Skip to main content

Highlights

Jun 29, 2009
CSPIN — Center for Semiconductor Physics in Nanostructures (2005)

Portable Electron Microscope for K-12 Science Lessons

Greg Salamo, University of Arkansas

Graduate students at the University of Arkansas bring cutting edge technology to local middle school students and allow them to explore the world of nanoscience in real-time. The MRSEC graduate students with the help of an education outreach program from the FEI, electron microscopy company were able to bring a portable scanning electron microscope (SEM) into the classrooms of local middle schools.
Jun 22, 2009
Princeton Center for Complex Materials (2014)

Electronic phase transition in graphene in a magnetic field

J. G. Checkelsky, Lu Li, and N. P. Ong

Graphene is comprised of a single layer of C atoms in a hexagonal lattice array.  The electronic state of graphene is of great interest because the electron energy increases linearly with momentum, just like for photons and neutrinos.  This is called a massless, Dirac dispersion.  The nature of the electronic state at zero energy (the “Dirac point”) in a strong magnetic field H is currently the subject of theoretical debate.
Jun 4, 2009
Princeton Center for Complex Materials (2014)

Discovery of a Topological Insulator Bi2Se3 with a Single Surface Dirac Cone

In an ordinary insulator, such as diamond, the occupied electronic states are separated from unoccupied states by a large energy “gap”. The gap prevents current flow when an electric field is applied. Recent research has uncovered a new class of insulators, called topological insulators, in which electrons can bypass the energy gap by moving in surface states. The energy vs. momentum dispersion of these unusual surface states are Dirac-like. They exhibit unusual topological properties which may be important for quantum computing.
Jun 3, 2009
MIT Center for Materials Science and Engineering (2014)

High-energy batteries using genetically-engineered viruses

Angela Belcher, Gerbrand Ceder, Woo-Jae Kim, Yun Jung Lee, Michael S. Strano, Hyunjung Yi, and Dong Soo Yun (MIT); Kisuk Kang (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)

Professor Belcher previously engineered viruses that could build an anode by coating themselves with cobalt oxide and gold and self-assembling to form a nanowire. In the new work, the research team created a cathode to pair with the anode: they genetically engineered viruses that first coat themselves with iron phosphate, then attach to carbon nanotubes to create a highly conductive material.
Jun 2, 2009
UMD Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (2005)

Origin of the Colossal Electromagnon in Multiferroic RMnO3

R. Valdés Aguilar1, M. Mostovoy2, A. B. Sushkov1, C. L. Zhang3, Y. J. Choi3, S-W. Cheong3, and H. D. Drew1 1Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA 2Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands 3Rutgers Center for Emergent Materials and Department of Physics & Astronomy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA

In multiferroic materials, where magnetism and ferroelectricity coexist, it is possible to excite mixed spin and lattice vibrations with electromagnetic waves called electromagnons. We find that the mechanism responsible for electromagnons is different from the one that couples static magnetism and ferroelectricity. Our results show how the strong coupling of spin and lattice excitations produce the colossal electromagnon observed in RMnO3. This mechanism can also exist in non-multiferroic materials.
May 24, 2009
CRISP: Center for Research on Interface Structures and Phenomena (2011)

CRISP High resolution non-contact Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)

B. J. Albers, T. C. Schwendemann, M. Z. Baykara, N. Pilet, E. I. Altman, and U. D. Schwarz, Yale University

Understanding the locations of atoms as they are deposited on a surface is critical for growing interfaces of electronicÂ’  device quality. One unique tool that is key to this endeavor, is the high-resolution, low-temperature ultrahigh vacuum scanning probe microscope for simultaneous operation in noncontact atomic force microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy mode at 4 K available at CRISP (Yale). Download High resolution non-contact AFM Highlight
May 24, 2009
CRISP: Center for Research on Interface Structures and Phenomena (2011)

Seeing is Believing

Christine Broadbridge, Southern Ct. State Univ. Heather Edgecumbe, Southern Ct. State Univ.

Made possible by a grant from the Connecticut Office of Workforce Competitiveness (OWC) the goal is to provide Connecticut's teachers with cutting edge imaging tools for their classrooms. A table top scanning electron microscope (mini-SEM) with elemental analysis capabilities was purchased. Typical SEMs are large and require extensive training and maintenance. Initially teachers at high schools and Connecticut's Community Technical Colleges (CTCs) are targeted for professional development and implementation.