TEM sample preparation using micro-manipulator for in-situ MEMS experiment

Growing demands for comprehending complicated nano-scale phenomena in atomic resolution has attracted in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques for understanding their dynamics. However, simple to safe TEM sample preparation for in-situ observation has been limited. Here, we suggested the optical microscopy based micro-manipulating system for transferring TEM samples. By adopting our manipulator system, several types of samples from nano-wires to plate-like thin samples were transferred on micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS) chip in a single step. Furthermore, the control of electrostatic force between the sample and the probe tip is found to be a key role in transferring process.

Particle in a Cylinder, in a Sphere, and on a Helix

The particle in a box from an earlier chapter is useful as a model to treat the electron motion in linear molecular ‘wires’, rectangular surfaces, and cuboid nano-particles. In this chapter, similar models are developed for spherical and cylindrical nano-particles, and helical nano-wires. Applications of these models that have been reported in the literature are discussed. For example, the particle in a cylinder model has been applied to treat the absorption spectra of silver nano-rods. The particle in a sphere model can be used tom rationalize the occurrence of sodium nano-clusters with certain ‘magic’ numbers of Na atoms. The model also explains the behaviour of potassium under high pressure, where the element starts to behave like a transition metal. The particle on a helix has been used to rationalize the optical activity of helical pi-conjugated molecules.

Indium Oxide Based Nanomaterials: Fabrication Strategies, Properties, Applications, Challenges and Future Prospect

Nanostructured metal oxide semiconductors (MOS) in the form of thin film or bulk attract significant interest of materials researchers in both basic and applied sciences. Among these important MOSs, indium oxide (IO) is a valuable one due to its novel properties and wide range of applications in diversified fields. IO based nanostructured thin films possess excellent visible transparency, metal-like electrical conductivity and infrared reflectance properties. This chapter mainly highlights the synthesis strategies of IO based bulk nanomaterials with variable morphologies starting from spherical nanoparticles to nano-rods, nano-wires, nano-needles, nanopencils, nanopushpins etc. In addition, thin film deposition and periodic 1-dimensional (1D)/2-dimensional (2D) surface texturing techniques of IO based nanostructured thin films vis-à-vis their functional properties and applications have been discussed. The chapter covers a state-of-the-art survey on the fabrication strategies and recent advancement in the properties of IO based nanomaterials with their different areas of applications. Finally, the challenges and future prospect of IO based nanomaterials have been discussed briefly.