208 research outputs found
Early deformation mechanisms in the shear affected region underneath a copper sliding contact
Dislocation mediated plastic deformation decisively influences the friction coefficient and the microstructural changes at many metal sliding interfaces during tribological loading. This work explores the initiation of a tribologically induced microstructure in the vicinity of a copper twin boundary. Two distinct horizontal dislocation traces lines (DTL) are observed in their interaction with the twin boundary beneath the sliding interface. DTL formation seems unaffected by the presence of the twin boundary but the twin boundary acts as an indicator of the occurring deformation mechanisms. Three concurrent elementary processes can be identified: simple shear of the subsurface area in sliding direction, localized shear at the primary DTL and crystal rotation in the layers above and between the DTLs around axes parallel to the transverse direction. Crystal orientation analysis demonstrates a strong compatibility of these proposed processes. Quantitatively separating these different deformation mechanisms is crucial for future predictive modeling of tribological contacts
Whole-cell analysis of low-density lipoprotein uptake by macrophages using STEM tomography
Nanoparticles of heavy materials such as gold can be used as markers in quantitative electron microscopic studies of protein distributions in cells with nanometer spatial resolution. Studying nanoparticles within the context of cells is also relevant for nanotoxicological research. Here, we report a method to quantify the locations and the number of nanoparticles, and of clusters of nanoparticles inside whole eukaryotic cells in three dimensions using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) tomography. Whole-mount fixed cellular samples were prepared, avoiding sectioning or slicing. The level of membrane staining was kept much lower than is common practice in transmission electron microscopy (TEM), such that the nanoparticles could be detected throughout the entire cellular thickness. Tilt-series were recorded with a limited tilt-range of 80u thereby preventing excessive beam broadening occurring at higher tilt angles. The 3D locations of the nanoparticles were nevertheless determined with high precision using computation. The obtained information differed from that obtained with conventional TEM tomography data since the nanoparticles were highlighted while only faint contrast was obtained on the cellular material. Similar as in fluorescence microscopy, a particular set of labels can be studied. This method was applied to study the fate of sequentially up-taken low-density lipoprotein (LDL) conjugated to gold nanoparticles in macrophages. Analysis of a 3D reconstruction revealed that newly up-taken LDL-gold was delivered to lysosomes containing previously up-taken LDL-gold thereby forming onion-like clusters
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Whole-Cell Analysis of Low-Density Lipoprotein Uptake by Macrophages Using STEM Tomography
Nanoparticles of heavy materials such as gold can be used as markers in quantitative electron microscopic studies of protein distributions in cells with nanometer spatial resolution. Studying nanoparticles within the context of cells is also relevant for nanotoxicological research. Here, we report a method to quantify the locations and the number of nanoparticles, and of clusters of nanoparticles inside whole eukaryotic cells in three dimensions using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) tomography. Whole-mount fixed cellular samples were prepared, avoiding sectioning or slicing. The level of membrane staining was kept much lower than is common practice in transmission electron microscopy (TEM), such that the nanoparticles could be detected throughout the entire cellular thickness. Tilt-series were recorded with a limited tilt-range of 80Ā° thereby preventing excessive beam broadening occurring at higher tilt angles. The 3D locations of the nanoparticles were nevertheless determined with high precision using computation. The obtained information differed from that obtained with conventional TEM tomography data since the nanoparticles were highlighted while only faint contrast was obtained on the cellular material. Similar as in fluorescence microscopy, a particular set of labels can be studied. This method was applied to study the fate of sequentially up-taken low-density lipoprotein (LDL) conjugated to gold nanoparticles in macrophages. Analysis of a 3D reconstruction revealed that newly up-taken LDL-gold was delivered to lysosomes containing previously up-taken LDL-gold thereby forming onion-like clusters
Elucidating the structural composition of a Fe-N-C catalyst by nuclear and electron resonance techniques
FeāNāC catalysts are very promising materials for fuel cells and metalāair batteries. This work gives fundamental insights into the structural composition of an FeāNāC catalyst and highlights the importance of an inādepth characterization. By nuclearā and electronāresonance techniques, we are able to show that even after mild pyrolysis and acid leaching, the catalyst contains considerable fractions of Ī±āiron and, surprisingly, iron oxide. Our work makes it questionable to what extent FeN4 sites can be present in FeāNāC catalysts prepared by pyrolysis at 900āĀ°C and above. The simulation of the iron partial density of phonon states enables the identification of three FeN4 species in our catalyst, one of them comprising a sixfold coordination with endāon bonded oxygen as one of the axial ligands
Evolution of Glassy Carbon Microstructure: In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy of the Pyrolysis Process
Glassy carbon is a graphene-rich form of elemental carbon obtained from
pyrolysis of polymers, which is composed of three-dimensionally arranged,
curved graphene fragments alongside fractions of disordered carbon and voids.
Pyrolysis encompasses gradual heating of polymers above 900 degree C under
inert atmosphere, followed by cooling to room temperature. Here we report on an
experimental method to perform in situ high-resolution transmission electron
microscopy (HR-TEM) for the direct visualization of microstructural evolution
in a pyrolyzing polymer in the 500-1200 degree C temperature range. The results
are compared with the existing microstructural models of glassy carbon.
Reported experiments are performed at 80 kV acceleration voltage using
MEMS-based heating chips as sample substrates to minimize any undesired
beam-damage or sample preparation induced transformations. The outcome suggests
that the geometry, expansion and atomic arrangement within the resulting
graphene fragments constantly change, and that the intermediate structures
provide important cues on the evolution of glassy carbon. A complete
understanding of the pyrolysis process will allow for a general process tuning
specific to the precursor polymer for obtaining glassy carbon with pre-defined
properties.Comment: Revised version due to minor corrections in the text and addition of
an autho
Influence of particle size and fluorination ratio of CFā precursor compounds on the electrochemical performance of C-FeFā nanocomposites for reversible lithium storage
Systematical studies of the electrochemical performance of CFx-derived carbonāFeF2 nanocomposites for reversible lithium storage are presented. The conversion cathode materials were synthesized by a simple one-pot synthesis, which enables a reactive intercalation of nanoscale Fe particles in a CFx matrix, and the reaction of these components to an electrically conductive CāFeF2 compound. The pretreatment and the structure of the utilized CFx precursors play a crucial role in the synthesis and influence the electrochemical behavior of the conversion cathode material. The particle size of the CFx precursor particles was varied by ball milling as well as by choosing different C/F ratios. The investigations led to optimized CāFeF2 conversion cathode materials that showed specific capacities of 436 mAh/g at 40 Ā°C after 25 cycles. The composites were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction measurements, electron energy loss spectroscopy and TEM measurements. The electrochemical performances of the materials were tested by galvanostatic measurements
Steering proton migration in hydrocarbons using intense few-cycle laser fields
Proton migration is a ubiquitous process in chemical reactions related to
biology, combustion, and catalysis. Thus, the ability to control the movement
of nuclei with tailored light, within a hydrocarbon molecule holds promise for
far-reaching applications. Here, we demonstrate the steering of hydrogen
migration in simple hydrocarbons, namely acetylene and allene, using
waveform-controlled, few-cycle laser pulses. The rearrangement dynamics are
monitored using coincident 3D momentum imaging spectroscopy, and described with
a quantum-dynamical model. Our observations reveal that the underlying control
mechanism is due to the manipulation of the phases in a vibrational wavepacket
by the intense off-resonant laser field.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
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