Category: News

Gold Quantum Dots Observed with S-TEM

Gold Quantum DotYoke Khin Yap, professor of physics at Michigan Tech, led the study. He explains that the behavior his team observed — atomic-level manipulation of gold quantum dots — can be seen with a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). The STEM’s high-powered beam of electrons enables researchers like Yap to watch atomic movement in real-time and the view reveals how gold atoms interact with the surface of boron nitride nanotubes. Basically, the gold atoms glide along the surface of the nanotubes and, they stabilize in a hover just above the hexagon honeycomb of the boron nitride nanotubes.

Read more at Michigan Tech News, by Allison Mills.

Related:

Atomic Zoom: Michigan Tech’s Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope

S-TEM Images for Al-Sc Alloy

S-TEM Al Sc imagesPaul Sanders, Patrick Horvath Endowed Associate Professor of materials science and engineering, and materials science and engineering graduate student Yang Yang, are trying to strengthen aluminum by adding scandium to it.

The aberration-corrected FEI Titan Themis scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) in Michigan Tech’s Applied Chemical and Morphological Analysis Laboratory, makes an electron beam less than an atom in width. This allows researchers to scan through samples one atom column at a time. Additionally, the lab has a SuperXTM X-ray detector, which is an array of four detectors to collect four times more X-rays than a conventional detector.

Combining the two techniques, researchers can element map at atomic resolution.

Read more at Unscripted, by Kelley Christensen.

Related:

S-TEM Provides Insight to Alloy Behavior

New EOF Lab Assistant Elizabeth (Fraki) Miller

Elizabeth (Fraki) Miller
Elizabeth (Fraki) Miller

My name is Elizabeth (Fraki) Miller. I have a bachelor’s degree in Forest Science from Michigan Tech. I am highly involved with several local groups including Ski Tigers, Singletrack Flyers, the SöKē Trails, and the Keweenaw Homeschoolers. I am interested in Nutritional Biochemistry and plan to pursue a Master’s Degree in Chemistry. I enjoy mountain biking, weight lifting, yoga, and cross country skiing.

S-TEM Provides Insight to Alloy Behavior

S-TEM MappingMaterials Science doctoral candidate Deji Fadayomi, and professors Paul Sanders and Gregory Odegard, are working on these precipitation-strengthening mechanisms in aluminum-based alloys. This atomic-resolution image and elemental maps of precipitates were obtained in aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (AC-STEM) at Michigan Tech’s Applied Chemical and Morphological Analysis Laboratory (ACMAL) to better understand alloy behavior at an atomic level.

Read more at Be Brief: Strength, by Kelley Christensen.

S-TEM Live Lab Tour Video Spring 2018

Michigan Tech faculty and staff presented a live tour of the FEI 200kV Titan Themis S-TEM facility on Facebook last Wednesday, February 14, 2018.

Introducing the tour was Kelley Christensen, science and technology publications writer for University Marketing and Communications. Steve Hackney, a professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, talked about the atomic scale science and engineering taking place in the housing facility, the Advanced Technology Development Complex (ATDC).

ACMAL Director Owen Mills discussed sample preparation procedures. S-TEM specialist Pinaki Mukherjee demonstrated operation of the instrument and its capabilities.

Facebook Video | YouTube Video

Related:

Atomic Zoom: Michigan Tech’s Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope

Danielle Langdon

Danielle Langdon
Danielle Langdon

Danielle Langdon is a new lab assistant in the Electron Optics Facility, working under Owen Mills.

My name is Danielle Langdon. I am currently an undergraduate student in Michigan Tech’s Chemistry program. I’ve lived in the Copper Country for half of my life now and graduated from Hancock Central High. While I was in high school I was active JROTC and Drill Team. I am currently finishing my undergraduate degree and will be graduating in the Spring of 2017. After I graduate, I am interested in pursuing a career in Forensics. When I am not in school or working, I enjoy kayaking, rugby, and self-taught programming.