Applied Chemical and Morphological Analysis Laboratory Newsblog

Author: Sue Hill

Sue Hill is the Digital Content Manager for the College of Engineering.

Liz is on Vacation 10/23-10/28

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Dear ACMAL Users,

I wanted to inform you that I will be on vacation from October 23 through October 28th. During this period, if you encounter any issues or have any questions, please reach out to the following contacts:

  • For X-ray Facility questions, please contact
  • For Electron Optics Facility questions or sample preparation, please contact
  • For Scanning Probe Microscopy (AFM) & Surface Analysis (XPS) Facilities questions, please reach out to
  • For Confocal Imaging Facility questions, please contact
    • Dr. Marina Tanasova at 906-487-1163 or email mtanasov@mtu.edu (Cell Culture Lab & Flow Cytometer)
  • In case of an emergency, call public safety by dialing 911.

These individuals, as experts in their respective areas, will be able to assist you promptly. However, please note that for general inquiries or matters not specific to a particular area, it is best to contact me upon my return.

I have complete confidence in the ACMAL team’s abilities to handle any issues that may arise during my absence. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. I will be sure to get back to you promptly upon my return on October 30th.

Wishing you all continued success with your research.

Best regards,

Liz

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Protochips Events on September 22, 2023

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Jennifer McConnell
Jennifer McConnell

Seminar

Using Machine Vision to Drive Nanoscale Discoveries That Solve Real-World Problems

Jennifer McConnell

Senior Manager of Marketing & Product Management, Protochips

1 p.m. in ChemSci 102, Zoom available.

Lunch and Learn—In situ TEM

Minerals and Materials 607

Session 1 Corrosion: 11:15 a.m.–12 p.m.

Corrosion is a $2.6 trillion dollar problem that accounts for 3.4% of the global GDP, therefore it is well understood that testing and developing better materials to increase the durability of infrastructure such as bridges and ships could save $375-$875 billion annually. To develop resistant materials and corrosion-effective mitigation strategies, a deeper understanding of materials used, and the corrosion processes must first be elucidated.

Using the in-situ TEM systems from Protochips such as the Atmosphere AX (gas cell) and Poseidon AX (liquid cell), researchers can directly observe corrosion processes such as initiation and progression at the nanoscale in real time and under relevant conditions. By introducing corrosive environments while simultaneously monitoring material responses, valuable insights into the kinetics of corrosion reactions can be observed at the nanoscale.

Session 2 Catalysis: 12:15–1 p.m.

To combat climate change and the release of harmful chemicals in the environment, highly efficient catalysts must be developed. Using Atmosphere AX, the in-situ gas cell system from Protochips, researchers can investigate the morphology and atomic structure of catalyst materials, including nanoparticles, nanowires, and other nanostructures to develop more stable and sustainable catalytic systems. Moreover, in-situ TEM allows researchers to perform nanostructure characterization of catalyst-substrate interactions at high spatial resolutions to better understand catalytic processes including formation and evolution of reaction intermediates, surface restructuring, and catalyst deactivation in real time and under relevant catalytic conditions.

Register to attend once per session.

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Researchers Contribute to the Database on the Magnetic Properties of Meteorites

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Cover of Icarus

Aleksey Smirnov (GMES) and Katie Bristol ’20 (M.S. Geophysics), currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Florida, collaborated as co-authors on a research paper published in Icarus, a prestigious journal renowned in the field of planetary science.

The paper is titled “Magnetic characterization of the Daule chondrite (Ecuador’s first meteorite fall): The case of elusive tetrataenite?”

The study also involved researchers hailing from Ecuador, Iceland and Norway.

Two representative samples of bulk Daule material were analyzed using an FEI Philips XL 40 Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) at the Applied Chemical and Morphological Analysis Laboratory at Michigan Technological University (MTU).

  • The morphology and texture of mineral grains were examined using backscattered electron (BSE) imaging.
  • The elemental composition of the material was determined through energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) using a ∼ 15 kV accelerating voltage.
  • Basic elemental mapping was performed.

The new data contribute to the database on the magnetic properties of meteorites, in which meteorites of Daule’s type are underrepresented.

K.E. Bristol, A.V. Smirnov, E.J. Piispa, M.R. Ramirez Navas, A. Kosterov, E.V. Kulakov, Magnetic characterization of the Daule chondrite (Ecuador’s first meteorite fall): The case of elusive tetrataenite?, Icarus, Volume 404, 2023.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115684

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ACMAL Welcomes EOF Lab Assistant Devon Miner

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We would like to officially welcome our new lab assistant Devon Miner. Devon is an undergraduate in the Physics department and is planning on going to graduate school to study how to apply physics to nanotechnology. He enjoys outdoor activities throughout the entire year with some of his personal favorites being hiking and skiing. You can contact Devon if you need assistance with sample preparation or coating.

Devon Miner
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Under the Titan Lens: Microscope Takes Research to Atomic-Level

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Under the Titan Lens: Microscope Takes Research to Atomic-Level

Tiny things lead to big discoveries in the Electron Optics Facility that houses Titan, the ultra-sensitive microscope that analyzes materials at the atomic level. The Titan Themis Scanning Transmission Microscope, or S-TEM, has its own dedicated and stabilized space, complete with water-cooled temperature controls and back-up power. A powerful tool in an extensive array of electron microanalytical and X-ray instruments in Michigan Tech’s Applied Chemical and Morphological Analysis Laboratory (ACMAL), Titan is one of only two microscopes of its kind in the state of Michigan. In addition to high-resolution images, Titan can also perform fractional or chemical analysis. Its applications are useful in many research areas, including health, industrial, and technology. The electron optics facility is managed by Erico Freitas, a research scientist who runs the majority of samples but also trains students on how to use the equipment.

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Funding Announcement: Seedling Research

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Sample preparation on a benchtop.

Planting the Seeds of Research

Are you a:

  • Tenured, tenure-track, or research faculty?
  • Post-doctoral researcher?
  • Michigan Tech staff member?

Are you planning to seek funds for research elsewhere, but require start-up money to develop your proposal?

If so, you are eligible to apply for Seedling Research Funding opportunities of up to $1,000.

The Applied Chemical and Morphological Analysis Laboratory (ACMAL) at Michigan Tech has set aside $4,000 to fund pre-proposal research. These funds are designed to be granted to those who need to do preliminary investigations and data collection, which will then be used to develop a proposal for research funding from another source.

Learn More and Apply

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