Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Frances Quigley, Patrick McBean, Peter O'Donovan, Jonathan J. P. Peters, Lewys Jones
Summary: This study examines the factors affecting the image quality of gold nanoparticles imaged in a low-voltage transmission electron microscope, and proposes a methodology for selecting the optimum energy spread.
MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Jun'an Lei, Nanxiang Zheng, Xiaobao Chen, Jiefu Bi, Xirong Wu
Summary: The micro-texture of the aggregate plays a crucial role in the anti-skid performance of asphalt pavement. Sandstone exhibits the best anti-skid performance, followed by magmatic rock and limestone.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Microscopy
Marek Malac, Jesus Alejandro Marin Calzada, Mark Salomons, Darren Homeniuk, Patrick Price, Martin Cloutier, Misa Hayashida, Doug Vick, Sean Chen, Suliat Yakubu, Zhengxu (Darren) Wen, Marcus Leeson, Mohammad Kamal, Jason Pitters, John Kim, Xuanhao Wang, Olivier Adkin-Kaya, Ray Egerton
Summary: NanoMi is an open source electron microscopy platform that offers a modular and flexible design, suitable for various applications such as education and experimental development. It is capable of SEM, TEM, STEM, and ED imaging modes, with an expected resolution of around 10 nanometers.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ondrej Dyck, Andrew R. Lupini, Stephen Jesse
Summary: The engineering of quantum materials involves the development of tools for synthesis and characterization challenges. One key factor is atomic-scale modification for desired atomic structures. The use of scanning transmission electron microscopes (STEMs) allows for atomic-scale material manipulation but obstacles like in situ material delivery exist. This article presents progress on in situ thermal deposition platform for synthesis processes in a scanning transmission electron microscope.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Yu-Jing Zhang, Dong-Yu Chen, Xue-Ting Chao, Zi-Shu Dong, Zong-You Huang, Xia-Lin Zheng, Wen Lu
Summary: This study investigated the antennal sensilla of Copidosomopsis nacoleiae through scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Six types of sensilla were identified on the antennae, with different distribution patterns and potential functions discussed. Future research on host location mechanisms will build upon these observations.
MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ondrej Dyck, Andrew R. Lupini, Stephen Jesse
Summary: In this study, we demonstrate an electron beam direct-write process in an aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope. This process differs from conventional electron-beam-induced deposition techniques as it uses a different mechanism and elemental tin (Sn) as a precursor to enable atom-by-atom direct writing. The atomic-sized electron beam is used to generate chemically reactive point defects in a graphene substrate, allowing the precursor atoms to migrate and bond to the defect sites for deposition.
Article
Plant Sciences
Bernd Zechmann, Stefan Moestl, Guenther Zellnig
Summary: Focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) and serial sectioning transmission electron microscopy (ssTEM) are powerful tools for the 3D reconstruction and volumetric extraction of plant cells, and there are differences between the two methods.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Kunhua Zhou, Zhizheng Wu, Tianyu Zhang, Feng Li, Azhar Iqbal, Suresh Sivanandam
Summary: A laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) is widely used in the field of biological detection to study sub-micron structures. However, the optical aberrations introduced by living biological tissue limit the illumination depth of LSCMs and affect the image resolution. In this study, an image-based adaptive optics technology with an optimized stochastic parallel gradient descent (SPGD) algorithm and adaptive coefficient is proposed to minimize the effect of optical aberrations. Experimental results show that this adaptive optics system effectively reduces aberration interference during depth imaging.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher S. Allen, Fouad Ghamouss, Ouassim Boujibar, Peter J. F. Harris
Summary: Non-graphitizing carbons (NGCs) are a class of solid carbons that cannot be converted into graphite even with high-temperature heat treatment. Despite decades of research, there is still no consensus on their atomic structure and resistance to graphitization. In this study, aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate an activated carbon, revealing the presence of pentagonal and heptagonal carbon rings. These findings support a model of NGC structure composed of curved fragments with non-hexagonal rings dispersed randomly throughout hexagonal networks.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY A-MATHEMATICAL PHYSICAL AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Susumu Yamada
Summary: This study utilized a spherical aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope to analyze the electronic structures of dislocations in 9Cr steel, observing that dislocations broaden a zero-loss peak and induce an absorption phenomenon. The use of a spectrum-imaging method allows imaging of dislocations, providing a promising technique for detecting dislocations in high Cr steel.
PHILOSOPHICAL MAGAZINE LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Reshma Sinha, Rajinder Jindal
Summary: The study evaluated the effects of malachite green on the gills of Cyprinus carpio, revealing histopathological lesions and ultrastructural alterations at both cellular and tissue levels. The findings indicated damage to cellular nuclei and mitochondria, as well as impairment of antioxidative enzymes, ultimately leading to branchial toxicity in the fish.
BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kazuhiko Nakadate, Chiaki Sono, Homura Mita, Yuki Itakura, Kiyoharu Kawakami
Summary: Liver dysfunction is the main cause of hepatic encephalopathy, but the histopathological changes in the brain associated with hepatic encephalopathy remain unclear. In this study, a mouse model of acute hepatic encephalopathy was used to investigate the pathological changes in the liver and brain. The results indicated that hepatocyte swelling and cytoplasmic vacuolization progressed over time in the liver tissue, while histopathological changes such as perivascular astrocyte swelling and abnormalities in neuronal organelles were observed in the brain. Additionally, delayed neuronal atrophy and continued brain cytotoxicity were observed even after consciousness recovery.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yunzhe Zheng, Yuke Zhang, Tianjiao Xin, Yilin Xu, Shuangquan Qu, Junding Zheng, Zhaomeng Gao, Qilan Zhong, Yiwei Wang, Xiaoyu Feng, Yonghui Zheng, Yan Cheng, Ruiwen Shao, Fang Lin, Xiaoling Lin, He Tian, Rong Huang, Chungang Duan, Hangbing Lyu
Summary: This study used advanced electron microscopy techniques to investigate domain walls in Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 thin films. Different types of domain walls exhibited varying migration behaviors in response to the concentration of oxygen vacancies. Point defects and changes in the local strain field were found to drive domain wall switching in this material. These findings provide insights into the atomic-scale characteristics of domain walls and improve our understanding of the ferroelectric properties of Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 thin films.
MATERIALS TODAY NANO
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
O. Dyck, M. Ziatdinov, S. Jesse, F. Bao, A. Yousefzadi Nobakht, A. Maksov, B. G. Sumpter, R. Archibald, K. J. H. Law, S. Kalinin
Summary: The structure, bonding, and chemical dynamics of reactions at surfaces and interfaces are closely tied to the energetic landscape where each atom resides. Moving atoms under electron beam excitation can be utilized to probe energy landscapes along confined step edges, offering insights into atomic-scale potentials and the possibility for predictive atom-by-atom fabrication.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ondrej Dyck, Sinchul Yeom, Andrew R. Lupini, Jacob L. Swett, Dale Hensley, Mina Yoon, Stephen Jesse
Summary: Atomic-scale engineering combines bottom-up and top-down approaches to achieve atomic-scale precision patterning in twisted bilayer graphene, using an aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) and controlled ejection of carbon atoms. The application of global and local parameters allows for spontaneous arrangement of atoms and migration of adatoms on the material surface. Image-based feedback control facilitates the attachment of arbitrary patterns of atoms and atom clusters with limited human intervention. The role of substrate temperature in adatom and vacancy diffusion is studied through simulations.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xueli Zheng, Xin Gao, Rafael A. Vila, Yue Jiang, Jingyang Wang, Rong Xu, Rui Zhang, Xin Xiao, Pu Zhang, Louisa C. Greenburg, Yufei Yang, Huolin L. Xin, Xiaolin Zheng, Yi Cui
Summary: Researchers have developed a hydrogen-substituted graphdiyne-assisted ultrafast sparking synthesis (GAUSS) platform for the preparation of metastable nanomaterials. By controlling the composition and chemistry of the hydrogen-substituted graphdiyne aerogel framework, the reaction temperature can be tuned from 1,640 K to 3,286 K. The versatility of the GAUSS platform has been demonstrated through the successful synthesis of single atoms, high-entropy alloys, and high-entropy oxides.
NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fangqing Wang, Ying Li, Rui Zhang, Hui Liu, Yangyang Zhang, Xuerong Zheng, Jun Zhang, Cong Chen, Shijian Zheng, Huolin L. Xin
Summary: A Si-doped Ni-NC catalyst (Ni-SiNC) with high activity and excellent stability was reported in this work. The single-atom Ni site in Ni-SiNC is coordinated with one Si atom and three N atoms, forming a Ni-Si1N3 moiety. The Ni-SiNC catalyst exhibits a half-wave potential of 0.866 V versus RHE and only a 10 mV negative shift in E-1/2 after 35,000 cycles, demonstrating its remarkable durability and stability.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenjun He, Rui Zhang, Da Cao, Ying Li, Jun Zhang, Qiuyan Hao, Hui Liu, Jianling Zhao, Huolin L. Xin
Summary: In this study, a self-supported microporous Ni(OH)x/Ni3S2 heterostructure electrocatalyst was designed and fabricated, exhibiting exceptional performance in alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at large current density. The electrocatalyst possesses super-hydrophilic property and long-term durability.
Review
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Javier Junquera, Yousra Nahas, Sergei Prokhorenko, Laurent Bellaiche, Jorge iniguez, Darrell G. Schlom, Long-Qing Chen, Sayeef Salahuddin, David A. Muller, Lane W. Martin, R. Ramesh
Summary: The past decade has witnessed significant progress in understanding emergent topological polar textures in oxide nanostructures, including vortices, skyrmions, merons, hopfions, dipolar waves, and labyrinthine domains. The discovery of low-dimensional ferroelectric oxide nanostructures has altered the perceived energy cost associated with the formation of these structures, allowing for manipulation of order parameters. This review provides a historical context, scientific description, and discussion of the potential applications and future challenges in this field.
REVIEWS OF MODERN PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yao Yang, Yu-Tsun Shao, Jianbo Jin, Julian Feijoo, Inwhan Roh, Sheena Louisia, Sunmoon Yu, Maria V. Fonseca Guzman, Chubai Chen, David A. Muller, Hector D. Abruna, Peidong Yang
Summary: The design and synthesis of nanocatalysts with well-defined sizes, compositions, and structures have greatly enhanced our ability to control catalyst activity and selectivity for energy-related electrochemical reactions. By using operando electrochemical liquid-cell scanning transmission electron microscopy (EC-STEM), the dynamic evolution of Cu nanocatalysts during CO2 electroreduction was observed, providing valuable insights into their active states. With further technical advancements, operando EC-STEM is expected to become a powerful electroanalytical method for studying nanoscale electrocatalysts at solid/liquid interfaces.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marco Sanna Angotzi, Valentina Mameli, Dominika Zakutna, Fausto Secci, Huolin L. Xin, Carla Cannas
Summary: Cubic bi-magnetic hard-soft core-shell nanoarchitectures were synthesized using cobalt ferrite nanoparticles as seeds. The study investigated the formation mechanism of homogenous and heterogenous nucleation and found the critical size for phase separation and absence of seeds for heterogenous nucleation. These findings have implications for tailoring the synthesis process to achieve better control of magnetic and performance properties for applications in heat mediation and data storage devices.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chunyang Wang, Han Wang, Lei Tao, Xinyi Wang, Penghui Cao, Feng Lin, Huolin L. Xin
Summary: By combining in situ electron microscopy and atomistic simulations, the nucleation and growth mechanisms of Li metal on carbon are deciphered at the nanoscale. It is found that Li atoms rapidly aggregate to form droplet-shaped nanoparticles upon nucleation and tend to coalesce through diffusion mediated fusion. The nucleation of Li follows a mixed mode and the droplet-like Li particles transform into faceted crystals driven by surface energy minimization as the particle size increases. The coalescence and morphological evolution of Li particles are facilitated by size-dependent Li diffusivity. This work provides new insights into the deposition/stripping mechanism of Li metal by unraveling the fundamental nano- and atomic-scale pathways dominating nucleation and growth behaviors.
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zhaohui Wu, Chunyang Wang, Zeyu Hui, Haodong Liu, Shen Wang, Sicen Yu, Xing Xing, John Holoubek, Qiushi Miao, Huolin L. L. Xin, Ping Liu
Summary: Controlling the nucleation and growth is essential for enabling long-life Li-metal batteries. Here, the authors report the growth of faceted single-crystalline Li seeds on a lithiophobic Fe/LiF composite substrate that enables dense Li deposition under fast-charging conditions. A cell using a 3 mAh cm(-2) LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (LiNMC811) cathode, onefold excess of lithium and 3 g Ah(-1) electrolyte cycles at a 1 C rate for more than 130 cycles with 80% capacity retention, a 550% improvement over the baseline cells. These findings advance the understanding of lithium nucleation and pave the way for realizing high-energy, fast-charging Li-metal batteries.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ethan G. Arnault, Athby H. Al-Tawhid, Salva Salmani-Rezaie, David A. Muller, Divine P. Kumah, Mohammad S. Bahramy, Gleb Finkelstein, Kaveh Ahadi
Summary: A two-dimensional, anisotropic superconductivity was found at the KTaO3(111) interfaces, which violates the Pauli limit and is robust against in-plane magnetic field. The study shows that the Cooper pairs are more resilient when the bias is along [112] and the magnetic field is along [110]. The anisotropic nature of superconductivity is discussed in the context of electronic structure, orbital character, and spin texture at the KTaO3(111) interfaces.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Peichao Zou, Chunyang Wang, Jiayi Qin, Rui Zhang, Huolin L. Xin
Summary: A reactive wetting strategy is used to achieve conformal and highly reversible Li0 plating/stripping, which significantly improves the reversibility of Li0 batteries.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zeming Sun, Darrah K. Dare, Zhaslan Baraissov, David A. Muller, Michael O. Thompson, Matthias U. Liepe
Summary: It has been believed that intermetallic Nb3Sn alloys form through Sn diffusion into Nb. However, our findings of significant oxygen content in Nb3Sn led us to investigate alternative formation mechanisms. Through experiments with different oxide interfaces, we have demonstrated a thermodynamic route that challenges the conventional Sn diffusion mechanism and highlights the involvement of a SnOx intermediate phase. This new mechanism provides principles for growth optimization and synthesis of high-quality Nb3Sn superconductors.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
L. van Deurzen, J. Singhal, J. Encomendero, N. Pieczulewski, C. S. Chang, Y. Cho, D. A. Muller, H. G. Xing, D. Jena, O. Brandt, J. Laehnemann
Summary: Using low-temperature cathodoluminescence spectroscopy, the properties of N- and Al- polar AlN layers grown on bulk AlN{0001} by molecular beam epitaxy are studied. Both polarities of layers exhibit a suppression of deep-level luminescence compared to the bulk AlN substrate, a total absence of the prevalent donor with an exciton binding energy of 28 meV, and a much increased intensity of the emission from free excitons. The dominant donor in these layers has an associated exciton binding energy of 13 meV. Additionally, the observation of excited exciton states up to the exciton continuum allows for the direct extraction of the Γ(5) free exciton binding energy of 57 meV.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ming Zhou, Dasol Yoon, Yao Yang, Lihua Zhang, Can Li, Hongsen Wang, Anju Sharma, Shaojie Jiang, David A. A. Muller, Heictor D. Abruna, Jiye Fang
Summary: We developed a simple method to synthesize uniform-sized (9 nm) CoMn2O4 spinel nano-octahedra with {101} facets. Compared to their spherical counterparts and previously reported spinel electrocatalysts, these nano-octahedra exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media. They achieved a high mass activity (MA) of 60.0 A/g at 0.85 V, surpassing their spherical counterparts (38.6 A/g). The CoMn2O4 nano-octahedra also showed favorable stability, maintaining an MA of 47.2 A/g after 10,000 durability cycles. This study highlights the promising approach of synthesizing advanced spinel nanooxides with controlled crystal facets for nonprecious metal ORR electrocatalysts, emphasizing the significance of catalyst shape control.
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chunyang Wang, Xuelong Wang, Peichao Zou, Rui Zhang, Shefang Wang, Bohang Song, Ke-Bin Low, Huolin L. Xin
Summary: Understanding the chemomechanical degradation of layered oxide cathodes is crucial for the development of next-generation lithium-ion battery cathodes. Current understanding of their mechanical failure is limited to cracking, while our study reveals a stress-driven phase degradation mechanism caused by severe lattice bending and interlayer shear. This stress-driven phase transformation is a typical degradation modality widely existing in the material. Our work provides new insights into the mechanical deformation-induced phase transformation in layered oxide cathodes through deep-learning-aided super-resolution imaging and density functional theory calculations.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peichao Zou, Chunyang Wang, Yubin He, Huolin L. Xin
Summary: This study presents a universal solid electrolyte design that allows for a wide range of ceramic LICs to be used in solid-state lithium batteries. The design eliminates the need for electronic insulation or chemical stability in ceramic LICs.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
