2. Close inspection

2014 ◽  
pp. 22-42
Author(s):  
Christopher Hall
Keyword(s):  
Internal Structure ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Material Behaviour ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Close Inspection ◽  
Robert Hooke ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
The Core ◽  
Electron Microscopes

‘Close inspection’ explains that at the core of materials science is the understanding of the internal structure of materials. If we don’t understand the internal structure we shall struggle to explain or to predict material behaviour. If we want to alter the behaviour to make better materials, we probably need to re-engineer the architecture inside. This understanding has been made possible with the development of microscopy, beginning in the 17th century with Robert Hooke and Anton van Leeuwenhoek. Development of X-ray diffraction and electron microscopes has provided atomic resolution leading to improved crystallography and lattice theories for 3-dimensional crystals. Two-dimensional crystals such as graphene and 1-dimensional carbon nanotubes are also described.

X-ray diffraction curves for a system of parallel cylinders with liquid-like order: A model for the diffraction of crazed polymers

1981 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 417-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Paredes ◽  
P. Colonomos
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Distribution Function ◽  
Radial Distribution Function ◽  
Internal Structure ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Monte Carlo Data ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Fibril Diameter ◽  
Good Agreement

As a model for the internal structure of polymer crazes, a system of parallel cylinders with liquid-like order is proposed. X-ray diffraction curves were calculated for such a system with Monte Carlo data for the radial distribution function of the two-dimensional hard-disk fluid at different packing densities. A comparison is made between the present calculations and experimental results of crazed polycarbonate showing a very good agreement. A way of evaluating the average craze fibril diameter with the calculations is also discussed.

input4MAUD: an efficient program for automatic two-dimensional diffraction image series input and/or batch refinement withMAUD

2014 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 2081-2085 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Raue
Keyword(s):  
Materials Science ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Texture Measurement ◽  
Pole Figures ◽  
Executable File ◽  
Diffraction Peaks ◽  
Efficient Program ◽  
Beta Version ◽  
File Series

In materials science or applied crystallography, X-ray diffraction represents a versatile and useful method with which one can obtain the orientation of single crystals or even the texture of a polycrystalline material. When the investigated sample consists of many phases, or phases of low symmetry, it becomes difficult to measure pole figures from single diffraction peaks. A combined Rietveld–texture analysis with the programMAUDis perfectly suitable to deal with conditions of overlapping diffraction peaks, including those arising from different phases. Even though nearly no alternative toMAUDexists, it is not always easy to use. The input of a file series of two-dimensional diffraction images, for example from a texture measurement, can be time consuming since each individual image must be loaded manually, and only the newest beta version ofMAUDallows semi-automated file input. The new programinput4MAUD, which is presented in this paper, offers a much more efficient way to automate both single and batch file series input intoMAUDas well as the preparation of basic batch refinements withMAUD. input4MAUDis written in Visual C++ and is currently available as a 32-bit statically compiled binary executable file for Windows.

Trends in Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy

1977 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 228-229
Author(s):  
C. Colliex ◽  
P. Trebbia
Keyword(s):  
Energy Loss ◽  
Electron Energy ◽  
Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Analytical Technique ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Electron Microscopes ◽  
Electron Energy Loss ◽  
Primary Electrons

The physical foundations for the use of electron energy loss spectroscopy towards analytical purposes, seem now rather well established and have been extensively discussed through recent publications. In this brief review we intend only to mention most recent developments in this field, which became available to our knowledge. We derive also some lines of discussion to define more clearly the limits of this analytical technique in materials science problems.The spectral information carried in both low ( 0<ΔE<100eV ) and high ( >100eV ) energy regions of the loss spectrum, is capable to provide quantitative results. Spectrometers have therefore been designed to work with all kinds of electron microscopes and to cover large energy ranges for the detection of inelastically scattered electrons (for instance the L-edge of molybdenum at 2500eV has been measured by van Zuylen with primary electrons of 80 kV). It is rather easy to fix a post-specimen magnetic optics on a STEM, but Crewe has recently underlined that great care should be devoted to optimize the collecting power and the energy resolution of the whole system.

Transmission electron microscope studies in special ceramics

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 268-269
Author(s):  
A. Zangvil ◽  
L.J. Gauckler ◽  
G. Schneider ◽  
M. Rühle
Keyword(s):  
Phase Diagrams ◽  
Crystal Structures ◽  
Thin Foil ◽  
Limited Extent ◽  
Complex Materials ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Electron Microscopes ◽  
Lattice Resolution

The use of high temperature special ceramics which are usually complex materials based on oxides, nitrides, carbides and borides of silicon and aluminum, is critically dependent on their thermomechanical and other physical properties. The investigations of the phase diagrams, crystal structures and microstructural features are essential for better understanding of the macro-properties. Phase diagrams and crystal structures have been studied mainly by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has contributed to this field to a very limited extent; it has been used more extensively in the study of microstructure, phase transformations and lattice defects. Often only TEM can give solutions to numerous problems in the above fields, since the various phases exist in extremely fine grains and subgrain structures; single crystals of appreciable size are often not available. Examples with some of our experimental results from two multicomponent systems are presented here. The standard ion thinning technique was used for the preparation of thin foil samples, which were then investigated with JEOL 200A and Siemens ELMISKOP 102 (for the lattice resolution work) electron microscopes.

Tubulin structure at intermediate resolution

1995 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 852-853
Author(s):  
K. H. Downing ◽  
S. G. Wolf ◽  
E. Nogales
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Structural Data ◽  
Therapeutic Drug ◽  
Zinc Ions ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Negative Stain ◽  
Functional Mechanisms ◽  
Tubulin Structure

Microtubules are involved in a host of critical cell activities, many of which involve transport of organelles through the cell. Different sets of microtubules appear to form during the cell cycle for different functions. Knowledge of the structure of tubulin will be necessary in order to understand the various functional mechanisms of microtubule assemble, disassembly, and interaction with other molecules, but tubulin has so far resisted crystallization for x-ray diffraction studies. Fortuitously, in the presence of zinc ions, tubulin also forms two-dimensional, crystalline sheets that are ideally suited for study by electron microscopy. We have refined procedures for forming the sheets and preparing them for EM, and have been able to obtain high-resolution structural data that sheds light on the formation and stabilization of microtubules, and even the interaction with a therapeutic drug.Tubulin sheets had been extensively studied in negative stain, demonstrating that the same protofilament structure was formed in the sheets and microtubules. For high resolution studies, we have found that the sheets embedded in either glucose or tannin diffract to around 3 Å.

The 3-Dimensional Molecular Structure of the Actin Filament Revisited

1985 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 480-481
Author(s):  
U. Aebi ◽  
R. Millonig ◽  
H. Salvo
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Supramolecular Assembly ◽  
Specimen Preparation ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Single Filament ◽  
X Ray ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Filament Diameter ◽  
Preparation Conditions ◽  
Apparent Diameter

To date, most 3-D reconstructions of undecorated actin filaments have been obtained from actin filament paracrystal data (for refs, see 1,2). However, due to the fact that (a) the paracrystals may be several filament layers thick, and (b) adjacent filaments may sustantially interdigitate, these reconstructions may be subject to significant artifacts. None of these reconstructions has permitted unambiguous tracing or orientation of the actin subunits within the filament. Furthermore, measured values for the maximal filament diameter both determined by EM and by X-ray diffraction analysis, vary between 6 and 10 nm. Obviously, the apparent diameter of the actin filament revealed in the EM will critically depend on specimen preparation, since it is a rather flexible supramolecular assembly which can easily be bent or distorted. To resolve some of these ambiguities, we have explored specimen preparation conditions which may preserve single filaments sufficiently straight and helically ordered to be suitable for single filament 3-D reconstructions, possibly revealing molecular detail.

X-ray microprobe for materials science

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 56-57
Author(s):  
G.E. Ice
Keyword(s):  
Crystallographic Orientation ◽  
Local Structure ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Chemical Information ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Ray Optics ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Novel Materials ◽  
New Information ◽  
Elemental Sensitivity

The increasing availability of synchrotron x-ray sources has stimulated the development of advanced hard x-ray (E≥5 keV) microprobes. With new x-ray optics these microprobes can achieve micron and submicron spatial resolutions. The inherent elemental and crystallographic sensitivity of an x-ray microprobe and its inherently nondestructive and penetrating nature will have important applications to materials science. For example, x-ray fluorescent microanalysis of materials can reveal elemental distributions with greater sensitivity than alternative nondestructive probes. In materials, segregation and nonuniform distributions are the rule rather than the exception. Common interfaces to whichsegregation occurs are surfaces, grain and precipitate boundaries, dislocations, and surfaces formed by defects such as vacancy and interstitial configurations. In addition to chemical information, an x-ray diffraction microprobe can reveal the local structure of a material by detecting its phase, crystallographic orientation and strain.Demonstration experiments have already exploited the penetrating nature of an x-ray microprobe and its inherent elemental sensitivity to provide new information about elemental distributions in novel materials.

3-Dimensional immunolabeling and in situ hybridization detection using fluorescence photooxidation and intermediate-voltage Electron Microscopy

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 164-165
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Deerinck ◽  
Maryann E. Martone ◽  
Varda Lev-Ram ◽  
David P. L. Green ◽  
Roger Y. Tsien ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope ◽  
Fluorescent Dye ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Voltage Electron ◽  
Dimensional Distribution ◽  
Electron Microscopes ◽  
New Generation

The confocal laser scanning microscope has become a powerful tool in the study of the 3-dimensional distribution of proteins and specific nucleic acid sequences in cells and tissues. This is also proving to be true for a new generation of high contrast intermediate voltage electron microscopes (IVEM). Until recently, the number of labeling techniques that could be employed to allow examination of the same sample with both confocal and IVEM was rather limited. One method that can be used to take full advantage of these two technologies is fluorescence photooxidation. Specimens are labeled by a fluorescent dye and viewed with confocal microscopy followed by fluorescence photooxidation of diaminobenzidine (DAB). In this technique, a fluorescent dye is used to photooxidize DAB into an osmiophilic reaction product that can be subsequently visualized with the electron microscope. The precise reaction mechanism by which the photooxidation occurs is not known but evidence suggests that the radiationless transfer of energy from the excited-state dye molecule undergoing the phenomenon of intersystem crossing leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species such as singlet oxygen. It is this reactive oxygen that is likely crucial in the photooxidation of DAB.

Remote On-Line Control of a High-Voltage in situ Transmission Electron Microscope with A Rational User Interface

1996 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 384-385
Author(s):  
M.A. O’Keefe ◽  
J. Taylor ◽  
D. Owen ◽  
B. Crowley ◽  
K.H. Westmacott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
User Interface ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscope ◽  
High Voltage ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
On Line ◽  
Electron Microscopes

Remote on-line electron microscopy is rapidly becoming more available as improvements continue to be developed in the software and hardware of interfaces and networks. Scanning electron microscopes have been driven remotely across both wide and local area networks. Initial implementations with transmission electron microscopes have targeted unique facilities like an advanced analytical electron microscope, a biological 3-D IVEM and a HVEM capable of in situ materials science applications. As implementations of on-line transmission electron microscopy become more widespread, it is essential that suitable standards be developed and followed. Two such standards have been proposed for a high-level protocol language for on-line access, and we have proposed a rational graphical user interface. The user interface we present here is based on experience gained with a full-function materials science application providing users of the National Center for Electron Microscopy with remote on-line access to a 1.5MeV Kratos EM-1500 in situ high-voltage transmission electron microscope via existing wide area networks. We have developed and implemented, and are continuing to refine, a set of tools, protocols, and interfaces to run the Kratos EM-1500 on-line for collaborative research. Computer tools for capturing and manipulating real-time video signals are integrated into a standardized user interface that may be used for remote access to any transmission electron microscope equipped with a suitable control computer.

The Contribution of Intermediate-Voltage, High-Resolution Electron Microscopy In Materials Science: An Appraisal

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 478-479
Author(s):  
John L. Hutchison
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
High Resolution Electron Microscopy ◽  
Optical Diffraction ◽  
The Past ◽  
Resolution Electron ◽  
Extreme Sensitivity ◽  
Electron Microscopes ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Small Metal Particles

Over the past five years or so the development of a new generation of high resolution electron microscopes operating routinely in the 300-400 kilovolt range has produced a dramatic increase in resolution, to around 1.6 Å for “structure resolution” and approaching 1.2 Å for information limits. With a large number of such instruments now in operation it is timely to assess their impact in the various areas of materials science where they are now being used. Are they falling short of the early expectations? Generally, the manufacturers’ claims regarding resolution are being met, but one unexpected factor which has emerged is the extreme sensitivity of these instruments to both floor-borne and acoustic vibrations. Successful measures to counteract these disturbances may require the use of special anti-vibration blocks, or even simple oil-filled dampers together with springs, with heavy curtaining around the microscope room to reduce noise levels. In assessing performance levels, optical diffraction analysis is becoming the accepted method, with rotational averaging useful for obtaining a good measure of information limits. It is worth noting here that microscope alignment becomes very critical for the highest resolution.In attempting an appraisal of the contributions of intermediate voltage HREMs to materials science we will outline a few of the areas where they are most widely used. These include semiconductors, oxides, and small metal particles, in addition to metals and minerals.

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