Glioma grading, molecular feature classification, and microstructural characterization using MR diffusional variance decomposition (DIVIDE) imaging

Author(s):  
Sirui Li ◽  
Yuan Zheng ◽  
Wenbo Sun ◽  
Samo Lasič ◽  
Filip Szczepankiewicz ◽  
...  
Author(s):  
M.A. Parker ◽  
K.E. Johnson ◽  
C. Hwang ◽  
A. Bermea

We have reported the dependence of the magnetic and recording properties of CoPtCr recording media on the thickness of the Cr underlayer. It was inferred from XRD data that grain-to-grain epitaxy of the Cr with the CoPtCr was responsible for the interaction observed between these layers. However, no cross-sectional TEM (XTEM) work was performed to confirm this inference. In this paper, we report the application of new techniques for preparing XTEM specimens from actual magnetic recording disks, and for layer-by-layer micro-diffraction with an electron probe elongated parallel to the surface of the deposited structure which elucidate the effect of the crystallographic structure of the Cr on that of the CoPtCr.XTEM specimens were prepared from magnetic recording disks by modifying a technique used to prepare semiconductor specimens. After 3mm disks were prepared per the standard XTEM procedure, these disks were then lapped using a tripod polishing device. A grid with a single 1mmx2mm hole was then glued with M-bond 610 to the polished side of the disk.


Author(s):  
M. G. Burke ◽  
M. N. Gungor ◽  
P. K. Liaw

Aluminum-based metal matrix composites offer unique combinations of high specific strength and high stiffness. The improvement in strength and stiffness is related to the particulate reinforcement and the particular matrix alloy chosen. In this way, the metal matrix composite can be tailored for specific materials applications. The microstructural characterization of metal matrix composites is thus important in the development of these materials. In this study, the structure of a p/m 2014-SiC particulate metal matrix composite has been examined after extrusion and tensile deformation.Thin-foil specimens of the 2014-20 vol.% SiCp metal matrix composite were prepared by dimpling to approximately 35 μm prior to ion-milling using a Gatan Dual Ion Mill equipped with a cold stage. These samples were then examined in a Philips 400T TEM/STEM operated at 120 kV. Two material conditions were evaluated: after extrusion (80:1); and after tensile deformation at 250°C.


Author(s):  
C. J. Chan ◽  
K. R. Venkatachari ◽  
W. M. Kriven ◽  
J. F. Young

Dicalcium silicate (Ca2SiO4) is a major component of Portland cement. It has also been investigated as a potential transformation toughener alternative to zirconia. It has five polymorphs: α, α'H, α'L, β and γ. Of interest is the β-to-γ transformation on cooling at about 490°C. This transformation, accompanied by a 12% volume increase and a 4.6° unit cell shape change, is analogous to the tetragonal-to-monoclinic transformation in zirconia. Due to the processing methods used, previous studies into the particle size effect were limited by a wide range of particle size distribution. In an attempt to obtain a more uniform size, a fast quench rate involving a laser-melting/roller-quenching technique was investigated.The laser-melting/roller-quenching experiment used precompacted bars of stoichiometric γ-Ca2SiO4 powder, which were synthesized from AR grade CaCO3 and SiO2xH2O. The raw materials were mixed by conventional ceramic processing techniques, and sintered at 1450°C. The dusted γ-Ca2SiO4 powder was uniaxially pressed into 0.4 cm x 0.4 cm x 4 cm bars under 34 MPa and cold isostatically pressed under 172 MPa. The γ-Ca2SiO4 bars were melted by a 10 KW-CO2 laser.


Author(s):  
R. E. Franck ◽  
J. A. Hawk ◽  
G. J. Shiflet

Rapid solidification processing (RSP) is one method of producing high strength aluminum alloys for elevated temperature applications. Allied-Signal, Inc. has produced an Al-12.4 Fe-1.2 V-2.3 Si (composition in wt pct) alloy which possesses good microstructural stability up to 425°C. This alloy contains a high volume fraction (37 v/o) of fine nearly spherical, α-Al12(Fe, V)3Si dispersoids. The improved elevated temperature strength and stability of this alloy is due to the slower dispersoid coarsening rate of the silicide particles. Additionally, the high v/o of second phase particles should inhibit recrystallization and grain growth, and thus reduce any loss in strength due to long term, high temperature annealing.The focus of this research is to investigate microstructural changes induced by long term, high temperature static annealing heat-treatments. Annealing treatments for up to 1000 hours were carried out on this alloy at 500°C, 550°C and 600°C. Particle coarsening and/or recrystallization and grain growth would be accelerated in these temperature regimes.


Author(s):  
P. Lu ◽  
W. Huang ◽  
C.S. Chern ◽  
Y.Q. Li ◽  
J. Zhao ◽  
...  

The YBa2Cu3O7-x thin films formed by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition(MOCVD) have been reported to have excellent superconducting properties including a sharp zero resistance transition temperature (Tc) of 89 K and a high critical current density of 2.3x106 A/cm2 or higher. The origin of the high critical current in the thin film compared to bulk materials is attributed to its structural properties such as orientation, grain boundaries and defects on the scale of the coherent length. In this report, we present microstructural aspects of the thin films deposited on the (100) LaAlO3 substrate, which process the highest critical current density.Details of the thin film growth process have been reported elsewhere. The thin films were examined in both planar and cross-section view by electron microscopy. TEM sample preparation was carried out using conventional grinding, dimpling and ion milling techniques. Special care was taken to avoid exposure of the thin films to water during the preparation processes.


Author(s):  
M.G. Burke ◽  
M.K. Miller

Interpretation of fine-scale microstructures containing high volume fractions of second phase is complex. In particular, microstructures developed through decomposition within low temperature miscibility gaps may be extremely fine. This paper compares the morphological interpretations of such complex microstructures by the high-resolution techniques of TEM and atom probe field-ion microscopy (APFIM).The Fe-25 at% Be alloy selected for this study was aged within the low temperature miscibility gap to form a <100> aligned two-phase microstructure. This triaxially modulated microstructure is composed of an Fe-rich ferrite phase and a B2-ordered Be-enriched phase. The microstructural characterization through conventional bright-field TEM is inadequate because of the many contributions to image contrast. The ordering reaction which accompanies spinodal decomposition in this alloy permits simplification of the image by the use of the centered dark field technique to image just one phase. A CDF image formed with a B2 superlattice reflection is shown in fig. 1. In this CDF micrograph, the the B2-ordered Be-enriched phase appears as bright regions in the darkly-imaging ferrite. By examining the specimen in a [001] orientation, the <100> nature of the modulations is evident.


Author(s):  
A.K. Rai ◽  
A.K. Petford-Long ◽  
A. Ezis ◽  
D.W. Langer

Considerable amount of work has been done in studying the relationship between the contact resistance and the microstructure of the Au-Ge-Ni based ohmic contacts to n-GaAs. It has been found that the lower contact resistivity is due to the presence of Ge rich and Au free regions (good contact area) in contact with GaAs. Thus in order to obtain an ohmic contact with lower contact resistance one should obtain a uniformly alloyed region of good contact areas almost everywhere. This can possibly be accomplished by utilizing various alloying schemes. In this work microstructural characterization, employing TEM techniques, of the sequentially deposited Au-Ge-Ni based ohmic contact to the MODFET device is presented.The substrate used in the present work consists of 1 μm thick buffer layer of GaAs grown on a semi-insulating GaAs substrate followed by a 25 Å spacer layer of undoped AlGaAs.


Author(s):  
L. M. Gignac ◽  
K. P. Rodbell

As advanced semiconductor device features shrink, grain boundaries and interfaces become increasingly more important to the properties of thin metal films. With film thicknesses decreasing to the range of 10 nm and the corresponding features also decreasing to sub-micrometer sizes, interface and grain boundary properties become dominant. In this regime the details of the surfaces and grain boundaries dictate the interactions between film layers and the subsequent electrical properties. Therefore it is necessary to accurately characterize these materials on the proper length scale in order to first understand and then to improve the device effectiveness. In this talk we will examine the importance of microstructural characterization of thin metal films used in semiconductor devices and show how microstructure can influence the electrical performance. Specifically, we will review Co and Ti silicides for silicon contact and gate conductor applications, Ti/TiN liner films used for adhesion and diffusion barriers in chemical vapor deposited (CVD) tungsten vertical wiring (vias) and Ti/AlCu/Ti-TiN films used as planar interconnect metal lines.


Author(s):  
M. G. Burke ◽  
M. N. Gungor ◽  
M. A. Burke

Intermetallic matrix composites are candidates for ultrahigh temperature service when light weight and high temperature strength and stiffness are required. Recent efforts to produce intermetallic matrix composites have focused on the titanium aluminide (TiAl) system with various ceramic reinforcements. In order to optimize the composition and processing of these composites it is necessary to evaluate the range of structures that can be produced in these materials and to identify the characteristics of the optimum structures. Normally, TiAl materials are difficult to process and, thus, examination of a suitable range of structures would not be feasible. However, plasma processing offers a novel method for producing composites from difficult to process component materials. By melting one or more of the component materials in a plasma and controlling deposition onto a cooled substrate, a range of structures can be produced and the method is highly suited to examining experimental composite systems. Moreover, because plasma processing involves rapid melting and very rapid cooling can be induced in the deposited composite, it is expected that processing method can avoid some of the problems, such as interfacial degradation, that are associated with the relatively long time, high temperature exposures that are induced by conventional processing methods.


Author(s):  
Yeshayahu Talmon

To achieve complete microstructural characterization of self-aggregating systems, one needs direct images in addition to quantitative information from non-imaging, e.g., scattering or Theological measurements, techniques. Cryo-TEM enables us to image fluid microstructures at better than one nanometer resolution, with minimal specimen preparation artifacts. Direct images are used to determine the “building blocks” of the fluid microstructure; these are used to build reliable physical models with which quantitative information from techniques such as small-angle x-ray or neutron scattering can be analyzed.To prepare vitrified specimens of microstructured fluids, we have developed the Controlled Environment Vitrification System (CEVS), that enables us to prepare samples under controlled temperature and humidity conditions, thus minimizing microstructural rearrangement due to volatile evaporation or temperature changes. The CEVS may be used to trigger on-the-grid processes to induce formation of new phases, or to study intermediate, transient structures during change of phase (“time-resolved cryo-TEM”). Recently we have developed a new CEVS, where temperature and humidity are controlled by continuous flow of a mixture of humidified and dry air streams.


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