Browse Topic: Microscopy
Innovators at NASA Johnson Space Center have developed a handheld digital microscope to fill the critical microscopy needs of human space exploration by providing flight crews in situ hematological diagnostic and tracking ability to assess and monitor crew health in the absence of gravity. Although currently in use aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to work in conjunction with NASA’s handheld slide staining system, the microscope may have numerous applications here on Earth.
A novel sintering method of bridging the two mechanically polished and oriented single-crystals together face-to-face in a non- environmental controlled atmosphere to fabricate the bicrystal substrate of NaCl of macroscopic thickness, with a common zone axis and having planarity over large areas, has been developed. Epitaxial [001] bicrystalline thin face-centered cubic (fcc) metal film of surface-reactive metal-containing tilt grain boundary across the interface is first grown in high vacuum directly by flash deposition on initially fabricated [001] oriented bicrystalline substrate of NaCl. The [001] tilt boundary, thus produced, and is examined by electron microscopy to characterize grain boundary morphology and structure. The findings of some preliminary investigations are then presented. A distinct atomic structure is observed for 310 and 210 inclination. Both HAADF-STEM and Diffraction images reveal that such fabricated high-angle grain boundary accommodates minor deviations from
The solar-based hybrid automotive vehicle represents a trend marked by technological excellence, offering an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly solution. Besides, the enhancement of solar absorption due to poor weather is influenced by poor solar power with reduced photocurrent density. This research focuses on enhancing the solar power and photocurrent density of conventional solar cells featuring aluminium-doped zinc oxide thin films (AZO) using the Mist Chemical Vapor Deposition (MIST CVD) process with a zinc acetate precursor solution processed at temperatures ranging from 200 to 400°C. To investigate the effect of AZO on the functional behaviour of solar cells, microstructural studies utilizing scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction reveal the concentration of AZO and the alignment of Al/ZnO peaks as even. As a result, this research demonstrates a 21% increase in solar power output compared to conventional Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) cells, with an improvement in
Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a rapidly growing additive manufacturing method employed for printing fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Nonetheless, the performance of printed parts is often constrained by inherent defects. This study investigates how the varying annealing parameter affects the tribological properties of FDM-produced polypropylene carbon fiber composites. The composite pin specimens were created in a standard size of 35 mm height and 12 mm diameter, based on the specifications of the tribometer pin holder. The impact of high-temperature annealing process parameters are explored, specifically annealing temperature and duration, while maintaining a fixed cooling rate. Two set of printed samples were taken for post-annealing at temperature of 85°C for 60 and 90 min, respectively. The tribological properties were evaluated using a dry pin-on-disc setup and examined both pre- (as-built) and post-annealing at temperature of 85°C for 60 and 90 min printed samples
A classical way to image nanoscale structures in cells is with high-powered, expensive super-resolution microscopes. As an alternative, MIT researchers have developed a way to expand tissue before imaging it — a technique that allows them to achieve nanoscale resolution with a conventional light microscope.
The development of advanced high-strength steels has become essential in the production of lightweight, safe, and more economical vehicles within the context of the automotive industry. Among the advanced high-strength steels, complex phase steels stand out, characterized by their high formability and high energy absorption and deformation capacity. Laser welding is a technique that applies laser using high energy density as a heat source. It has the advantages that the high welding speed and low heat input compared to other welding methods cause a decrease in deformation, and the narrow width of the weld bead and heat-affected zone allows for the welding of complex parts that would be difficult for other welding methods. Based on a study of a complex phase steel, an analysis was made of the microstructures observed by optical microscopy, the grain boundaries and certain phases contained in this microstructure, as well as the microstructures of each area in the laser welding region
Lithium iron phosphate is one of the most important materials for batteries in electric cars, stationary energy storage systems, and tools. It has a long service life, is comparatively inexpensive and does not tend to spontaneously combust. Energy density is also making progress. However, experts are still puzzled as to why lithium iron phosphate batteries undercut their theoretical electricity storage capacity by up to 25 percent in practice. To utilize this dormant capacity reserve, it would be crucial to know exactly where and how lithium ions are stored in and released from the battery material during the charging and discharging cycles. Researchers at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) have now taken a significant step in this direction. Using transmission electron microscopes, they were able to systematically track the lithium ions as they traveled through the battery material, map their arrangement in the crystal lattice of an iron phosphate cathode with unprecedented
Anode-free sodium metal batteries (AFSMBs) with initial zero sodium anodes are promising energy-storage devices to achieve high energy density and low cost. The morphology and reversibility of sodium controls the cycling lifespan of the AFSMBs, which is directly affected by the separator. Here, we compared the sodium deposition and corresponding electrochemical behaviors under the influence of three commercial separators, which were Celgard 2500, Al2O3-coated PP separator and glass fiber (denoting as 2500, C-PP and GF). Firstly, the reversibility of sodium plating/stripping was tested using half-cells, where coulombic efficiencies were stable at ~99.89% for C-PP and GF compare to 99.65% for 2500, indicating more dead sodium were formed for 2500. Then, the morphologies of deposited sodium were compared using optical microscopy. Compared to inhomogeneous sodium growth under 2500, C-PP obtained more flatter sodium layer with less height difference, attributing to the high mechanical
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and colleagues have developed standards and calibrations for optical microscopes that allow quantum dots to be aligned with the center of a photonic component to within an error of 10 to 20 nanometers (about one-thousandth the thickness of a sheet of paper). Such alignment is critical for chip-scale devices that employ the radiation emitted by quantum dots to store and transmit quantum information.
Natural fiber-reinforced composites are increasingly used in the automotive and aerospace industries since more studies focus on them because they are environmentally benign. The primary benefit of natural fibers over synthetic fibers is their biodegradability. In addition to meeting other standards, natural fiber-reinforced composites have high thermal and mechanical qualities. The current study’s main objective has been to investigate one such natural fiber-reinforced polymer. Biomaterials constructed of Abutilon indicum fiber reinforced with polyester were created in the current work. The test samples with the materials above underwent mechanical and thermal investigations to determine their strengths. The impact of alkali treatment (NaOH) on the fibers was also investigated and assessed. Compared to other samples such as 5, 10, and 15 g of fiber loadings the 20 g of fiber loading reveals the highest mechanical properties such as 59.21 MPa tensile, 72.45 MPa of bending, and 11.25 kJ
Additive manufacturing (AM) is a common way to make things faster in manufacturing era today. A mix of polypropylene (PP) and carbon fiber (CF) blended filament is strong and bonded well. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a common way to make things. For this research, made the test samples using a mix of PP and CF filament through FDM printer by varying infill speed of 40 meters per sec 50 meters per sec and 60 meters per sec in sequence. The tested these samples on a tribometer testing machine that slides them against a surface with different forces (from 5 to 20 N) and speeds (from 1 to 4 meters per sec). The findings of the study revealed a consistent linear increase in both wear rate and coefficient of friction across every sample analyzed. Nevertheless, noteworthy variations emerged when evaluating the samples subjected to the 40m/s infill speed test. Specifically, these particular samples exhibited notably lower wear rates and coefficients of friction compared to the remaining
The current research examines the structural and mechanical properties of sheets made from the 8561 aluminum alloy using the dynamic stir procedure. After being treated perpendicular to the direction of rolling, the compressive material characteristics of the strips were investigated at room temperature in the longitudinal and vertical dimensions relative to the treatment orientation. Tensile tests at the grain boundary were also performed at relatively high temperatures and different strain rates to assess the ductile mechanical properties of the crystallization substance and to ensure the distinctions from the parent material caused by the dynamic stir process. Tensile testing at temperatures and strain rates ranging from 380 °C to 780 °C was employed in parallel studies of the material's behavior at high temperatures. Electron microscopy was used to examine the fracture surfaces of specimens evaluated at various temperatures.
Utilizing a scanning electron microscope, research was conducted on the formation of fatigue microcracks in a cast AF620 alloy. The results of fatigue microcrack propagation under escalating levels of stress indicate that the interdendritic or grain boundaries of Al grains are crucial for microcrack propagation. In Al78Zn25 regions, fatigue fractures frequently form within the grains, but if the stress concentration is high enough, they can also form at the base of the crevice on the grain boundaries. The fatigue fracture propagates in a wave-like pattern under a microscope. It was proposed that the length of the crack and the rate of formation of fatigue microcracks could be correlated to ascertain the opening displacement at the tip of the crack.
As anyone who has ever skimmed a book or magazine can tell you, sometimes you don’t have to read every word to grasp the essence. Inspired by this notion, scientists are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to enable a form of “speed reading” in microscopy. This could revolutionize the way researchers acquire data and allow them to preserve the integrity of precious samples.
Obtaining high-resolution images in the world of microscopy has long been a challenge. Deconvolution, a method to enhance image clarity, often amplifies noise between the sample and the image. Researchers at Boston University recently developed a novel deblurring algorithm that avoids these issues, improving the resolution of images with photon intensity conservation and local linearity.
Processes and structures within the body that are normally hidden from the eye can be made visible through medical imaging. Scientists use imaging to investigate the complex functions of cells and organs and search for ways to better detect and treat diseases. In everyday medical practice, images from the body help physicians diagnose diseases and monitor whether therapies are working. To be able to depict specific processes in the body, researchers are developing new techniques for labelling cells or molecules so that they emit signals that can be detected outside the body and converted into meaningful images. A research team at the University of Münster has now adapted a cell labelling strategy currently used in microscopy — the so-called SNAP-tag technology — for use in whole-body imaging with positron emission tomography (PET).
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