Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiaolong Liu, Matthew S. Rahn, Qiyuan Ruan, Boris Yakobson, Mark C. Hersam
Summary: This study evaluates the oxidation mechanism of borophene upon exposure to air and molecular oxygen in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV). It finds that borophene degrades rapidly in air but undergoes controlled oxidation in UHV with molecular oxygen. By characterizing the atomic-scale changes and providing insights into the pathways, this study informs the efforts to utilize borophene in ambient conditions.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Z. Ruan, Jianchen Lu, Baijin Li, Qizan Chen, Zhenliang Hao, Lei Gao, Jinming Cai
Summary: In this study, a comprehensive investigation of intrinsic defects in single-layer WS2 grown by chemical vapor deposition was conducted. The results provide guidance for future targeted defect engineering and doping of single-layer transition metal dichalcogenides.
MATERIALS TODAY PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mark P. Oxley, Maxim Ziatdinov, Ondrej Dyck, Andrew R. Lupini, Rama Vasudevan, Sergei V. Kalinin
Summary: The 4D scanning transmission electron microscopy method maps the structure and functionality of solids at the atomic scale, providing data sets describing interatomic electric and magnetic fields, symmetry breaking distortions, etc. The use of rotationally invariant variational autoencoders helps to reduce complex 4D-STEM data to physically relevant descriptors and can be applied to probing symmetry-breaking phenomena in complex systems.
NPJ COMPUTATIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jing Chang, Bo Liu, James S. Grundy, Huaizhi Shao, Rogerio Manica, Zhen Li, Qingxia Liu, Zhenghe Xu
Summary: In this study, atomic force microscopy was used to image the surface lattice structure of kaolinite basal planes in liquids, revealing distinct ion adsorption characteristics in the presence and absence of monovalent and divalent cations through different mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Laura Silvestroni, Simone Failla, Nicola Gilli, Cesare Melandri, Umut Savac, Servet Turan, Diletta Sciti
Summary: This study investigates the microstructural features of B4C-TiB2 composites and their evolution from powder processing to sintering. Nanoindentation was used to correlate small-scale grain structures to local properties, providing insights into mechanical behavior. The development of a core/shell structure with different compositions and variable guest cations in the boride grains was observed in dense ceramics, revealing new findings for the synthesis of high-performance materials.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Sixue Zheng, Scott X. Mao
Summary: With the trend of miniaturizing electronic devices, the mechanical behavior of atomic-scale metal materials becomes crucial, as small-sized materials exhibit superior mechanical properties. This review summarizes the latest experimental techniques and advances, and discusses future research directions.
EXTREME MECHANICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hairong Wu, Genglin Li, Jirui Hou, Kai Sotthewes
Summary: This review systematically elaborates on the fundamentals, growth mechanisms, and dynamics of thin organic layers, particularly thiol-based self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au(111), given their relevance in various fields. The review focuses on the structural and dynamical features of SAMs, with emphasis on the powerful technique of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) for characterization. The diverse dynamics of different SAMs, including phase transitions and molecular-level structural changes, are also discussed. Overall, this review aims to provide a better understanding and new insights into the dynamical events occurring in organic SAMs and how to characterize these processes.
ADVANCES IN COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Rui Xue, Ye Tao, Haoxiu Sun, Weiyu Liu, Zhenyou Ge, Tianyi Jiang, Hongyuan Jiang, Fang Han, Yu Li, Yukun Ren
Summary: Gallium-based liquid metal droplets have precise and sensitive controllability under an electric field, but lack a way to transmit motion outwardly. Therefore, a driving module is proposed to generate rotational motion outside the solution for universality, aiming to overcome the current obstacle in research.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ed Darnbrough, Jack Aspinall, Mauro Pasta, David E. J. Armstrong
Summary: In this paper, in-situ nanoindentation is used to investigate the anisotropic mechanical properties of metallic lithium, which is the desired anode material for high energy density solid state batteries. It is found that the elastic modulus and creep properties of lithium show a significant range depending on sample preparation and testing method. The study also reveals the impact of strain-rate and temperature on battery cycle performance. The global equation for yield strength with strain-rate is established to explain the variations in property values reported in the literature. These findings provide important insights for optimizing the design of solid state batteries and reducing the required pressure.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ethan L. Lawrence, Barnaby D. A. Levin, Tara Boland, Shery L. Y. Chang, Peter A. Crozier
Summary: The study characterized the variation of oxygen vacancy creation and annihilation rates on oxide nanoparticle surfaces using in situ transmission electron microscopy, revealing that low coordination number sites and locally strained sites exhibit enhanced surface oxygen vacancy activity.
Review
Optics
Mengxiong Liu, Xide Li
Summary: In the past three decades, there has been explosive development in micro/nano science and technology, with significant research efforts in synthesizing materials and fabricating devices at micro- and nano-scale. Unusual mechanical behaviors of materials and devices at reduced sizes and dimensions have posed open questions to researchers, advancing the framework of mechanics through theory, modeling, and experimental tools. Researchers worldwide have actively contributed to measuring mechanical parameters and understanding mechanical behaviors at micro- and nano-scale, with optical methods still an exciting research area in the field of mechanical property measurement of materials and devices at small scales.
OPTICS AND LASERS IN ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Melissa C. Piontek, Rafael B. Lira, Wouter H. Roos
Summary: The interest in the mechanics of synthetic and biological vesicles has been growing, with liposomes and extracellular vesicles (EVs) being investigated mechanically. The study of mechanical properties is crucial in understanding biological processes such as budding and cellular uptake mechanisms. Different techniques like nanoindentation and micropipette aspiration are used to probe the mechanical properties of vesicles, which play a significant role in nanotechnology applications and drug delivery systems.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENERAL SUBJECTS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruichun Luo, Meng Gao, Chunwen Wang, Juntong Zhu, Roger Guzman, Wu Zhou
Summary: This review provides an overview of the static and in situ investigation of functional structures, defects, and interfaces in 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), primarily utilizing scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. Recent advancements in in situ visualization and manipulation of 2D TMDs using electron beams are also highlighted.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Optics
Verena Richter, Peter Lanzerstorfer, Julian Weghuber, Herbert Schneckenburger
Summary: Methods such as super-resolution microscopy and molecular sensing are used to probe small distances in living cells, with a main requirement being low light exposure for cell viability and avoiding photobleaching. Techniques like SIM, Axial Tomography, and TIRFM, alone or in combination, are employed to measure cell structure and molecular parameters, revealing the sensitivity of cellular signaling processes.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lucia Lattanzi, Andrea Etienne, Ziyu Li, Tushar Manjunath, Nirmal Nixon, Anders Eric Wollmar Jarfors, Samuel Ayowole Awe
Summary: This study investigates the effect of different additions of nickel and zirconium on the matrix alloy of Al-SiC metal matrix composites to enhance their high-temperature performance. The addition of nickel led to a continuous improvement in the mechanical response, while the addition of zirconium did not have the same effect.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2022)
