Search results for "Scanning"

Self-Organization Pathways and Spatial Heterogeneity in Insulin Amyloid Fibril Formation

2009

At high temperature and low pH, the protein hormone insulin is highly prone to form amyloid fibrils, and for this reason it is widely used as a model system to study fibril formation mechanisms. In this work, we focused on insulin aggregation mechanisms occurring in HCl solutions (pH 1.6) at 60 degrees C. By means of in situ Thioflavin T (ThT) staining, the kinetics profiles were characterized as a function of the protein concentration, and two concurrent aggregation pathways were pointed out, being concentration dependent. In correspondence to these pathways, different morphologies of self-assembled protein molecules were detected by atomic force microscopy images also evidencing the prese…

Elasticity and yield strength of pentagonal silver nanowires: In situ bending tests

2014

This paper reports in situ mechanical characterization of silver nanowires (Ag NWs) inside a scanning electron microscope using a cantilevered beam bending technique. Measurements consisted in controlled bending of a cantilevered NW by the tip of an atomic force microscope glued to the force sensor. Relatively high degree of elasticity followed by either plastic deformation or fracture was observed in bending experiments. Experimental data were numerically fitted into the model based on the elastic beam theory and values of Young modulus and yield strength were extracted. Measurements were performed on twenty Ag NWs with diameters from 76 nm to 211 nm. Average Young modulus and yield streng…

In situ study of the sintering of a lead phosphovanadate in an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope

2011

cited By 3; International audience; The in situ sintering of a powder of Pb3(VO4) 1.6(PO4)0.4 composition was performed in an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope. The electric current induced by the electron beam was found to reduce the effective temperature of sintering as well as to accelerate the kinetics of shrinkage of a cluster composed of sub-micrometric grains of material. The presence of the residual current flow in the cluster during observation for in situ experiments helps to reduce the apparent sintering temperatures from 50 to 150 °C compared to conventional heating conditions without current. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tribological Aspects of In Situ Manipulation of Nanostructures Inside Scanning Electron Microscope

2014

This chapter is dedicated to manipulation of nanostructures inside a scanning electron (SEM) microscope employed for real-time tribological measurements. Different approaches to force registration and calculation of static and kinetic friction are described. Application of the considered methodology to Au and Ag nanoparticles, as well as ZnO and CuO nanowires, is demonstrated. Advantages and limitations of the methodology in comparison to traditional AFM-based manipulation techniques are discussed.

An AC-assisted single-nanowire electromechanical switch

2013

A unique two-source controlled nanoelectromechanical switch has been assembled from individual, single-clamped Ge nanowires. The switching behaviour was achieved by superimposing the control signals of specific frequencies to the electrostatic potential of the output terminals, eliminating the need for an additional gate electrode. Using an in situ manipulation technique inside a scanning electron microscope, we demonstrate that the pull-out force required to overcome adhesion at the contact can be significantly reduced by exciting mechanical resonant modes within the nanowire.

Simultaneous application of Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy and differential scanning colorimetry for the in situ investigation of phase transit…

1991

Abstract The combination of Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy with differential scanning colorimetry for the in situ investigation of phase transitions is illustrated using ammonium nitrate as an example. This method helps unambiguous characterisation of different phases by providing a simultaneous probe of thermodynamic and vibrational data.

Ultrastructure of the Interlamellar Membranes of the Nacre of the Bivalve Pteria hirundo, Determined by Immunolabelling.

2015

The current model for the ultrastructure of the interlamellar membranes of molluscan nacre imply that they consist of a core of aligned chitin fibers surrounded on both sides by acidic proteins. This model was based on observations taken on previously demineralized shells, where the original structure had disappeared. Despite other earlier claims, no direct observations exist in which the different components can be unequivocally discriminated. We have applied different labeling protocols on non-demineralized nacreous shells of the bivalve Pteria. With this method, we have revealed the disposition and nature of the different fibers of the interlamellar membranes that can be observed on the …

Visualization of Molecular Recognition Events on Microstructured Lipid-Membrane Compartments by In Situ Scanning Force Microscopy This work was suppo…

2002

Preparation and evaluation of lauryl methacrylate monoliths with embedded silver nanoparticles for capillary electrochromatography

2012

In this article, capillary columns constituted by lauryl methacrylate monoliths with embedded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were developed and tested. Two incorporation approaches of AgNPs in monoliths were explored. The AgNPs were either photogenerated in situ during polymerization of the monolith by UV irradiation, or incorporated to the polymerization mixture (ex situ). The influence of the AgNP concentration on the morphological and chromatographic properties of the polymer matrix was investigated, and both the in situ and ex situ approaches were comparatively discussed. The morphology of the monoliths was characterized by electron microscopic techniques, and their electrochromatographic…

L-Tryptophan on Cu(111): engineering a molecular labyrinth driven by indole groups

2015

The present article investigates the adsorption and molecular orientation of L-Tryptophan, which is both an essential amino acid important for protein synthesis and of particular interest for the development of chiral molecular electronics and biocompatible processes and devices, on Cu(111) using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy at 55 K and at room temperature. The arrangement of chemisorbed L-Tryptophan on the copper surface varies with both temperature and surface coverage. At low coverage, small clusters form on the surface irrespective of temperature, while at high coverage an ordered chain structure emerges at room temperature, and a tightly packed structure forms a molec…