microscope at some distance above the surface. The calculation employs standard density functional theory with exchange and correlation treated in the local density approximation. The position and voltage on the tip are varied and the conditions for depletion of the 2DEG are shown to compare favorably to experiment [1]. We show that the size of the depletion region created (by a negative tip voltage) is unexpectedly small due to focusing of the potential lines by the higher dielectric. We study the interaction of the tip with an isolated quantum dot that contains one or two electrons. The raster pattern of the difference between single particle energies reveals that the tip distorts the shape of the confining potential and suggests that excited state properties, if they can be measured experimentally, can contribute to the resolution of spatial information. [1] M.A. Topinka, R.M. Westervelt, E.J. Heller, ``http://meso.deas.harvard.edu/papers/Topinka, PT 56 12 (2003)'' (Imaging Electron Flow), Physics Today 56, 12 (2003).

Ternary bulk heterojunction for wide spectral range organic photodetectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Hojung; Kim, Jaehoon; Lee, Changhee

2017-08-01

Ternary bulk heterojunction (BHJ) system, dual electron donors and an acceptor, was studied for developing wide spectral range organic photodetectors (OPDs). With two electron donor polymers with different bandgaps and an efficient electron acceptor of [6,6]-Phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC70BM), different blend ratios for ternary BHJ OPD were examined to achieve high photoresponsivity over a wide spectral range. OPDs based on ternary BHJ showed improved photovoltage response compared to binary BHJ. Current-voltage (J-V) characteristics as a function of external bias and light illumination were measured to reveal the underlying charge recombination mechanism which is found to be dominantly ruled by space charge limit (SCL) effect. Additional in-depth analyses including absorbance, cross-section scanning electron microscope (SEM), incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) were performed.

Electron Microscope Center Opens at Berkeley.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robinson, Arthur L.

1981-01-01

A 1.5-MeV High Voltage Electron Microscope has been installed at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory which will help materials scientists and biologists study samples in more true-to-life situations. A 1-MeV Atomic Resolution Microscope will be installed at the same location in two years which will allow scientists to distinguish atoms. (DS)

Direct imaging of Cl- and Cu-induced short-circuit efficiency changes in CdTe solar cells

DOE PAGES

Poplawsky, Jonathan D.; Parish, Chad M.; Leonard, Donovan N.; ...

2014-05-30

To achieve high-efficiency polycrystalline CdTe-based thin-film solar cells, the CdTe absorbers must go through a post-deposition CdCl 2 heat treatment followed by a Cu diffusion step. To better understand the roles of each treatment with regard to improving grains, grain boundaries, and interfaces, CdTe solar cells with and without Cu diffusion and CdCl 2 heat treatments are investigated using cross-sectional electron beam induced current, electron backscatter diffraction, and scanning transmission electron microscope techniques. The evolution of the cross-sectional carrier collection profile due to these treatments that cause an increase in short-circuit current and higher open-circuit voltage are identified. Additionally, anmore » increased carrier collection in grain boundaries after either/both of these treatments is revealed. The increased current at the grain boundaries is shown to be due to the presence of a space charge region with an intrinsic carrier collection profile width of ≈350 nm. Scanning transmission electron microscope electron-energy loss spectroscopy shows a decreased Te and increased Cl concentration in grain boundaries after treatment, which causes the inversion. Furthermore, each treatment improves the overall carrier collection efficiency of the cell separately, and, therefore, the benefits realized by each treatment are shown to be independent of each other.« less

Electron cryo-tomography captures macromolecular complexes in native environments.

PubMed

Baker, Lindsay A; Grange, Michael; Grünewald, Kay

2017-10-01

Transmission electron microscopy has a long history in cellular biology. Fixed and stained samples have been used for cellular imaging for over 50 years, but suffer from sample preparation induced artifacts. Electron cryo-tomography (cryoET) instead uses frozen-hydrated samples, without chemical modification, to determine the structure of macromolecular complexes in their native environment. Recent developments in electron microscopes and associated technologies have greatly expanded our ability to visualize cellular features and determine the structures of macromolecular complexes in situ. This review highlights the technological improvements and the new areas of biology these advances have made accessible. We discuss the potential of cryoET to reveal novel and significant biological information on the nanometer or subnanometer scale, and directions for further work. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Probing Dirac fermion dynamics in topological insulator Bi2Se3 films with a scanning tunneling microscope.

PubMed

Song, Can-Li; Wang, Lili; He, Ke; Ji, Shuai-Hua; Chen, Xi; Ma, Xu-Cun; Xue, Qi-Kun

2015-05-01

Scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy have been used to investigate the femtosecond dynamics of Dirac fermions in the topological insulator Bi2Se3 ultrathin films. At the two-dimensional limit, bulk electrons become quantized and the quantization can be controlled by the film thickness at a single quintuple layer level. By studying the spatial decay of standing waves (quasiparticle interference patterns) off steps, we measure directly the energy and film thickness dependence of the phase relaxation length lϕ and inelastic scattering lifetime τ of topological surface-state electrons. We find that τ exhibits a remarkable (E - EF)(-2) energy dependence and increases with film thickness. We show that the features revealed are typical for electron-electron scattering between surface and bulk states.

Specimen Holder for Analytical Electron Microscopes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clanton, U. S.; Isaacs, A. M.; Mackinnon, I.

1985-01-01

Reduces spectral contamination by spurious X-ray. Specimen holder made of compressed carbon, securely retains standard electron microscope grid (disk) 3 mm in diameter and absorbs backscattered electrons that otherwise generate spurious X-rays. Since holder inexpensive, dedicated to single specimen when numerous samples examined.

Preparation of high performance NBR/HNTs nanocomposites using an electron transferring interaction method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Shuyan; Zhou, Yanxue; Zhang, Peng; Cai, Zhuodi; Li, Yangping; Fan, Hongbo

2017-12-01

Interfacial interaction is one of the key factors to improve comprehensive properties of polymer/inorganic filler nanocomposites. In this work, a new interfacial interaction called electron transferring interaction is reported in the nitrile-butadiene rubber/halloysite nanotubes (NBR/HNTs) nanocomposites. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and in-situ controlling temperature Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) have confirmed that electrons of electron-rich -CN groups in NBR can transfer to the electron-deficiency aluminum atoms of HNTs, which packs a part of NBR molecules onto the surface of HNTs to form bound rubber and stabilize the homogeneous dispersion of HNTs with few agglomeration as revealed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) performances, even at high HNTs addition, resulting in high light transmittance. The tensile strength of NBR/30wt%HNTs nanocomposites is about 291% higher than pure NBR, without sacrificing the elongation at break.

Ion microprobe, electron microprobe and cathodoluminescence data for Allende inclusions with emphasis on plagioclase chemistry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hutcheon, I. D.; Steele, I. M.; Smith, J. V.; Clayton, R. N.

1978-01-01

Three Type B inclusions from the Allende meteorite have been analyzed. A grain-to-grain characterization of mineral chemistry and isotopic content was made possible by the use of a range of techniques, including luminescence and scanning electron microscopy and electron and ion microprobe analysis. Cathodoluminescence was used in fine-grained, optically opaque regions to distinguish between sub-micrometer phases, such as garnet and Si-rich material, subsequently identified by electron probe and scanning electron microscope analyses. Four types of luminescence patterns, due to twinning, primary sector zoning, alteration of boundaries and fractures, and shock effects, were identified in Allende plagioclase. Luminescence color exhibited a strong correlation with Mg content and provided a guide for an electron probe quantitative map of Mg and Na distributions. Ion microprobe studies of individual grains revealed large excesses of Mg-26.

Probing low-energy hyperbolic polaritons in van der Waals crystals with an electron microscope.

PubMed

Govyadinov, Alexander A; Konečná, Andrea; Chuvilin, Andrey; Vélez, Saül; Dolado, Irene; Nikitin, Alexey Y; Lopatin, Sergei; Casanova, Fèlix; Hueso, Luis E; Aizpurua, Javier; Hillenbrand, Rainer

2017-07-21

Van der Waals materials exhibit intriguing structural, electronic, and photonic properties. Electron energy loss spectroscopy within scanning transmission electron microscopy allows for nanoscale mapping of such properties. However, its detection is typically limited to energy losses in the eV range-too large for probing low-energy excitations such as phonons or mid-infrared plasmons. Here, we adapt a conventional instrument to probe energy loss down to 100 meV, and map phononic states in hexagonal boron nitride, a representative van der Waals material. The boron nitride spectra depend on the flake thickness and on the distance of the electron beam to the flake edges. To explain these observations, we developed a classical response theory that describes the interaction of fast electrons with (anisotropic) van der Waals slabs, revealing that the electron energy loss is dominated by excitation of hyperbolic phonon polaritons, and not of bulk phonons as often reported. Thus, our work is of fundamental importance for interpreting future low-energy loss spectra of van der Waals materials.Here the authors adapt a STEM-EELS system to probe energy loss down to 100 meV, and apply it to map phononic states in hexagonal boron nitride, revealing that the electron loss is dominated by hyperbolic phonon polaritons.

Spatial interferences in the electron transport of heavy-fermion materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Shu-feng; Liu, Yu; Song, Hai-Feng; Yang, Yi-feng

2016-08-01

The scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and the point contact spectroscopy represent major progress in recent heavy-fermion research. Both have revealed important information on the composite nature of the emergent heavy-electron quasiparticles. However, a detailed and thorough microscopic understanding of the similarities and differences in the underlying physical processes of these techniques is still lacking. Here we study the electron transport in the normal state of the periodic Anderson lattice by using the Keldysh nonequilibrium Green's function technique. In addition to the well-known Fano interference between the conduction and f -electron channels, our results further reveal the effect of spatial interference between different spatial paths at the interface on the differential conductance and their interesting interplay with the band features such as the hybridization gap and the Van Hove singularity. We find that the spatial interference leads to a weighted average in the momentum space for the electron transport and could cause suppression of the electronic band features under certain circumstances. In particular, it reduces the capability of probing the f -electron spectral weight near the edges of the hybridization gap for large interface depending on the Fermi surface of the lead. Our results indicate an intrinsic inefficiency of the point contact spectroscopy in probing the f electrons.

Tutorial: Novel properties of defects in semiconductors revealed by their vibrational spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stavola, Michael; Fowler, W. Beall

2018-04-01

This is an introductory survey of the vibrational spectroscopy of defects in semiconductors that contain light-mass elements. The capabilities of vibrational spectroscopy for the identification of defects, the determination of their microscopic structures, and their dynamics are illustrated by a few examples. Several additional examples are discussed, with a focus on defects with properties not obviously accessible by vibrational spectroscopy, such as the diffusivity of an impurity, the negative U ordering of electronic levels, and the time constant for a nuclear-spin flip. These novel properties have, nonetheless, been revealed by vibrational spectra and their interpretation by theory.

Chemical characterization of surface precipitates in La0.7Sr0.3Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ as cathode material for solid oxide fuel cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yu, Yang; Nikiforov, Alexey Y.; Kaspar, Tiffany C.

2016-11-01

In this study, a strontium doped lanthanum cobalt ferrite thin film with 30% Sr on A-site, denoted as La0.7Sr0.3Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ or LSCF-7328, was investigated before and after annealing at 800 °C under CO2 containing atmosphere for 9 hours. The formation of secondary phases on surface of post-annealed LSCF-7328 has been observed using atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The extent of Sr segregation at the film surface was observed using the synchrotron-based total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) technique. The bonding environment of the secondary phases formed on the surface was investigated by synchrotron-based hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES).more » Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and related spectroscopy techniques were used for microstructural and quantitative elemental analyses of the secondary phases on surface. These studies revealed that the secondary phases on surface consisted of SrO covered with a capping layer of SrCO3. The formation of Co-rich phases has also been observed on the surface of post-annealed LSCF-7328.« less

Gold Nanomaterials in Consumer Cosmetics Nanoproducts: Analyses, Characterization, and Dermal Safety Assessment.

PubMed

Cao, Mingjing; Li, Jiayang; Tang, Jinglong; Chen, Chunying; Zhao, Yuliang

2016-10-01

Establishment of analytical methods of engineered nanomaterials in consumer products for their human and environmental risk assessment becomes urgent for both academic and industrial needs. Owing to the difficulties and challenges around nanomaterials in complex media, proper chemical separation and biological assays of nanomaterials from nanoproducts needs to be firstly developed. Herein, a facile and rapid method to separate and analyze gold nanomaterials in cosmetics is reported. Gold nanomaterials are successfully separated from different facial or eye creams and their physiochemical properties are analyzed by quantitative and qualitative state-of-the art techniques with high sensitivity or high spatial resolution. In turn, a protocol including quantification of gold by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and thorough characterization of morphology, size distribution, and surface property by electron microscopes, atomic force microscope, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope is developed. Subsequently, the preliminary toxicity assessment indicates that gold nanomaterials in cosmetic creams have no observable toxicity to human keratinocytes even after 24 h exposure up to a concentration of 200 μg mL -1 . The environmental scanning electron microscope reveals that gold nanomaterials are mostly attached on the cell membrane. Thus, the present study provides a full analysis protocol for toxicity assessment of gold nanomaterials in consumer products (cosmetic creams). © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Microscope and method of use

DOEpatents

Bongianni, Wayne L.

1984-01-01

A method and apparatus for electronically focusing and electronically scanning microscopic specimens are given. In the invention, visual images of even moving, living, opaque specimens can be acoustically obtained and viewed with virtually no time needed for processing (i.e., real time processing is used). And planar samples are not required. The specimens (if planar) need not be moved during scanning, although it will be desirable and possible to move or rotate nonplanar specimens (e.g., laser fusion targets) against the lens of the apparatus. No coupling fluid is needed, so specimens need not be wetted. A phase acoustic microscope is also made from the basic microscope components together with electronic mixers.

Simultaneous specimen and stage cleaning device for analytical electron microscope

DOEpatents

Zaluzec, Nestor J.

1996-01-01

An improved method and apparatus are provided for cleaning both a specimen stage, a specimen and an interior of an analytical electron microscope (AEM). The apparatus for cleaning a specimen stage and specimen comprising a plasma chamber for containing a gas plasma and an air lock coupled to the plasma chamber for permitting passage of the specimen stage and specimen into the plasma chamber and maintaining an airtight chamber. The specimen stage and specimen are subjected to a reactive plasma gas that is either DC or RF excited. The apparatus can be mounted on the analytical electron microscope (AEM) for cleaning the interior of the microscope.

Microscope and method of use

DOEpatents

Bongianni, W.L.

1984-04-17

A method and apparatus for electronically focusing and electronically scanning microscopic specimens are given. In the invention, visual images of even moving, living, opaque specimens can be acoustically obtained and viewed with virtually no time needed for processing (i.e., real time processing is used). And planar samples are not required. The specimens (if planar) need not be moved during scanning, although it will be desirable and possible to move or rotate nonplanar specimens (e.g., laser fusion targets) against the lens of the apparatus. No coupling fluid is needed, so specimens need not be wetted. A phase acoustic microscope is also made from the basic microscope components together with electronic mixers. 7 figs.

Development of a SEM-based low-energy in-line electron holography microscope for individual particle imaging.

PubMed

Adaniya, Hidehito; Cheung, Martin; Cassidy, Cathal; Yamashita, Masao; Shintake, Tsumoru

2018-05-01

A new SEM-based in-line electron holography microscope has been under development. The microscope utilizes conventional SEM and BF-STEM functionality to allow for rapid searching of the specimen of interest, seamless interchange between SEM, BF-STEM and holographic imaging modes, and makes use of coherent low-energy in-line electron holography to obtain low-dose, high-contrast images of light element materials. We report here an overview of the instrumentation and first experimental results on gold nano-particles and carbon nano-fibers for system performance tests. Reconstructed images obtained from the holographic imaging mode of the new microscope show substantial image contrast and resolution compared to those acquired by SEM and BF-STEM modes, demonstrating the feasibility of high-contrast imaging via low-energy in-line electron holography. The prospect of utilizing the new microscope to image purified biological specimens at the individual particle level is discussed and electron optical issues and challenges to further improve resolution and contrast are considered. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fatal acute babesiosis in a juvenile wild dog (Lycaon pictus).

PubMed

Colly, L P; Nesbit, J W

1992-03-01

Clinical examination of a 75-day-old captive juvenile wild dog suffering from lassitude revealed pale mucous membranes, icterus, laboured respiration, a "water-hammer" pulse and splenomegaly. A peripheral blood smear containing numerous Babesia-infected erythrocytes confirmed the diagnosis of babesiosis. Treatment was unsuccessful and the animal died shortly after receiving a blood transfusion. The findings at necropsy were typical for acute babesiosis and included anaemia, icterus, splenomegaly and haemoglobinuria. In addition, marked atrophy of the thymus and lymph nodes was evident. Microscopic and electron microscopic examination of selected tissues disclosed high parasitaemia with vascular stasis and injury to both endothelial and parenchymal components. It is speculated that vaccination-induced immune incompetence predisposed to development of clinical babesiosis.

Diagnosis of electrocution: The application of scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in five cases.

PubMed

Visonà, S D; Chen, Y; Bernardi, P; Andrello, L; Osculati, A

2018-03-01

Deaths from electricity, generally, do not have specific findings at the autopsy. The diagnosis is commonly based on the circumstances of the death and the morphologic findings, above all the current mark. Yet, the skin injury due to an electrocution and other kinds of thermal injuries often cannot be differentiated with certainty. Therefore, there is a great interest in finding specific markers of electrocution. The search for the metallization of the skin through Scanning Electron Microscope equipped with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) probe is of special importance in order to achieve a definite diagnosis in case of suspected electrocution. We selected five cases in which the electrocution was extremely likely considering the circumstances of the death. In each case a forensic autopsy was performed. Then, the skin specimens were stained with Hematoxylin Eosin and Perls. On the other hand, the skin lesions were examined with a scanning electron microscope equipped with EDS probe in order to evaluate the morphological ultrastructural features and the presence of deposits on the surface of the skin. The typical skin injury of the electrocution (current mark) were macroscopically detected in all of the cases. The microscopic examination of the skin lesions revealed the typical spherical vacuoles in the horny layer and, in the epidermis, the elongation of the cell nuclei as well as necrosis. Perls staining was negative in 4 out 6 cases. Ultrastructural morphology revealed the evident vacuolization of the horny layer, elongation of epidermic cells, coagulation of the elastic fibers. In the specimens collected from the site of contact with the conductor of case 1 and 2, the presence of the Kα peaks of iron was detected. In the corresponding specimens taken from cases 2, 4, 5 the microanalysis showed the Kα peaks of titanium. In case 3, titanium and carbon were found. In the suspicion of electrocution, the integrated use of different tools is recommended, including macroscopic observation, H&E staining, iron-specific staining, scanning electron microscopy and EDS microanalysis. Only the careful interpretation of the results provided by all these methods can allow the pathologist to correctly identify the cause of the death. Particularly, the present study suggests that the microanalysis (SEM-EDS) represents a very useful tool for the diagnosis of electrocution, allowing the detection and the identification of the metals embedded in the skin and their evaluation in the context of the ultrastructural morphology. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Can X-ray spectrum imaging replace backscattered electrons for compositional contrast in the scanning electron microscope?

PubMed

Newbury, Dale E; Ritchie, Nicholas W M

2011-01-01

The high throughput of the silicon drift detector energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SDD-EDS) enables X-ray spectrum imaging (XSI) in the scanning electron microscope to be performed in frame times of 10-100 s, the typical time needed to record a high-quality backscattered electron (BSE) image. These short-duration XSIs can reveal all elements, except H, He, and Li, present as major constituents, defined as 0.1 mass fraction (10 wt%) or higher, as well as minor constituents in the range 0.01-0.1 mass fraction, depending on the particular composition and possible interferences. Although BSEs have a greater abundance by a factor of 100 compared with characteristic X-rays, the strong compositional contrast in element-specific X-ray maps enables XSI mapping to compete with BSE imaging to reveal compositional features. Differences in the fraction of the interaction volume sampled by the BSE and X-ray signals lead to more delocalization of the X-ray signal at abrupt compositional boundaries, resulting in poorer spatial resolution. Improved resolution in X-ray elemental maps occurs for the case of a small feature composed of intermediate to high atomic number elements embedded in a matrix of lower atomic number elements. XSI imaging strongly complements BSE imaging, and the SDD-EDS technology enables an efficient combined BSE-XSI measurement strategy that maximizes the compositional information. If 10 s or more are available for the measurement of an area of interest, the analyst should always record the combined BSE-XSI information to gain the advantages of both measures of compositional contrast. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Hierarchical hybrid film of MnO2 nanoparticles/multi-walled fullerene nanotubes-graphene for highly selective sensing of hydrogen peroxide.

PubMed

Pan, Yang; Hou, Zhaohui; Yi, Wei; Zhu, Wei; Zeng, Fanyan; Liu, You-Nian

2015-08-15

Hierarchical hybrid films of MnO2 nanoparticles/multi-walled fullerene nanotubes-graphene (MNPs/MWFNTs-GS) have been prepared via a simple wet-chemical method. For this purpose, MWFNTs (~300nm in length) are fabricated from tailoring multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and then inserted into GS to pile up into a hierarchical hybrid film with the in situ formative MNPs. Scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffraction are used to confirm the morphology and structure of the as-obtained film. The electrochemical studies reveal that MNPs/MWFNTs-GS exhibit significantly enhanced electrocatalytic activity compared with MNPs/GS, and show a rapid response to H2O2 over a wide linear range of 2.0μM-8.44mM with a high sensitivity of 206.3μA mM(-1)cm(-2) and an excellent selectivity. These favorable electrochemical detection properties may be mainly attributed to the introduction of MWFNTs, which helps to promote the electron/ion transport between MNPs and GS and form the hierarchical film structure. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Clear lens phacoemulsification in Alport syndrome: refractive results and electron microscopic analysis of the anterior lens capsule.

PubMed

Bayar, Sezin Akca; Pinarci, Eylem Yaman; Karabay, Gulten; Akman, Ahmet; Oto, Sibel; Yilmaz, Gursel

2014-01-01

To report the ocular findings of patients with Alport syndrome and the results of clear lens extraction in this patient group. Twenty-three eyes of 15 patients with a diagnosis of Alport syndrome were included in this study. Clear corneal phacoemulsification and intraocular foldable lens implantation was performed in eyes with indeterminate refractive errors and/or poor visual acuity and anterior capsule samples were analyzed with electron microscopy. All patients had a history of hereditary nephritis and/or deafness as systemic involvement. Ophthalmologic examination revealed anterior lenticonus with high myopia and/or irregular astigmatism in all patients. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.67 ± 0.17 logMAR (range 1.0-0.4) preoperatively and 0.17 ± 0.08 logMAR (range 0.3-0.0) postoperatively. Postoperative refractive lenticular astigmatism dramatically decreased and no ocular complications arose during the follow-up period. Transmission electron microscopic analysis of the lens capsules supported the diagnosis of Alport syndrome. Clear lens phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens implantation is a safe and effective therapeutic choice for the management of uncorrectable refractive errors and low visual acuity due to anterior lenticonus in patients with Alport syndrome.

Electrical characterization of HgTe nanowires using conductive atomic force microscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gundersen, P.; Department of Physics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim; Kongshaug, K. O.

Self-organized HgTe nanowires grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) have been characterized using conductive atomic force microscopy. As HgTe will degrade or evaporate at normal baking temperatures for electron beam lithography (EBL) resists, an alternative method was developed. Using low temperature optical lithography processes, large Au contacts were deposited on a sample covered with randomly oriented, lateral HgTe nanowires. Nanowires partly covered by the large electrodes were identified with a scanning electron microscope and then localized in the atomic force microscope (AFM). The conductive tip of the AFM was then used as a movable electrode to measure current-voltage curves atmore » several locations on HgTe nanowires. The measurements revealed that polycrystalline nanowires had diffusive electron transport, with resistivities two orders of magnitude larger than that of an MBE-grown HgTe film. The difference can be explained by scattering at the rough surface walls and at the grain boundaries in the wires. The method can be a solution when EBL is not available or requires too high temperature, or when measurements at several positions along a wire are required.« less

75 FR 43918 - National Center for Toxicological Research, et al.; Notice of Consolidated Decision on...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-27

... Research, et al.; Notice of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free Entry of Electron...: National Center for Toxicological Research, (USFDA), Jefferson, AK 72079. Instrument: Electron Microscope.... Applicant: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer...

Discopersicus n. gen., a New Member of the Family Tylenchidae Örley, 1880 with Detailed SEM Study on Two Known Species of the Genus Discotylenchus Siddiqi, 1980 (Nematoda; Tylenchidae) from Iran.

PubMed

Yaghoubi, Ali; Pourjam, Ebrahim; Álvarez-Ortega, Sergio; Liébanas, Gracia; Atighi, Mohammad Reza; Pedram, Majid

2016-09-01

Discopersicus iranicus n. gen., n. comb., previously described from Iran as a new species under the genus Discotylenchus , is illustrated using light microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations and further studied using molecular characters. SEM studies revealed the newly proposed genus has oblique amphidial apertures on the lateral sides of the lip region. SEM images are also provided for two species of Discotylenchus , namely D. discretus and D. brevicaudatus , as the first SEM study of the genus . These results confirmed longitudinal amphidial aperture type on lateral sides of the lip region in genus Discotylenchus , as noted by Siddiqi while erecting the genus with D. discretus as the type species . Molecular phylogenetic analyses using partial small subunit (SSU) and large subunit (LSU) rDNA sequences revealed the affinity of the genus Discopersicus n. gen. with members of the subfamily Boleodorinae, as supported by morphological characters (mainly, the oblique amphidial opening).

Spine micromorphology of normal and hyperhydric Mammillaria gracilis Pfeiff. (Cactaceae) shoots.

PubMed

Peharec, P; Posilović, H; Balen, B; Krsnik-Rasol, M

2010-07-01

Artificial conditions of tissue culture affect growth and physiology of crassulacean acid metabolism plants which often results in formation of hyperhydric shoots. In in vitro conditions Mammillaria gracilis Pfeiff. (Cactaceae) growth switches from organized to unorganized way, producing a habituated organogenic callus which simultaneously regenerates morphologically normal as well as altered hyperhydric shoots. In this study, influence of tissue culture conditions on morphology of cactus spines of normal and hyperhydric shoots was investigated. Spines of pot-grown Mammillaria plants and of in vitro regenerated shoots were examined with stereo microscope and scanning electron microscope. The pot-grown plants had 16-17 spines per areole. In vitro grown normal shoots, even though they kept typical shoot morphology, had lower number of spines (11-12) and altered spine morphology. This difference was even more pronounced in spine number (six to seven) and morphology of the hyperhydric shoots. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed remarkable differences in micromorphology of spine surface between pot-grown and in vitro grown shoots. Spines of in vitro grown normal shoots showed numerous long trichomes, which were more elongated on spines of the hyperhydric shoots; the corresponding structures on spine surface of pot-grown plants were noticed only as small protrusions. Scanning electron microscopy morphometric studies showed that the spines of pot-grown plants were significantly longer compared to the spines of shoots grown in tissue culture. Moreover, transverse section shape varies from elliptical in pot-grown plants to circular in normal and hyperhydric shoots grown in vitro. Cluster and correspondence analyses performed on the scanning electron microscope obtained results suggest great variability among spines of pot-grown plants. Spines of in vitro grown normal and hyperhydric shoots showed low level of morphological variation among themselves despite the significant difference in shoot morphology.

Scanning Electron Microscope Observations of Marine Microorganisms on Surfaces Coated with Antifouling Paints.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-06-01

sessile marine inverte- brates in Monterey harbor. Veliger 17 (supplement): 1-35. 1977. The nature of primary organic films in the marine environment and...I A10A4h 605 NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA F/S 11/3 SCANING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE OBSERVATIONS OF MARINE MICROORANI-E-C(U) UNLSSIFIED N*2...Scanning Electron Microscope Observations Master’s thesis; of Marine Microorganisms on Surfaces June 1981 Coated with Ant ifouling Paints 6.PERFORMING

Electron microscope aperture system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heinemann, K. (Inventor)

1976-01-01

An electron microscope including an electron source, a condenser lens having either a circular aperture for focusing a solid cone of electrons onto a specimen or an annular aperture for focusing a hollow cone of electrons onto the specimen, and an objective lens having an annular objective aperture, for focusing electrons passing through the specimen onto an image plane are described. The invention also entails a method of making the annular objective aperture using electron imaging, electrolytic deposition and ion etching techniques.

Atomic Defects and Doping of Monolayer NbSe2.

PubMed

Nguyen, Lan; Komsa, Hannu-Pekka; Khestanova, Ekaterina; Kashtiban, Reza J; Peters, Jonathan J P; Lawlor, Sean; Sanchez, Ana M; Sloan, Jeremy; Gorbachev, Roman V; Grigorieva, Irina V; Krasheninnikov, Arkady V; Haigh, Sarah J

2017-03-28

We have investigated the structure of atomic defects within monolayer NbSe 2 encapsulated in graphene by combining atomic resolution transmission electron microscope imaging, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and strain mapping using geometric phase analysis. We demonstrate the presence of stable Nb and Se monovacancies in monolayer material and reveal that Se monovacancies are the most frequently observed defects, consistent with DFT calculations of their formation energy. We reveal that adventitious impurities of C, N, and O can substitute into the NbSe 2 lattice stabilizing Se divacancies. We further observe evidence of Pt substitution into both Se and Nb vacancy sites. This knowledge of the character and relative frequency of different atomic defects provides the potential to better understand and control the unusual electronic and magnetic properties of this exciting two-dimensional material.

Choice and maintenance of equipment for electron crystallography.

PubMed

Mills, Deryck J; Vonck, Janet

2013-01-01

The choice of equipment for an electron crystallography laboratory will ultimately be determined by the available budget; nevertheless, the ideal lab will have two electron microscopes: a dedicated 300 kV cryo-EM with a field emission gun and a smaller LaB(6) machine for screening. The high-end machine should be equipped with photographic film or a very large CCD or CMOS camera for 2D crystal data collection; the screening microscope needs a mid-size CCD for rapid evaluation of crystal samples. The microscope room installations should provide adequate space and a special environment that puts no restrictions on the collection of high-resolution data. Equipment for specimen preparation includes a carbon coater, glow discharge unit, light microscope, plunge freezer, and liquid nitrogen containers and storage dewars. When photographic film is to be used, additional requirements are a film desiccator, dark room, optical diffractometer, and a film scanner. Having the electron microscopes and ancillary equipment well maintained and always in optimum condition facilitates the production of high-quality data.

Vibrational spectroscopy in the electron microscope.

PubMed

Krivanek, Ondrej L; Lovejoy, Tracy C; Dellby, Niklas; Aoki, Toshihiro; Carpenter, R W; Rez, Peter; Soignard, Emmanuel; Zhu, Jiangtao; Batson, Philip E; Lagos, Maureen J; Egerton, Ray F; Crozier, Peter A

2014-10-09

Vibrational spectroscopies using infrared radiation, Raman scattering, neutrons, low-energy electrons and inelastic electron tunnelling are powerful techniques that can analyse bonding arrangements, identify chemical compounds and probe many other important properties of materials. The spatial resolution of these spectroscopies is typically one micrometre or more, although it can reach a few tens of nanometres or even a few ångströms when enhanced by the presence of a sharp metallic tip. If vibrational spectroscopy could be combined with the spatial resolution and flexibility of the transmission electron microscope, it would open up the study of vibrational modes in many different types of nanostructures. Unfortunately, the energy resolution of electron energy loss spectroscopy performed in the electron microscope has until now been too poor to allow such a combination. Recent developments that have improved the attainable energy resolution of electron energy loss spectroscopy in a scanning transmission electron microscope to around ten millielectronvolts now allow vibrational spectroscopy to be carried out in the electron microscope. Here we describe the innovations responsible for the progress, and present examples of applications in inorganic and organic materials, including the detection of hydrogen. We also demonstrate that the vibrational signal has both high- and low-spatial-resolution components, that the first component can be used to map vibrational features at nanometre-level resolution, and that the second component can be used for analysis carried out with the beam positioned just outside the sample--that is, for 'aloof' spectroscopy that largely avoids radiation damage.

Ultrastructural Study of Some Pollen Grains of Prairie Flowers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kozar, Frank

1973-01-01

Discusses the importance of the electron microscope, and in particular the scanning electron microscope, in studying the surface topography, sectional substructures, and patterns of development of pollen grains. The production, dispersal methods, and structure of pollen grains are described and illustrated with numerous electron micrographs. (JR)

Synthesis Properties and Electron Spin Resonance Properties of Titanic Materials (abstract)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cho, Jung Min; Lee, Jun; Kim, Tak Hee; Sun, Min Ho; Jang, Young Bae; Cho, Sung June

2009-04-01

Titanic materials were synthesized by hydrothermal method of TiO2 anatase in 10M LiOH, 10M NaOH, and 14M KOH at 130° C for 30 hours. Alkaline media were removed from the synthesized products using 0.1N HCl aqueous solution. The as-prepared samples were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm, and electron spin resonance. Different shapes of synthesized products were observed through the typical electron microscope and indicated that the formation of the different morphologies depends on the treatment conditions of highly alkaline media. Many micropores were observed in the cubic or octahedral type of TiO2 samples through the typical electron microscope and Langmuir adsorption-desorption isotherm of liquid nitrogen at 77° K. Electron spin resonance studies have also been carried out to verify the existence of paramagnetic sites such as oxygen vacancies on the titania samples. The effect of alkali metal ions on the morphologies and physicochemical properties of nanoscale titania are discussed.

Microscopic observations of osteoblast growth on micro-arc oxidized β titanium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Hsien-Te; Chung, Chi-Jen; Yang, Tsai-Ching; Tang, Chin-Hsin; He, Ju-Liang

2013-02-01

Titanium alloys are widely used in orthopedic and dental implants, owing to their excellent physical properties and biocompatibility. By using the micro-arc oxidation (MAO), we generated anatase-rich (A-TiO2) and rutile-rich (R-TiO2) titanium dioxide coatings, individually on β-Ti alloy, in which the latter achieved an enhanced in vitro and in vivo performance. Thoroughly elucidating how the osteoblasts interact with TiO2 coatings is of worthwhile interest. This study adopts the focused ion beam (FIB) to section off the TiO2 coated samples for further scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation. The detailed crystal structures of the TiO2 coated specimens are also characterized. Experimental results indicate osteoblasts adhered more tenaciously and grew conformably with more lamellipodia extent on the R-TiO2 specimen than on the A-TiO2 and raw β-Ti specimens. FIB/SEM cross-sectional images of the cell/TiO2 interface revealed micro gaps between the cell membrane and contact surface of A-TiO2 specimen, while it was not found on the R-TiO2 specimen. Additionally, the number of adhered and proliferated cells on the R-TiO2 specimen was visually greater than the others. Closely examining EDS line scans and elemental mappings of the FIB/TEM cross-sectional images of the cell/TiO2 interface reveals both the cell body and interior space of the TiO2 coating contain nitrogen and sulfur (the biological elements in cell). This finding supports the assumption that osteoblast can grow into the porous structure of TiO2 coatings and demonstrating that the R-TiO2 coating formed by MAO serves the best for β-Ti alloys as orthopedic and dental implants.

Pressure wave injuries to the nervous system caused by high-energy missile extremity impact: Part II. Distant effects on the central nervous system--a light and electron microscopic study on pigs.

PubMed

Suneson, A; Hansson, H A; Seeman, T

1990-03-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate if distant effects could be detected within the central nervous system after impact of a high-energy missile in the left thigh of young pigs. Pressure transducers implanted in various parts of the body of the animal, including the brain, recorded a short-lasting burst of oscillating pressure waves with high frequencies and large amplitudes, traversing the body tissue with a velocity of about that of sound in water (1,460 m/s). The distance between the point of impact and the brain and cervical spinal cord is in the range of 0.5 m. Macroscopic examination revealed that there was no gross brain tissue disruption or visible blood-brain barrier dysfunction. Light microscopic examination demonstrated myelin invaginations in the largest axons and shrinkage of axoplasm. Electron microscopic examination revealed a reduction in the number of microtubules, especially in the larger axons in the brainstem. Disintegration of Nissl substance, i.e., chromatolysis, was noticed after 48 hr in many Purkinje nerve cells in the cerebellum, concomitantly with the appearance of an increased frequency of association between lamellar bodies and mitochondria. Changes could also be observed in the cervical spinal cord and, at reduced frequency and extent, in the optic nerve and in other parts of the brain. These effects were evident within a few minutes after the trauma and persisted even 48 hr after the extremity injury. It is concluded that distant effects, likely to be caused by the oscillating high-frequency pressure waves, appear in the central nervous system after a high-energy missile extremity impact.

Effect of different aspirin doses on arterial thrombosis after canine carotid endarterectomy: a scanning electron microscope and indium-111-labeled platelet study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ercius, M.S.; Chandler, W.F.; Ford, J.W.

Although it is widely accepted that aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation in arterial thrombosis, the appropriate dosage of aspirin remains quite controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different doses of aspirin (0.5 mg/kg vs. 10 mg/kg) on mural thrombus formation after carotid endarterectomy. Eighteen hours after oral aspirin administration, 20 endarterectomies were performed on mongrel dogs with the use of the operating microscope. Blood flow was then restored for 3 hours and the vessels were prepared for investigation with the scanning electron microscope. Ten endarterectomies were also performed on unmedicated dogs as controls. Five minutesmore » before vessel unclamping, autologous indium-111-labeled platelets were administered intravenously, and the endarterectomized portions of the vessels were studied with a gamma counter system after harvesting. Group 1, the control group, revealed extensive mural thrombus consisting of platelet aggregates, fibrin, red blood cells, and white blood cells. Six of the 10 vessels in Group 2, premedicated with 0.5 mg of aspirin per kg, demonstrated varying amounts of mural thrombus. Group 3 (10 vessels), premedicated with 10 mg of aspirin per kg, revealed a platelet monolayer completely covering the exposed vessel wall media, with scattered white blood cells and infrequent fine fibrin strands overlying the platelet surface. The mean (+/- SD) radioactivity per group expressed as counts/minute/mm2 was: Group 1--2055.3 +/- 1905.5, log . 7.253 +/- 0.926; Group 2--1235.6 +/- 1234.3, log . 6.785 +/- 0.817; Group 3--526 +/- 433.06, log . 5.989 +/- 0.774.« less

Revealing the Atomic Restructuring of Pt–Co Nanoparticles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xin, Huolin L.; Alayoglu, Selim; Tao, Runzhe

2014-06-11

We studied Pt-Co bimetallic nanoparticles during oxidation in O2 and reduction in H2 atmospheres using an aberration corrected environmental transmission electron microscope. During oxidation Co migrates to the nanoparticle surface forming a strained epitaxial CoO film. It subsequently forms islands via strain relaxation. The atomic restructuring is captured as a function of time. During reduction cobalt migrates back to the bulk, leaving a monolayer of platinum on the surface.

Design and performance of a beetle-type double-tip scanning tunneling microscope

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jaschinsky, Philipp; Coenen, Peter; Pirug, Gerhard

2006-09-15

A combination of a double-tip scanning tunneling microscope with a scanning electron microscope in ultrahigh vacuum environment is presented. The compact beetle-type design made it possible to integrate two independently driven scanning tunneling microscopes in a small space. Moreover, an additional level for coarse movement allows the decoupling of the translation and approach of the tunneling tip. The position of the two tips can be controlled from the millimeter scale down to 50 nm with the help of an add-on electron microscope. The instrument is capable of atomic resolution imaging with each tip.

Beyond a phenomenological description of magnetostriction

DOE PAGES

Reid, A. H.; Shen, X.; Maldonado, P.; ...

2018-01-26

Magnetostriction, the strain induced by a change in magnetization, is a universal effect in magnetic materials. Owing to the difficulty in unraveling its microscopic origin, it has been largely treated phenomenologically. Here in this paper, we show how the source of magnetostriction—the underlying magnetoelastic stress—can be separated in the time domain, opening the door for an atomistic understanding. X-ray and electron diffraction are used to separate the sub-picosecond spin and lattice responses of FePt nanoparticles. Following excitation with a 50-fs laser pulse, time-resolved X-ray diffraction demonstrates that magnetic order is lost within the nanoparticles with a time constant of 146more » fs. Ultrafast electron diffraction reveals that this demagnetization is followed by an anisotropic, three-dimensional lattice motion. Analysis of the size, speed, and symmetry of the lattice motion, together with ab initio calculations accounting for the stresses due to electrons and phonons, allow us to reveal the magnetoelastic stress generated by demagnetization.« less

Development of Scanning Ultrafast Electron Microscope Capability.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Collins, Kimberlee Chiyoko; Talin, Albert Alec; Chandler, David W.

Modern semiconductor devices rely on the transport of minority charge carriers. Direct examination of minority carrier lifetimes in real devices with nanometer-scale features requires a measurement method with simultaneously high spatial and temporal resolutions. Achieving nanometer spatial resolutions at sub-nanosecond temporal resolution is possible with pump-probe methods that utilize electrons as probes. Recently, a stroboscopic scanning electron microscope was developed at Caltech, and used to study carrier transport across a Si p-n junction [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] . In this report, we detail our development of a prototype scanning ultrafast electron microscope system at Sandia National Laboratoriesmore » based on the original Caltech design. This effort represents Sandia's first exploration into ultrafast electron microscopy.« less

Rethinking cell structure.

PubMed Central

Penman, S

1995-01-01

Cell structure, emerging from behind the veil of conventional electron microscopy, appears far more complex than formerly realized. The standard plastic-embedded, ultrathin section can image only what is on the section surface and masks the elaborate networks of the cytoplasm and nucleus. Embedment-free electron microscopy gives clear, high-contrast micrographs of cell structure when combined with removal of obscuring material such as soluble proteins. The resinless ultrathin section is the technique of choice; it is simple and inexpensive, and it uses ordinary electron microscopes. The resulting pictures reveal a world of complex cell structure and function. These images necessarily change our conception of the cytoskeleton, nuclear matrix, mitosis, and the relation of membranes to cytostructure. Images Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 PMID:7777493

Ultrastructure of cholinergic neurons in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus of the rat: interaction with catecholamine fibers.

PubMed

Kubota, Y; Leung, E; Vincent, S R

1992-01-01

The ultrastructure of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-immunoreactive neurons in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (TLD) of the rat was investigated by immunohistochemical techniques. The immunoreactive neurons were medium to large in size, with a few elongated dendrites, contained well-developed cytoplasm, and a nucleus with deep infoldings. They received many nonimmunoreactive, mostly asymmetric synaptic inputs on their soma and dendrites. ChAT-immunoreactive, usually myelinated, axons were occasionally seen in TLD. Only one immunoreactive axon terminal was observed within TLD, and it made synaptic contact with a nonimmunoreactive neuronal perikaryon. The synaptic interactions between ChAT-immunoreactive neurons and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive fibers in the TLD were investigated with a double immunohistochemical staining method. ChAT-immunoreactivity detected with a beta-galactosidase method was light blue-green in the light microscope and formed dot-like electron dense particles at the electron microscopic level. TH-immunoreactivity, visualized with a nickel-enhanced immunoperoxidase method, was dark blue-black in the light microscope and diffusely opaque in the electron microscope. Therefore, the difference between these two kinds of immunoreactivity could be quite easily distinguished at both light and electron microscopic levels. In the light microscope, TH-positive fibers were often closely apposed to ChAT-immunoreactive cell bodies and dendrites in TLD. In the electron microscope, the cell soma and proximal dendrites of ChAT-immunoreactive neurons received synaptic contacts from TH-immunoreactive axon terminals. These results provide a morphological basis for catecholaminergic regulation of the cholinergic reticular system.

Evidence from EELS of oxygen in the nucleation layer of a MBE grown III-N HEMT[Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy, Molecular Beam Epitaxy, High Electron Mobility Transistor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Eustis, T.J.; Silcox, J.; Murphy, M.J.

The presence of oxygen throughout the nominally AlN nucleation layer of a RF assisted MBE grown III-N HEMT was revealed upon examination by Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) in a Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (STEM). The nucleation layer generates the correct polarity (gallium face) required for producing a piezoelectric induced high mobility two dimensional electron gas at the AlGaN/GaN heterojunction. Only AlN or AlGaN nucleation layers have provided gallium face polarity in RF assisted MBE grown III-N's on sapphire. The sample was grown at Cornell University in a Varian GenII MBE using an EPI Uni-Bulb nitrogen plasma source. The nucleationmore » layer was examined in the Cornell University STEM using Annular Dark Field (ADF) imaging and Parallel Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (PEELS). Bright Field TEM reveals a relatively crystallographically sharp interface, while the PEELS reveal a chemically diffuse interface. PEELS of the nitrogen and oxygen K-edges at approximately 5-Angstrom steps across the GaN/AlN/sapphire interfaces reveals the presence of oxygen in the AlN nucleation layer. The gradient suggests that the oxygen has diffused into the nucleation region from the sapphire substrate forming this oxygen containing AlN layer. Based on energy loss near edge structure (ELNES), oxygen is in octahedral interstitial sites in the AlN and Al is both tetrahedrally and octahedrally coordinated in the oxygen rich region of the AlN.« less

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Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-04

... Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free Entry of Electron Microscope This is a decision... Stocker Center, Athens, OH 45701. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: JEOL Ltd., Japan... North Carolina Wilmington, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403-5915. Instrument: Electron...

Influence of mechanical noise inside a scanning electron microscope.

PubMed

de Faria, Marcelo Gaudenzi; Haddab, Yassine; Le Gorrec, Yann; Lutz, Philippe

2015-04-01

The scanning electron microscope is becoming a popular tool to perform tasks that require positioning, manipulation, characterization, and assembly of micro-components. However, some of these applications require a higher level of performance with respect to dynamics and precision of positioning. One limiting factor is the presence of unidentified noises and disturbances. This work aims to study the influence of mechanical disturbances generated by the environment and by the microscope, identifying how these can affect elements in the vacuum chamber. To achieve this objective, a dedicated setup, including a high-resolution vibrometer, was built inside the microscope. This work led to the identification and quantification of main disturbances and noise sources acting on a scanning electron microscope. Furthermore, the effects of external acoustic excitations were analysed. Potential applications of these results include noise compensation and real-time control for high accuracy tasks.

Microcircuit testing and fabrication, using scanning electron microscopes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nicolas, D. P.

1975-01-01

Scanning electron microscopes are used to determine both user-induced damages and manufacturing defects subtle enough to be missed by conventional light microscopy. Method offers greater depth of field and increased working distances.

Method of forming aperture plate for electron microscope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heinemann, K. (Inventor)

1974-01-01

An electron microscope is described with an electron source a condenser lens having either a circular aperture for focusing a solid cone of electrons onto a specimen or an annular aperture for focusing a hollow cone of electrons onto the specimen. It also has objective lens with an annular objective aperture, for focusing electrons passing through the specimen onto an image plane. A method of making the annular objective aperture using electron imaging, electrolytic deposition and ion etching techniques is included.

Development of scanning electron and x-ray microscope

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Matsumura, Tomokazu, E-mail: tomokzau.matsumura@etd.hpk.co.jp; Hirano, Tomohiko, E-mail: tomohiko.hirano@etd.hpk.co.jp; Suyama, Motohiro, E-mail: suyama@etd.hpk.co.jp

We have developed a new type of microscope possessing a unique feature of observing both scanning electron and X-ray images under one unit. Unlike former X-ray microscopes using SEM [1, 2], this scanning electron and X-ray (SELX) microscope has a sample in vacuum, thus it enables one to observe a surface structure of a sample by SEM mode, to search the region of interest, and to observe an X-ray image which transmits the region. For the X-ray observation, we have been focusing on the soft X-ray region from 280 eV to 3 keV to observe some bio samples and softmore » materials. The resolutions of SEM and X-ray modes are 50 nm and 100 nm, respectively, at the electron energy of 7 keV.« less

Examination of Surveyor 3 parts with the scanning electron microscope and electron microprobe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chodos, A. A.; Devaney, J. R.; Evens, K. C.

1972-01-01

Two screws and two washers, several small chips of tubing, and a fiber removed from a third screw were examined with the scanning electron microscope and the electron microprobe. The purpose of the examination was to determine the nature of the material on the surface of these samples and to search for the presence of meteoritic material.

Structural, electronic transport and optical properties of Cr doped PbS thin film by chemical bath deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Preetha, K. C.

2017-06-01

Incorporation of Chromium ions into Lead Sulphide thin films have been achieved by CBD technique. Effects of doping were investigated as a function of Pb/Cr ratio from o to 2 at %. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that films were polycrystalline in nature with increase in crystallite size up to an optimum doping concentration. Scanning electron microscopic study revealed excellent morphology with doping concentration. The low transmittance in the UV-VIS region offered the suitability of the samples as solar control coatings. The thin films were found to be P type and electrical conductivity enhanced on doping.

Electrochemical oxygen reduction behavior of selectively deposited platinum atoms on gold nanoparticles.

PubMed

Sarkar, A; Kerr, J B; Cairns, E J

2013-07-22

Carbon-supported Pt@Au "core-shell" nanoparticles with varying surface concentration of platinum atoms have been synthesized using a novel redox-mediated synthesis approach. The synthesis technique allows for a selective deposition of platinum atoms on the surface of prefabricated gold nanoparticles. Energy dispersive spectroscopic analyses in a scanning electron microscope reveal that the platinum to gold atomic ratios are close to the nominal values, validating the synthesis scheme. X-ray diffraction data indicate an un-alloyed structure. The platinum to gold surface atomic ratio determined from cyclic voltammetry and copper under-potential deposition experiments reveal good agreement with the calculated values at low platinum concentration. However, there is an increase in non-uniformity in the deposition process upon increasing the platinum concentration. Koutecky-Levich analysis of the samples indicates a transition of the total number of electrons transferred (n) in the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction from two to four electrons upon increasing the surface concentration of platinum atoms. Furthermore, the data indicate that isolated platinum atoms can reduce molecular oxygen but via a two-electron route. Moreover, successful four-electron reduction of molecular oxygen requires clusters of platinum atoms. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Transverse electron-scale instability in relativistic shear flows.

PubMed

Alves, E P; Grismayer, T; Fonseca, R A; Silva, L O

2015-08-01

Electron-scale surface waves are shown to be unstable in the transverse plane of a sheared flow in an initially unmagnetized collisionless plasma, not captured by (magneto)hydrodynamics. It is found that these unstable modes have a higher growth rate than the closely related electron-scale Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in relativistic shears. Multidimensional particle-in-cell simulations verify the analytic results and further reveal the emergence of mushroomlike electron density structures in the nonlinear phase of the instability, similar to those observed in the Rayleigh Taylor instability despite the great disparity in scales and different underlying physics. This transverse electron-scale instability may play an important role in relativistic and supersonic sheared flow scenarios, which are stable at the (magneto)hydrodynamic level. Macroscopic (≫c/ωpe) fields are shown to be generated by this microscopic shear instability, which are relevant for particle acceleration, radiation emission, and to seed magnetohydrodynamic processes at long time scales.

Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Mg-14%Li-1%Al Alloy During the High-Pressure Torsion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Chenguang; Lu, Huimin; Zhao, Liyuan

The super-light LA141 (Mg-14%Li-1%Al) alloy was produced and processed by high-pressure torsion (HPT) under the imposed pressure of 3 GPa and different shear strains γ through 3, 6, 9 and 12 turns at room temperature (RT). The microstructure evolution of the alloy during the HPT treatment was investigated by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and optical microscope (OM). It turned out that the grains were substantially refined, and the optical microscope revealed that the grains of HPT processed samples at the edge of the disc were finer by comparison with the ones near the center of the disc. Later, Vickers indentation analysis was used to evaluate the micro-hardness of deformed samples, and tension test was employed to obtain the strength and elongation at room temperature. The results indicated that the micro-hardness and tensile strength had increased to a certain extent, and the elongation had been significantly improved.

Multi-pass transmission electron microscopy

DOE PAGES

Juffmann, Thomas; Koppell, Stewart A.; Klopfer, Brannon B.; ...

2017-05-10

Feynman once asked physicists to build better electron microscopes to be able to watch biology at work. While electron microscopes can now provide atomic resolution, electron beam induced specimen damage precludes high resolution imaging of sensitive materials, such as single proteins or polymers. Here, we use simulations to show that an electron microscope based on a multi-pass measurement protocol enables imaging of single proteins, without averaging structures over multiple images. While we demonstrate the method for particular imaging targets, the approach is broadly applicable and is expected to improve resolution and sensitivity for a range of electron microscopy imaging modalities,more » including, for example, scanning and spectroscopic techniques. The approach implements a quantum mechanically optimal strategy which under idealized conditions can be considered interaction-free.« less

Identification of Fragile Microscopic Structures during Mineral Transformations in Wet Supercritical CO2

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Arey, Bruce W.; Kovarik, Libor; Qafoku, Odeta

2013-04-01

In this study we examine the nature of highly fragile reaction products that form in low water content super critical carbon dioxide (scCO2) using a combination of scanning electron microscopy/focus ion beam (SEM/FIB), confocal Raman spectroscopy, helium ion microscopy (HeIM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). HeIM images show these precipitates to be fragile rosettes that can readily decompose even under slight heating from an electron beam. Using the TEM revealed details on the interfacial structure between the newly formed surface precipitates and the underlying initial solid phases. The detailed microscopic analysis revealed that the growth of the precipitates either followedmore » a tip growth mechanism with precipitates forming directly on the forsterite surface if the initial solid was non-porous (natural forsterite) or growth from the surface of the precipitates where fluid was conducted through the porous (nanoforsterite) agglomerates to the growth center. The mechanism of formation of the hydrated/hydroxylated magnesium carbonate compound (HHMC) phases offers insight into the possible mechanisms of carbonate mineral formation from scCO2 solutions which has recently received a great deal of attention as the result of the potential for CO2 to act as an atmospheric greenhouse gas and impact overall global warming. The techniques used here to examine these fragile structures an also be used to examine a wide range of fragile material surfaces. SEM and FIB technologies have now been brought together in a single instrument, which represents a powerful combination for the studies in biological, geological and materials science.« less

Electrochemical performance of spinel-type Ni doped ZnCo2O4 mesoporous rods as an electrode for supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Vijay; Mariappan, C. R.

2018-05-01

The Ni doped ZnCo2O4 mesoporous rods were synthesized via a simple hydrothermal approach. Structural properties of the sample were characterized by means of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscope and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The surface area of mesoporous rods Zn0.8Ni0.2Co2O4 (MPR=0.2) found to be ˜56 m2g-1 and with pore size of ˜10 nm from N2 absorption isotherm data. The crystal structure with lattice parameter of (MPR=0.2) is found to be 8.138 Å. The average crystallite size is found to be 12 nm from XRD data. TGA study reveals the phase formation temperature of sample is 450 °C. Electron microscopic studies reveal that the mesoporous rods are constituted by a plenty of nanosized crystalline particles. The electrochemical properties of the sample was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) measurement in three-electrode configuration with 6M KOH as the electrolyte. The specific capacitance (Cs) of (MPR=0.2) used as a working electrode found to be 2021 Fg-1 at a scan rate of 2 mVs-1. Furthermore electrochemical cycling stability of mesoporous rods is examined by GCD with different current densities. It shows maximum Cs of 628.75 Fg-1 at 2.5 Ag-1 and retention is found to be ˜96% of its initial value even after 1000 cycles.

Phase Boundary Propagation in Li-Alloying Battery Electrodes Revealed by Liquid-Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy

DOE PAGES

Leenheer, Andrew J.; Jungjohann, Katherine L.; Zavadil, Kevin R.; ...

2016-05-31

Battery cycle life is directly influenced by the microstructural changes occurring in the electrodes during charge and discharge cycles. In this study, we image in situ the nanoscale phase evolution in negative electrode materials for Li-ion batteries using a fully enclosed liquid cell in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) to reveal early degradation that is not evident in the charge–discharge curves. To compare the electrochemical phase transformation behavior between three model materials, thin films of amorphous Si, crystalline Al, and crystalline Au were lithiated and delithiated at controlled rates while immersed in a commercial liquid electrolyte. This method allowed formore » the direct observation of lithiation mechanisms in nanoscale negative electrodes, revealing that a simplistic model of a surface-to-interior lithiation front is insufficient. For the crystalline films, a lithiation front spread laterally from a few initial nucleation points, with continued grain nucleation along the growing interface. The intermediate lithiated phases were identified using electron diffraction, and high-resolution postmortem imaging revealed the details of the final microstructure. Lastly, our results show that electrochemically induced solid–solid phase transformations can lead to highly concentrated stresses at the laterally propagating phase boundary which should be considered for future designs of nanostructured electrodes for Li-ion batteries.« less

Visualizing Morphological Changes of Abscission Zone Cells in Arabidopsis by Scanning Electron Microscope.

PubMed

Shi, Chun-Lin; Butenko, Melinka A

2018-01-01

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) is a type of electron microscope which produces detailed images of surface structures. It has been widely used in plants and animals to study cellular structures. Here, we describe a detailed protocol to prepare samples of floral abscission zones (AZs) for SEM, as well as further image analysis. We show that it is a powerful tool to detect morphologic changes at the cellular level during the course of abscission in wild-type plants and to establish the details of phenotypic alteration in abscission mutants.

Scanning electron microscopic appearance of rat otocyst of the twelfth postcoital day: elaboration of a method.

PubMed

Marovitz, W F; Khan, K M

1977-01-01

A method for removal, fixation, microdissection, and drying of early rat otocyst for examination by the scanning electron microscope is elaborated. Tissues were dissected, fixed as for conventional transmission electron microscopy and dried by critical point evaporation using amylacetate as the transitional fluid and carbon dioxide as the pressure head. Otocysts were either dissected at the time of initial fixation, or subsequent to drying. The otocyst of the 12th postcoital day was used as a model system in this preliminary report. Critical point drying retained the overall configuration and the fine ultrastructural detail of the otocyst. The interior otocystic surface was visualized and cilia bearing cells of the luminal surface were identified. Most if not all of these cells had a comspicuous, but short kinocillum which terminated in an ovoid bulb. The scanning electron microscopic appearance was correlated to the transmission electron microscopic image seen in the second paper in this Supplement.

Atmospheric scanning electron microscope for correlative microscopy.

PubMed

Morrison, Ian E G; Dennison, Clare L; Nishiyama, Hidetoshi; Suga, Mitsuo; Sato, Chikara; Yarwood, Andrew; O'Toole, Peter J

2012-01-01

The JEOL ClairScope is the first truly correlative scanning electron and optical microscope. An inverted scanning electron microscope (SEM) column allows electron images of wet samples to be obtained in ambient conditions in a biological culture dish, via a silicon nitride film window in the base. A standard inverted optical microscope positioned above the dish holder can be used to take reflected light and epifluorescence images of the same sample, under atmospheric conditions that permit biochemical modifications. For SEM, the open dish allows successive staining operations to be performed without moving the holder. The standard optical color camera used for fluorescence imaging can be exchanged for a high-sensitivity monochrome camera to detect low-intensity fluorescence signals, and also cathodoluminescence emission from nanophosphor particles. If these particles are applied to the sample at a suitable density, they can greatly assist the task of perfecting the correlation between the optical and electron images. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Juffmann, Thomas; Koppell, Stewart A.; Klopfer, Brannon B.

Feynman once asked physicists to build better electron microscopes to be able to watch biology at work. While electron microscopes can now provide atomic resolution, electron beam induced specimen damage precludes high resolution imaging of sensitive materials, such as single proteins or polymers. Here, we use simulations to show that an electron microscope based on a multi-pass measurement protocol enables imaging of single proteins, without averaging structures over multiple images. While we demonstrate the method for particular imaging targets, the approach is broadly applicable and is expected to improve resolution and sensitivity for a range of electron microscopy imaging modalities,more » including, for example, scanning and spectroscopic techniques. The approach implements a quantum mechanically optimal strategy which under idealized conditions can be considered interaction-free.« less

Electron holography study of magnetization behavior in the writer pole of a perpendicular magnetic recording head by a 1 MV transmission electron microscope.

PubMed

Hirata, Kei; Ishida, Yoichi; Akashi, Tetsuya; Shindo, Daisuke; Tonomura, Akira

2012-01-01

The magnetic domain structure of the writer poles of perpendicular magnetic recording heads was studied using electron holography. Although the domain structure of a 100-nm-thick writer pole could be observed with a 300 kV transmission electron microscope, that of the 250-nm-thick writer pole could not be analyzed due to the limited transmission capability of the instrument. On the other hand, the detailed domain structure of the 250-nm-thick writer pole was successfully analyzed by a 1 MV electron microscope using its high transmission capability. The thickness and material dependency of the domain structure of a writer pole were discussed.

Attainment of 40.5 pm spatial resolution using 300 kV scanning transmission electron microscope equipped with fifth-order aberration corrector.

PubMed

Morishita, Shigeyuki; Ishikawa, Ryo; Kohno, Yuji; Sawada, Hidetaka; Shibata, Naoya; Ikuhara, Yuichi

2018-02-01

The achievement of a fine electron probe for high-resolution imaging in scanning transmission electron microscopy requires technological developments, especially in electron optics. For this purpose, we developed a microscope with a fifth-order aberration corrector that operates at 300 kV. The contrast flat region in an experimental Ronchigram, which indicates the aberration-free angle, was expanded to 70 mrad. By using a probe with convergence angle of 40 mrad in the scanning transmission electron microscope at 300 kV, we attained the spatial resolution of 40.5 pm, which is the projected interatomic distance between Ga-Ga atomic columns of GaN observed along [212] direction.

Optics of high-performance electron microscopes*

PubMed Central

Rose, H H

2008-01-01

During recent years, the theory of charged particle optics together with advances in fabrication tolerances and experimental techniques has lead to very significant advances in high-performance electron microscopes. Here, we will describe which theoretical tools, inventions and designs have driven this development. We cover the basic theory of higher-order electron optics and of image formation in electron microscopes. This leads to a description of different methods to correct aberrations by multipole fields and to a discussion of the most advanced design that take advantage of these techniques. The theory of electron mirrors is developed and it is shown how this can be used to correct aberrations and to design energy filters. Finally, different types of energy filters are described. PMID:27877933

Anisotropic type-I superconductivity and anomalous superfluid density in OsB2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bekaert, J.; Vercauteren, S.; Aperis, A.; Komendová, L.; Prozorov, R.; Partoens, B.; Milošević, M. V.

2016-10-01

We present a microscopic study of superconductivity in OsB2, and discuss the origin and characteristic length scales of the superconducting state. From first-principles we show that OsB2 is characterized by three different Fermi sheets, and we prove that this fermiology complies with recent quantum-oscillation experiments. Using the found microscopic properties, and experimental data from the literature, we employ Ginzburg-Landau relations to reveal that OsB2 is a distinctly type-I superconductor with a very low Ginzburg-Landau parameter κ —a rare property among compound materials. We show that the found coherence length and penetration depth corroborate the measured thermodynamic critical field. Moreover, our calculation of the superconducting gap structure using anisotropic Eliashberg theory and ab initio calculated electron-phonon interaction as input reveals a single but anisotropic gap. The calculated gap spectrum is shown to give an excellent account for the unconventional behavior of the superfluid density of OsB2 measured in experiments as a function of temperature. This reveals that gap anisotropy can explain such behavior, observed in several compounds, which was previously attributed solely to a two-gap nature of superconductivity.

Study of Inclusion Bands in Continuously Cast Steel Billets for Rolling Thermomechanically Treated Rebars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pandey, J. C.; Choubey, P. N.; Raj, Manish

2008-07-01

The article presents the investigation results of inclusion bands generally formed toward the loose end/inner radius of continuously cast (CC) strands of thermomechanically treated (TMT) rebar grade cast through curved molds. The main analytical tool used for this purpose was an ultrasonic C-scan image analysis system to reveal this band, and the defects detected in this band using the preceding technique were further measured and analyzed in an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) using energy-dispersive system (EDS). The investigation results revealed the presence of macrolevel globular macroinclusions in the size range 50 to 711 μm. The main constituents of the globular inclusions were found to be SiO2 and MnO. Impact test results revealed reduction in ductility in these bands when compared with the billet material without inclusion band toward the opposite face from the inner radius face. In Charpy testing, reduction in the impact energy in these bands was found to be 0.2 kg m. It is important to monitor the severity of macroinclusions present in these bands to avoid the cracking of TMT rebars during hot rolling.

Anisotropic type-I superconductivity and anomalous superfluid density in OsB 2

DOE PAGES

Bekaert, Jonas; Vercauteren, S.; Aperis, A.; ...

2016-10-12

Here, we present a microscopic study of superconductivity in OsB 2, and discuss the origin and characteristic length scales of the superconducting state. From first-principles we show that OsB 2 is characterized by three different Fermi sheets, and we prove that this fermiology complies with recent quantum-oscillation experiments. Using the found microscopic properties, and experimental data from the literature, we employ Ginzburg-Landau relations to reveal that OsB 2 is a distinctly type-I superconductor with a very low Ginzburg-Landau parameter κ—a rare property among compound materials. We show that the found coherence length and penetration depth corroborate the measured thermodynamic criticalmore » field. Moreover, our calculation of the superconducting gap structure using anisotropic Eliashberg theory and ab initio calculated electron-phonon interaction as input reveals a single but anisotropic gap. The calculated gap spectrum is shown to give an excellent account for the unconventional behavior of the superfluid density of OsB 2 measured in experiments as a function of temperature. This reveals that gap anisotropy can explain such behavior, observed in several compounds, which was previously attributed solely to a two-gap nature of superconductivity.« less

Investigation of Structure and Property of Indian Cocos nucifera L. Fibre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basu, Gautam; Mishra, Leena; Samanta, Ashis Kumar

2017-12-01

Structure and physico-mechanical properties of Cocos nucifera L. fibre from a specific agro-climatic region of India, was thoroughly studied. Fine structure of the fibre was examined by Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy, Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), component analysis, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and optical microscope. SEM shows prominent longitudinal cracks and micro-pores on the surface. XRD shows a low degree of crystallinity (45%), bigger crystallite size, and even the presence of appreciable amount of non-cellulose matter. FTIR reveals presence of large quantities of hydroxyl, phenolic and aldehyde groups. Component and thermal analyses indicates presence of cellulose and lignin as major components. Physical parameters reveal that, fibres are highly variable in length (range 44-305 mm), and diameter (range 100-795 µm). Mechanical properties of the fibre viz. breaking tenacity, breaking extensibility, specific work of rupture, and coefficient of friction were measured. Microbial decomposition test under soil reveals excellent durability of coconut fibre which makes it appropriate for the application in geotextiles. Mass specific electrical resistance of 4 Ω-kg/m2 indicates its enhanced insulation as compared to the jute.

Measurement of flow speed in the channels of novel threadlike structures on the surfaces of mammalian organs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sung, Baeckkyoung; Kim, Min Su; Lee, Byung-Cheon; Yoo, Jung Sun; Lee, Sang-Hee; Kim, Youn-Joong; Kim, Ki-Woo; Soh, Kwang-Sup

2008-02-01

There have been several reports on novel threadlike structures (NTSs) on the surfaces of the internal organs of rats and rabbits since their first observation by Bonghan Kim in 1963. To confirm this novel circulatory function, it is necessary to observe the flow of liquid through the NTS as well as the structurally corroborating channels in the NTS. In this article, we report on the measurement of the flow speed of Alcian blue solution in the NTSs on the organ surfaces of rabbits, and we present electron microscopic images depicting the cribrous cross-section with channels. The speed was measured as 0.3 ± 0.1 mm/s, and the flow distance was up to 12 cm. The flow was unidirectional, and the phase contrast microscopic images showed that the NTSs were strongly stained with Alcian blue. The ultrastructure of the NTSs revealed by cryo-scanning electron microscopy and high-voltage electron microscopy showed that (1) there were cell-like bodies and globular clumps of matter inside the sinus of the channel with thin strands of segregated zones which is a microscopic evidence of the liquid flow, (2) the sinuses have wall structures surrounded with extracellular matrices of collagenous fibers, and (3) there exists a cribriform structure of sinuses. To understand the mechanism for the circulation, a quantitative analysis of the flow speed has been undertaken applying a simplified windkessel model. In this analysis, it was shown that the liquid flow through the NTSs could be due to peristaltic motion of the NTS itself.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rau, E. I.; Orlikovskiy, N. A.; Ivanova, E. S.

A new highly efficient design for semiconductor detectors of intermediate-energy electrons (1-50 keV) for application in scanning electron microscopes is proposed. Calculations of the response function of advanced detectors and control experiments show that the efficiency of the developed devices increases on average twofold, which is a significant positive factor in the operation of modern electron microscopes in the mode of low currents and at low primary electron energies.

Using the scanning electron microscope on the production line to assure quality semiconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adolphsen, J. W.; Anstead, R. J.

1972-01-01

The use of the scanning electron microscope to detect metallization defects introduced during batch processing of semiconductor devices is discussed. A method of determining metallization integrity was developed which culminates in a procurement specification using the scanning microscope on the production line as a quality control tool. Batch process control of the metallization operation is monitored early in the manufacturing cycle.

Influence of mechanical noise inside a scanning electron microscope

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gaudenzi de Faria, Marcelo; Haddab, Yassine, E-mail: yassine.haddab@femto-st.fr; Le Gorrec, Yann

The scanning electron microscope is becoming a popular tool to perform tasks that require positioning, manipulation, characterization, and assembly of micro-components. However, some of these applications require a higher level of performance with respect to dynamics and precision of positioning. One limiting factor is the presence of unidentified noises and disturbances. This work aims to study the influence of mechanical disturbances generated by the environment and by the microscope, identifying how these can affect elements in the vacuum chamber. To achieve this objective, a dedicated setup, including a high-resolution vibrometer, was built inside the microscope. This work led to themore » identification and quantification of main disturbances and noise sources acting on a scanning electron microscope. Furthermore, the effects of external acoustic excitations were analysed. Potential applications of these results include noise compensation and real-time control for high accuracy tasks.« less

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Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-28

... 94305. Instrument: Titan 80-300 Environmental Transmission Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI Co.../Scanning Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI Co., the Netherlands. Intended Use: See notice at 77 FR...

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of synovial sarcoma--a comparative histological-cytological study of 15 cases, including immunohistochemical, electron microscopic and cytogenetic examination and DNA-ploidy analysis.

PubMed

Akerman, M; Willén, H; Carlén, B; Mandahl, N; Mertens, F

1996-06-01

A retrospective study of 25 FNAs (11 aspirates from primary tumours and 14 from recurrencies and metastases) from 15 synovial sarcomas was performed. The cytological findings were correlated with the histopathology and the value of immunohistochemical and electron microscopic examination as well as DNA-ploidy and cytogenetic analysis for diagnosis were assessed. A reproducible cellular pattern with a reliable diagnosis of spindle cell sarcoma was possible provided that the aspirates were cell rich. However, a true biphasic pattern indicative of synovial sarcoma was only seen in one of the 25 specimens. Electron microscopic examination of the aspirates was a valuable adjunctive diagnostic method, whereas immunocytochemistry and DNA-ploidy analysis were not. Immunohistochemical, electron microscopic and cytogenetic analysis were all valuable ancillary methods when performed on surgical specimens. Malignant haemangiopericytoma and fibrosarcoma were the most important differential diagnoses in the FNA specimens.

A two-dimensional Dirac fermion microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bøggild, Peter; Caridad, José M.; Stampfer, Christoph; Calogero, Gaetano; Papior, Nick Rübner; Brandbyge, Mads

2017-06-01

The electron microscope has been a powerful, highly versatile workhorse in the fields of material and surface science, micro and nanotechnology, biology and geology, for nearly 80 years. The advent of two-dimensional materials opens new possibilities for realizing an analogy to electron microscopy in the solid state. Here we provide a perspective view on how a two-dimensional (2D) Dirac fermion-based microscope can be realistically implemented and operated, using graphene as a vacuum chamber for ballistic electrons. We use semiclassical simulations to propose concrete architectures and design rules of 2D electron guns, deflectors, tunable lenses and various detectors. The simulations show how simple objects can be imaged with well-controlled and collimated in-plane beams consisting of relativistic charge carriers. Finally, we discuss the potential of such microscopes for investigating edges, terminations and defects, as well as interfaces, including external nanoscale structures such as adsorbed molecules, nanoparticles or quantum dots.

A two-dimensional Dirac fermion microscope

PubMed Central

Bøggild, Peter; Caridad, José M.; Stampfer, Christoph; Calogero, Gaetano; Papior, Nick Rübner; Brandbyge, Mads

2017-01-01

The electron microscope has been a powerful, highly versatile workhorse in the fields of material and surface science, micro and nanotechnology, biology and geology, for nearly 80 years. The advent of two-dimensional materials opens new possibilities for realizing an analogy to electron microscopy in the solid state. Here we provide a perspective view on how a two-dimensional (2D) Dirac fermion-based microscope can be realistically implemented and operated, using graphene as a vacuum chamber for ballistic electrons. We use semiclassical simulations to propose concrete architectures and design rules of 2D electron guns, deflectors, tunable lenses and various detectors. The simulations show how simple objects can be imaged with well-controlled and collimated in-plane beams consisting of relativistic charge carriers. Finally, we discuss the potential of such microscopes for investigating edges, terminations and defects, as well as interfaces, including external nanoscale structures such as adsorbed molecules, nanoparticles or quantum dots. PMID:28598421

Electron microscopical and histochemical studies on the transverse striated muscles of birds after prolonged hypokinesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Belak, M.; Kocisova, J.; Marcanik, J.; Boda, K.; Skarda, R.

1981-01-01

Studies of the gastrocnemius muscle were carried out in 4 month old cockerels of the laying hybrid after hypokinesis lasting 15 and 30 days. It was found that restricted movement resulted in dystrophic changes of myotibrils, enlargement of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and oedem of interfibrillar spaces. Histochemical studies revealed focuses of increased activity of non-specific esterase, decreased activity of dehydrogenase of lactic acid and a positive reaction of acid phosphatase.

Microscopic Optical Characterization of Free Standing III-Nitride Substrates, ZnO Bulk Crystals, and III-V Structures for Non-Linear Optics. Part 2

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-05-18

strong radiation hardness of ZnO. Positron annihilation studies have revealed the presence of Zn vacancies under high energy electron irradiation, as...SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT CL study of ammonothermal GaN crystals. Preliminary results on ammonothermal AlGaN crystals show a clear...prevalence of deep level luminescence Study of the luminescence spectral characteristics. Optimization of the excitonic emission vs deep level emission

Isolation and identification of a new strain of hirame rhabdovirus (HIRRV) from Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus in China.

PubMed

Zhang, Jialin; Tang, Xiaoqian; Sheng, Xiuzhen; Xing, Jing; Zhan, Wenbin

2017-04-07

Hirame rhabdovirus virus (HIRRV) is a rhabdovirus that causes acute hemorrhage disease in fish culture, resulting in a great economic loss in parts of Asia and Europe. In this study, we isolated a virus strain named as CNPo2015 from cultured Japanese flounder in Shandong province, China. Cell isolation, electron microscopic observation, RT-PCR detection and phylogenetic analysis were used for virus identification. Further, artificial infection experiment was conducted for virulence testing. The gross signs included abdominal distension, fin reddening and yellow ascitic fluid in the abdominal cavity. Histopathological examination revealed marked cell degeneration and necrosis in the kidney. The tissue homogenates induced obvious cytopathic effects in EPC, FHM and FG cell lines. Electron microscopic observation showed the virus had a bullet-like shape with a capsule membrane. RT-PCR and sequencing analysis revealed that CNPo2015 belonged to the HIRRV with high sequence identity to HIRRV isolates. Infection experiment confirmed that the HIRRV CNPo2015 strain was virulent to flounder juveniles with a LD 50 value of 1.0 × 10 5.9 TCID 50 /fish. In conclusion, we described the first isolation and characterization of a HIRRV from Japanese flounder in China. This will provide a candidate material for further research on the infection mechanism and preventive strategies of HIRRV.

Synergistic effect of tartaric acid with 2,6-diaminopyridine on the corrosion inhibition of mild steel in 0.5 M HCl

PubMed Central

Qiang, Yujie; Guo, Lei; Zhang, Shengtao; Li, Wenpo; Yu, Shanshan; Tan, Jianhong

2016-01-01

The inhibitive ability of 2,6-diaminopyridine, tartaric acid and their synergistic effect towards mild steel corrosion in 0.5 M HCl solution was evaluated at various concentrations using potentiodynamic polarization measurements, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and weight loss experiments. Corresponding surfaces of mild steel were examined by atomic force microscope (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The experimental results are in good agreement and reveal a favorable synergistic effect of 2,6-diaminopyridine with tartaric acid, which could protect mild steel from corrosion effectively. Besides, quantum chemical calculations and Monte Carlo simulation were used to clarify the inhibition mechanism of the synergistic effect. PMID:27628901

Microstructure of the regions on a plane copper electrode surface affected by a spark discharge in air in the point-plane gap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tren'kin, A. A.; Karelin, V. I.; Shibitov, Yu. M.; Blinova, O. M.; Yasnikov, I. S.

2017-09-01

The microstructure of the regions affected by spark discharge on the surface of a plane copper electrode in atmospheric air in the point-plane gap has been studied using a scanning electron microscope for both the positive and negative polarity of the point electrode. It has been found that the affected regions have the shape of round spots or groups of spots with diameters of individual spots varying in the range of 20-200 μm. It has been revealed that the spots have an internal spatial structure in the form of an aggregate of concentric rings. These rings are aggregates of a large number of microscopic craters with diameters of 0.1-1.0 μm.

Sodium chloride stress induced morphological and ultrastructural changes in Aspergillus repens.

PubMed

Kelavkar, U; Rao, K S; Ghhatpar, H S

1993-06-01

Halotolerant fungus, A. repens, showed a considerable difference in its growth rate, morphology, ultrastructural and molecular composition under NaCl stress as compared to control i.e. non-stressed condition. Light microscopic observations revealed significant differences in their mycelial thickness, their branching and septa. Transmission electron microscopic observations of both the conditions depicted significant differences in the qualitative and quantitative changes in mitochondria. Frequent pinocytotic vesiculation (vacuoles) of plasma membrane was observed in fungus under stress but no such vesiculation in control. The multivesiculate structures observed under stress with their origin from the cell membranes and subsequent release into vacuoles have not been reported in fungi under normal physiological conditions. The observations on pinocytosis are discussed in relation to ion compartmentation and salt tolerance in A. repens.

Developmental Injury to the Cerebellar Cortex Following Hydroxyurea Treatment in Early Postnatal Life: An Immunohistochemical and Electron Microscopic Study.

PubMed

Martí, Joaquín; Molina, Vanesa; Santa-Cruz, M C; Hervás, José P

2017-02-01

Postnatal development of the cerebellar cortex was studied in rats administered with a single dose (2 mg/g) of the cytotoxic agent hydroxyurea (HU) on postnatal day (P) 9 and collected at appropriate times ranging from 6 h to 45 days. Quantification of several parameters such as the density of pyknotic, mitotic, BrdU-positive, and vimentin-stained cells revealed that HU compromises the survival of the external granular layer (EGL) cells. Moreover, vimentin immunocytochemistry revealed overexpression and thicker immunoreactive glial processes in HU-treated rats. On the other hand, we also show that HU leads to the activation of apoptotic cellular events, resulting in a substantial number of dying EGL cells, as revealed by TUNEL staining and at the electron microscope level. Additionally, we quantified several features of the cerebellar cortex of rats exposed to HU in early postnatal life and collected in adulthood. Data analysis indicated that the analyzed parameters were less pronounced in rats administered with this agent. Moreover, we observed several alterations in the cerebellar cortex cytoarchitecture of rats injected with HU. Anomalies included ectopic placement of Purkinje cells and abnormities in the dendritic arbor of these macroneurons. Ectopic granule cells were also found in the molecular layer. These findings provide a clue for investigating the mechanisms of HU-induced toxicity during the development of the central nervous system. Our results also suggest that it is essential to avoid underestimating the adverse effects of this hydroxylated analog of urea when administered during early postnatal life.

Scanning Microscopes Using X Rays and Microchannels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, Yu

2003-01-01

Scanning microscopes that would be based on microchannel filters and advanced electronic image sensors and that utilize x-ray illumination have been proposed. Because the finest resolution attainable in a microscope is determined by the wavelength of the illumination, the xray illumination in the proposed microscopes would make it possible, in principle, to achieve resolutions of the order of nanometers about a thousand times as fine as the resolution of a visible-light microscope. Heretofore, it has been necessary to use scanning electron microscopes to obtain such fine resolution. In comparison with scanning electron microscopes, the proposed microscopes would likely be smaller, less massive, and less expensive. Moreover, unlike in scanning electron microscopes, it would not be necessary to place specimens under vacuum. The proposed microscopes are closely related to the ones described in several prior NASA Tech Briefs articles; namely, Miniature Microscope Without Lenses (NPO-20218), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 22, No. 8 (August 1998), page 43; and Reflective Variants of Miniature Microscope Without Lenses (NPO-20610), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 26, No. 9 (September 2002) page 6a. In all of these microscopes, the basic principle of design and operation is the same: The focusing optics of a conventional visible-light microscope are replaced by a combination of a microchannel filter and a charge-coupled-device (CCD) image detector. A microchannel plate containing parallel, microscopic-cross-section holes much longer than they are wide is placed between a specimen and an image sensor, which is typically the CCD. The microchannel plate must be made of a material that absorbs the illuminating radiation reflected or scattered from the specimen. The microchannels must be positioned and dimensioned so that each one is registered with a pixel on the image sensor. Because most of the radiation incident on the microchannel walls becomes absorbed, the radiation that reaches the image sensor consists predominantly of radiation that was launched along the longitudinal direction of the microchannels. Therefore, most of the radiation arriving at each pixel on the sensor must have traveled along a straight line from a corresponding location on the specimen. Thus, there is a one-to-one mapping from a point on a specimen to a pixel in the image sensor, so that the output of the image sensor contains image information equivalent to that from a microscope.

Temperature effect on the growth of Au-free InAs and InAs/GaSb heterostructure nanowires on Si substrate by MOCVD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kakkerla, Ramesh Kumar; Anandan, Deepak; Hsiao, Chih-Jen; Yu, Hung Wei; Singh, Sankalp Kumar; Chang, Edward Yi

2018-05-01

We demonstrate the growth of vertically aligned Au-free InAs and InAs/GaSb heterostructure nanowires on Si (1 1 1) substrate by Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD). The effect of growth temperature on the morphology and growth rate of the InAs and InAs/GaSb heterostructure nanowires (NWs) is investigated. Control over diameter and length of the InAs NWs and the GaSb shell thickness was achieved by using growth temperature. As the GaSb growth temperature increase, GaSb radial growth rate increases due to the increase in alkyl decomposition at the substrate surface. Diffusivity of the adatoms increases as the GaSb growth temperature increase which results in tapered GaSb shell growth. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) measurements revealed that the morphology and shell thickness can be tuned by the growth temperature. Electron microscopy also shows the formation of GaSb both in radial and axial directions outside the InAs NW core can be controlled by the growth temperature. This study demonstrates the control over InAs NWs growth and the GaSb shell thickness can be achieved through proper growth temperature control, such technique is essential for the growth of nanowire for future nano electronic devices, such as Tunnel FET.

Development of the field of structural physiology

PubMed Central

FUJIYOSHI, Yoshinori

2015-01-01

Electron crystallography is especially useful for studying the structure and function of membrane proteins — key molecules with important functions in neural and other cells. Electron crystallography is now an established technique for analyzing the structures of membrane proteins in lipid bilayers that closely simulate their natural biological environment. Utilizing cryo-electron microscopes with helium-cooled specimen stages that were developed through a personal motivation to understand the functions of neural systems from a structural point of view, the structures of membrane proteins can be analyzed at a higher than 3 Å resolution. This review covers four objectives. First, I introduce the new research field of structural physiology. Second, I recount some of the struggles involved in developing cryo-electron microscopes. Third, I review the structural and functional analyses of membrane proteins mainly by electron crystallography using cryo-electron microscopes. Finally, I discuss multifunctional channels named “adhennels” based on structures analyzed using electron and X-ray crystallography. PMID:26560835

Development of an environmental high-voltage electron microscope for reaction science.

PubMed

Tanaka, Nobuo; Usukura, Jiro; Kusunoki, Michiko; Saito, Yahachi; Sasaki, Katuhiro; Tanji, Takayoshi; Muto, Shunsuke; Arai, Shigeo

2013-02-01

Environmental transmission electron microscopy and ultra-high resolution electron microscopic observation using aberration correctors have recently emerged as topics of great interest. The former method is an extension of the so-called in situ electron microscopy that has been performed since the 1970s. Current research in this area has been focusing on dynamic observation with atomic resolution under gaseous atmospheres and in liquids. Since 2007, Nagoya University has been developing a new 1-MV high voltage (scanning) transmission electron microscope that can be used to observe nanomaterials under conditions that include the presence of gases, liquids and illuminating lights, and it can be also used to perform mechanical operations to nanometre-sized areas as well as electron tomography and elemental analysis by electron energy loss spectroscopy. The new instrument has been used to image and analyse various types of samples including biological ones.

Nucleotide-Specific Contrast for DNA Sequencing by Electron Spectroscopy.

PubMed

Mankos, Marian; Persson, Henrik H J; N'Diaye, Alpha T; Shadman, Khashayar; Schmid, Andreas K; Davis, Ronald W

2016-01-01

DNA sequencing by imaging in an electron microscope is an approach that holds promise to deliver long reads with low error rates and without the need for amplification. Earlier work using transmission electron microscopes, which use high electron energies on the order of 100 keV, has shown that low contrast and radiation damage necessitates the use of heavy atom labeling of individual nucleotides, which increases the read error rates. Other prior work using scattering electrons with much lower energy has shown to suppress beam damage on DNA. Here we explore possibilities to increase contrast by employing two methods, X-ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopy. Using bulk DNA samples with monomers of each base, both methods are shown to provide contrast mechanisms that can distinguish individual nucleotides without labels. Both spectroscopic techniques can be readily implemented in a low energy electron microscope, which may enable label-free DNA sequencing by direct imaging.

Microscopy based studies on the interaction of bio-based silver nanoparticles with Bombyx mori Nuclear Polyhedrosis virus.

PubMed

Tamilselvan, Selvaraj; Ashokkumar, Thirunavukkarasu; Govindaraju, Kasivelu

2017-04-01

In the present investigation, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) interactions with Bombyx mori Nuclear Polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) were characterized using High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HR-SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Atomic Force Microcopy (AFM) and Confocal Microscope (CM). HR-SEM study reveals that the biosynthesized AgNPs have interacted with BmNPV and were found on the surface. TEM micrographs of normal and viral polyhedra treated with AgNPs showed that the nanoparticles were accumulated in the membrane and it was noted that some of the AgNPs successfully penetrated the membrane by reaching the capsid of BmNPV. AFM and confocal microscopy studies reveal that the disruption in the shell membrane tends to lose its stability due to exposure of AgNPs to BmNPV. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High-resolution electron microscope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nathan, R.

1977-01-01

Employing scanning transmission electron microscope as interferometer, relative phases of diffraction maximums can be determined by analysis of dark field images. Synthetic aperture technique and Fourier-transform computer processing of amplitude and phase information provide high resolution images at approximately one angstrom.

75 FR 9867 - University of Pittsburgh, et al

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-04

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration University of Pittsburgh, et al.; Notice of Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free Entry of Electron Microscopes This is a...: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: JEOL, Ltd...

Large-scale synthesis of coiled-like shaped carbon nanotubes using bi-metal catalyst

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krishna, Vemula Mohana; Somanathan, T.; Manikandan, E.; Umar, Ahmad; Maaza, M.

2018-02-01

Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs), especially carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with coiled structure exhibit scientifically fascinating. They may be projected as an innovative preference to future technological materials. Coiled carbon nanotubes (c-CNTs) on a large-scale were successfully synthesized with the help of bi-metal substituted α-alumina nanoparticles catalyst via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique. Highly spring-like carbon nanostructures were observed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) examination. Furthermore, the obtained material has high purity, which correlates the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. Raman spectroscopy reveals that the carbon multi layers are well graphitized and crystalline, even if they have defects in its structure due to coiled morphology. High-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) describes internal structure and dia of the product. Ultimately, results support the activity of bi-metal impregnated α-alumina nanoparticles catalyst to determine the high yield, graphitization and internal structure of the material. We have also studied the purified c-CNTs magnetic properties at room temperature and will be an added advantage in several applications.

Effect of Yeast Cell Morphology, Cell Wall Physical Structure and Chemical Composition on Patulin Adsorption

PubMed Central

Luo, Ying; Wang, Jianguo; Liu, Bin; Wang, Zhouli; Yuan, Yahong; Yue, Tianli

2015-01-01

The capability of yeast to adsorb patulin in fruit juice can aid in substantially reducing the patulin toxic effect on human health. This study aimed to investigate the capability of yeast cell morphology and cell wall internal structure and composition to adsorb patulin. To compare different yeast cell morphologies, cell wall internal structure and composition, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and ion chromatography were used. The results indicated that patulin adsorption capability of yeast was influenced by cell surface areas, volume, and cell wall thickness, as well as 1,3-β-glucan content. Among these factors, cell wall thickness and 1,3-β-glucan content serve significant functions. The investigation revealed that patulin adsorption capability was mainly affected by the three-dimensional network structure of the cell wall composed of 1,3-β-glucan. Finally, patulin adsorption in commercial kiwi fruit juice was investigated, and the results indicated that yeast cells could adsorb patulin from commercial kiwi fruit juice efficiently. This study can potentially simulate in vitro cell walls to enhance patulin adsorption capability and successfully apply to fruit juice industry. PMID:26295574

Effect of Yeast Cell Morphology, Cell Wall Physical Structure and Chemical Composition on Patulin Adsorption.

PubMed

Luo, Ying; Wang, Jianguo; Liu, Bin; Wang, Zhouli; Yuan, Yahong; Yue, Tianli

2015-01-01

The capability of yeast to adsorb patulin in fruit juice can aid in substantially reducing the patulin toxic effect on human health. This study aimed to investigate the capability of yeast cell morphology and cell wall internal structure and composition to adsorb patulin. To compare different yeast cell morphologies, cell wall internal structure and composition, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and ion chromatography were used. The results indicated that patulin adsorption capability of yeast was influenced by cell surface areas, volume, and cell wall thickness, as well as 1,3-β-glucan content. Among these factors, cell wall thickness and 1,3-β-glucan content serve significant functions. The investigation revealed that patulin adsorption capability was mainly affected by the three-dimensional network structure of the cell wall composed of 1,3-β-glucan. Finally, patulin adsorption in commercial kiwi fruit juice was investigated, and the results indicated that yeast cells could adsorb patulin from commercial kiwi fruit juice efficiently. This study can potentially simulate in vitro cell walls to enhance patulin adsorption capability and successfully apply to fruit juice industry.

Study of the presence of fluorine in the recycled fractions during carbothermal treatment of EAF dust.

PubMed

Menad, N; Ayala, J N; Garcia-Carcedo, Fernando; Ruiz-Ayúcar, E; Hernández, A

2003-01-01

Carbothermal treatment tests of electric arc furnace dusts (EAFD) using the Waelz kiln process were carried out in pilot-scale for the production of zinc oxide. The association of halides in the EAFD, and the recycled products, such as zinc oxide fumes and high-grade iron contents fractions were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis. XRD reveals the presence of chlorine and fluorine in the dusts in the form of KCl, NaCl and CaF2. An ultra-pure fraction of zinc was obtained after the Double Leaching Waelz Oxide (DLWO) process was performed on the zinc oxide fumes. The halide contents were reduced to approximately 100 ppm Cl and 700 ppm F. The rest of these elements are in the form of CaF2. About 65% F is volatilised as lead and zinc fluorides, 15% is expected in the magnetic fractions and 20% in non-magnetic fractions as CaF2 and MnF2, respectively.

Faunal composition and organic surface encrustations at hydrothermal vents on the southern Juan De Fuca Ridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tunnicliffe, Verena; Fontaine, A. R.

1987-10-01

Examination of a small collection of macroinvertebrates from three vents of the southern Juan de Fuca vent field reveals differences between the vents with respect to species composition, species habits, and microbial and metallic deposits on their surfaces. TWo apparently new vestimentiferan species were found, and for the first time the Juan de Fuca palm worm was observed to dwell on smokers. High acidity values recorded in this system may interfere with the process of shell calcification in an archaeogastropod snail. The surfaces of vestimentifer an tubes at two vents are heavily encrusted with microbial and metallic accumulations. Scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and energy dispersive X ray microanalysis observations show that iron-based crusts on orange tubes are built from accumulations of an Fe-rich particle of distinctive size and shape. Morphological evidence is presented for the microbial origin of Fe-rich particles. Zn-rich particles found on black tubes are not of microbial origin. We suggest that iron deposition on surfaces in the vent environment is initially biocatalytic but subsequent deposits may build by simple inorganic reactions.

The microscopic structure of charge density waves in underdoped YBa 2Cu 3O 6.54 revealed by x-ray diffraction

DOE PAGES

E. M. Forgan; Huecker, M.; Blackburn, E.; ...

2015-12-09

Charge density wave (CDW) order appears throughout the underdoped high-temperature cuprate superconductors, but the underlying symmetry breaking and the origin of the CDW remain unclear. We use X-ray diffraction to determine the microscopic structure of the CDWs in an archetypical cuprate YBa 2Cu 3O 6.54 at its superconducting transition temperature ~60 K. We find that the CDWs in this material break the mirror symmetry of the CuO 2 bilayers. The ionic displacements in the CDWs have two components, which are perpendicular and parallel to the CuO 2 planes, and are out of phase with each other. The planar oxygen atomsmore » have the largest displacements, perpendicular to the CuO 2 planes. Our results allow many electronic properties of the underdoped cuprates to be understood. For example, the CDWs will lead to local variations in the electronic structure, giving an explicit explanation of density-wave states with broken symmetry observed in scanning tunnelling microscopy and soft X-ray measurements.« less

Genotype-dependent efficiency of endosperm development in culture of selected cereals: histological and ultrastructural studies.

PubMed

Popielarska-Konieczna, Marzena; Kozieradzka-Kiszkurno, Małgorzata; Tuleja, Monika; Ślesak, Halina; Kapusta, Paweł; Marcińska, Izabela; Bohdanowicz, Jerzy

2013-02-01

The paper reports studies, including histological and ultrastructural analyses, of in vitro cell proliferation and development of immature endosperm tissue isolated from caryopses of Triticum aestivum, Triticum durum, and Triticosecale plants. Endosperm isolated at 7-10 days post-anthesis developed well on MS medium supplemented with auxins and/or cytokinins. The efficiency of endosperm response was highly genotype-dependent and best in two winter cultivars of hexaploid species. The pathways of development and proliferation were very similar among the selected species and cultivars. Histological and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed that only the part of the endosperm not touching the medium surface continued growth and development, resulting in swelling. The central part of swollen regions was composed mainly of cells containing many large starch grains. The peripheric parts of developed endosperm consisted of highly vacuolated cells and small cells with dense cytoplasm. SEM showed that cells from the swollen region were covered partially with a membraneous structure. Transmission electron microscope studies of cells from the outer part of the developing region showed features typical for cell activity connected with lipid metabolism.

Nanostructures formed by cyclodextrin covered procainamide through supramolecular self assembly - Spectral and molecular modeling study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rajendiran, N.; Mohandoss, T.; Sankaranarayanan, R. K.

2015-02-01

Inclusion complexation behavior of procainamide (PCA) with two cyclodextrins (α-CD and β-CD) were analyzed by absorption, fluorescence, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Raman image, FT-IR, differential scanning colorimeter (DSC), Powder X ray diffraction (XRD) and 1H NMR. Blue shift was observed in β-CD whereas no significant spectral shift observed in α-CD. The inclusion complex formation results suggest that water molecules also present in the inside of the CD cavity. The present study revealed that the phenyl ring of the PCA drug is entrapped in the CD cavity. Cyclodextrin studies show that PCA forms 1:2 inclusion complex with α-CD and β-CD. PCA:α-CD complex form nano-sized particles (46 nm) and PCA:β-CD complex form self-assembled to micro-sized tubular structures. The shape-shifting of 2D nanosheets into 1D microtubes by simple rolling mechanism were analysed by micro-Raman and TEM images. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔG and ΔS) of inclusion process were determined from semiempirical PM3 calculations.

Time-dependent gel to gel transformation of a peptide based supramolecular gelator.

PubMed

Baral, Abhishek; Basak, Shibaji; Basu, Kingshuk; Dehsorkhi, Ashkan; Hamley, Ian W; Banerjee, Arindam

2015-06-28

A dipeptide with a long fatty acid chain at its N-terminus gives hydrogels in phosphate buffer in the pH range 7.0-8.5. The hydrogel with a gelator concentration of 0.45% (w/v) at pH 7.46 (physiological pH) provides a very good platform to study dynamic changes within a supramolecular framework as it exhibits remarkable change in its appearance with time. Interestingly, the first formed transparent hydrogel gradually transforms into a turbid gel within 2 days. These two forms of the hydrogel have been thoroughly investigated by using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), field emission scanning electron microscopic (FE-SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopic (HR-TEM) imaging, FT-IR and rheometric analyses. The SAXS and low angle PXRD studies substantiate different packing arrangements for the gelator molecules for these two different gel states (the freshly prepared and the aged hydrogel). Moreover, rheological studies of these two gels reveal that the aged gel is stiffer than the freshly prepared gel.

Optical, Magnetic and Photocatalytic Activity Studies of Li, Mg and Sr Doped and Undoped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles.

PubMed

Shanthi, S I; Poovaragan, S; Arularasu, M V; Nithya, S; Sundaram, R; Magdalane, C Maria; Kaviyarasu, K; Maaza, M

2018-08-01

Nanoparticles of Li, Mg and Sr doped and undoped zinc oxide was prepared by simple precipitation method. The structural, optical, and magnetic properties of the samples were investigated by the Powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Ultra-violet Visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) spectra, Photoluminescence (PL) and Vibrational Sample Magnetometer (VSM). The Powder X-ray diffraction data confirm the formation of hexagonal wurtzite structure of all doped and undoped ZnO. The SEM photograph reveals that the pores availability and particles size in the range of 10 nm-50 nm. FTIR and UV-Visible spectra results confirm the incorporation of the dopant into the ZnO lattice nanostructure. The UV-Visible spectra indicate that the shift of blue region (lower wavelength) due to bandgap widening. Photoluminescence intensity varies with doping due to the increase of oxygen vacancies in prepared ZnO. The pure ZnO exist paramagnetic while doped (Li, Mg and Sr) ZnO exist ferromagnetic property. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared sample also carried out in detail.

Synthesis and Electrochemical Analysis of Algae Cellulose-Polypyrrole-Graphene Nanocomposite for Supercapacitor Electrode.

PubMed

Aphale, Ashish; Chattopadhyay, Aheli; Mahakalakar, Kapil; Patra, Prabir

2015-08-01

A novel nanocomposite has been developed using extracted cellulose from marine algae coated with conductive polypyrrole and graphene nanoplateletes. The nanocomposite fabricated via in situ polymerization was used as an electrode for a supercapacitor device. The nanocomposite material has been electrochemically characterized using cyclic voltammetry to test its potential to super-capacitive behavior. The specific capacitance of polypyrrole-graphene-cellulose nanocomposite as calculated from cyclic voltammetry curve is 91.5 Fg-1 at the scan rate 50 mV s-1. Transmission electron microscope images show the polymerized polypyrrole -graphene coated cellulosic nanofibers. Scanning electron microscope images reveal an interesting "necklace" like beaded morphology on the cellulose fibers. It is observed that the necklace like structure start to disintegrate with the increase in graphene concentration. The open circuit voltage of the device with polypyrrole-graphene-cellulose electrode was found to be around 225 mV and that of the polypyrrole-cellulose device is only 53 mV without graphene. The results suggest marked improvement in the performance of the nanocomposite supercapacitor device upon graphene inclusion.

Effect of Traverse and Rotational Speeds on the Tensile Behavior of the Underwater Dissimilar Friction Stir Welded Aluminum Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bijanrostami, Kh.; Barenji, R. Vatankhah; Hashemipour, M.

2017-02-01

The tensile behavior of the underwater dissimilar friction stir welded AA6061 and AA7075 aluminum alloy joints was investigated for the first time. For this aim, the joints were welded at different conditions and tensile test was conducted for measuring the strength and elongation of them. In addition, the microstructure of the joints was characterized by means of optical and transmission electron microscopes. Scanning electron microscope was used for fractography of the joints. Furthermore, the process parameters and tensile properties of the joints were correlated and optimized. The results revealed that the maximum tensile strength of 237.3 MPa and elongation of 41.2% could be obtained at a rotational speed 1853 rpm and a traverse speed of 50 mm/min. In comparison with the optimum condition, higher heat inputs caused grain growth and reduction in dislocation density and hence led to lower strength. The higher elongations for the joints welded at higher heat inputs were due to lower dislocation density inside the grains, which was consistent with a more ductile fracture of them.

The microscopic structure of charge density waves in underdoped YBa2Cu3O6.54 revealed by X-ray diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forgan, E. M.; Blackburn, E.; Holmes, A. T.; Briffa, A. K. R.; Chang, J.; Bouchenoire, L.; Brown, S. D.; Liang, Ruixing; Bonn, D.; Hardy, W. N.; Christensen, N. B.; Zimmermann, M. V.; Hücker, M.; Hayden, S. M.

2015-12-01

Charge density wave (CDW) order appears throughout the underdoped high-temperature cuprate superconductors, but the underlying symmetry breaking and the origin of the CDW remain unclear. We use X-ray diffraction to determine the microscopic structure of the CDWs in an archetypical cuprate YBa2Cu3O6.54 at its superconducting transition temperature ~60 K. We find that the CDWs in this material break the mirror symmetry of the CuO2 bilayers. The ionic displacements in the CDWs have two components, which are perpendicular and parallel to the CuO2 planes, and are out of phase with each other. The planar oxygen atoms have the largest displacements, perpendicular to the CuO2 planes. Our results allow many electronic properties of the underdoped cuprates to be understood. For instance, the CDWs will lead to local variations in the electronic structure, giving an explicit explanation of density-wave states with broken symmetry observed in scanning tunnelling microscopy and soft X-ray measurements.

Development of a miniature scanning electron microscope for in-flight analysis of comet dust

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conley, J. M.; Bradley, J. G.; Giffin, C. E.; Albee, A. L.; Tomassian, A. D.

1983-01-01

A description is presented of an instrument which was developed with the original goal of being flown on the International Comet Mission, scheduled for a 1985 launch. The Scanning Electron Microscope and Particle Analyzer (SEMPA) electron miniprobe is a miniaturized electrostatically focused electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray analyzer for in-flight analysis of comet dust particles. It was designed to be flown on board a comet rendezvous spacecraft. Other potential applications are related to asteroid rendezvous and planetary lander missions. According to the development objectives, SEMPA miniprobe is to have the capability for imaging and elemental analysis of particles in the size range of 0.25 microns and larger.

Profiling with the electron microscope.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vedder, J. F.; Lem, H. Y.

1972-01-01

Discussion of a profiling technique using a scanning electron microscope for obtaining depth information on a single micrograph of a small specimen. A stationary electron beam is used to form a series of contamination spots in a line across the specimen. Micrographs obtained by this technique are useful as a means of projection and display where stereo viewers are not practical.

Laser ablation of Au-CuO core-shell nanocomposite in water for optoelectronic devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ismail, Raid A.; Abdul-Hamed, Ryam S.

2017-12-01

Core-shell gold-copper oxide Au-CuO nanocomposites were synthesized using laser ablation of CuO target in colloidal solution of Au nanoparticles (NPs). The effect of laser fluence on the structural, morphological, electrical, and optical properties of Au-CuO nanocomposites was investigated using x-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscope (AFM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), photoluminescence (PL), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Hall measurement, and UV-vis spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction results confirm the formation of polycrystalline Au-CuO NPs with monoclinic structure. The optical energy gap for CuO was 4 eV and for the Au-CuO core-shell nanocomposites was found to be in the range of 3.4-3.7 eV. SEM and TEM investigations revealed that the structure and morphology of Au-CuO core-shell nanocomposites were strongly depending on the laser fluence. A formation of Au-CuO nanospheres and platelets structures was observed. The photoluminescence data showed an emission of broad visible peaks between 407 and 420 nm. The effect of laser fluence on the dark and illuminated I-V characteristics of Au-CuO/n-Si heterojunction photodetectors was investigated and analyzed. The experimental data demonstrated that the photodetector prepared at optimum laser fluence exhibited photosensitivity of 0.6 AW-1 at 800 nm.

Electron tomography and cryo-SEM characterization reveals novel ultrastructural features of host-parasite interaction during Chlamydia abortus infection.

PubMed

Wilkat, M; Herdoiza, E; Forsbach-Birk, V; Walther, P; Essig, A

2014-08-01

Chlamydia (C.) abortus is a widely spread pathogen among ruminants that can be transmitted to women during pregnancy leading to severe systemic infection with consecutive abortion. As a member of the Chlamydiaceae, C. abortus shares the characteristic feature of an obligate intracellular biphasic developmental cycle with two morphological forms including elementary bodies (EBs) and reticulate bodies (RBs). In contrast to other chlamydial species, C. abortus ultrastructure has not been investigated yet. To do so, samples were fixed by high-pressure freezing and processed by different electron microscopic methods. Freeze-substituted samples were analysed by transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopical tomography and immuno-electron microscopy, and freeze-fractured samples were analysed by cryo-scanning electron microscopy. Here, we present three ultrastructural features of C. abortus that have not been reported up to now. Firstly, the morphological evidence that C. abortus is equipped with the type three secretion system. Secondly, the accumulation and even coating of whole inclusion bodies by membrane complexes consisting of multiple closely adjacent membranes which seems to be a C. abortus specific feature. Thirdly, the formation of small vesicles in the periplasmic space of RBs in the second half of the developmental cycle. Concerning the time point of their formation and the fact that they harbour chlamydial components, these vesicles might be morphological correlates of an intermediate step during the process of redifferentiation of RBs into EBs. As this feature has also been shown for C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae, it might be a common characteristic of the family of Chlamydiaceae.

Towards atomically precise manipulation of 2D nanostructures in the electron microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Susi, Toma; Kepaptsoglou, Demie; Lin, Yung-Chang; Ramasse, Quentin M.; Meyer, Jannik C.; Suenaga, Kazu; Kotakoski, Jani

2017-12-01

Despite decades of research, the ultimate goal of nanotechnology—top-down manipulation of individual atoms—has been directly achieved with only one technique: scanning probe microscopy. In this review, we demonstrate that scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) is emerging as an alternative method for the direct assembly of nanostructures, with possible applications in plasmonics, quantum technologies, and materials science. Atomically precise manipulation with STEM relies on recent advances in instrumentation that have enabled non-destructive atomic-resolution imaging at lower electron energies. While momentum transfer from highly energetic electrons often leads to atom ejection, interesting dynamics can be induced when the transferable kinetic energies are comparable to bond strengths in the material. Operating in this regime, very recent experiments have revealed the potential for single-atom manipulation using the Ångström-sized electron beam. To truly enable control, however, it is vital to understand the relevant atomic-scale phenomena through accurate dynamical simulations. Although excellent agreement between experiment and theory for the specific case of atomic displacements from graphene has been recently achieved using density functional theory molecular dynamics, in many other cases quantitative accuracy remains a challenge. We provide a comprehensive reanalysis of available experimental data on beam-driven dynamics in light of the state-of-the-art in simulations, and identify important targets for improvement. Overall, the modern electron microscope has great potential to become an atom-scale fabrication platform, especially for covalently bonded 2D nanostructures. We review the developments that have made this possible, argue that graphene is an ideal starting material, and assess the main challenges moving forward.

The trapping and distribution of charge in polarized polymethylmethacrylate under electron-beam irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Z. G.; Gong, H.; Ong, C. K.

1997-06-01

A scanning electron microscope (SEM) mirror-image method (MIM) is employed to investigate the charging behaviour of polarized polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) under electron-beam irradiation. An ellipsoid is used to model the trapped charge distribution and a fitting method is employed to calculate the total amount of the trapped charge and its distribution parameters. The experimental results reveal that the charging ability decreases with increasing applied electric field, which polarizes the PMMA sample, whereas the trapped charge distribution is elongated along the direction of the applied electric field and increases with increasing applied electric field. The charges are believed to be trapped in some localization states, of activation energy and radius estimated to be about 19.6 meV and 0022-3727/30/11/004/img6, respectively.

Classification of Streptomyces Spore Surfaces into Five Groups

PubMed Central

Dietz, Alma; Mathews, John

1971-01-01

Streptomyces spores surfaces have been classified into five groups, smooth, warty, spiny, hairy, and rugose, by examination of carbon replicas of spores with the transmission electron microscope and by direct examination of spores with the scanning electron microscope. Images PMID:4928607

COLONIAL GROWTH OF MYCOPLASMA GALLISEPTICUM OBSERVED WITH THE ELECTRON MICROSCOPE

PubMed Central

Shifrine, Moshe; Pangborn, Jack; Adler, Henry E.

1962-01-01

Shifrine, Moshe (University of California, Davis), Jack Pangborn, and Henry E. Adler. Colonial growth of Mycoplasma gallisepticum observed with the electron microscope. J. Bacteriol. 83:187–192. 1962.—Mycoplasma gallisepticum strain S6 was grown on collodion film on solid medium. Samples were removed every few hours, fixed, washed, shadowed, and observed with the electron microscope. Three distinct forms of growth were observed: elementary cells (hexagonally shaped), platycytes, and exoblasts. A tentative mode of growth was postulated. The significance of the angular morphology to the relation between mycoplasmas and L-forms of bacteria is discussed. Images PMID:13911868

Electron transport in stepped Bi2Se3 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bauer, S.; Bobisch, C. A.

2017-08-01

We analyse the electron transport in a 16 quintuple layer thick stepped Bi2Se3 film grown on Si(1 1 1) by means of scanning tunnelling potentiometry (STP) and multi-point probe measurements. Scanning tunnelling microscopy images reveal that the local structure of the Bi2Se3 film is dominated by terrace steps and domain boundaries. From a microscopic study on the nm scale by STP, we find a mostly linear gradient of the voltage on the Bi2Se3 terraces which is interrupted by voltage drops at the position of the domain boundaries. The voltage drops indicate that the domain boundaries are scatterers for the electron transport. Macroscopic resistance measurements (2PP and in-line 4PP measurement) on the µm scale support the microscopic results. An additional rotational square 4PP measurement shows an electrical anisotropy of the sheet conductance parallel and perpendicular to the Bi2Se3 steps of about 10%. This is a result of the anisotropic step distribution at the stepped Bi2Se3 surface while domain boundaries are distributed isotropically. The determined value of the conductivity of the Bi2Se3 steps of about 1000 S cm-1 verifies the value of an earlier STP study.

Supercoiled circular DNA of an insect granulosis virus

PubMed Central

Tweeten, Kathleen A.; Bulla, Lee A.; Consigli, Richard A.

1977-01-01

The DNA of the granulosis virus of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella, was characterized by physical chemical and electron microscopic techniques. Twenty-five percent of the DNA extracted from purified virus was isolated as supercoiled circular molecules. The remaining 75% consisted of relaxed circular molecules. These molecular forms were indicated by the production of two radioactive bands during sedimentation of 3H-labeled granulosis virus DNA in alkaline sucrose gradients or in equilibrium density gradients of neutral cesium chloride/propidium iodide. Electron microscopic visualization of the DNA that banded at the higher density in the latter gradients revealed supercoiled structures whereas that of DNA that banded at the lower density demonstrated relaxed circular molecules. The superhelical molecules were converted to relaxed circles by treatment with pancreatic DNase. The molecular weight of the viral DNA was calculated to be 81 × 106 by sedimentation in neutral sucrose and 78 × 106 by sedimentation in alkaline sucrose. The molecular weight estimated from length measurements in electron micrographs was 76 × 106. The buoyant density of the granulosis virus DNA was 1.703 g/cm3 and that of its insect host DNA was 1.697 g/cm3. Equilibrium sedimentation in cesium chloride and thermal denaturation indicated G + C contents of 44% and 39% for the viral and host DNA, respectively. Images PMID:198791

Evolution of the properties of helium nanobubbles during in situ annealing probed by spectrum imaging in the transmission electron microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alix, K.; David, M.-L.; Dérès, J.; Hébert, C.; Pizzagalli, L.

2018-03-01

The evolution of nanometric helium bubbles in silicon has been investigated using spatially resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy during in situ annealing in the transmission electron microscope. This approach allows the simultaneous determination of both the morphology and the helium density in the bubbles at each step of the annealing. Structural modification and helium emission from bubbles of various diameters in the range 7.5 to 20 nm and various aspect ratios of 1.1 to 1.9 have been studied. We clearly show that helium emission takes place at temperatures where bubble migration had hardly started. At higher temperatures, the migration (and coalescence) of voids is clearly revealed. For helium density lower than 150 He nm-3 , the Cerofolini's model taking into account the thermodynamical properties of an ultradense fluid reproduces well the helium emission from the bubbles, leading to an activation energy of 1.8 eV. When bubbles exhibit a higher initial helium density, the Cerofolini's model fails to reproduce the helium emission kinetics. We ascribe this to the fact that helium may be in the solid phase and we propose a tentative model to take into account the properties of the solid.

Highly recyclable and ultra-rapid catalytic reduction of organic pollutants on Ag-Cu@ZnO bimetal nanocomposite synthesized via green technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gangarapu, Manjari; Sarangapany, Saran; Suja, Devipriya P.; Arava, Vijaya Bhaskara Rao

2018-04-01

In this study, synthesis of Ag-Cu alloy bimetal nanoparticles anchored on high surface and porous ZnO using a facile, greener and low-cost aqeous bark extract of Aglaia roxburghiana for highly active, ultra-rapid and stable catalyst is performed. The nanocomposite was scrupulously characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectrophotometer, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, selected area (electron) diffraction, scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of the green synthesized Ag-Cu bimetal nanocomposite was evaluated in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (Rh B) dyes. The different types of dye exhibited very high and effective catalytic activity within few seconds. The theoretical investigations reveal that the unique synergistic effect of Ag-Cu nanoparticles and immobilization over ZnO assists in the reduction of 4-NP, MB and Rh B. Loading and leaching of metal nanoparticles were obtained using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Moreover, the stable and efficient recyclability of nanocomposite by centrifugation after completion of the reaction was demonstrated. The results lead to the design different possible bimetal on ZnO with boosting and an effective catalyst for the environmental applications.

Formation and morphology of Zn(2)Ti(3)O(8) powders using hydrothermal process without dispersant agent or mineralizer.

PubMed

Wang, Cheng-Li; Hwang, Weng-Sing; Chang, Kuo-Ming; Ko, Horng-Huey; Hsi, Chi-Shiung; Huang, Hong-Hsin; Wang, Moo-Chin

2011-01-28

Synthesis of Zn(2)Ti(3)O(8) powders for attenuating UVA using TiCl(4), Zn(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O and NH(4)OH as precursor materials by hydrothermal process has been investigated. The X-ray diffractometry (XRD) results show the phases of ZnO, anatase TiO(2) and Zn(2)Ti(3)O(8) coexisted when the zinc titanate powders were calcined at 600 °C for 1 h. When calcined at 900 °C for 1 h, the XRD results reveal the existence of ZnO, Zn(2)TiO(4), rutile TiO(2) and ZnTiO(3). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations show extensive large agglomeration in the samples. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and electron diffraction (ED) examination results indicate that ZnTiO(3) crystallites formed with a size of about 5 nm on the matrix of plate-like ZnO when calcined at 700 °C for 1 h. The calcination samples have acceptable absorbance at a wavelength of 400 nm, indicating that the zinc titanate precursor powders calcined at 700 °C for 1 h can be used as an UVA-attenuating agent.

Formation and Morphology of Zn2Ti3O8 Powders Using Hydrothermal Process without Dispersant Agent or Mineralizer

PubMed Central

Wang, Cheng-Li; Hwang, Weng-Sing; Chang, Kuo-Ming; Ko, Horng-Huey; Hsi, Chi-Shiung; Huang, Hong-Hsin; Wang, Moo-Chin

2011-01-01

Synthesis of Zn2Ti3O8 powders for attenuating UVA using TiCl4, Zn(NO3)2·6H2O and NH4OH as precursor materials by hydrothermal process has been investigated. The X-ray diffractometry (XRD) results show the phases of ZnO, anatase TiO2 and Zn2Ti3O8 coexisted when the zinc titanate powders were calcined at 600 °C for 1 h. When calcined at 900 °C for 1 h, the XRD results reveal the existence of ZnO, Zn2TiO4, rutile TiO2 and ZnTiO3. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations show extensive large agglomeration in the samples. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and electron diffraction (ED) examination results indicate that ZnTiO3 crystallites formed with a size of about 5 nm on the matrix of plate-like ZnO when calcined at 700 °C for 1 h. The calcination samples have acceptable absorbance at a wavelength of 400 nm, indicating that the zinc titanate precursor powders calcined at 700 °C for 1 h can be used as an UVA-attenuating agent. PMID:21541035

Changes Induced by Exposure of the Human Lung to Glass Fiber–Reinforced Plastic

PubMed Central

Abbate, Carmelo; Giorgianni, Concetto; Brecciaroli, Renato; Giacobbe, Giovanni; Costa, Chiara; Cavallari, Vittorio; Albiero, Francesca; Catania, Stefania; Tringali, Maria Antonietta; Martino, Lucia Barbaro; Abbate, Simona

2006-01-01

The inhalation of glass dusts mixed in resin, generally known as glass fiber–reinforced plastic (GRP), represents a little-studied occupational hazard. The few studies performed have highlighted nonspecific lung disorders in animals and in humans. In the present study we evaluated the alteration of the respiratory system and the pathogenic mechanisms causing the changes in a group of working men employed in different GRP processing operations and exposed to production dusts. The study was conducted on a sample of 29 male subjects whose mean age was 37 years and mean length of service 11 years. All of the subjects were submitted to a clinical check-up, basic tests, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL); microscopic studies and biochemical analysis were performed on the BAL fluid. Tests of respiratory function showed a large number of obstructive syndromes; scanning electron microscopy highlighted qualitative and quantitative alterations of the alveolar macrophages; and transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of electron-dense cytoplasmatic inclusions indicating intense and active phlogosis (external inflammation). Biochemical analyses highlighted an increase in protein content associated with alterations of the lung oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis. Inhalation of GRP, independent of environmental concentration, causes alterations of the cellular and humoral components of pulmonary interstitium; these alterations are identified microscopically as acute alveolitis. PMID:17107859

Comparison of nitrogen adsorption and transmission electron microscopy analyses for structural characterization of carbon nanotubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abbaslou, Reza Malek; Vosoughi, Vahid; Dalai, Ajay K.

2017-10-01

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are different from other porous substrates such as activated carbon due to their high external surfaces. This structural feature can lead in some uncertainties in the results of nitrogen adsorption analysis for characterization of CNTs. In this paper, the results of microscopic analyses and nitrogen adsorption method for characterization of carbon nanotubes were compared. Five different types of CNTs with different structures were either synthesized or purchased. The CNT samples were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and N2 adsorption analysis. The comparisons between the results from the microscopic analyses and N2 adsorption showed that the total pore volume and BET surface measurements include the internal and external porosity of CNTs. Therefore, the interpretation of N2 adsorption data required accurate TEM analysis. In addition, the evaluation of pore size distribution curves from all CNT samples in this study and several instances in the literature revealed the presence of a common peak in the range of 2-5 nm. This peak does not explain the inner pore size distribution. The presence of this common peak can be attributed to the strong adsorption of N2 on the junction of touched and crossed nanotubes.

Laser-induced selective metallization of polypropylene doped with multiwall carbon nanotubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ratautas, Karolis; Gedvilas, Mindaugas; Stankevičiene, Ina; Jagminienė, Aldona; Norkus, Eugenijus; Pira, Nello Li; Sinopoli, Stefano; Račiukaitis, Gediminas

2017-08-01

Moulded interconnect devices (MID) offer the material, weight and cost saving by integration electronic circuits directly into polymeric components used in automotive and other consumer products. Lasers are used to write circuits directly by modifying the surface of polymers followed by an electroless metal plating. A new composite material - the polypropylene doped with multiwall carbon nanotubes was developed for the laser-induced selective metallization. Mechanism of surface activation by laser irradiation was investigated in details utilising pico- and nanoseconds lasers. Deposition of copper was performed in the autocatalytic electroless plating bath. The laser-activated polymer surfaces have been studied using the Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Microscopic images revealed that surface becomes active only after its melting by a laser. Alterations in the Raman spectra of the D and G bands indicated the clustering of carbon additives in the composite material. Optimal laser parameters for the surface activation were found by measuring a sheet resistance of the finally metal-plated samples. A spatially selective copper plating was achieved with the smallest conductor line width of 22 μm at the laser scanning speed of 3 m/s and the pulse repetition rate of 100 kHz. Finally, the technique was validated by making functional electronic circuits by this MID approach.

Supercoiled circular DNA of an insect granulosis virus.

PubMed

Tweeten, K A; Bulla, L A; Consigli, R A

1977-08-01

The DNA of the granulosis virus of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella, was characterized by physical chemical and electron microscopic techniques. Twenty-five percent of the DNA extracted from purified virus was isolated as supercoiled circular molecules. The remaining 75% consisted of relaxed circular molecules. These molecular forms were indicated by the production of two radioactive bands during sedimentation of (3)H-labeled granulosis virus DNA in alkaline sucrose gradients or in equilibrium density gradients of neutral cesium chloride/propidium iodide. Electron microscopic visualization of the DNA that banded at the higher density in the latter gradients revealed supercoiled structures whereas that of DNA that banded at the lower density demonstrated relaxed circular molecules. The superhelical molecules were converted to relaxed circles by treatment with pancreatic DNase. The molecular weight of the viral DNA was calculated to be 81 x 10(6) by sedimentation in neutral sucrose and 78 x 10(6) by sedimentation in alkaline sucrose. The molecular weight estimated from length measurements in electron micrographs was 76 x 10(6). The buoyant density of the granulosis virus DNA was 1.703 g/cm(3) and that of its insect host DNA was 1.697 g/cm(3). Equilibrium sedimentation in cesium chloride and thermal denaturation indicated G + C contents of 44% and 39% for the viral and host DNA, respectively.

Changes induced by exposure of the human lung to glass fiber-reinforced plastic.

PubMed

Abbate, Carmelo; Giorgianni, Concetto; Brecciaroli, Renato; Giacobbe, Giovanni; Costa, Chiara; Cavallari, Vittorio; Albiero, Francesca; Catania, Stefania; Tringali, Maria Antonietta; Martino, Lucia Barbaro; Abbate, Simona

2006-11-01

The inhalation of glass dusts mixed in resin, generally known as glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GRP), represents a little-studied occupational hazard. The few studies performed have highlighted nonspecific lung disorders in animals and in humans. In the present study we evaluated the alteration of the respiratory system and the pathogenic mechanisms causing the changes in a group of working men employed in different GRP processing operations and exposed to production dusts. The study was conducted on a sample of 29 male subjects whose mean age was 37 years and mean length of service 11 years. All of the subjects were submitted to a clinical check-up, basic tests, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL); microscopic studies and biochemical analysis were performed on the BAL fluid. Tests of respiratory function showed a large number of obstructive syndromes; scanning electron microscopy highlighted qualitative and quantitative alterations of the alveolar macrophages; and transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of electron-dense cytoplasmatic inclusions indicating intense and active phlogosis (external inflammation). Biochemical analyses highlighted an increase in protein content associated with alterations of the lung oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis. Inhalation of GRP, independent of environmental concentration, causes alterations of the cellular and humoral components of pulmonary interstitium; these alterations are identified microscopically as acute alveolitis.

The significance of Bragg's law in electron diffraction and microscopy, and Bragg's second law.

PubMed

Humphreys, C J

2013-01-01

Bragg's second law, which deserves to be more widely known, is recounted. The significance of Bragg's law in electron diffraction and microscopy is then discussed, with particular emphasis on differences between X-ray and electron diffraction. As an example of such differences, the critical voltage effect in electron diffraction is described. It is then shown that the lattice imaging of crystals in high-resolution electron microscopy directly reveals the Bragg planes used for the imaging process, exactly as visualized by Bragg in his real-space law. Finally, it is shown how in 2012, for the first time, on the centennial anniversary of Bragg's law, single atoms have been identified in an electron microscope using X-rays emitted from the specimen. Hence atomic resolution X-ray maps of a crystal in real space can be formed which give the positions and identities of the different atoms in the crystal, or of a single impurity atom in the crystal.

Screening and identification of proteins mediating senna induced gastrointestinal motility enhancement in mouse colon

PubMed Central

Wang, Xin; Zhong, Yue-Xia; Lan, Mei; Zhang, Zong-You; Shi, Yong-Quan; Lu, Ju; Ding, Jie; Wu, Kai-Cun; Jin, Jian-Ping; Pan, Bo-Rong; Fan, Dai Min

2002-01-01

AIM: To isolate the proteins involved in pharmacologic action of senna extract (SE) from mouse gastrointestinal tract and to explore the molecular mechanism of gastrointestinal motility change induced by SE. METHODS: SE was administrated to mice by different routes. Gastrointestinal motility of mice was observed using cathartic, gastrointestinal propellant movement experiments and X-ray analysis. Mouse model for gastrointestinal motility enhancement was established through continuous gastric administration of SE at progressively increased dose. At 3 h and week 3, 4, 6 and 10, morphological changes of gastrointestinal tissues were found under light microscope. Ultrastructural changes of intestinal and colonic tissues at week 6 were observed under transmission electron microscope. The colonic proteomic changes in model mice were examined by two-dimension polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with immobilized pH gradient isoelectric focusing to screen the differentially expressed proteins, and their molecular masses and isoelectric points were determined. Two N-terminal sequences of the samples were also determined by mass spectrometry. RESULTS: SE (0.3 g) caused diarrhea after gastric administration in 1-6 h and enhanced gastrointestinal propellant (65.1% ± 7.5%; 45.8% ± 14.6%,P < 0.01) in mice, but intramuscular and hypodermic injection had no cathartic effect. X-ray analysis of gastrointestinal motility demonstrated that gastric administration of SE enhanced gastric evacuation and gastrointestinal transferring function. At 3 h and week 3 and 4 after gastric administration of SE, light microscopic examination revealed no apparent change in gastrointestinal mucosal tissues, but transmission electron microscopic examination revealed inflammatory changes in whole layer of intestinal and colonic wall. Twenty differential proteins were detected in the colonic tissues of the model mice by two-dimensional electrophoresis, and the N-terminal amino acid sequences of two proteins were determined. CONCLUSION: SE causes diarrhea and enhances gastrointestinal motility through digestive tract administration. Long-term gastric administration of SE induces inflammatory changes and cell damage in the whole gastrointestinal tract. The differential proteins screened from the colonic tissues of the model mice might mediate the enhancing effect of SE on gastrointestinal motility. PMID:11833095

In situ electronic probing of semiconducting nanowires in an electron microscope.

PubMed

Fauske, V T; Erlbeck, M B; Huh, J; Kim, D C; Munshi, A M; Dheeraj, D L; Weman, H; Fimland, B O; Van Helvoort, A T J

2016-05-01

For the development of electronic nanoscale structures, feedback on its electronic properties is crucial, but challenging. Here, we present a comparison of various in situ methods for electronically probing single, p-doped GaAs nanowires inside a scanning electron microscope. The methods used include (i) directly probing individual as-grown nanowires with a sharp nano-manipulator, (ii) contacting dispersed nanowires with two metal contacts and (iii) contacting dispersed nanowires with four metal contacts. For the last two cases, we compare the results obtained using conventional ex situ litho-graphy contacting techniques and by in situ, direct-write electron beam induced deposition of a metal (Pt). The comparison shows that 2-probe measurements gives consistent results also with contacts made by electron beam induced deposition, but that for 4-probe, stray deposition can be a problem for shorter nanowires. This comparative study demonstrates that the preferred in situ method depends on the required throughput and reliability. © 2015 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2015 Royal Microscopical Society.

Transmission electron microscope studies of extraterrestrial materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keller, Lindsay P.

1995-01-01

Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-Ray spectrometry and electron-energy-loss spectroscopy are used to analyse carbon in interplanetary dust particles. Optical micrographs are shown depicting cross sections of the dust particles embedded in sulphur. Selected-area electron diffraction patterns are shown. Transmission Electron Microscope specimens of lunar soil were prepared using two methods: ion-milling and ultramicrotomy. A combination of high resolution TEM imaging and electron diffraction is used to characterize the opaque assemblages. The opaque assemblages analyzed in this study are dominated by ilmenite with lesser rutile and spinel exsolutions, and traces of Fe metal.

Accurate Virus Quantitation Using a Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) Detector in a Scanning Electron Microscope

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-06-29

Accurate Virus Quantitation Using a Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) Detector in a Scanning Electron Microscope Candace D Blancett1...L Norris2, Cynthia A Rossi4 , Pamela J Glass3, Mei G Sun1,* 1 Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious...Diseases (USAMRIID), 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, Maryland, 21702 2Biostatistics Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of

Damage-free vibrational spectroscopy of biological materials in the electron microscope

PubMed Central

Rez, Peter; Aoki, Toshihiro; March, Katia; Gur, Dvir; Krivanek, Ondrej L.; Dellby, Niklas; Lovejoy, Tracy C.; Wolf, Sharon G.; Cohen, Hagai

2016-01-01

Vibrational spectroscopy in the electron microscope would be transformative in the study of biological samples, provided that radiation damage could be prevented. However, electron beams typically create high-energy excitations that severely accelerate sample degradation. Here this major difficulty is overcome using an ‘aloof' electron beam, positioned tens of nanometres away from the sample: high-energy excitations are suppressed, while vibrational modes of energies <1 eV can be ‘safely' investigated. To demonstrate the potential of aloof spectroscopy, we record electron energy loss spectra from biogenic guanine crystals in their native state, resolving their characteristic C–H, N–H and C=O vibrational signatures with no observable radiation damage. The technique opens up the possibility of non-damaging compositional analyses of organic functional groups, including non-crystalline biological materials, at a spatial resolution of ∼10 nm, simultaneously combined with imaging in the electron microscope. PMID:26961578

Damage-free vibrational spectroscopy of biological materials in the electron microscope.

PubMed

Rez, Peter; Aoki, Toshihiro; March, Katia; Gur, Dvir; Krivanek, Ondrej L; Dellby, Niklas; Lovejoy, Tracy C; Wolf, Sharon G; Cohen, Hagai

2016-03-10

Vibrational spectroscopy in the electron microscope would be transformative in the study of biological samples, provided that radiation damage could be prevented. However, electron beams typically create high-energy excitations that severely accelerate sample degradation. Here this major difficulty is overcome using an 'aloof' electron beam, positioned tens of nanometres away from the sample: high-energy excitations are suppressed, while vibrational modes of energies <1 eV can be 'safely' investigated. To demonstrate the potential of aloof spectroscopy, we record electron energy loss spectra from biogenic guanine crystals in their native state, resolving their characteristic C-H, N-H and C=O vibrational signatures with no observable radiation damage. The technique opens up the possibility of non-damaging compositional analyses of organic functional groups, including non-crystalline biological materials, at a spatial resolution of ∼10 nm, simultaneously combined with imaging in the electron microscope.

Damage-free vibrational spectroscopy of biological materials in the electron microscope

DOE PAGES

Rez, Peter; Aoki, Toshihiro; March, Katia; ...

2016-03-10

Vibrational spectroscopy in the electron microscope would be transformative in the study of biological samples, provided that radiation damage could be prevented. However, electron beams typically create high-energy excitations that severely accelerate sample degradation. Here this major difficulty is overcome using an ‘aloof’ electron beam, positioned tens of nanometres away from the sample: high-energy excitations are suppressed, while vibrational modes of energies o1 eV can be ‘safely’ investigated. To demonstrate the potential of aloof spectroscopy, we record electron energy loss spectra from biogenic guanine crystals in their native state, resolving their characteristic C–H, N–H and C=O vibrational signatures with nomore » observable radiation damage. Furthermore, the technique opens up the possibility of non-damaging compositional analyses of organic functional groups, including non-crystalline biological materials, at a spatial resolution of ~10nm, simultaneously combined with imaging in the electron microscope.« less

Damage-free vibrational spectroscopy of biological materials in the electron microscope

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rez, Peter; Aoki, Toshihiro; March, Katia

Vibrational spectroscopy in the electron microscope would be transformative in the study of biological samples, provided that radiation damage could be prevented. However, electron beams typically create high-energy excitations that severely accelerate sample degradation. Here this major difficulty is overcome using an ‘aloof’ electron beam, positioned tens of nanometres away from the sample: high-energy excitations are suppressed, while vibrational modes of energies o1 eV can be ‘safely’ investigated. To demonstrate the potential of aloof spectroscopy, we record electron energy loss spectra from biogenic guanine crystals in their native state, resolving their characteristic C–H, N–H and C=O vibrational signatures with nomore » observable radiation damage. Furthermore, the technique opens up the possibility of non-damaging compositional analyses of organic functional groups, including non-crystalline biological materials, at a spatial resolution of ~10nm, simultaneously combined with imaging in the electron microscope.« less

Electronic conductivity studies on oxyhalide glasses containing TMO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vijayatha, D.; Viswanatha, R.; Sujatha, B.; Narayana Reddy, C.

2016-05-01

Microwave-assisted synthesis is cleaner, more economical and much faster than conventional methods. The development of new routes for the synthesis of solid materials is an integral part of material science and technology. The electronic conductivity studies on xPbCl2 - 60 PbO - (40-x) V2O5 (1 ≥ x ≤ 10) glass system has been carried out over a wide range of composition and temperature (300 K to 423 K). X-ray diffraction study confirms the amorphous nature of the samples. The Scanning electron microscopic studies reveal the formation of cluster like morphology in PbCl2 containing glasses. The d.c conductivity exhibits Arrhenius behaviour and increases with V2O5 concentration. Analysis of the results is interpreted in view Austin-Mott's small polaron model of electron transport. Activation energies calculated using regression analysis exhibit composition dependent trend and the variation is explained in view of the structure of lead-vanadate glass.

Insight in the 3D morphology of silica-based nanotubes using electron microscopy.

PubMed

Dennenwaldt, Teresa; Wisnet, Andreas; Sedlmaier, Stefan J; Döblinger, Markus; Schnick, Wolfgang; Scheu, Christina

2016-11-01

Amorphous silica-based nanotubes (SBNTs) were synthesized from phosphoryl triamide, OP(NH 2 ) 3 , thiophosphoryl triamide, SP(NH 2 ) 3 , and silicon tetrachloride, SiCl 4 , at different temperatures and with varying amount of the starting material SiCl 4 using a recently developed template-free synthesis approach. Diameter and length of the SBNTs are tunable by varying the synthesis parameters. The 3D mesocrystals of the SBNTs were analyzed with focused ion beam sectioning and electron tomography in the transmission electron microscope showing the hollow tubular structure of the SBNTs. The reconstruction of a small SBNT assembly was achieved from a high-angle annular-dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy tilt series containing only thirteen images allowing analyzing beam sensitive material without altering the structure. The reconstruction revealed that the individual nanotubes are forming an interconnected array with an open channel structure. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of dynamic disorder on charge transport along a pentacene chain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Böhlin, J.; Linares, M.; Stafström, S.

2011-02-01

The lattice equation of motion and a numerical solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation provide us with a microscopic picture of charge transport in highly ordered molecular crystals. We have chosen the pentacene single crystal as a model system, and we study charge transport as a function of phonon-mode time-dependent fluctuations in the intermolecular electron transfer integral. For comparison, we include similar fluctuations also in the intramolecular potentials. The variance in these energy quantities is closely related to the temperature of the system. The pentacene system is shown to be very sensitive to fluctuation in the intermolecular transfer integral, revealing a transition from adiabatic to nonadiabatic polaron transport for increasing temperatures. The extension of the polaron at temperatures above 200 K is limited by the electron localization length rather than the interplay between the electron transfer integral and the electron-phonon coupling strength.

U-10Mo Sample Preparation and Examination using Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Prabhakaran, Ramprashad; Joshi, Vineet V.; Rhodes, Mark A.

2016-10-01

The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines to prepare specimens of uranium alloyed with 10 weight percent molybdenum (U-10Mo) for optical metallography and scanning electron microscopy. This document also provides instructions to set up an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope to analyze U-10Mo specimens and to obtain the required information.

U-10Mo Sample Preparation and Examination using Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Prabhakaran, Ramprashad; Joshi, Vineet V.; Rhodes, Mark A.

2016-03-30

The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines to prepare specimens of uranium alloyed with 10 weight percent molybdenum (U-10Mo) for optical metallography and scanning electron microscopy. This document also provides instructions to set up an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope to analyze U-10Mo specimens and to obtain the required information.

A Student-Built Scanning Tunneling Microscope

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ekkens, Tom

2015-01-01

Many introductory and nanotechnology textbooks discuss the operation of various microscopes including atomic force (AFM), scanning tunneling (STM), and scanning electron microscopes (SEM). In a nanotechnology laboratory class, students frequently utilize microscopes to obtain data without a thought about the detailed operation of the tool itself.…

Investigation of the plastic fracture of high strength steels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cox, T. B.; Low, J. R., Jr.

1972-01-01

This investigation deals in detail with the three recognized stages of plastic fracture in high strength steels, namely, void initiation, void growth, and void coalescence. The particular steels under investigation include plates from both commercial purity and high purity heats of AISI 4340 and 18 Ni, 200 grade maraging steels. A scanning electron microscope equipped with an X-ray energy dispersive analyzer, together with observations made using light microscopy, revealed methods of improving the resistance of high strength steels to plastic fracture.

PVP capped CdS nanoparticles for UV-LED applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sivaram, H.; Selvakumar, D.; Jayavel, R., E-mail: rjvel@annauniv.edu

Polyvinlypyrrolidone (PVP) capped cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanoparticles are synthesized by wet chemical method. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) result indicates that the nanoparticles are crystallized in cubic phase. The optical properties are characterized by UV-Vis absorption. The morphology of CdS nanoparticles are studied using Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The thermal behavior of the as prepared nanoparticles has been examined by Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The optical absorption study of pvp capped CdS reveal a red shift confirms the UV-LED applications.

Changes in the emission properties of metallic targets upon exposure to repetitively pulsed laser radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konov, V. I.; Pimenov, S. M.; Prokhorov, A. M.; Chapliev, N. I.

1988-02-01

A scanning electron microscope and a repetitively pulsed CO2 laser are used to reveal the relationships which govern the correlation of the transforming metal surface microrelief with the emission of charged particles and the surface luminescence upon exposure to multipulse laser focusing. It is shown that the effect of sorption and laser-stimulated desorption on the emission signals can manifest itself in different ways depending on the current oscillation mode in the target-vacuum chamber circuit.

Structural and morphological study of ZrO2 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Davinder; Singh, Avtar; Kaur, Manpreet; Rana, Vikrant Singh; Kaur, Raminder

2018-05-01

In this paper we discuss the fabrication of transparent thin films of Zirconium Oxide (ZrO2) deposited on glass substrates by sol-gel dip coating technique. Further these fabricated films were characterized for different annealing temperatures and withdrawal speed. X-ray diffraction is used to study the structural properties of deposited thin films and it reveals the change in crystallographic properties with the change in annealing temperature. Thickness of thin films is estimated by using scanning electron microscope.

Immunofluorescent localization of Staphylococcos aureus antigen in acute bacterial endocarditis nephritis.

PubMed

Yum, M; Wheat, L J; Maxwell, D; Edwards, J L

1978-11-01

A 75-year-old man with Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis in whom acute diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis developed is described. The light- and electron-microscopic changes of the glomeruli in this case were identical to those of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. Immunofluorescence revealed deposition of immunoglobulins and complement in the glomeruli. In addition, bacterial antigenic material was demonstrated in the glomeruli by indirect immunofluorescence. These observations further support the hypothesis of an immune-complex pathogenesis in this form of glomerulonephritis.

Vestibular receptor cells and signal detection: bioaccelerometers and the hexagonal sampling of two-dimensional signals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mugler, D. H.; Ross, M. D.

1990-01-01

The inner ear contains sensory organs which signal changes in head movement. The vestibular sacs, in particular, are sensitive to linear accelerations. Electron microscopic images have revealed the structure of tiny sensory hair bundles, whose mechanical deformation results in the initiation of neuronal activity and the transmission of electrical signals to the brain. The structure of the hair bundles is shown in this paper to be that of the most efficient two-dimensional phased-array signal processors.

Quasiparticle pair creation in unstable superflow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elser, Veit

1995-06-01

Landau's instability mechanism in superflow is considered with special attention given to the role of nonuniformity in the flow. Linear stability analysis applied to the first in a series of approximate microscopic equations for the superfluid reveals a growth rate for Landau's instability proportional to the shear in the flow. In a quasiparticle description, the shear acts as a source of particle pair creation. The observation of roton-pair creation in experiments with electron bubbles in helium is offered as evidence of this phenomenon.

78 FR 2659 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-14

..., 2201 West End Ave., Nashville, TN 37235. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI Company... St., West Lafayette, IN 47907-2024. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI Company, the..., microorganisms, nanomaterials, and chemical compounds. Justification for Duty-Free Entry: There are no...

Investigating the Doping Mechanism of Pyrene Based Methacrylate Functional Conductive Binder in Silicon Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

DOE PAGES

Ling, Min; Liu, Michael; Zheng, Tianyue; ...

2017-01-01

The doping mechanism of poly (1-pyrenemethyl methacrylate) (PPy) is investigated through electrochemical analytical and spectroscopic method. The performance of PPy as a Si materials binder is studied and compared with that of a commercial available lithium polyacrylate (PAALi) binder. The pyrene moiety consumes lithium ions according to the cyclic voltammogram (CV) measurement, as a doping to the PPy binder. Based on the lithium consumption, PPy based Si/graphite electrode doping is quantified at 1.1 electron/pyrene moiety. Lastly, the PPy binder based electrodes surface are uniform and crack free during lithiation/delithiation, which is revealed through Scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging.

Ultrafast amorphization in Ge(10)Sb(2)Te(13) thin film induced by single femtosecond laser pulse.

PubMed

Konishi, Mitsutaka; Santo, Hisashi; Hongo, Yuki; Tajima, Kazuyuki; Hosoi, Masaharu; Saiki, Toshiharu

2010-06-20

We demonstrate amorphization in a Ge(10)Sb(2)Te(13) (GST) thin film through a nonthermal process by femtosecond electronic excitation. Amorphous recording marks were formed by irradiation with a single femtosecond pulse, and were confirmed to be recrystallized by laser thermal annealing. Scanning electron microscope observations revealed that amorphization occurred below the melting temperature. We performed femtosecond pump-probe measurements to investigate the amorphization dynamics of a GST thin film. We found that the reflectivity dropped abruptly within 500fs after excitation by a single pulse and that a small change in the reflectivity occurred within 5ps of this drop.

Correlation of doping, structure, and carrier dynamics in a single GaN nanorod

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Xiang; Lu, Ming-Yen; Lu, Yu-Jung; Gwo, Shangjr; Gradečak, Silvija

2013-06-01

We report the nanoscale optical investigation of a single GaN p-n junction nanorod by cathodoluminescence (CL) in a scanning transmission electron microscope. CL emission characteristic of dopant-related transitions was correlated to doping and structural defect in the nanorod, and used to determine p-n junction position and minority carrier diffusion lengths of 650 nm and 165 nm for electrons and holes, respectively. Temperature-dependent CL study reveals an activation energy of 19 meV for non-radiative recombination in Mg-doped GaN nanorods. These results directly correlate doping, structure, carrier dynamics, and optical properties of GaN nanostructure, and provide insights for device design and fabrication.

Solution combustion method for synthesis of nanostructured hydroxyapatite, fluorapatite and chlorapatite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Junjie; Dong, Xiaochen; Bian, Mengmeng; Zhao, Junfeng; Zhang, Yao; Sun, Yue; Chen, JianHua; Wang, XuHong

2014-09-01

Hydroxyapatite (HAP), fluorapatite (Fap) and chlorapatite (Clap) were prepared by solution combustion method with further annealing at 800 °C. The characterization and structural features of the synthesized powders were evaluated by the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Characterization results from XRD and Rietveld analysis revealed that OH- in the HAP lattice were gradually substituted with the increase of F- and Cl- content and totally substituted at the molar concentration of 0.28 and 0.6, respectively. The results from FI-IR have also confirmed the incorporation of substituted anions in the apatite structure.

Systemic microsporidiosis in inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps).

PubMed

Jacobson, E R; Green, D E; Undeen, A H; Cranfield, M; Vaughn, K L

1998-09-01

One laboratory-hatched and -reared inland bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) (No. 1) and two privately owned inland bearded dragons (Nos. 2 and 3) died, showing nonspecific signs of illness. Light microscopic examination of hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue sections from lizard No. 1 revealed severe hepatic necrosis with clusters of light basophilic intracytoplasmic microorganisms packing and distending hepatocytes and free in areas of necrosis. Similar microorganisms were within cytoplasmic vacuoles in distended renal epithelial cells, pulmonary epithelial cells, gastric mucosal epithelial cells, enterocytes, and capillary endothelial cells and ventricular ependymal cells in the brain. In lizard Nos. 2 and 3, microorganisms of similar appearance were in macrophages in granulomatous inflammation in the colon, adrenal glands, and ovaries. The microorganism was gram positive and acid fast and had a small polar granule that stained using the periodic acid-Schiff reaction. Electron microscopic examination of deparaffinized liver of lizard No. 1 revealed merogonic and sporogonic stages of a protozoan compatible with members of the phylum Microspora. This report provides the first description of microsporidiosis in bearded dragons and is only the second report of this infection in a lizard.

Tunneling rates in electron transport through double-barrier molecular junctions in a scanning tunneling microscope

PubMed Central

Nazin, G. V.; Wu, S. W.; Ho, W.

2005-01-01

The scanning tunneling microscope enables atomic-scale measurements of electron transport through individual molecules. Copper phthalocyanine and magnesium porphine molecules adsorbed on a thin oxide film grown on the NiAl(110) surface were probed. The single-molecule junctions contained two tunneling barriers, vacuum gap, and oxide film. Differential conductance spectroscopy shows that electron transport occurs via vibronic states of the molecules. The intensity of spectral peaks corresponding to the individual vibronic states depends on the relative electron tunneling rates through the two barriers of the junction, as found by varying the vacuum gap tunneling rate by changing the height of the scanning tunneling microscope tip above the molecule. A simple, sequential tunneling model explains the observed trends. PMID:15956189

Tunneling rates in electron transport through double-barrier molecular junctions in a scanning tunneling microscope.

PubMed

Nazin, G V; Wu, S W; Ho, W

2005-06-21

The scanning tunneling microscope enables atomic-scale measurements of electron transport through individual molecules. Copper phthalocyanine and magnesium porphine molecules adsorbed on a thin oxide film grown on the NiAl(110) surface were probed. The single-molecule junctions contained two tunneling barriers, vacuum gap, and oxide film. Differential conductance spectroscopy shows that electron transport occurs via vibronic states of the molecules. The intensity of spectral peaks corresponding to the individual vibronic states depends on the relative electron tunneling rates through the two barriers of the junction, as found by varying the vacuum gap tunneling rate by changing the height of the scanning tunneling microscope tip above the molecule. A simple, sequential tunneling model explains the observed trends.

Microcellular nanocomposite injection molding process

Treesearch

Mingjun Yuan; Lih-Sheng Turng; Rick Spindler; Daniel Caulfield; Chris Hunt

2003-01-01

This study aims to explore the processing benefits and property improvements of combining nanocomposites with microcellular injection molding. The molded parts produced based on the Design of Experiments (DOE) matrices were subjected to tensile testing, impact testing, and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Dynamic Mechanical...

The microscopic world: A demonstration of electron microscopy for younger students

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Horton, Linda L.

1992-01-01

The purpose is to excite students about the importance of scientific investigation and demonstrate why they should look at things in greater detail, extending beyond superficial examination. The topics covered include: microscopy, scanning electron microscopes, high magnification, and the scientific method.

Tapioca starch: An efficient fuel in gel-combustion synthesis of photocatalytically and anti-microbially active ZnO nanoparticles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ramasami, Alamelu K.; Raja Naika, H.; Nagabhushana, H.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by gel-combustion method using novel bio-fuel tapioca starch pearls, derived from the tubers of Manihotesculenta. The product is characterized using various techniques. The X-ray diffraction pattern correspond to a hexagonal zincite structure. Fourier transform infrared spectrum showed main absorption peaks at 394 and 508 cm{sup −} {sup 1} due to stretching vibration of Zn–O. Ultravoilet–visible spectrum of zinc oxide nanoparticles showed absorption maximum at 373 nm whereas the maximum of the bulk zinc oxide was 377 nm. The morphology of the product was studied using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The scanning electronmore » microscopic images showed that the products are agglomerated and porous in nature. The transmission electron microscopic images revealed spherical particles of 40–50 nm in diameter. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue was examined using zinc oxide nanoparticles and found more efficient in sunlight than ultra-violet light due to reduced band gap. The antibacterial properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles were investigated against four bacterial strains Klebsiella aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aereus, where Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aereus exhibited significant antibacterial activity in agar well diffusion method when compared to positive control. - Highlights: • ZnO nanoparticles have been prepared from a new bio-fuel, tapioca starch by gel combustion method. • XRD pattern revealed hexagonal zincite crystal structure with crystallite size 33 nm. • ZnO nanoparticles exhibited a band gap of 2.70 eV. • The ZnO nanoparticles exhibited superior degradation in sunlight in comparison with UV light. • The product showed a good anti-bacterial activity against two bacterial strains.« less

Nucleotide-Specific Contrast for DNA Sequencing by Electron Spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mankos, Marian; Persson, Henrik H. J.; N’Diaye, Alpha T.

DNA sequencing by imaging in an electron microscope is an approach that holds promise to deliver long reads with low error rates and without the need for amplification. Earlier work using transmission electron microscopes, which use high electron energies on the order of 100 keV, has shown that low contrast and radiation damage necessitates the use of heavy atom labeling of individual nucleotides, which increases the read error rates. Other prior work using scattering electrons with much lower energy has shown to suppress beam damage on DNA. Here we explore possibilities to increase contrast by employing two methods, X-ray photoelectronmore » and Auger electron spectroscopy. Using bulk DNA samples with monomers of each base, both methods are shown to provide contrast mechanisms that can distinguish individual nucleotides without labels. In conclusion, both spectroscopic techniques can be readily implemented in a low energy electron microscope, which may enable label-free DNA sequencing by direct imaging.« less

Nucleotide-Specific Contrast for DNA Sequencing by Electron Spectroscopy

DOE PAGES

Mankos, Marian; Persson, Henrik H. J.; N’Diaye, Alpha T.; ...

2016-05-05

DNA sequencing by imaging in an electron microscope is an approach that holds promise to deliver long reads with low error rates and without the need for amplification. Earlier work using transmission electron microscopes, which use high electron energies on the order of 100 keV, has shown that low contrast and radiation damage necessitates the use of heavy atom labeling of individual nucleotides, which increases the read error rates. Other prior work using scattering electrons with much lower energy has shown to suppress beam damage on DNA. Here we explore possibilities to increase contrast by employing two methods, X-ray photoelectronmore » and Auger electron spectroscopy. Using bulk DNA samples with monomers of each base, both methods are shown to provide contrast mechanisms that can distinguish individual nucleotides without labels. In conclusion, both spectroscopic techniques can be readily implemented in a low energy electron microscope, which may enable label-free DNA sequencing by direct imaging.« less

A next generation positron microscope and a survey of candidate samples for future positron studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dull, Terry Lou

A positron microscope has been constructed and is nearing the conclusion of its assembly and testing. The instrument is designed to perform positron and electron microscopy in both scanning and magnifying modes. In scanning mode, a small beam of particles is rastered across the target and the amplitude of a positron or electron related signal is recorded as a function of position. For positrons this signal may come from Doppler Broadening Spectroscopy, Reemitted Positron Spectroscopy or Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy. For electrons this signal may come from the number of secondary electrons or Auger Electron Spectroscopy. In magnifying mode an incident beam of particles is directed onto the target and emitted particles, either secondary electrons or reemitted positrons, are magnified to form an image. As a positron microscope the instrument will primarily operate in magnifying mode, as a positron reemission microscope. As an electron microscope the instrument will be able to operate in both magnifying and scanning modes. Depth-profiled Doppler Broadening Spectroscopy studies using a non-microscopic low-energy positron beam have also been performed on a series of samples to ascertain the applicability of positron spectroscopies and/or microscopy to their study. All samples have sub-micron film and/or feature size and thus are only susceptible to positron study with low-energy beams. Several stoichiometries and crystallinities of chalcogenide thin films (which can be optically reversibly switched between crystalline states) were studied and a correlation was found to exist between the amorphous/FCC S-parameter difference and the amorphous/FCC switching time. Amorphous silicon films were studied in an attempt to observe the well-established Staebler-Wronski effect as well as the more controversial photodilatation effect. However, DBS was not able to detect either effect. The passive oxide films on titanium and aluminum were studied in an attempt to verify the Point Defect Model, a detailed, but as yet microscopically unconfirmed, theory of the corrosive breakdown of passive films. DBS results supportive of the PDM were observed. Graphitic carbon fibers were also studied and DBS indicated the presence of a 200 nm thick outer fiber skin possibly characterized by a high degree of graphitic crystallite alignment.

Microscopic Electron Variations Measured Simultaneously By The Cluster Spacecraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buckley, A. M.; Carozzi, T. D.; Gough, M. P.; Beloff, N.

Data is used from the Particle Correlator experiments running on each of the four Cluster spacecraft so as to determine common microscopic behaviour in the elec- tron population observed over the macroscopic Cluster separations. The Cluster par- ticle correlator experiments operate by forming on board Auto Correlation Functions (ACFs) generated from short time series of electron counts obtained, as a function of electron energy, from the PEACE HEEA sensor. The information on the microscopic variation of the electron flux covers the frequency range DC up to 41 kHz (encom- passing typical electron plasma frequencies and electron gyro frequencies and their harmonics), the electron energy range is that covered by the PEACE HEEA sensor (within the range 1 eV to 26 keV). Results are presented of coherent electron struc- tures observed simultaneously by the four spacecraft in the differing plasma interac- tion regions and boundaries encountered by Cluster. As an aid to understanding the plasma interactions, use is made of numerical simulations which model both the un- derlying statistical properties of the electrons and also the manner in which particle correlator experiments operate.

Interference experiment with asymmetric double slit by using 1.2-MV field emission transmission electron microscope.

PubMed

Harada, Ken; Akashi, Tetsuya; Niitsu, Kodai; Shimada, Keiko; Ono, Yoshimasa A; Shindo, Daisuke; Shinada, Hiroyuki; Mori, Shigeo

2018-01-17

Advanced electron microscopy technologies have made it possible to perform precise double-slit interference experiments. We used a 1.2-MV field emission electron microscope providing coherent electron waves and a direct detection camera system enabling single-electron detections at a sub-second exposure time. We developed a method to perform the interference experiment by using an asymmetric double-slit fabricated by a focused ion beam instrument and by operating the microscope under a "pre-Fraunhofer" condition, different from the Fraunhofer condition of conventional double-slit experiments. Here, pre-Fraunhofer condition means that each single-slit observation was performed under the Fraunhofer condition, while the double-slit observations were performed under the Fresnel condition. The interference experiments with each single slit and with the asymmetric double slit were carried out under two different electron dose conditions: high-dose for calculation of electron probability distribution and low-dose for each single electron distribution. Finally, we exemplified the distribution of single electrons by color-coding according to the above three types of experiments as a composite image.

[Virus-like inclusions in the myocytes of the skeletal muscle in lateral amyotrophic sclerosis].

PubMed

Musaeva, L S; Sakharova, A V; Zavalishin, I A

2004-01-01

Microscopic examination of musculus gastrocnemius biopsies was made in four cases of sporadic lateral amyotrophic sclerosis (LAS). The validity of the clinical diagnosis was confirmed by detected neurotrophic atrophy of the muscular fibers typical for LAS. Electron microscopic study revealed virus-like inclusions 200-450 nm in size in sarcoplasm of myocytes of all the patients. The inclusions consist of lined cells of hexagonal shape at the distance of 37-41 nm from each other. The inclusions resemble enteroviruses but are not identical to them both by size and structure of their elements. There were also specific ultrastructural changes of myocytes corresponding to viral infection. The above virus-like inclusions should be considered as specific structures formed as a result of metabolic shifts caused by productive action on the cell of infective or unknown factor.

Monitoring damage growth in titanium matrix composites using acoustic emission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bakuckas, J. G., Jr.; Prosser, W. H.; Johnson, W. S.

1993-01-01

The application of the acoustic emission (AE) technique to locate and monitor damage growth in titanium matrix composites (TMC) was investigated. Damage growth was studied using several optical techniques including a long focal length, high magnification microscope system with image acquisition capabilities. Fracture surface examinations were conducted using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The AE technique was used to locate damage based on the arrival times of AE events between two sensors. Using model specimens exhibiting a dominant failure mechanism, correlations were established between the observed damage growth mechanisms and the AE results in terms of the events amplitude. These correlations were used to monitor the damage growth process in laminates exhibiting multiple modes of damage. Results revealed that the AE technique is a viable and effective tool to monitor damage growth in TMC.

Magnetic domain observation of FeCo thin films fabricated by alternate monoatomic layer deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohtsuki, T.; Kojima, T.; Kotsugi, M.; Ohkochi, T.; Mizuguchi, M.; Takanashi, K.

2014-01-01

FeCo thin films are fabricated by alternate monoatomic layer deposition method on a Cu3Au buffer layer, which in-plane lattice constant is very close to the predicted value to obtain a large magnetic anisotropy constant. The variation of the in-plane lattice constant during the deposition process is investigated by reflection high-energy electron diffraction. The magnetic domain images are also observed by a photoelectron emission microscope in order to microscopically understand the magnetic structure. As a result, element-specific magnetic domain images show that Fe and Co magnetic moments align parallel. A series of images obtained with various azimuth reveal that the FeCo thin films show fourfold in-plane magnetic anisotropy along ⟨110⟩ direction, and that the magnetic domain structure is composed only of 90∘ wall.

Microscopic Investigation into the Electric Field Effect on Proximity-Induced Magnetism in Pt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamada, K. T.; Suzuki, M.; Pradipto, A.-M.; Koyama, T.; Kim, S.; Kim, K.-J.; Ono, S.; Taniguchi, T.; Mizuno, H.; Ando, F.; Oda, K.; Kakizakai, H.; Moriyama, T.; Nakamura, K.; Chiba, D.; Ono, T.

2018-04-01

Electric field effects on magnetism in metals have attracted widespread attention, but the microscopic mechanism is still controversial. We experimentally show the relevancy between the electric field effect on magnetism and on the electronic structure in Pt in a ferromagnetic state using element-specific measurements: x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Electric fields are applied to the surface of ultrathin metallic Pt, in which a magnetic moment is induced by the ferromagnetic proximity effect resulting from a Co underlayer. XMCD and XAS measurements performed under the application of electric fields reveal that both the spin and orbital magnetic moments of Pt atoms are electrically modulated, which can be explained not only by the electric-field-induced shift of the Fermi level but also by the change in the orbital hybridizations.

Pre-microscope tunnelling — Inspiration or constraint?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walmsley, D. G.

1987-03-01

Before the microscope burst upon the scene, tunnelling had established for itself a substantial niche in the repertoire of the solid state physicist. Over a period of 20 years it has contributed importantly to our understanding of many systems. It elucidated the superconducting state, first by a direct display of the energy gap then by providing detailed information on the phonon spectra and electron-phonon coupling strength in junction electrodes. Its use as a phonon spectrometer was subsequently extended to semiconductors and to the oxides of insulating barriers. Eventually the vibrational spectra of monolayer organic and inorganic adsorbates became amenable with rich scientific rewards. In a few cases electronic transitions have been observed. Plasmon excitation by tunnelling electrons led to insights on the electron loss function in metals at visible frequencies and provided along the way an intriguing light emitting device. With the advent of the microscope it is now appropriate to enquire how much of this experience can profitably be carried over to the new environment. Are we constrained just to repeat the experiments in a new configuration? Happily no. The microscope offers us topographical and spectroscopic information of a new order. One might next ask how great is the contact between the two disciplines? We explore this question and seek to establish where the pre-microscope experience can be helpful in inspiring our use of this marvellous new facility that we know as the scanning tunnelling microscope.

Localization of nitric oxide synthase and NADPH-diaphorase in guinea pig and human cochleae.

PubMed

Ruan, R S; Leong, S K; Yeoh, K H

1997-01-01

The distributions of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in mammalian cochlea were studied at light and electron microscope levels by NADPH-d histochemistry and brain NOS (bNOS) immunohistochemistry. The cochleae from 15 albino guinea pigs were perilymphatically fixed with 2% periodate-lysine-paraformaldehyde, decalcified in 10% EDTA and processed for light and electron microscopy after NADPH-d or NOS staining in frozen and vibratome sections respectively. One human cochlea was available for light microscope examination of NADPH-d or bNOS stained sections. Light microscope results revealed that type I neurons and nerve fibers of the spiral ganglion cells were labeled by bNOS immunohistochemistry as well as NADPH-d histochemistry in both guinea pig and human cochleae. At subcellular level, NADPH-d reaction product was localized in the mitochondria of the neuronal cytoplasm and axoplasm and in the cytoplasm of the vascular endothelium. The immunoreaction products of bNOS were evenly distributed in the neuronal cytoplasm and axoplasm. Myelinated and unmyelinated fibers in the intraganglionic spiral bundle and the inner spiral and inner radial fibers below the inner hair cells were labeled for bNOS. The nerve endings below the outer hair cells were not stained. NOS immunoreaction product was also found in the outer hair cells, Schwann cells of myelinated nerve fibers, Deiter's cells, pillar cells and the tympanic lamina cells. No difference was found in the staining pattern of both NADPH-d and NOS reaction products between human and guinea pig cochleae at the light microscope level. The results suggest that NO plays an important role in the maintenance of auditory function in the mammal.

Persistent extraradicular infection in root-filled asymptomatic human tooth: scanning electron microscopic analysis and microbial investigation after apical microsurgery.

PubMed

Signoretti, Fernanda G C; Endo, Marcos S; Gomes, Brenda P F A; Montagner, Francisco; Tosello, Fernanda B; Jacinto, Rogério C

2011-12-01

Procedural accidents have a negative effect on healing and might contribute to the persistence of infections in inaccessible apical areas, requiring surgical intervention. This report describes a case of persistent apical periodontitis of a lower left first molar associated with the sinus tract and a periapical lesion that required nonsurgical endodontic retreatment and apical surgery for resolution. The tooth had received endodontic treatment 3 years ago and had to be retreated using the crown-down technique with chemical auxiliary substance (2% chlorhexidine gel), foramen patency, and enlargement and was filled in a single appointment. The occlusal access cavity was immediately restored with composite resin. After 1 month, it could be observed that the sinus tract persisted and, radiographically, the lesion remained unaltered. Therefore, endodontic microsurgery was indicated. Apical microsurgery was performed under magnification with the use of a dental operating microscope including apicectomy, root end with ultrasound, and sealing with mineral trioxide aggregate. A microbiological sample was collected from the apical lesion. The resected distal root apex was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The following species were detected: Actinomyces naeslundii and Actinomyces meyeri, Propionibacterium propionicum, Clostridium botullinum, Parvimonas micra, and Bacteroides ureolyticus; scanning electron microscopic analysis revealed bacterial biofilm surrounding the apical foramen and external radicular surface. Gutta-percha overfilling at the apex because of a zip caused during initial endodontic treatment could be observed. A 6-month follow-up showed apparent radiographic periapical healing, which progressed after 24 months. Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria and extraradicular biofilm seem to participate in the maintenance of persistent periapical pathology, and endodontic retreatment followed by periapical microsurgery proved to be a successful alternative in the resolution of persistent extraradicular infections. Copyright © 2011 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Erratum to: Psammoma bodies in two types of human ovarian tumours: a mineralogical study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meng, Fanlu; Wang, Changqiu; Li, Yan; Lu, Anhuai; Mei, Fang; Liu, Jianying; Du, Jingyun; Zhang, Yan

2015-06-01

Psammoma body (PB) is a common form of calcification in pathological diagnosis and closely relevant to tumours. This paper focuses on the mineralogical characteristics of PBs in ovarian serous cancer and teratoma by using polarization microscope (POM), environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM), micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (micro-FT-IR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), micro-area synchrotron radiation X-ray powder diffraction (μ-SRXRD) and fluorescence (μ-SRXRF). Both the PBs in tissues and separated from eight typical cases were investigated. POM and ESEM observation revealed the inside-out growth pattern of PBs. μ-SRXRD and micro-FT-IR results demonstrated the dominant mineral phase of PBs in ovarian serous cancer and teratoma was AB-type carbonate hydroxyapatite (Ca10[(PO4)6-x-y(CO3)x(HPO4)y][(OH)2-u(CO3)u] with 0 ≤ x,y,u ≤ 2). As observed by ESEM and TEM, the layer-rich PBs in teratoma were up to 70 μm and mainly consisted of 5 nm-wide, 5-12 nm-long columnar crystals; the PBs in ovarian serous cancer with a maximum diameter of 35 μm were composed of slightly longer columnar crystals and granulates with 20-100 nm in diameter. The selected area electron diffraction patterns showed dispersed polycrystalline diffraction rings with arching behavior of (002) diffraction, indicating the aggregated nanocrystals grew in the preferred orientation of (002) face. The EDX and μ-SRXRF results together indicated the existence of Na, Mg, Zn and Sr in PBs. These detailed mineralogical characteristics may help uncover the nature of the pathological PBs in ovary.

Psammoma bodies in two types of human ovarian tumours: a mineralogical study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fanlu, Meng; Changqiu, Wang; Yan, Li; Anhuai, Lu; Fang, Mei; Jianying, Liu; Jingyun, Du; Yan, Zhang

2015-06-01

Psammoma body (PB) is a common form of calcification in pathological diagnosis and closely relevant to tumours. This paper focuses on the mineralogical characteristics of PBs in ovarian serous cancer and teratoma by using polarization microscope (POM), environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM), micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (micro-FT-IR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), micro-area synchrotron radiation X-ray powder diffraction (μ-SRXRD) and fluorescence (μ-SRXRF). Both the PBs in tissues and separated from eight typical cases were investigated. POM and ESEM observation revealed the inside-out growth pattern of PBs. μ-SRXRD and micro-FT-IR results demonstrated the dominant mineral phase of PBs in ovarian serous cancer and teratoma was AB-type carbonate hydroxyapatite (Ca10[(PO4)6-x-y(CO3)x(HPO4 2-)y][(OH)2-u(CO3)u] with 0 ≤ x,y,u ≤ 2). As observed by ESEM and TEM, the layer-rich PBs in teratoma were up to 70 μm and mainly consisted of 5 nm-wide, 5-12 nm-long columnar crystals; the PBs in ovarian serous cancer with a maximum diameter of 35 μm were composed of slightly longer columnar crystals and granulates with 20-100 nm in diameter. The selected area electron diffraction patterns showed dispersed polycrystalline diffraction rings with arching behavior of (002) diffraction, indicating the aggregated nanocrystals grew in the preferred orientation of (002) face. The EDX and μ-SRXRF results together indicated the existence of Na, Mg, Zn and Sr in PBs. These detailed mineralogical characteristics may help uncover the nature of the pathological PBs in ovary.

Electronic structure and microscopic model of V(2)GeO(4)F(2)-a quantum spin system with S = 1.

PubMed

Rahaman, Badiur; Saha-Dasgupta, T

2007-07-25

We present first-principles density functional calculations and downfolding studies of the electronic and magnetic properties of the oxide-fluoride quantum spin system V(2)GeO(4)F(2). We discuss explicitly the nature of the exchange paths and provide quantitative estimates of magnetic exchange couplings. A microscopic modelling based on analysis of the electronic structure of this systems puts it in the interesting class of weakly coupled alternating chain S = 1 systems. Based on the microscopic model, we make inferrences about its spin excitation spectra, which needs to be tested by rigorous experimental study.

Importance of conduction electron correlation in a Kondo lattice, Ce₂CoSi₃.

PubMed

Patil, Swapnil; Pandey, Sudhir K; Medicherla, V R R; Singh, R S; Bindu, R; Sampathkumaran, E V; Maiti, Kalobaran

2010-06-30

Kondo systems are usually described by the interaction of the correlation induced local moments with the highly itinerant conduction electrons. Here, we study the role of electron correlations among conduction electrons in the electronic structure of a Kondo lattice compound, Ce₂CoSi₃, using high resolution photoemission spectroscopy and ab initio band structure calculations, where Co 3d electrons contribute in the conduction band. High energy resolution employed in the measurements helped to reveal the signatures of Ce 4f states derived Kondo resonance features at the Fermi level and the dominance of Co 3d contributions at higher binding energies in the conduction band. The lineshape of the experimental Co 3d band is found to be significantly different from that obtained from the band structure calculations within the local density approximations, LDA. Consideration of electron-electron Coulomb repulsion, U, among Co 3d electrons within the LDA + U method leads to a better representation of experimental results. The signature of an electron correlation induced satellite feature is also observed in the Co 2p core level spectrum. These results clearly demonstrate the importance of the electron correlation among conduction electrons in deriving the microscopic description of such Kondo systems.

Miniature self-contained vacuum compatible electronic imaging microscope

DOEpatents

Naulleau, Patrick P.; Batson, Phillip J.; Denham, Paul E.; Jones, Michael S.

2001-01-01

A vacuum compatible CCD-based microscopic camera with an integrated illuminator. The camera can provide video or still feed from the microscope contained within a vacuum chamber. Activation of an optional integral illuminator can provide light to illuminate the microscope subject. The microscope camera comprises a housing with a objective port, modified objective, beam-splitter, CCD camera, and LED illuminator.

Electron Source Brightness and Illumination Semi-Angle Distribution Measurement in a Transmission Electron Microscope.

PubMed

Börrnert, Felix; Renner, Julian; Kaiser, Ute

2018-05-21

The electron source brightness is an important parameter in an electron microscope. Reliable and easy brightness measurement routes are not easily found. A determination method for the illumination semi-angle distribution in transmission electron microscopy is even less well documented. Herein, we report a simple measurement route for both entities and demonstrate it on a state-of-the-art instrument. The reduced axial brightness of the FEI X-FEG with a monochromator was determined to be larger than 108 A/(m2 sr V).

An ultrafast electron microscope gun driven by two-photon photoemission from a nanotip cathode

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bormann, Reiner; Strauch, Stefanie; Schäfer, Sascha, E-mail: schaefer@ph4.physik.uni-goettingen.de

We experimentally and numerically investigate the performance of an advanced ultrafast electron source, based on two-photon photoemission from a tungsten needle cathode incorporated in an electron microscope gun geometry. Emission properties are characterized as a function of the electrostatic gun settings, and operating conditions leading to laser-triggered electron beams of very low emittance (below 20 nm mrad) are identified. The results highlight the excellent suitability of optically driven nano-cathodes for the further development of ultrafast transmission electron microscopy.

A scanning electron microscopy study of the macro-crystalline structure of 2-(2,4-dinitrobenzyl) pyridine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ware, Jacqueline; Hammond, Ernest C., Jr.

1989-01-01

The compound, 2-(2,4-dinitrobenzyl) pyridine, was synthesized in the laboratory; an introductory level electron microscopy study of the macro-crystalline structure was conducted using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The structure of these crystals was compared with the macrostructure of the crystal of 2-(2,4-dinitrobenzyl) pyridinium bromide, the hydrobromic salt of the compound which was also synthesized in the laboratory. A scanning electron microscopy crystal study was combined with a study of the principle of the electron microscope.

Electron beam assisted field evaporation of insulating nanowires/tubes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Blanchard, N. P., E-mail: nicholas.blanchard@univ-lyon1.fr; Niguès, A.; Choueib, M.

2015-05-11

We demonstrate field evaporation of insulating materials, specifically BN nanotubes and undoped Si nanowires, assisted by a convergent electron beam. Electron irradiation leads to positive charging at the nano-object's apex and to an important increase of the local electric field thus inducing field evaporation. Experiments performed both in a transmission electron microscope and in a scanning electron microscope are presented. This technique permits the selective evaporation of individual nanowires in complex materials. Electron assisted field evaporation could be an interesting alternative or complementary to laser induced field desorption used in atom probe tomography of insulating materials.

The contributions of Otto Scherzer (1909-1982) to the development of the electron microscope.

PubMed

Marko, Michael; Rose, Harald

2010-08-01

Otto Scherzer was one of the pioneers of theoretical electron optics. He was coauthor of the first comprehensive book on electron optics and was the first to understand that round electron lenses could not be combined to correct aberrations, as is the case in light optics. He subsequently was the first to describe several alternative means to correct spherical and chromatic aberration of electron lenses. These ideas were put into practice by his laboratory and students at Darmstadt and their successors, leading to the fully corrected electron microscopes now in operation.

Facile Synthesis of Self-Assembled Flower-Like Mesoporous Zinc Oxide Nanoflakes for Energy Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saranya, P. E.; Selladurai, S.

Flower-shaped self-assembled zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoflakes were successfully synthesized via a temperature-controlled hydrothermal method. The crystallinity and phase formation of the compound were determined from powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) result. Surface morphology investigations reveal the self-assembled ZnO nanoflakes to form a spherical flower-like structure. In addition, the particle size was determined from high-resolution transmission electron microscope measurement as 18nm which is in accord with XRD and UV results. X-ray photo electron spectroscopy studies reveal the chemical composition and oxidation state of the ZnO nanoparticle. The specific surface area was calculated, and mesoporous nature was confirmed using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis. Results support the superior interaction between the electrode and electrolyte ions through surface pores. Capacitive performance of the ZnO electrode material was determined using cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge studies, and a maximum specific capacitance of 322F/g was obtained at 5mV/sec. Electrochemical impedance spectrum reveals the materials fast charge transfer kinetics.

A Case of Inflammatory Generalized Type of Peeling Skin Syndrome Possibly Caused by a Homozygous Missense Mutation of CDSN

PubMed Central

Kawakami, Hiroshi; Uchiyama, Masaki; Maeda, Tatsuo; Tsunoda, Takahiko; Mitsuhashi, Yoshihiko; Tsuboi, Ryoji

2014-01-01

A 54-year-old Japanese woman had repetitive superficial skin peeling and ensuing erythematous changes in the sites since infancy. Her parents had a consanguineous marriage, and she was the only individual affected in her family tree. The erythematous changes seemed to worsen in the summer. Histologically, hyperkeratosis and splitting of the epidermis within the stratum corneum was noted, and electron microscopy revealed shedding of corneal cells in the horny layer and normal-looking corneodesmosomes. Gene analysis revealed a homozygous missense mutation at c.1358G>A in CDSN. Electron microscopic examination of the length and number of corneodesmosomes revealed statistically significant shortness and sparsity in the affected individual (mean ± SD 386.2 ± 149.5 nm) compared with that of an age- and site-matched control (406.6 ± 182.3 nm). We speculate that this size shrinkage of corneodesmosomes might be the result of a missense mutation of CDSN and that this could be one of the factors contributing to the pathological process of skin peeling. PMID:25473393

A Case of Inflammatory Generalized Type of Peeling Skin Syndrome Possibly Caused by a Homozygous Missense Mutation of CDSN.

PubMed

Kawakami, Hiroshi; Uchiyama, Masaki; Maeda, Tatsuo; Tsunoda, Takahiko; Mitsuhashi, Yoshihiko; Tsuboi, Ryoji

2014-09-01

A 54-year-old Japanese woman had repetitive superficial skin peeling and ensuing erythematous changes in the sites since infancy. Her parents had a consanguineous marriage, and she was the only individual affected in her family tree. The erythematous changes seemed to worsen in the summer. Histologically, hyperkeratosis and splitting of the epidermis within the stratum corneum was noted, and electron microscopy revealed shedding of corneal cells in the horny layer and normal-looking corneodesmosomes. Gene analysis revealed a homozygous missense mutation at c.1358G>A in CDSN. Electron microscopic examination of the length and number of corneodesmosomes revealed statistically significant shortness and sparsity in the affected individual (mean ± SD 386.2 ± 149.5 nm) compared with that of an age- and site-matched control (406.6 ± 182.3 nm). We speculate that this size shrinkage of corneodesmosomes might be the result of a missense mutation of CDSN and that this could be one of the factors contributing to the pathological process of skin peeling.

Use of fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy as tools in teaching biology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghosh, Nabarun; Silva, Jessica; Vazquez, Aracely; Das, A. B.; Smith, Don W.

2011-06-01

Recent nationwide surveys reveal significant decline in students' interest in Math and Sciences. The objective of this project was to inspire young minds in using various techniques involved in Sciences including Scanning Electron Microscopy. We used Scanning Electron Microscope in demonstrating various types of Biological samples. An SEM Tabletop model in the past decade has revolutionized the use of Scanning Electron Microscopes. Using SEM Tabletop model TM 1000 we studied biological specimens of fungal spores, pollen grains, diatoms, plant fibers, dust mites, insect parts and leaf surfaces. We also used fluorescence microscopy to view, to record and analyze various specimens with an Olympus BX40 microscope equipped with FITC and TRITC fluorescent filters, a mercury lamp source, DP-70 digital camera with Image Pro 6.0 software. Micrographs were captured using bright field microscopy, the fluoresceinisothiocyanate (FITC) filter, and the tetramethylrhodamine (TRITC) filter settings at 40X. A high pressure mercury lamp or UV source was used to excite the storage molecules or proteins which exhibited autofluorescence. We used fluorescent microscopy to confirm the localization of sugar beet viruses in plant organs by viewing the vascular bundles in the thin sections of the leaves and other tissues. We worked with the REU summer students on sample preparation and observation on various samples utilizing the SEM. Critical Point Drying (CPD) and metal coating with the sputter coater was followed before observing some cultured specimen and the samples that were soft in textures with high water content. SEM Top allowed investigating the detailed morphological features that can be used for classroom teaching. Undergraduate and graduate researchers studied biological samples of Arthropods, pollen grains and teeth collected from four species of snakes using SEM. This project inspired the research students to pursue their career in higher studies in science and 45% of the undergraduates participated in this project entered Graduate school.

SD-SEM: sparse-dense correspondence for 3D reconstruction of microscopic samples.

PubMed

Baghaie, Ahmadreza; Tafti, Ahmad P; Owen, Heather A; D'Souza, Roshan M; Yu, Zeyun

2017-06-01

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging has been a principal component of many studies in biomedical, mechanical, and materials sciences since its emergence. Despite the high resolution of captured images, they remain two-dimensional (2D). In this work, a novel framework using sparse-dense correspondence is introduced and investigated for 3D reconstruction of stereo SEM images. SEM micrographs from microscopic samples are captured by tilting the specimen stage by a known angle. The pair of SEM micrographs is then rectified using sparse scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) features/descriptors and a contrario RANSAC for matching outlier removal to ensure a gross horizontal displacement between corresponding points. This is followed by dense correspondence estimation using dense SIFT descriptors and employing a factor graph representation of the energy minimization functional and loopy belief propagation (LBP) as means of optimization. Given the pixel-by-pixel correspondence and the tilt angle of the specimen stage during the acquisition of micrographs, depth can be recovered. Extensive tests reveal the strength of the proposed method for high-quality reconstruction of microscopic samples. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Application of automatic image analysis for morphometric studies of peroxisomes stained cytochemically for catalase. II. Light-microscopic application.

PubMed

Beier, K; Fahimi, H D

1987-01-01

The feasibility of the application of a television-based image analyzer, the Texture Analysis System (TAS, Leitz Wetzlar, FRG) in conjunction with a light microscope for morphometric studies of hepatic peroxisomes has been investigated. Rat liver peroxisomes were stained with the alkaline-DAB method for localization of catalase and semithin (0.25 and 1 micron) sections of plastic-embedded material were examined under an oil immersion objective. The TAS detected the peroxisomal profiles selectively and determined their morphometric parameters automatically. The same parameters were obtained also by morphometric analysis of electron micrographs from the same material. The volume density of peroxisomes determined by TAS in semithin sections of normal liver, after correction for section thickness, is quite close to the corresponding value obtained by morphometry of electron micrographs. The difference is approximately 20%. In animals treated with the hypolipidemic drug bezafibrate, which causes proliferation of peroxisomes, TAS detected readily the increase in volume density of peroxisomes in semithin sections. In comparison with electron microscopy, however, the light-microscopic approach seems to underestimate the proliferation. The lower resolution of the light microscope and overlapping of neighbouring particles in relatively thick sections used for light-microscopic analysis may account for the differences. The present study has demonstrated the usefulness of automatic image analysis in conjunction with selective cytochemical staining of peroxisomes for morphometry of this organelle in rat liver. The light-microscopic approach is not only faster but is also extremely economical by obviating the use of an electron microscope.

TEM and AES investigations of the natural surface nano-oxide layer of an AISI 316L stainless steel microfibre.

PubMed

Ramachandran, Dhanya; Egoavil, Ricardo; Crabbe, Amandine; Hauffman, Tom; Abakumov, Artem; Verbeeck, Johan; Vandendael, Isabelle; Terryn, Herman; Schryvers, Dominique

2016-11-01

The chemical composition, nanostructure and electronic structure of nanosized oxide scales naturally formed on the surface of AISI 316L stainless steel microfibres used for strengthening of composite materials have been characterised using a combination of scanning and transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray, electron energy loss and Auger spectroscopy. The analysis reveals the presence of three sublayers within the total surface oxide scale of 5.0-6.7 nm thick: an outer oxide layer rich in a mixture of FeO.Fe 2 O 3 , an intermediate layer rich in Cr 2 O 3 with a mixture of FeO.Fe 2 O 3 and an inner oxide layer rich in nickel. © 2016 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2016 Royal Microscopical Society.

Correlative scanning-transmission electron microscopy reveals that a chimeric flavivirus is released as individual particles in secretory vesicles.

PubMed

Burlaud-Gaillard, Julien; Sellin, Caroline; Georgeault, Sonia; Uzbekov, Rustem; Lebos, Claude; Guillaume, Jean-Marc; Roingeard, Philippe

2014-01-01

The intracellular morphogenesis of flaviviruses has been well described, but flavivirus release from the host cell remains poorly documented. We took advantage of the optimized production of an attenuated chimeric yellow fever/dengue virus for vaccine purposes to study this phenomenon by microscopic approaches. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the release of numerous viral particles at the cell surface through a short-lived process. For transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies of the intracellular ultrastructure of the small number of cells releasing viral particles at a given time, we developed a new correlative microscopy method: CSEMTEM (for correlative scanning electron microscopy - transmission electron microscopy). CSEMTEM analysis suggested that chimeric flavivirus particles were released as individual particles, in small exocytosis vesicles, via a regulated secretory pathway. Our morphological findings provide new insight into interactions between flaviviruses and cells and demonstrate that CSEMTEM is a useful new method, complementary to SEM observations of biological events by intracellular TEM investigations.

SPE-LEEM Studies on the Surface and Electronic Structure of 2-D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yeh, Po-Chun; Jin, Wencan; Zaki, Nader; Zhang, Datong; Sadowski, Jerzy; Al-Mahboob, Abdullah; van de Zande, Arend; Chenet, Daniel; Dadap, Jerry; Herman, Irving; Sutter, Petter; Hone, James; Osgood, Richard

2014-03-01

In this work, we studied the surface and electronic structure of monolayer and few-layer exfoliated MoS2 and WSe2, as well as chemical-vapor-deposition (CVD) grown MoS2, using Spectroscopic Photoemission and Low Energy Electron Microscope (SPE-LEEM). LEEM measurements reveal that, unlike exfoliated MoS2, CVD-grown MoS2 exhibits grain-boundary alterations due to surface strain. However, LEEM and micro-probe low energy electron diffraction show that the quality of CVD-grown MoS2 is comparable to that of exfoliated MoS2. Micrometer-scale angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurement on exfoliated MoS2 and WSe2 single-crystals provides direct evidence for the shifting of the valence band maximum from Γ to K, when the layer number is thinned down to one, as predicted by density functional theory. Our measurements of the k-space resolved electronic structure allow for further comparison with other theoretical predictions and with transport measurements. Session I and II

Effect of Electron Beam Irradiation on Structural and Optical Properties of Cu-Doped In2O3 Films Prepared by RF Magnetron Sputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krishnan, R. Reshmi; Sanjeev, Ganesh; Prabhu, Radhakrishna; Pillai, V. P. Mahadevan

2018-02-01

Undoped and Cu-doped In2O3 films were prepared by radiofrequency magnetron sputtering technique. The effects of Cu doping and high-energy electron beam irradiation on the structural and optical properties of as-prepared films were investigated using techniques such as x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), lateral scanning electron microscopic image analysis, energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, micro-Raman, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. Moderate doping of Cu in In2O3 enhanced the intensity of (222) peak, indicating alignment of crystalline grains along <111>. Electron beam irradiation promoted orientation of crystalline grains along <111> in undoped and moderately Cu-doped films. EDX spectroscopic and XPS analyses revealed incorporation of Cu2+ ions in the lattice. The transmittance of Cu-doped films decreased with e-beam irradiation. Systematic reduction of the bandgap energy with increase in Cu doping concentration was seen in unirradiated and electron-beam-irradiated films.

Separating Bulk and Surface Contributions to Electronic Excited-State Processes in Hybrid Mixed Perovskite Thin Films via Multimodal All-Optical Imaging.

PubMed

Simpson, Mary Jane; Doughty, Benjamin; Das, Sanjib; Xiao, Kai; Ma, Ying-Zhong

2017-07-20

A comprehensive understanding of electronic excited-state phenomena underlying the impressive performance of solution-processed hybrid halide perovskite solar cells requires access to both spatially resolved electronic processes and corresponding sample morphological characteristics. Here, we demonstrate an all-optical multimodal imaging approach that enables us to obtain both electronic excited-state and morphological information on a single optical microscope platform with simultaneous high temporal and spatial resolution. Specifically, images were acquired for the same region of interest in thin films of chloride containing mixed lead halide perovskites (CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3-x Cl x ) using femtosecond transient absorption, time-integrated photoluminescence, confocal reflectance, and transmission microscopies. Comprehensive image analysis revealed the presence of surface- and bulk-dominated contributions to the various images, which describe either spatially dependent electronic excited-state properties or morphological variations across the probed region of the thin films. These results show that PL probes effectively the species near or at the film surface.

Correlative Scanning-Transmission Electron Microscopy Reveals that a Chimeric Flavivirus Is Released as Individual Particles in Secretory Vesicles

PubMed Central

Burlaud-Gaillard, Julien; Sellin, Caroline; Georgeault, Sonia; Uzbekov, Rustem; Lebos, Claude; Guillaume, Jean-Marc; Roingeard, Philippe

2014-01-01

The intracellular morphogenesis of flaviviruses has been well described, but flavivirus release from the host cell remains poorly documented. We took advantage of the optimized production of an attenuated chimeric yellow fever/dengue virus for vaccine purposes to study this phenomenon by microscopic approaches. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the release of numerous viral particles at the cell surface through a short-lived process. For transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies of the intracellular ultrastructure of the small number of cells releasing viral particles at a given time, we developed a new correlative microscopy method: CSEMTEM (for correlative scanning electron microscopy - transmission electron microscopy). CSEMTEM analysis suggested that chimeric flavivirus particles were released as individual particles, in small exocytosis vesicles, via a regulated secretory pathway. Our morphological findings provide new insight into interactions between flaviviruses and cells and demonstrate that CSEMTEM is a useful new method, complementary to SEM observations of biological events by intracellular TEM investigations. PMID:24681578

Optical and Probe Diagnostics Applied to Reacting Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ticich, Thomas M.

2003-01-01

The general theme of the research my NASA colleague and I have planned is "Optical and probe diagnostics applied to reacting flows". We plan to explore three major threads during the fellowship period. The first interrogates the flame synthesis of carbon nanotubes using aerosol catalysts. Having demonstrated the viability of the technique for nanotube synthesis, we seek to understand the details of this reacting system which are important to its practical application. Laser light scattering will reveal changes in particle size at various heights above the burner. Analysis of the flame gas by mass spectroscopy will reveal the chemical composition of the mixture. Finally, absorption measurements will map the nanotube concentration within the flow. The second thread explores soot oxidation kinetics. Despite the impact of soot on engine performance, fire safety and pollution, models for its oxidation are inhibited by uncertainty in the values of the oxidation rate. We plan to employ both optical and microscopic measurements to refine this rate. Cavity ring-down absorption measurements of the carbonaceous aerosol can provide a measure of the mass concentration with time and, hence, an oxidation rate. Spectroscopic and direct probe measurements will provide the temperature of the system needed for subsequent modeling. These data will be benchmarked against changes in soot nanostructures as revealed by transmission electron microscopic images from directly sampled material.

Electron beam induced deposition of silicon nanostructures from a liquid phase precursor.

PubMed

Liu, Yin; Chen, Xin; Noh, Kyong Wook; Dillon, Shen J

2012-09-28

This work demonstrates electron beam induced deposition of silicon from a SiCl(4) liquid precursor in a transmission electron microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Silicon nanodots of tunable size are reproducibly grown in controlled geometries. The volume of these features increases linearly with deposition time. The results indicate that secondary electrons generated at the substrate surface serve as the primary source of silicon reduction. However, at high current densities the influence of the primary electrons is observed to retard growth. The results demonstrate a new approach to fabricating silicon nanostructures and provide fundamental insights into the mechanism for liquid phase electron beam induced deposition.

Electron beam induced deposition of silicon nanostructures from a liquid phase precursor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yin; Chen, Xin; Noh, Kyong Wook; Dillon, Shen J.

2012-09-01

This work demonstrates electron beam induced deposition of silicon from a SiCl4 liquid precursor in a transmission electron microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Silicon nanodots of tunable size are reproducibly grown in controlled geometries. The volume of these features increases linearly with deposition time. The results indicate that secondary electrons generated at the substrate surface serve as the primary source of silicon reduction. However, at high current densities the influence of the primary electrons is observed to retard growth. The results demonstrate a new approach to fabricating silicon nanostructures and provide fundamental insights into the mechanism for liquid phase electron beam induced deposition.

Transmission Electron Microscope Measures Lattice Parameters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pike, William T.

1996-01-01

Convergent-beam microdiffraction (CBM) in thermionic-emission transmission electron microscope (TEM) is technique for measuring lattice parameters of nanometer-sized specimens of crystalline materials. Lattice parameters determined by use of CBM accurate to within few parts in thousand. Technique developed especially for use in quantifying lattice parameters, and thus strains, in epitaxial mismatched-crystal-lattice multilayer structures in multiple-quantum-well and other advanced semiconductor electronic devices. Ability to determine strains in indivdual layers contributes to understanding of novel electronic behaviors of devices.

Ponderomotive phase plate for transmission electron microscopes

DOEpatents

Reed, Bryan W [Livermore, CA

2012-07-10

A ponderomotive phase plate system and method for controllably producing highly tunable phase contrast transfer functions in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) for high resolution and biological phase contrast imaging. The system and method includes a laser source and a beam transport system to produce a focused laser crossover as a phase plate, so that a ponderomotive potential of the focused laser crossover produces a scattering-angle-dependent phase shift in the electrons of the post-sample electron beam corresponding to a desired phase contrast transfer function.

Myofibroblasts in interstitial lung diseases show diverse electron microscopic and invasive features.

PubMed

Karvonen, Henna M; Lehtonen, Siri T; Sormunen, Raija T; Harju, Terttu H; Lappi-Blanco, Elisa; Bloigu, Risto S; Kaarteenaho, Riitta L

2012-09-01

The characteristic features of myofibroblasts in various lung disorders are poorly understood. We have evaluated the ultrastructure and invasive capacities of myofibroblasts cultured from small volumes of diagnostic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid samples from patients with different types of lung diseases. Cells were cultured from samples of BAL fluid collected from 51 patients that had undergone bronchoscopy and BAL for diagnostic purposes. The cells were visualized by transmission electron microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy to achieve ultrastructural localization of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin. The levels of α-SMA protein and mRNA and fibronectin mRNA were measured by western blot and quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The invasive capacities of the cells were evaluated. The cultured cells were either fibroblasts or myofibroblasts. The structure of the fibronexus, and the amounts of intracellular actin, extracellular fibronectin and cell junctions of myofibroblasts varied in different diseases. In electron and immunoelectron microscopy, cells cultured from interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) expressed more actin filaments and α-SMA than normal lung. The invasive capacity of the cells obtained from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was higher than that from patients with other type of ILDs. Cells expressing more actin filaments had a higher invasion capacity. It is concluded that electron and immunoelectron microscopic studies of myofibroblasts can reveal differential features in various diseases. An analysis of myofibroblasts cultured from diagnostic BAL fluid samples may represent a new kind of tool for diagnostics and research into lung diseases.

In situ flat embedding of monolayers and cell relocation in the acrylic resin LR white for comparative light and electron microscopy studies.

PubMed

Steiner, M; Schöfer, C; Mosgoeller, W

1994-12-01

A simple and reliable method has been developed for the in situ LR White embedding of cell monolayers grown on glass cover-slips. Combined with cytochemical or immunological procedures, this technique allows light and/or electron microscopy investigations of a large number of cells in the same horizontal plane within a relatively short period of time. It can be applied to cells grown on microgrid finder cover-slips which allows a distinct site of even an individual cell of a monolayer to be studied at first at the light microscope level and subsequently at the electron microscope level. Hence, it is also suitable for controlling manipulation of single cells, followed by their serial sectioning after relocation in the electron microscope.

Mars Life? - Microscopic Tubular Structures

NASA Image and Video Library

1996-08-09

This electron microscope image shows extremely tiny tubular structures that are possible microscopic fossils of bacteria-like organisms that may have lived on Mars more than 3.6 billion years ago. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA00285

Mars Life? - Microscopic Egg-shaped Structures

NASA Image and Video Library

1996-08-09

This electron microscope image shows egg-shaped structures, some of which may be possible microscopic fossils of Martian origin as discussed by NASA research published in the Aug. 16, 1996. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA00286

SEM and TEM characterization of the microstructure of post-compressed TiB2/2024Al composite.

PubMed

Guo, Q; Jiang, L T; Chen, G Q; Feng, D; Sun, D L; Wu, G H

2012-02-01

In the present work, 55 vol.% TiB(2)/2024Al composites were obtained by pressure infiltration method. Compressive properties of 55 vol.% TiB(2)/2024Al composite under the strain rates of 10(-3) and 1S(-1) at different temperature were measured and microstructure of post-compressed TiB(2)/2024Al composite was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). No trace of Al(3)Ti compound flake was found. TiB(2)-Al interface was smooth without significant reaction products, and orientation relationships ( [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] ) were revealed by HRTEM. Compressive strength of TiB(2)/2024Al composites decreased with temperature regardless of strain rates. The strain-rate-sensitivity of TiB(2)/2024Al composites increased with the increasing temperature. Fracture surface of specimens compressed at 25 and 250°C under 10(-3)S(-1) were characterized by furrow. Under 10(-3)S(-1), high density dislocations were formed in Al matrix when compressed at 25°C and dynamic recrystallization occurred at 250°C. Segregation of Mg and Cu on the subgrain boundary was also revealed at 550°C. Dislocations, whose density increased with temperature, were formed in TiB(2) particles under 1S(-1). Deformation of composites is affected by matrix, reinforcement and strain rate. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIVIDUAL PARTICLES AT A RURAL SITE IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES

EPA Science Inventory

To determine the nature of aerosol particles in a rural area of the eastern United States, aerosol samples were collected at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, on various substrates and analyzed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM). SEM ana...

Characterization of calcium crystals in Abelia using x-ray diffraction and electron microscopes

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Localization, chemical composition, and morphology of calcium crystals in leaves and stems of Abelia mosanensis and A. ×grandiflora were analyzed with a variable pressure scanning electron microscope (VP-SEM) equipped with an X-ray diffraction system, low temperature SEM (LT-SEM) and a transmission ...

77 FR 33422 - The Regents of the University of California, et al.; Notice of Consolidated Decision on...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-06

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration The Regents of the University of...: Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130. Instrument: Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI.... Applicant: The Regents of the University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720. Instrument: Electron Microscope...

Neuroanatomy from Mesoscopic to Nanoscopic Scales: An Improved Method for the Observation of Semithin Sections by High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy

PubMed Central

Rodríguez, José-Rodrigo; Turégano-López, Marta; DeFelipe, Javier; Merchán-Pérez, Angel

2018-01-01

Semithin sections are commonly used to examine large areas of tissue with an optical microscope, in order to locate and trim the regions that will later be studied with the electron microscope. Ideally, the observation of semithin sections would be from mesoscopic to nanoscopic scales directly, instead of using light microscopy and then electron microscopy (EM). Here we propose a method that makes it possible to obtain high-resolution scanning EM images of large areas of the brain in the millimeter to nanometer range. Since our method is compatible with light microscopy, it is also feasible to generate hybrid light and electron microscopic maps. Additionally, the same tissue blocks that have been used to obtain semithin sections can later be used, if necessary, for transmission EM, or for focused ion beam milling and scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM). PMID:29568263

Neuroanatomy from Mesoscopic to Nanoscopic Scales: An Improved Method for the Observation of Semithin Sections by High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy.

PubMed

Rodríguez, José-Rodrigo; Turégano-López, Marta; DeFelipe, Javier; Merchán-Pérez, Angel

2018-01-01

Semithin sections are commonly used to examine large areas of tissue with an optical microscope, in order to locate and trim the regions that will later be studied with the electron microscope. Ideally, the observation of semithin sections would be from mesoscopic to nanoscopic scales directly, instead of using light microscopy and then electron microscopy (EM). Here we propose a method that makes it possible to obtain high-resolution scanning EM images of large areas of the brain in the millimeter to nanometer range. Since our method is compatible with light microscopy, it is also feasible to generate hybrid light and electron microscopic maps. Additionally, the same tissue blocks that have been used to obtain semithin sections can later be used, if necessary, for transmission EM, or for focused ion beam milling and scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM).

Variations in contrast of scanning electron microscope images for microstructure analysis of Si-based semiconductor materials.

PubMed

Itakura, Masaru; Kuwano, Noriyuki; Sato, Kaoru; Tachibana, Shigeaki

2010-08-01

Image contrasts of Si-based semiconducting materials have been investigated by using the latest scanning electron microscope with various detectors under a range of experimental conditions. Under a very low accelerating voltage (500 V), we obtained a good image contrast between crystalline SiGe whiskers and the amorphous matrix using an in-lens secondary electron (SE) detector, while the conventional topographic SE image and the compositional backscattered electron (BSE) image gave no distinct contrast. By using an angular-selective BSE (AsB) detector for wide-angle scattered BSE, on the other hand, the crystal grains in amorphous matrix can be clearly visualized as 'channelling contrast'. The image contrast is very similar to that of their transmission electron microscope image. The in-lens SE (true SE falling dots SE1) and the AsB (channelling) contrasts are quite useful to distinguish crystalline parts from amorphous ones.

Dynamic imaging with electron microscopy

ScienceCinema

Campbell, Geoffrey; McKeown, Joe; Santala, Melissa

2018-02-13

Livermore researchers have perfected an electron microscope to study fast-evolving material processes and chemical reactions. By applying engineering, microscopy, and laser expertise to the decades-old technology of electron microscopy, the dynamic transmission electron microscope (DTEM) team has developed a technique that can capture images of phenomena that are both very small and very fast. DTEM uses a precisely timed laser pulse to achieve a short but intense electron beam for imaging. When synchronized with a dynamic event in the microscope's field of view, DTEM allows scientists to record and measure material changes in action. A new movie-mode capability, which earned a 2013 R&D 100 Award from R&D Magazine, uses up to nine laser pulses to sequentially capture fast, irreversible, even one-of-a-kind material changes at the nanometer scale. DTEM projects are advancing basic and applied materials research, including such areas as nanostructure growth, phase transformations, and chemical reactions.

Energy-filtered real- and k-space secondary and energy-loss electron imaging with Dual Emission Electron spectro-Microscope: Cs/Mo(110).

PubMed

Grzelakowski, Krzysztof P

2016-05-01

Since its introduction the importance of complementary k||-space (LEED) and real space (LEEM) information in the investigation of surface science phenomena has been widely demonstrated over the last five decades. In this paper we report the application of a novel kind of electron spectromicroscope Dual Emission Electron spectroMicroscope (DEEM) with two independent electron optical channels for reciprocal and real space quasi-simultaneous imaging in investigation of a Cs covered Mo(110) single crystal by using the 800eV electron beam from an "in-lens" electron gun system developed for the sample illumination. With the DEEM spectromicroscope it is possible to observe dynamic, irreversible processes at surfaces in the energy-filtered real space and in the corresponding energy-filtered kǁ-space quasi-simultaneously in two independent imaging columns. The novel concept of the high energy electron beam sample illumination in the cathode lens based microscopes allows chemically selective imaging and analysis under laboratory conditions. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Multidimensional photoemission spectroscopy—the space-charge limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schönhense, B.; Medjanik, K.; Fedchenko, O.; Chernov, S.; Ellguth, M.; Vasilyev, D.; Oelsner, A.; Viefhaus, J.; Kutnyakhov, D.; Wurth, W.; Elmers, H. J.; Schönhense, G.

2018-03-01

Photoelectron spectroscopy, especially at pulsed sources, is ultimately limited by the Coulomb interaction in the electron cloud, changing energy and angular distribution of the photoelectrons. A detailed understanding of this phenomenon is crucial for future pump-probe photoemission studies at (x-ray) free electron lasers and high-harmonic photon sources. Measurements have been performed for Ir(111) at hν = 1000 eV with photon flux densities between ˜102 and 104 photons per pulse and μm2 (beamline P04/PETRA III, DESY Hamburg), revealing space-charge induced energy shifts of up to 10 eV. In order to correct the essential part of the energy shift and restore the electron distributions close to the Fermi energy, we developed a semi-analytical theory for the space-charge effect in cathode-lens instruments (momentum microscopes, photoemission electron microscopes). The theory predicts a Lorentzian profile of energy isosurfaces and allows us to quantify the charge cloud from measured energy profiles. The correction is essential for the determination of the Fermi surface, as we demonstrate by means of ‘k-space movies’ for the prototypical high-Z material tungsten. In an energy interval of about 1 eV below the Fermi edge, the bandstructure can be restored up to substantial shifts of ˜7 eV. Scattered photoelectrons strongly enhance the inelastic background in the region several eV below E F, proving that the majority of scattering events involves a slow electron. The correction yields a gain of two orders of magnitude in usable intensity compared with the uncorrected case (assuming a tolerable shift of 250 meV). The results are particularly important for future experiments at SASE-type free electron lasers, since the correction also works for strongly fluctuating (but known) pulse intensities.

Method to deterministically study photonic nanostructures in different experimental instruments.

PubMed

Husken, B H; Woldering, L A; Blum, C; Vos, W L

2009-01-01

We describe an experimental method to recover a single, deterministically fabricated nanostructure in various experimental instruments without the use of artificially fabricated markers, with the aim to study photonic structures. Therefore, a detailed map of the spatial surroundings of the nanostructure is made during the fabrication of the structure. These maps are made using a series of micrographs with successively decreasing magnifications. The graphs reveal intrinsic and characteristic geometric features that can subsequently be used in different setups to act as markers. As an illustration, we probe surface cavities with radii of 65 nm on a silica opal photonic crystal with various setups: a focused ion beam workstation; a scanning electron microscope (SEM); a wide field optical microscope and a confocal microscope. We use cross-correlation techniques to recover a small area imaged with the SEM in a large area photographed with the optical microscope, which provides a possible avenue to automatic searching. We show how both structural and optical reflectivity data can be obtained from one and the same nanostructure. Since our approach does not use artificial grids or markers, it is of particular interest for samples whose structure is not known a priori, like samples created solely by self-assembly. In addition, our method is not restricted to conducting samples.

Development of a secondary electron energy analyzer for a transmission electron microscope.

PubMed

Magara, Hideyuki; Tomita, Takeshi; Kondo, Yukihito; Sato, Takafumi; Akase, Zentaro; Shindo, Daisuke

2018-04-01

A secondary electron (SE) energy analyzer was developed for a transmission electron microscope. The analyzer comprises a microchannel plate (MCP) for detecting electrons, a coil for collecting SEs emitted from the specimen, a tube for reducing the number of backscattered electrons incident on the MCP, and a retarding mesh for selecting the energy of SEs incident on the MCP. The detection of the SEs associated with charging phenomena around a charged specimen was attempted by performing electron holography and SE spectroscopy using the energy analyzer. The results suggest that it is possible to obtain the energy spectra of SEs using the analyzer and the charging states of a specimen by electron holography simultaneously.

An investigation of nitride precipitates in archaeological iron artefacts from Poland.

PubMed

Kedzierski, Z; Stepiński, J; Zielińska-Lipiec, A

2010-03-01

The paper describes the investigations of nitride precipitates in a spearhead and a sword found in the territory of Poland, in cremation graveyards of the Przeworsk Culture, dated to the Roman Period. Three different techniques of the examination of nitride precipitates were employed: optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer) and transmission electron microscope. Two types of precipitates have been observed, and their plate-like shape was demonstrated. The large precipitate has been confirmed to be gamma'-Fe(4)N, whereas the small one has been identified as alpha''-Fe(16)N(2). The origin of nitride precipitates in archaeological iron artefacts from Poland is probably a result of the manufacturing process or cremation as part of burial rites. An examination of available iron artefacts indicates that nitride precipitates (have only limited effect on mechanical properties) influence the hardness of metal only to a very limited degree.

A comparison of caveolae and caveolin-1 to folate receptor α in retina and retinal pigment epithelium

PubMed Central

Bridges, Christy C.; El-Sherbeny, Amira; Roon, Penny; Ola, M. Shamsul; Kekuda, Ramesh; Ganapathy, Vadivel; Cameron, Richard S.; Cameron, Patricia L.

2015-01-01

Summary Caveolae are flask-shaped membrane invaginations present in most mammalian cells. They are distinguished by the presence of a striated coat composed of the protein, caveolin. Caveolae have been implicated in numerous cellular processes, including potocytosis in which caveolae are hypothesized to co-localize with folate receptor α and participate in folate uptake. Our laboratory has recently localized folate receptor α to the basolateral surface of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). It is present also in many other cells of the retina. In the present study, we asked whether caveolae were present in the RPE, and if so, whether their pattern of distribution was similar to folate receptor α. We also examined the distribution pattern of caveolin-1, which can be a marker of caveolae. Extensive electron microscopical analysis revealed caveolae associated with endothelial cells. However, none were detected in intact or cultured RPE. Laser scanning confocal microscopical analysis of intact RPE localized caveolin-1 to the apical and basal surfaces, a distribution unlike folate receptor α. Western analysis confirmed the presence of caveolin-1 in cultured RPE cells and laser scanning confocal microscopy localized the protein to the basal plasma membrane of the RPE, a distribution like that of folate receptor α. This distribution was confirmed by electron microscopic immunolocalization. The lack of caveolae in the RPE suggests that these structures may not be essential for folate internalization in the RPE. PMID:11508338

Aberration corrected 1.2-MV cold field-emission transmission electron microscope with a sub-50-pm resolution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Akashi, Tetsuya; Takahashi, Yoshio; Tanigaki, Toshiaki, E-mail: toshiaki.tanigaki.mv@hitachi.com

2015-02-16

Atomic-resolution electromagnetic field observation is critical to the development of advanced materials and to the unveiling of their fundamental physics. For this purpose, a spherical-aberration corrected 1.2-MV cold field-emission transmission electron microscope has been developed. The microscope has the following superior properties: stabilized accelerating voltage, minimized electrical and mechanical fluctuation, and coherent electron emission. These properties have enabled to obtain 43-pm information transfer. On the bases of these performances, a 43-pm resolution has been obtained by correcting lens aberrations up to the third order. Observations of GaN [411] thin crystal showed a projected atomic locations with a separation of 44 pm.

Indentation-Enabled In Situ Mechanical Characterization of Micro/Nanopillars in Electron Microscopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Qiang; Fu, Xidan; Guo, Xiaolei; Liu, Zhiying; Shi, Yan; Zhang, Di

2018-04-01

Indentation-enabled micro/nanomechanical characterization of small-scale specimens provides powerful new tools for probing materials properties that were once unattainable by conventional experimental methods. Recent advancement in instrumentation further allows mechanical testing to be carried out in situ in electron microscopes, with high spatial and temporal resolution. This review discusses the recent development of nanoindentation-enabled in situ mechanical testing in electron microscopes, with an emphasis on the study of micro/nanopillars. Focus is given to novel applications beyond simple compressive and tensile testing that have been developed in the past few years, and limitations and possible future research directions in this field are proposed and discussed.

Spin microscope based on optically detected magnetic resonance

DOEpatents

Berman, Gennady P [Los Alamos, NM; Chernobrod, Boris M [Los Alamos, NM

2010-06-29

The invention relates to scanning magnetic microscope which has a photoluminescent nanoprobe implanted in the tip apex of an atomic force microscope (AFM), a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) or a near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) and exhibits optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) in the vicinity of unpaired electron spins or nuclear magnetic moments in the sample material. The described spin microscope has demonstrated nanoscale lateral resolution and single spin sensitivity for the AFM and STM embodiments.

Spin microscope based on optically detected magnetic resonance

DOEpatents

Berman, Gennady P.; Chernobrod, Boris M.

2009-11-10

The invention relates to scanning magnetic microscope which has a photoluminescent nanoprobe implanted in the tip apex of an atomic force microscope (AFM), a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) or a near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) and exhibits optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) in the vicinity of impaired electron spins or nuclear magnetic moments in the sample material. The described spin microscope has demonstrated nanoscale lateral resolution and single spin sensitivity for the AFM and STM embodiments.

Spin microscope based on optically detected magnetic resonance

DOEpatents

Berman, Gennady P.; Chernobrod, Boris M.

2007-12-11

The invention relates to scanning magnetic microscope which has a photoluminescent nanoprobe implanted in the tip apex of an atomic force microscope (AFM), a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) or a near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) and exhibits optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) in the vicinity of unpaired electron spins or nuclear magnetic moments in the sample material. The described spin microscope has demonstrated nanoscale lateral resolution and single spin sensitivity for the AFM and STM embodiments.

Spin microscope based on optically detected magnetic resonance

DOEpatents

Berman, Gennady P [Los Alamos, NM; Chernobrod, Boris M [Los Alamos, NM

2010-07-13

The invention relates to scanning magnetic microscope which has a photoluminescent nanoprobe implanted in the tip apex of an atomic force microscope (AFM), a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) or a near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) and exhibits optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) in the vicinity of unpaired electron spins or nuclear magnetic moments in the sample material. The described spin microscope has demonstrated nanoscale lateral resolution and single spin sensitivity for the AFM and STM embodiments.

Spin microscope based on optically detected magnetic resonance

DOEpatents

Berman, Gennady P [Los Alamos, NM; Chernobrod, Boris M [Los Alamos, NM

2009-10-27

The invention relates to scanning magnetic microscope which has a photoluminescent nanoprobe implanted in the tip apex of an atomic force microscope (AFM), a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) or a near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) and exhibits optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) in the vicinity of unpaired electron spins or nuclear magnetic moments in the sample material. The described spin microscope has demonstrated nanoscale lateral resolution and single spin sensitivity for the AFM and STM embodiments.

Au functionalized ZnO rose-like hierarchical structures and their enhanced NO2 sensing performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shingange, K.; Swart, H. C.; Mhlongo, G. H.

2018-04-01

Herein, we present ZnO rose-like hierarchical nanostructures employed as support to Au nanoparticles to produce Au functionalized three dimensional (3D) ZnO hierarchical nanostructures (Au/ZnO) for NO2 detection using a microwave-assisted method. Comparative analysis of NO2 sensing performance between the pristine ZnO and Au/ZnO rose-like structures at 300 °C revealed improved NO2 response and rapid response-recovery times with Au incorporation owing to a combination of high surface accessibility induced by hierarchical nanostructure design and catalytic activity of the small Au nanoparticles. Structural and optical analyses acquired from X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope and photoluminescence spectroscopy were also performed.

Biological proton pumping in an oscillating electric field.

PubMed

Kim, Young C; Furchtgott, Leon A; Hummer, Gerhard

2009-12-31

Time-dependent external perturbations provide powerful probes of the function of molecular machines. Here we study biological proton pumping in an oscillating electric field. The protein cytochrome c oxidase is the main energy transducer in aerobic life, converting chemical energy into an electric potential by pumping protons across a membrane. With the help of master-equation descriptions that recover the key thermodynamic and kinetic properties of this biological "fuel cell," we show that the proton pumping efficiency and the electronic currents in steady state depend significantly on the frequency and amplitude of the applied field, allowing us to distinguish between different microscopic mechanisms of the machine. A spectral analysis reveals dominant reaction steps consistent with an electron-gated pumping mechanism.

Growth of room temperature ferromagnetic Ge1-xMnx quantum dots on hydrogen passivated Si (100) surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gastaldo, Daniele; Conta, Gianluca; Coïsson, Marco; Amato, Giampiero; Tiberto, Paola; Allia, Paolo

2018-05-01

A method for the synthesis of room-temperature ferromagnetic dilute semiconductor Ge1-xMnx (5 % < x < 8 %) quantum dots by molecular beam epitaxy by selective growth on hydrogen terminated silicon (100) surface is presented. The functionalized substrates, as well as the nanostructures, were characterized in situ by reflection high-energy electron diffraction. The quantum dots density and equivalent radius were extracted from field emission scanning electron microscope pictures, obtained ex-situ. Magnetic characterizations were performed by superconducting quantum interference device vibrating sample magnetometry revealing that ferromagnetic order is maintained up to room temperature: two different ferromagnetic phases were identified by the analysis of the field cooled - zero field cooled measurements.

Effect of Y2O3 on polyindole for high frequency capacitor application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maji, P.; Choudhary, R. B.; Majhi, M.

2017-05-01

Polyindole-Yittrium Oxide (PIn-Y2O3) composite was synthesized in the laboratory through chemical polymerization process. The structural and morphological studies of PIn-Y2O3 composite were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) techniques. These studies showed that PIn-Y2O3 composite was amorphous in nature and formed with spherical granule shape. The dielectric response was measured through LCR meter in the frequency range from 100 Hz to 1 MHz. The dielectric studies revealed that incorporation of Y2O3 into polymeric matrix improved the dielectric behavior of PIn polymer and markedly suitable for its application in high frequency capacitor and many other electronic devices.

Scanning electron microscope view of iron crystal growing on pyroxene crystal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

A scanning electron microscope photograph of a four-micron size iron crystal growing on a pyroxene crystal (calcium-magnesium-iron silicate) from the Apollo 15 Hadley-Apennino lunar landing site. The well developed crystal faces indicate that the crystal was formed from a hot vapor as the rock was cooling.

Arc-melting preparation of single crystal LaB.sub.6 cathodes

DOEpatents

Gibson, Edwin D.; Verhoeven, John D.

1977-06-21

A method for preparing single crystals of lanthanum hexaboride (LaB.sub.6) by arc melting a rod of compacted LaB.sub.6 powder. The method is especially suitable for preparing single crystal LaB.sub.6 cathodes for use in scanning electron microscopes (SEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopes (STEM).

Deciphering the physics and chemistry of perovskites with transmission electron microscopy.

PubMed

Polking, Mark J

2016-03-28

Perovskite oxides exhibit rich structural complexity and a broad range of functional properties, including ferroelectricity, ferromagnetism, and superconductivity. The development of aberration correction for the transmission electron microscope and concurrent progress in electron spectroscopy, electron holography, and other techniques has fueled rapid progress in the understanding of the physics and chemistry of these materials. New techniques based on the transmission electron microscope are first surveyed, and the applications of these techniques for the study of the structure, chemistry, electrostatics, and dynamics of perovskite oxides are then explored in detail, with a particular focus on ferroelectric materials.

Structural and optical characterization of Er-alkali-metals codoped MgO nanoparticles synthesized by solution combustion route

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sivasankari, J.; Selvakumar Sellaiyan, S.; Sankar, S.; Devi, L. Vimala; Sivaji, K.

2017-01-01

Pure MgO, rare-earth (Er) doped MgO (MgO:Er), and alkali metal ions (Li, Na and K) co-doped MgO:Er [i.e. MgO: Er+X (X=Li, Na, and K)] nanopowders were synthesized by solution combustion method and characterized. The XRD analysis reveals the cubic structure and the substitution of dopants and co-dopants in MgO. Annealing at 800 °C, increases the sizes of nano-crystallites of all samples appreciably, indicating the grain growth and the improvement in crystallinity of all the samples. Increase in lattice parameter, d spacing and band gap were observed after annealing. Structural and morphological analysis using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) studies has shown that the samples contain structures like agglomerated clusters. FT-IR spectra confirm the stretching mode of hydroxyl groups, carbonate and presence of MgO bonding. The characteristic wavelength ranging from 2600 cm-1 to 3000 cm-1 were assigned to transition of 4S3/2→4I13/2 and 4I11/2→4I15/2 of Er3+.

A case of generalized argyria after ingestion of colloidal silver solution.

PubMed

Kim, Yangho; Suh, Ho Seok; Cha, Hee Jeong; Kim, Suk Hwan; Jeong, Kyoung Sook; Kim, Dong Hoon

2009-03-01

A 58-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to progressive skin darkening, which began 5 months previously. The patient had strikingly diffuse blue-gray discoloration of the skin, most prominent in sun-exposed areas, especially her face and hands. The oral mucosa, tongue, gums, eye conjunctiva, ears, nail beds, and trunk were also involved. Bluish-gray discoloration of all nails was aggravated by cold weather. She had ingested 1 L of colloidal silver solution daily for approximately 16 months as a traditional remedy. Her serum silver concentration was 381 ng/ml which was a very high (reference level: <15 ng/ml). Light microscopic examination of a punch biopsy specimen from her nose revealed fine, minute, round, and brown-black granules deposited in the basement membrane of hair follicular epithelium. Scanning electron microscopic examination showed electron-dense granules deposited in the intercellular space of sweat glands. Energy disperse X-ray spectrometry analysis demonstrated peaks for silver and sulfur in the dense black deposits. The ingestion of colloidal silver appears to be an increasing practice among patients using alternative health practices. All silver-containing products including colloidal silver should be labeled with a clear warning to prevent argyria, especially in alternative health practices.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticle and silver based chitosan bionanocomposite using stem extract of Saccharum officinarum and assessment of its antibacterial activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paulkumar, Kanniah; Gnanajobitha, Gnanadhas; Vanaja, Mahendran; Pavunraj, Manickam; Annadurai, Gurusamy

2017-09-01

Synthesis of nanoparticles and nanocomposites using green route is a major focus of modern nanotechnology. Herein we demonstrate the synthesis of silver nanoparticle and silver based chitosan bionanocomposite using the stem extract of Saccharum officinarum. The absorbance peak at 460 nm in the UV-Vis spectrum reveals the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the stem extract of Saccharum officinarum. The size of the synthesized silver nanoparticle was in the range of 10-60 nm obtained from transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis. The presence of silver nanoparticles on the chitosan suspension was identified by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The presence of possible functional group involved in the reduction of silver metal ions into silver nanoparticles was identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized silver based chitosan bionanocomposite was evaluated against Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 3053), Klebsiella planticola (MTCC 2277), Streptococcus faecalis (ATCC 8043), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739). The antibacterial activity of silver based chitosan bionanocomposite has remarkable scope in medicine, food packaging, textile and pharmaceuticals.

Piper nigrum leaf and stem assisted green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and evaluation of its antibacterial activity against agricultural plant pathogens.

PubMed

Paulkumar, Kanniah; Gnanajobitha, Gnanadhas; Vanaja, Mahendran; Rajeshkumar, Shanmugam; Malarkodi, Chelladurai; Pandian, Kannaiyan; Annadurai, Gurusamy

2014-01-01

Utilization of biological materials in synthesis of nanoparticles is one of the hottest topics in modern nanoscience and nanotechnology. In the present investigation, the silver nanoparticles were synthesized by using the leaf and stem extract of Piper nigrum. The synthesized nanoparticle was characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The observation of the peak at 460 nm in the UV-vis spectra for leaf- and stem-synthesized silver nanoparticles reveals the reduction of silver metal ions into silver nanoparticles. Further, XRD analysis has been carried out to confirm the crystalline nature of the synthesized silver nanoparticles. The TEM images show that the leaf- and stem-synthesized silver nanoparticles were within the size of about 7-50 nm and 9-30 nm, respectively. The FTIR analysis was performed to identify the possible functional groups involved in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Further, the antibacterial activity of the green-synthesized silver nanoparticles was examined against agricultural plant pathogens. The antibacterial property of silver nanoparticles is a beneficial application in the field of agricultural nanotechnology.

Effect of isovalent dopants on photodegradation ability of ZnS nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khaparde, Rohini; Acharya, Smita

2016-06-01

Isovalent (Mn, Cd, Cu, Co)-doped-ZnS nanoparticles having size vary in between 2 to 5 nm are synthesized by co-precipitation route. Their photocatalytic activity for decoloration of Cango Red and Malachite Green dyes is tested in visible radiation under natural conditions. Structural and morphological features of the samples are investigated by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and UVsbnd Vis spectrometer. Single phase zinc blende structure of as-synthesized undoped and doped-ZnS is confirmed by XRD and revealed by Rietveld fitting. SEM and TEM images show ultrafine nanoparticles having size in the range of 2 to 5 nm. UV-Vis absorption spectra exhibit blue shift in absorption edge of undoped and doped ZnS as compared to bulk counterpart. The photocatalytic activity as a function of dopant concentration and irradiation time is systematically studied. The rate of de-coloration of dyes is detected by UVsbnd Vis absorption spectroscopy and organic dye mineralization is confirmed by table of carbon (TOC) study. The photocatalytic activity of Mn-doped ZnS is highest amongst all dopants; however Co as a dopant is found to reduce photocatalytic activity than pure ZnS.

Facile One-Pot Synthesis of Flower Like Cobalt Oxide Nanostructures on Nickel Plate and Its Supercapacitance Properties.

PubMed

Kandasamy, N; Venugopal, T; Kannan, K

2018-06-01

A flower like cobalt oxide nanostructured thin film (Co2O3) on Nickel (Ni) plate as have been successfully developed via alcoholic Seed Layer assisted chemical bath Deposition (SLD) process. Through the controlled alkaline electrolytes, the flower and paddles like Co2O3 nanoarchitectures were formed. The prepared thin film was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM and EDX), Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Raman spectroscopy techniques. Electron micrograph reveals the flower and paddles like nanostructured Co2O3 thin film deposited on Ni plates. The electrochemical characteristics were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), charge-discharge and AC impedance spectroscopy in different aqueous electrolytes such as NaOH, KOH, and LiOH. The maximum specific capacitance of 856 Fg-1 was attained with 2 M KOH electrolyte with 2 mVs-1 of the Co2O3 thin film coated Ni plate at 80 °C using SLD method. The capacitance values obtained with various electrolytes are in the order of KOH > NaOH > LiOH. The results indicate that the present method is economical and the material is ecofriendly with enhanced capacitance property.

Hydrogen-enhanced cracking revealed by in situ micro-cantilever bending test inside environmental scanning electron microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Yun; Hajilou, Tarlan; Barnoush, Afrooz

2017-06-01

To evaluate the hydrogen (H)-induced embrittlement in iron aluminium intermetallics, especially the one with stoichiometric composition of 50 at.% Al, a novel in situ micro-cantilever bending test was applied within an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM), which provides both a full process monitoring and a clean, in situ H-charging condition. Two sets of cantilevers were analysed in this work: one set of un-notched cantilevers, and the other set with focused ion beam-milled notch laying on two crystallographic planes: (010) and (110). The cantilevers were tested under two environmental conditions: vacuum (approximately 5 × 10-4 Pa) and ESEM (450 Pa water vapour). Crack initiation at stress-concentrated locations and propagation to cause catastrophic failure were observed when cantilevers were tested in the presence of H; while no cracking occurred when tested in vacuum. Both the bending strength for un-notched beams and the fracture toughness for notched beams were reduced under H exposure. The hydrogen embrittlement (HE) susceptibility was found to be orientation dependent: the (010) crystallographic plane was more fragile to HE than the (110) plane. This article is part of the themed issue 'The challenges of hydrogen and metals'.

High fluence swift heavy ion structure modification of the SiO2/Si interface and gate insulator in 65 nm MOSFETs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Yao; Gao, Bo; Gong, Min; Willis, Maureen; Yang, Zhimei; Guan, Mingyue; Li, Yun

2017-04-01

In this work, a study of the structure modification, induced by high fluence swift heavy ion radiation, of the SiO2/Si structures and gate oxide interface in commercial 65 nm MOSFETs is performed. A key and novel point in this study is the specific use of the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique instead of the conventional atomic force microscope (AFM) or scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques which are typically performed following the chemical etching of the sample to observe the changes in the structure. Using this method we show that after radiation, the appearance of a clearly visible thin layer between the SiO2 and Si is observed presenting as a variation in the TEM intensity at the interface of the two materials. Through measuring the EDX line scans we reveal that the Si:O ratio changed and that this change can be attributed to the migration of the Si towards interface after the Si-O bond is destroyed by the swift heavy ions. For the 65 nm MOSFET sample, the silicon substrate, the SiON insulator and the poly-silicon gate interfaces become blurred under the same irradiation conditions.

Preparation of hierarchical porous Zn-salt particles and their superhydrophobic performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Dahai; Jia, Mengqiu

2015-12-01

Superhydrophobic surfaces arranged by hierarchical porous particles were prepared using modified hydrothermal routes under the effect of sodium citrate. Two particle samples were generated in the medium of hexamethylenetetramine (P1) and urea (P2), respectively. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope were adopted for the investigation, and results revealed that the P1 and P2 particles are porous microspheres with crosslinked extremely thin (10-30 nm) sheet crystals composed of Zn5(OH)8Ac2·2H2O and Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6, respectively. The prepared particles were treated with a fluoroethylene vinyl ether derivative and studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer. Results showed that the hierarchical surfaces of these particles were combined with low-wettable fluorocarbon layers. Moreover, the fabricated surface composed of the prepared hierarchical particles displayed considerably high contact angles, indicating great superhydrophobicity for the products. The wetting behavior of the particles was analyzed with a theoretical wetting model in comparison with that of chestnut-like ZnO products obtained through a conventional hydrothermal route. Correspondingly, this study provided evidence that high roughness surface plays a great role in superhydrophobic behavior.

A combined optical, SEM and STM study of growth spirals on the polytypic cadmium iodide crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Rajendra; Samanta, S. B.; Narlikar, A. V.; Trigunayat, G. C.

2000-05-01

Some novel results of a combined sequential study of growth spirals on the basal surface of the richly polytypic CdI 2 crystals by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) are presented and discussed. Under the high resolution and magnification achieved in the scanning electron microscope, the growth steps of large heights seen in the optical micrographs are found to have a large number of additional steps of smaller heights existing between any two adjacent large height growth steps. When further seen by a scanning tunneling microscope, which provides still higher resolution, sequences of unit substeps, each of height equal to the unit cell height of the underlying polytype, are revealed to exist on the surface. Several large steps also lie between the unit steps, with heights equal to an integral multiple of either the unit cell height of the underlying polytype or the thickness of a molecular sheet I-Cd-I. It is suggested that initially a giant screw dislocation may form by brittle fracture of the crystal platelet, which may gradually decompose into numerous unit dislocations during subsequent crystal growth.

Precipitation Rate Investigation on synthesis of precipitated calcium carbonate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sulistiyono, E.; Handayani, M.; Firdiyono, F.; Fajariani, E. N.

2018-03-01

Study on the formation of precipitated calcium carbonate from natural limestone Sukabumi with the influenced of various parameters such as precipitation rate, concentration of CaCl2 and amplitudes were investigated. We also investigated the result with the precipitated calcium carbonate from Merck (p.a) for comparison. The higher concentration of CaCl2 would give effect to the lower of the precipitation rate. It was observed that precipitation rate of calcium carbonate from limestone Sukabumi at concentration of 0.08 molar was 3.66 cm/minutes and showing the optimum condition, while the precipitation rate of calcium carbonate Merck at the concentration 0.08 molar was 3.53 cm/minutes. The characterization of precipitated calcium carbonate was done using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The characterization using XRF showed that CaO content of precipitated calcium carbonate from natural limestone Sukabumi had high purity of 99.16%. The particle distribution using scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that precipitated calcium carbonate from natural limestone Sukabumi revealed 1.79 µm – 11.46 µm, meanwhile the particle distribution of precipitated calcium carbonate Merck showed larger particles with the size of 3.22 µm – 10.68 µm.

Source brightness and useful beam current of carbon nanotubes and other very small emitters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kruit, P.; Bezuijen, M.; Barth, J. E.

2006-01-01

The potential application of carbon nanotubes as electron sources in electron microscopes is analyzed. The resolution and probe current that can be obtained from a carbon nanotube emitter in a low-voltage scanning electron microscope are calculated and compared to the state of the art using Schottky electron sources. Many analytical equations for probe-size versus probe-current relations in different parameter regimes are obtained. It is shown that for most carbon nanotube emitters, the gun lens aberrations are larger than the emitters' virtual source size and thus restrict the microscope's performance. The result is that the advantages of the higher brightness of nanotube emitters are limited unless the angular emission current is increased over present day values or the gun lens aberrations are decreased. For some nanotubes with a closed cap, it is known that the emitted electron beam is coherent over the full emission cone. We argue that for such emitters the parameter ``brightness'' becomes meaningless. The influence of phase variations in the electron wave front emitted from such a nanotube emitter on the focusing of the electron beam is analyzed.

Influence of Cu substitution on the structural ordering, photocatalytic activity and photoluminescence emission of Ag3-2xCuxPO4 powders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pereira, Wyllamanney da S.; Sczancoski, Júlio C.; Calderon, Yormary N. C.; Mastelaro, Valmor R.; Botelho, Gleice; Machado, Thales R.; Leite, Edson R.; Longo, Elson

2018-05-01

Materials presenting high photocatalytic performance and interesting photoluminescence emissions are promising candidates for photodegradation of organic pollutants discharged into natural waters as well as for development of new electro-optical devices, respectively. In this study, Ag3-2xCuxPO4 (x = 0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04 and 0.08) powders were synthesized by the precipitation method. The long- and short-range structural ordering was affected when the copper (Cu) content was increased in the lattice, as identified by X-ray diffraction patterns, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. The field emission scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope revealed a particle system composed of irregular spherical-like microcrystals. The presence of Cu as well as its real amount in the samples were confirmed by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry, respectively. On increasing Cu level, a slight variation was noted on the photocatalytic activity of Ag3-2xCuxPO4 powders for degradation of rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. A photodegradation mechanism was proposed in details. The photoluminescence emissions were explained by electronic transitions involving intermediary energy levels in the band gap. The origin these energy levels was related to defects caused by the substitution of Ag by Cu in the crystalline structure.

Effects of spaceflight in the adductor longus muscle of rats flown in the Soviet Biosatellite COSMOS 2044. A study employing neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) immunocytochemistry and conventional morphological techniques (light and electron microscopy)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

D'Amelio, F.; Daunton, N. G.

1992-01-01

The effects of spaceflight upon the "slow" muscle adductor longus were examined in rats flown in the Soviet Biosatellite COSMOS 2044. The techniques employed included standard methods for light microscopy, neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy. Light microscopic observations revealed myofiber atrophy and segmental necrosis accompanied by cellular infiltrates composed of macrophages, leukocytes and mononuclear cells. Neural cell adhesion molecule immunoreactivity (N-CAM-IR) was seen on the myofiber surface and in regenerating myofibers. Ultrastructural alterations included Z band streaming, disorganization of myofibrillar architecture, sarcoplasmic degradation, extensive segmental necrosis with apparent preservation of the basement membrane, degenerative phenomena of the capillary endothelium and cellular invasion of necrotic areas. Regenerating myofibers were identified by the presence of increased amounts of ribosomal aggregates and chains of polyribosomes associated with myofilaments. The principal electron microscopic changes of the neuromuscular junctions showed axon terminals with a decrease or absence of synaptic vesicles replaced by microtubules and neurofilaments, degeneration of axon terminals, vacant axonal spaces and changes suggestive of axonal sprouting. The present observations suggest that alterations such as myofibrillar disruption and necrosis, muscle regeneration and denervation and synaptic remodeling at the level of the neuromuscular junction may take place during spaceflight.

Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopic study of irradiation induced nano-crystallization of nickel in a W/Ni multilayer.

PubMed

Bagchi, Sharmistha; Lalla, N P

2008-06-11

The present study reports the cross-sectional transmission electron microscopic investigations of swift heavy ion-irradiation induced nano-size recrystallization of Ni in a nearly immiscible W/Ni multilayer structure. Multilayer structures (MLS) of [W(25 Å)/Ni(25 Å)](10BL) were grown on Si-(100) substrate by the ion-beam sputtering technique. The as-synthesized MLS were subjected to 120 MeV-Au(9+) ion-irradiation to a fluence of ∼5 × 10(13) ions cm(-2). Wide-angle x-ray diffraction studies of pristine as well as irradiated W/Ni multilayers show deterioration of the superlattice structure, whereas x-ray reflectivity (XRR) measurement reveals a nearly unaffected microstructure after irradiation. Analysis of the XRR data using 'Parratt's formalism' does show a significant increase of W/Ni interface roughness. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies carried out in diffraction and imaging modes (including bright-field and dark-field imaging), show that at high irradiation dose the intralayer microstructure of Ni becomes nano-crystalline (1-2 nm). During these irradiation induced changes of the intralayer microstructure, the interlayer definition of the W and Ni layers still remains intact. The observed nano-recrystallization of Ni has been attributed to competition between low miscibility of the W/Ni interface and the ion-beam induced mixing kinetics.

High-pressure freezing for scanning transmission electron tomography analysis of cellular organelles.

PubMed

Walther, Paul; Schmid, Eberhard; Höhn, Katharina

2013-01-01

Using an electron microscope's scanning transmission mode (STEM) for collection of tomographic datasets is advantageous compared to bright field transmission electron microscopic (TEM). For image formation, inelastic scattering does not cause chromatic aberration, since in STEM mode no image forming lenses are used after the beam has passed the sample, in contrast to regular TEM. Therefore, thicker samples can be imaged. It has been experimentally demonstrated that STEM is superior to TEM and energy filtered TEM for tomography of samples as thick as 1 μm. Even when using the best electron microscope, adequate sample preparation is the key for interpretable results. We adapted protocols for high-pressure freezing of cultivated cells from a physiological state. In this chapter, we describe optimized high-pressure freezing and freeze substitution protocols for STEM tomography in order to obtain high membrane contrast.

Transmission environmental scanning electron microscope with scintillation gaseous detection device.

PubMed

Danilatos, Gerasimos; Kollia, Mary; Dracopoulos, Vassileios

2015-03-01

A transmission environmental scanning electron microscope with use of a scintillation gaseous detection device has been implemented. This corresponds to a transmission scanning electron microscope but with addition of a gaseous environment acting both as environmental and detection medium. A commercial type of low vacuum machine has been employed together with appropriate modifications to the detection configuration. This involves controlled screening of various emitted signals in conjunction with a scintillation gaseous detection device already provided with the machine for regular surface imaging. Dark field and bright field imaging has been obtained along with other detection conditions. With a progressive series of modifications and tests, the theory and practice of a novel type of microscopy is briefly shown now ushering further significant improvements and developments in electron microscopy as a whole. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nanoscale inhomogeneity and photoacid generation dynamics in extreme ultraviolet resist materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Ping-Jui; Wang, Yu-Fu; Chen, Wei-Chi; Wang, Chien-Wei; Cheng, Joy; Chang, Vencent; Chang, Ching-Yu; Lin, John; Cheng, Yuan-Chung

2018-03-01

The development of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography towards the 22 nm node and beyond depends critically on the availability of resist materials that meet stringent control requirements in resolution, line edge roughness, and sensitivity. However, the molecular mechanisms that govern the structure-function relationships in current EUV resist systems are not well understood. In particular, the nanoscale structures of the polymer base and the distributions of photoacid generators (PAGs) should play a critical roles in the performance of a resist system, yet currently available models for photochemical reactions in EUV resist systems are exclusively based on homogeneous bulk models that ignore molecular-level details of solid resist films. In this work, we investigate how microscopic molecular organizations in EUV resist affect photoacid generations in a bottom-up approach that describes structure-dependent electron-transfer dynamics in a solid film model. To this end, molecular dynamics simulations and stimulated annealing are used to obtain structures of a large simulation box containing poly(4-hydroxystyrene) (PHS) base polymers and triphenylsulfonium based PAGs. Our calculations reveal that ion-pair interactions govern the microscopic distributions of the polymer base and PAG molecules, resulting in a highly inhomogeneous system with nonuniform nanoscale chemical domains. Furthermore, the theoretical structures were used in combination of quantum chemical calculations and the Marcus theory to evaluate electron transfer rates between molecular sites, and then kinetic Monte Carlo simulations were carried out to model electron transfer dynamics with molecular structure details taken into consideration. As a result, the portion of thermalized electrons that are absorbed by the PAGs and the nanoscale spatial distribution of generated acids can be estimated. Our data reveal that the nanoscale inhomogeneous distributions of base polymers and PAGs strongly affect the electron transfer and the performance of the resist system. The implications to the performances of EUV resists and key engineering requirements for improved resist systems will also be discussed in this work. Our results shed light on the fundamental structure dependence of photoacid generation and the control of the nanoscale structures as well as base polymer-PAG interactions in EVU resist systems, and we expect these knowledge will be useful for the future development of improved EUV resist systems.

Physics and engineering aspects of cell and tissue imaging systems: microscopic devices and computer assisted diagnosis.

PubMed

Chen, Xiaodong; Ren, Liqiang; Zheng, Bin; Liu, Hong

2013-01-01

The conventional optical microscopes have been used widely in scientific research and in clinical practice. The modern digital microscopic devices combine the power of optical imaging and computerized analysis, archiving and communication techniques. It has a great potential in pathological examinations for improving the efficiency and accuracy of clinical diagnosis. This chapter reviews the basic optical principles of conventional microscopes, fluorescence microscopes and electron microscopes. The recent developments and future clinical applications of advanced digital microscopic imaging methods and computer assisted diagnosis schemes are also discussed.

Graphene Nanoribbons Fabricated by Helium Ion microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pickard, D.; Oezyilmaz, B.; Thong, J.; Loh, K. P.; Viswanathan, V.; Zhongkai, A.; Mathew, S.; Kundu, T.; Park, C.; Yi, Z.; Xu, X.; Zhang, K.; Tat, T. C.; Wang, H.; Venkatesan, T.; Botton, G.; Couillard, M.

2010-03-01

Graphene, a monolayer graphitic lattice of carbon atoms has tremendous promise for a variety of applications on account of the zero mass of electrons, high mobility and the sensitivity of transport to perturbations at the interface. Patterning graphene is an obvious challenge and mesoscopic devices based on graphene require high spatial resolution patterning that will induce as little damage as possible. We use a helium ion microscope with its 0.4nm spot size beam to directly write patterns on free standing graphene films. TEM images of the patterns reveal holes as small as 4 nm and ribbons with line widths as narrow as 3 nm. The images show recovery of the graphene lattice at a distance of about a nm from the patterned edge. The linewidths of the ribbon can be varied considerably in a controllable fashion over ribbon lengths of the order of microns. . .

Characterization, Microbial Community Structure, and Pathogen Occurrence in Urban Faucet Biofilms in South China

PubMed Central

Lin, Huirong; Zhang, Shuting; Gong, Song; Zhang, Shenghua; Yu, Xin

2015-01-01

The composition and microbial community structure of the drinking water system biofilms were investigated using microstructure analysis and 454 pyrosequencing technique in Xiamen city, southeast of China. SEM (scanning electron microscope) results showed different features of biofilm morphology in different fields of PVC pipe. Extracellular matrix material and sparse populations of bacteria (mainly rod-shaped and coccoid) were observed. CLSM (confocal laser scanning microscope) revealed different distributions of attached cells, extracellular proteins, α-polysaccharides, and β-polysaccharides. The biofilms had complex bacterial compositions. Differences in bacteria diversity and composition from different tap materials and ages were observed. Proteobacteria was the common and predominant group in all biofilms samples. Some potential pathogens (Legionellales, Enterobacteriales, Chromatiales, and Pseudomonadales) and corrosive microorganisms were also found in the biofilms. This study provides the information of characterization and visualization of the drinking water biofilms matrix, as well as the microbial community structure and opportunistic pathogens occurrence. PMID:26273617

Dedifferentiated retroperitoneal liposarcoma spontaneously occurring in an aged SD rat

PubMed Central

Naito, Tomoharu; Saito, Tsuyoshi; Higuchi, Tamami; Inomata, Akira; Hayashi, Takuo; Shimada, Yasuhiro; Yamauchi-Ohguchi, Atsuko; Kenmochi, Sayaka; Kakinuma, Chihaya; Yao, Takashi

2018-01-01

Liposarcoma is a rare neoplasm in rats and is characterized by the presence of lipoblasts containing multiple cytoplasmic vacuoles. We encountered a rare type of liposarcoma in a male SD (Crj:CD(SD)IGS) rat during a long-term study to gather background data. At necropsy at 105 weeks of age, there was a large amount of fatty tissue covering the mesentery, pancreas, and retroperitoneum; a white nodule in the right kidney; and paleness of the liver. Microscopically, the tumor had a well-differentiated component and dedifferentiated high-grade component. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic examinations revealed that the pleomorphic tumor cells retained the characteristics of lipoblasts. Distant or disseminated metastasis was also confirmed in various organs. A liposarcoma with these histological features is extremely rare in rats, and this is the first report of a highly metastatic dedifferentiated type of liposarcoma originating from the abdominal fat tissue in a rat. PMID:29750003

Microscopic Examination of Chitosan Polyphosphate Beads with Entrapped Spores of the Biocontrol Agent, Streptomyces melanosporofaciens EF-76

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jobin, Guy; Grondin, Gilles; Couture, Geneviève; Beaulieu, Carole

2005-04-01

Spores of the biocontrol agent, Streptomyces melanosporofaciens EF-76, were entrapped by complex coacervation in beads composed of a macromolecular complex (MC) of chitosan and polyphosphate. A proportion of spores entrapped in beads survived the entrapment procedure as shown by treating spores from chitosan beads with a dye allowing the differentiation of live and dead cells. The spore-loaded chitosan beads could be digested by a chitosanase, suggesting that, once introduced in soil, the beads would be degraded to release the biocontrol agent. Spore-loaded beads were examined by optical and scanning electron microscopy because the release of the biological agent depends on the spore distribution in the chitosan beads. The microscopic examination revealed that the beads had a porous surface and contained a network of inner microfibrils. Spores were entrapped in both the chitosan microfibrils and the bead lacuna.

Meningioma-like tumor of the skin. An ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study.

PubMed

Barr, R J; Yi, E S; Jensen, J L; Wuerker, R B; Liao, S Y

1993-08-01

Three unusual cutaneous tumors are described along with ultrastructural and immunohistochemical studies. All lesions were asymptomatic red-brown papulonodules. Light microscopic examination revealed a whorled configuration of spindle-shaped cells, some concentrically arranged around blood vessels. Immunohistochemical panels exhibited positive staining only with antibody to vimentin and negative staining with antibodies against S-100 protein, muscle markers, cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, Leu 7, type IV collagen, and factor XIIIa, ruling out obvious nevomelanocytic, nerve sheath, meningothelial, smooth muscle, and perithelial differentiation. Electron microscopic examination demonstrated cells producing poorly formed collagen fibrils, sparse collagen fibers, and possessing occasional ill-defined intercellular junctions between their elongated cell processes. This rare tumor is considered to be either an immature fibrohistiocytic or possibly a nerve sheath neoplasm with striking similarities to so-called canine hemangiopericytoma. Because the prominent whorled pattern was reminiscent of meningioma, the lesion was referred to as meningioma-like tumor of the skin.

Dedifferentiated retroperitoneal liposarcoma spontaneously occurring in an aged SD rat.

PubMed

Naito, Tomoharu; Saito, Tsuyoshi; Higuchi, Tamami; Inomata, Akira; Hayashi, Takuo; Shimada, Yasuhiro; Yamauchi-Ohguchi, Atsuko; Kenmochi, Sayaka; Kakinuma, Chihaya; Yao, Takashi

2018-04-01

Liposarcoma is a rare neoplasm in rats and is characterized by the presence of lipoblasts containing multiple cytoplasmic vacuoles. We encountered a rare type of liposarcoma in a male SD (Crj:CD(SD)IGS) rat during a long-term study to gather background data. At necropsy at 105 weeks of age, there was a large amount of fatty tissue covering the mesentery, pancreas, and retroperitoneum; a white nodule in the right kidney; and paleness of the liver. Microscopically, the tumor had a well-differentiated component and dedifferentiated high-grade component. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic examinations revealed that the pleomorphic tumor cells retained the characteristics of lipoblasts. Distant or disseminated metastasis was also confirmed in various organs. A liposarcoma with these histological features is extremely rare in rats, and this is the first report of a highly metastatic dedifferentiated type of liposarcoma originating from the abdominal fat tissue in a rat.

Bioactivity of calcium phosphate bioceramic coating fabricated by laser cladding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Yizhi; Liu, Qibin; Xu, Peng; Li, Long; Jiang, Haibing; Bai, Yang

2016-05-01

There were always strong expectations for suitable biomaterials used for bone regeneration. In this study, to improve the biocompatiblity of titanium alloy, calcium phosphate bioceramic coating was obtained by laser cladding technology. The microstructure, phases, bioactivity, cell differentiation, morphology and resorption lacunae were investigated by optical microscope (OM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and scanning electronic microscope (SEM), respectively. The results show that bioceramic coating consists of three layers, which are a substrate, an alloyed layer and a ceramic layer. Bioactive phases of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA) were found in ceramic coating. Osteoclast precursors have excellent proliferation on the bioceramic surface. The bioceramics coating could be digested by osteoclasts, which led to the resorption lacunae formed on its surface. It revealed that the gradient bioceramic coating has an excellent bioactivity.

Microstructural and mechanical properties on friction welding of dissimilar metals used in motor vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jesudoss Hynes, N. Rajesh; Shenbaga Velu, P.

2018-02-01

In the last two decades, major car manufacturing companies are exploring the possibilities of joining magnesium with aluminium, via friction welding technique for many crucial automotive applications. Our primary objective, is to carry out an experimental investigation in order to study the behaviour of dissimilar joints. The microscopic structure at the welded joint interface was analysed using an optical microscopy and scanning electron microscope. It was found that, by increasing the value of friction time, the value of the tensile strength increases and the result of tensile strength is found to be 120 MPa at a friction time of 10 s. Micro hardness was found to be higher at the interface of the weldment due to the development of a brittle intermetallic compound. Micro structural studies using SEM reveals, distinct zones such as an unaffected parent metal zone, the heat affected zone, a thermo-mechanically affected zone and a fully deformed plasticised zone.

Microscopic and UPLC-UV-MS analyses of authentic and commercial yohimbe (Pausinystalia johimbe) bark samples.

PubMed

Raman, Vijayasankar; Avula, Bharathi; Galal, Ahmed M; Wang, Yan-Hong; Khan, Ikhlas A

2013-01-01

Yohimbine is the major alkaloid found in the stem bark of yohimbe, Pausinystalia johimbe (Rubiaceae), an evergreen tree native to Africa. The objectives of the current study were to provide a detailed anatomy of yohimbe bark, as well as to determine the quantity of yohimbine in the raw yohimbe products sold online. Twelve commercial raw materials of yohimbe were analyzed by microscopic and ultra performance liquid chromatography-UV-MS methods. The study revealed that three samples were probably adulterated and four other samples contained various levels of impurities. Yohimbine was not detected in one sample, whereas its presence in other samples was found to be in the range 0.1-0.91%. The present work also provides a detailed anatomy of the stem bark of yohimbe, with light and scanning electron microscopy images, for proper identification and authentication.

An effective fixative for glucocorticoid receptors in fetal tissues

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Koga, T.; Kurisu, K.

1982-01-01

As a preliminary study in an autoradiographic study of glucocorticoid (GC) receptor localization in orofacial tissues of mouse fetuses, a search was made to determine the most effective fixative for preservation of the GC-receptor complex. Twelve-day-old mouse fetuses were administered tritiated triamcinolone acetonide (/sup 3/H-TAC) intraamniotically and subsequently processed by one of the following three procedures: freeze-drying, prefixation with Karnovsky's fixative, or the catechin fixative (Karnovsky's fixative containing 1% D-catechin) and postfixation with osmium tetroxide. Light microscopic autoradiography and liquid scintillation counting of the specimens revealed that the catechin fixative gave the best results for fixation of the steroid-receptor complexmore » and preservation of tissue structure. Light and electron microscopic autoradiographic studies of the time course of the localization of /sup 3/H-TAC in palatal shelves supported the catechin fixative as being the most effective in preservation of GC-receptor or ligand complexes.« less

Hierarchical, multilayered cell walls reinforced by recycled silk cocoons enhance the structural integrity of honeybee combs

PubMed Central

Zhang, Kai; Duan, Huiling; Karihaloo, Bhushan L.; Wang, Jianxiang

2010-01-01

We reveal the sophisticated and hierarchical structure of honeybee combs and measure the elastic properties of fresh and old natural honeycombs at different scales by optical microscope, environmental scanning electron microscope, nano/microindentation, and by tension and shear tests. We demonstrate that the comb walls are continuously strengthened and stiffened without becoming fragile by the addition of thin wax layers reinforced by recycled silk cocoons reminiscent of modern fiber-reinforced composite laminates. This is done to increase its margin of safety against collapse due to a temperature increase. Artificial engineering honeycombs mimic only the macroscopic geometry of natural honeycombs, but have yet to achieve the microstructural sophistication of their natural counterparts. The natural honeycombs serve as a prototype of truly biomimetic cellular materials with hitherto unattainable improvement in stiffness, strength, toughness, and thermal stability. PMID:20439765

Sensitivity of Dielectric Properties to Wear Process on Carbon Nanofiber/High-Density Polyethylene Composites.

PubMed

Liu, Tian; Wood, Weston; Zhong, Wei-Hong

2011-12-01

We examined the correlation of wear effects with dielectric properties of carbon nanofibers (CNFs; untreated and organosilane-treated)-reinforced high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites. Wear testing for the nanocomposites over up to 120 h was carried out, and then, dielectric permittivity and dielectric loss factor of the polymer composites with the increased wear time were studied. Scanning electron microscope and optical microscope observations were made to analyze the microstructure features of the nanocomposites. The results reveal that there exist approximate linear relationships of permittivity with wear coefficient for the nanocomposites. Composites containing silanized CNFs with the sufficiently thick coating exhibited high wear resistance. The change in permittivity was more sensitive to the increased wear coefficient for the nanocomposites with lower wear resistance. This work provides potential for further research on the application of dielectric signals to detect the effects of wear process on lifetime of polymeric materials.

Electrically driven cation exchange for in situ fabrication of individual nanostructures

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Qiubo; Yin, Kuibo; Dong, Hui; ...

2017-04-12

Cation exchange (CE) has been recognized as a particularly powerful tool for the synthesis of heterogeneous nanocrystals. Presently, CE can be divided into two categories, namely ion solvation-driven CE reaction and thermally activated CE reaction. Here we report an electrically driven CE reaction to prepare individual nanostructures inside a transmission electron microscope. During the process, Cd is eliminated due to Ohmic heating, whereas Cu + migrates into the crystal driven by the electrical field force. Contrast experiments reveal that the feasibility of electrically driven CE is determined by the structural similarity of the sulfur sublattices between the initial and finalmore » phases, and the standard electrode potentials of the active electrodes. These experimental results demonstrate a strategy for the selective growth of individual nanocrystals and provide crucial insights into understanding of the microscopic pathways leading to the formation of heterogeneous structures.« less

Magnetic domain observation of FeCo thin films fabricated by alternate monoatomic layer deposition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ohtsuki, T., E-mail: ohtsuki@spring8.or.jp; Kotsugi, M.; Ohkochi, T.

2014-01-28

FeCo thin films are fabricated by alternate monoatomic layer deposition method on a Cu{sub 3}Au buffer layer, which in-plane lattice constant is very close to the predicted value to obtain a large magnetic anisotropy constant. The variation of the in-plane lattice constant during the deposition process is investigated by reflection high-energy electron diffraction. The magnetic domain images are also observed by a photoelectron emission microscope in order to microscopically understand the magnetic structure. As a result, element-specific magnetic domain images show that Fe and Co magnetic moments align parallel. A series of images obtained with various azimuth reveal that themore » FeCo thin films show fourfold in-plane magnetic anisotropy along 〈110〉 direction, and that the magnetic domain structure is composed only of 90∘ wall.« less

Analysis of microscopic parameters of surface charging in polymer caused by defocused electron beam irradiation.

PubMed

Liu, Jing; Zhang, Hai-Bo

2014-12-01

The relationship between microscopic parameters and polymer charging caused by defocused electron beam irradiation is investigated using a dynamic scattering-transport model. The dynamic charging process of an irradiated polymer using a defocused 30 keV electron beam is conducted. In this study, the space charge distribution with a 30 keV non-penetrating e-beam is negative and supported by some existing experimental data. The internal potential is negative, but relatively high near the surface, and it decreases to a maximum negative value at z=6 μm and finally tend to 0 at the bottom of film. The leakage current and the surface potential behave similarly, and the secondary electron and leakage currents follow the charging equilibrium condition. The surface potential decreases with increasing beam current density, trap concentration, capture cross section, film thickness and electron-hole recombination rate, but with decreasing electron mobility and electron energy. The total charge density increases with increasing beam current density, trap concentration, capture cross section, film thickness and electron-hole recombination rate, but with decreasing electron mobility and electron energy. This study shows a comprehensive analysis of microscopic factors of surface charging characteristics in an electron-based surface microscopy and analysis. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fully kinetic simulations of collisionless, mesothermal plasma emission: Macroscopic plume structure and microscopic electron characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Yuan; Wang, Joseph

2017-03-01

This paper presents a fully kinetic particle particle-in-cell simulation study on the emission of a collisionless plasma plume consisting of cold beam ions and thermal electrons. Results are presented for both the two-dimensional macroscopic plume structure and the microscopic electron kinetic characteristics. We find that the macroscopic plume structure exhibits several distinctive regions, including an undisturbed core region, an electron cooling expansion region, and an electron isothermal expansion region. The properties of each region are determined by microscopic electron kinetic characteristics. The division between the undisturbed region and the cooling expansion region approximately matches the Mach line generated at the edge of the emission surface, and that between the cooling expansion region and the isothermal expansion region approximately matches the potential well established in the beam. The interactions between electrons and the potential well lead to a new, near-equilibrium state different from the initial distribution for the electrons in the isothermal expansion region. The electron kinetic characteristics in the plume are also very anisotropic. As the electron expansion process is mostly non-equilibrium and anisotropic, the commonly used assumption that the electrons in a collisionless, mesothermal plasma plume may be treated as a single equilibrium fluid in general is not valid.

Revealing energy level structure of individual quantum dots by tunneling rate measured by single-electron sensitive electrostatic force spectroscopy.

PubMed

Roy-Gobeil, Antoine; Miyahara, Yoichi; Grutter, Peter

2015-04-08

We present theoretical and experimental studies of the effect of the density of states of a quantum dot (QD) on the rate of single-electron tunneling that can be directly measured by electrostatic force microscopy (e-EFM) experiments. In e-EFM, the motion of a biased atomic force microscope cantilever tip modulates the charge state of a QD in the Coulomb blockade regime. The charge dynamics of the dot, which is detected through its back-action on the capacitavely coupled cantilever, depends on the tunneling rate of the QD to a back-electrode. The density of states of the QD can therefore be measured through its effect on the energy dependence of tunneling rate. We present experimental data on individual 5 nm colloidal gold nanoparticles that exhibit a near continuous density of state at 77 K. In contrast, our analysis of already published data on self-assembled InAs QDs at 4 K clearly reveals discrete degenerate energy levels.

Linking Regions between Helices in Bacteriorhodopsin Revealed

PubMed Central

Agard, David A.; Stroud, Robert M.

1982-01-01

Three-dimensional electron-microscopic structural analysis requires the combination of many different tilted views of the same specimen. The relative difficulty of tilting the sample to high angles >60° without introducing severe distortion due to different focal distances across the specimen entails that the observable range of electron diffraction data is often limited to this range of angles. Thus, it is generally not possible to observe the diffraction maxima that lie within the conical region of reciprocal space around the direction perpendicular to the electron microscope grid. The absence of data in this region leads to a predictable distortion in the object, and for ±60° tilting makes the resolution essentially twice as bad in the direction perpendicular to the grid as it is for the in-plane image. Constrained density map modification and refinement methods can significantly reduce these effects. A method has been developed, tested on model cases, and applied to the electron-microscopic structure determination of bacteriorhodopsin in order to visualize the location of linking regions between helices. Electron-microscopic structural analysis of bacteriorhodopsin (Henderson and Unwin. 1975 Nature [Lond.] 257:28-32.) showed that the molecule consists of seven rods of density each nearly spanning the lipid bilayer. Owing to the distortion introduced by the missing conical region of reciprocal space data, no density was visible for the polypeptide segments linking the α-helices. Density in the refined maps indicates the location of at least five of the extrahelical segments of the polypeptide. The total number of possible ways of interconnecting the helices is reduced from 7! (5,040) to the five most consistent possibilities without recourse to other considerations. In addition, the density for the helical regions is more uniform and cylindrical throughout their length, and the length of the helices increases from 35 to 45 Å, close to the membrane thickness of 49 Å obtained for membranes dried in vacuo. Only three of the five structures consistent with the location of observed linkers place the seventh helix, onto which the chromophore can be attached by reduction in the light, at a position consistent with the main peak for deuterated retinal in the structure, as derived from neutron diffraction analysis. Two of these models are also consistent with the possible location of some of the reduced chromophore on helix B, at lys 40/41 after reduction in the dark, as well as lys 216 on helix G. ImagesFIGURE 8 PMID:7074187

Inclusion body disease in snakes: a review and description of three cases in boa constrictors in Belgium.

PubMed

Vancraeynest, D; Pasmans, F; Martel, A; Chiers, K; Meulemans, G; Mast, J; Zwart, P; Ducatelle, R

2006-06-03

Inclusion body disease, a fatal disorder in Boidae, is reviewed, and three cases in boa constrictors, the first reported cases in Belgium, are described. The snakes showed nervous signs, and numerous eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions, which are considered to be characteristic of the disease, were found in the liver and pancreas. The disease is suspected to be caused by a retrovirus, but transmission electron microscopic examinations of several tissues from one of the snakes did not reveal particles with a typical retroviral morphology.

Advanced STEM microanalysis of bimetallic nanoparticle catalysts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyman, Charles E.; Dimick, Paul S.

2012-05-01

Individual particles within bimetallic nanoparticle populations are not always identical, limiting the usefulness of bulk analysis techniques such as EXAFS. The scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) is the only instrument able to characterize supported nanoparticle populations on a particle-by-particle basis. Quantitative elemental analyses of sub-5-nm particles reveal phase separations among particles and surface segregation within particles. This knowledge can lead to improvements in bimetallic catalysts. Advanced STEMs with field-emission guns, aberration-corrected optics, and efficient signal detection systems allow analysis of sub-nanometer particles.

Solvothermal synthesis of Au@Fe3O4 nanoparticles for antibacterial applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kelgenbaeva, Zhazgul; Abdullaeva, Zhypargul; Murzubraimov, Bektemir

2018-04-01

We present Au@Fe3O4 nanoparticles obtained from Fe nanoparticles and HAuCl4 using a simple solvothermal method. Trisodium citrate (C6H5Na3O7*2H2O) served as a reducing agent for Au. X-ray diffraction analysis, electronic microscopes and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed cubic structure, elemental composition (Au, Fe and O) and spherical shape of nanoparticles. Antibacterial activity of the sample was tested against E. coli bacteria and obtained results were discussed.

Herpes simplex infection in a juvenile orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus).

PubMed

Kik, Maria J L; Bos, Jan H; Groen, Jan; Dorrestein, Gerry M

2005-03-01

A juvenile orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) died after 8 days of diarrhea and vomiting. Necropsy showed petechial hemorrhages in the skin, the myocardium, and the peritoneal membranes. The lungs were hyperemic and edematous, and the liver and spleen were enlarged. Histologic changes consisted of interstitial pneumonia, hepatitis, and splenic hyperplasia. Numerous eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were visible in pulmonary epithelial cells, hepatocytes, and splenic endothelial cells. Electron microscopic examination revealed herpesvirus in hepatocyte nuclei. Polymerase chain reaction of liver tissue demonstrated the presence of a herpes simplex virus-1.

Anisotropy of electrical resistivity in PVT grown WSe2-x crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solanki, G. K.; Patel, Y. A.; Agarwal, M. K.

2018-05-01

Single crystals of p-type WSe2 and WSe1.9 were grown by a physical vapour transport technique. The anisotropy in d.c. electrical resistivity was investigated in these grown crystals. The off-stoichiometric WSe1.9 exhibited a higher anisotropy ratio as compared to WSe2 crystals. The electron microscopic examination revealed the presence of a large number of stacking faults in these crystals. The resistivity enhancement along the c-axis and anisotropic effective mass ratio explained on the basis of structural disorder introduced due to off-stoichiometry.

Electrically pumped graphene-based Landau-level laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brem, Samuel; Wendler, Florian; Winnerl, Stephan; Malic, Ermin

2018-03-01

Graphene exhibits a nonequidistant Landau quantization with tunable Landau-level (LL) transitions in the technologically desired terahertz spectral range. Here, we present a strategy for an electrically driven terahertz laser based on Landau-quantized graphene as the gain medium. Performing microscopic modeling of the coupled electron, phonon, and photon dynamics in such a laser, we reveal that an inter-LL population inversion can be achieved resulting in the emission of coherent terahertz radiation. The presented paper provides a concrete recipe for the experimental realization of tunable graphene-based terahertz laser systems.