Integrating Electron Microscopy into Nanoscience and Materials

Engineering Programs

SPIE Scanning Microscopy

September 17, 2014

Overview

• Skills gap in new hires

• Characterization curriculum

• Incubating Innovation

• NASA-ASL MACS lab

• Socialization of Science

• Instrument training

• Integrated microscopy program

Problem => Solution

• Skills gap in new hires

• Laboratory experience

• Lack of relevant materials

• Curriculum development

• Budget / resource constraints

Boeing – SRI Study 2006/2007 NCLT - http://community.nsee.us/grg/34076.pdf

ASL Advanced Studies Lab

• NASA-UCSC Collaboration

• Foothill De Anza College District (Foothill and De Anza College)

• NASA scientists / researchers

• UCSC/SJSU/SCU, and other faculty

• MACS Facility for Collaborative Science

Energy & Sustainability

Astrobio,SpaceBio, SynBio

Electronics(Sensors,Networks)

Collaboration of Government, Academia, and Industry today,to solve Grand Endeavors for our future tomorrow.

examples:Solar Cells,

Batteries,

Energy harvesting

examples:Transistors,

Memristors,

Sensors

examples:Astrobiology,

Biomedical devices

MACS

MACS Facility:Developing and analyzing

new MATERIALS across traditional disciplines and establishments

NASA

ARC

UCSC MACS Facility NASA-ARC ASL

Integrated Learning Outcomes

Integrated Learning Outcomes => NSF-ATE Program for Training Nanotechnicians

Program Students

• Workforce

• Community College

• 4yr (SJSU/UCSC)

• Graduate (SJSU/UCSC)

• PhD/Post Doc (UCSC)

• All over the US (summer)

Instrument Training

• Tabletop SEM (Foothill)

• FE-SEM (MACS/ASL)

• HR-TEM (MACS/ASL)

• AFM demo (Foothill)

• IBS / PE-CVD demonstration

Socialization of Science

• Mentoring of students

• Influence (social) networks

• Four levels of college students

• Faculty researchers

• Small business innovators

Mentoring of Students

• Influence (social) science networks

• Multiple levels of college students

• Faculty and NASA UCSC researchers

• Small business innovators / PBL

Students form groups around projects and work with each other in teams

Socialization of Science

Mentor TrainingFoothill College students Anh Nguyen and Yessica Torres (now at EAG labs) participate in materials research and microscopy training at NASA-ASL using a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM).

• Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope with light element analysis using Oxford INCA energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).

• 1-2 nanometer range resolution.• Dual Secondary Electron (SE)

detector system comprised of a lower detector for surface topography imaging and an “in-lens” upper detector for high resolution imaging.

• Backscatter electron (BSe) detector for analysis of insulating samples.

• Magnification range: 20 – 800kX

Hitachi S-4800 II FE SEM with chemical analysis

Hitachi HR9500 TEM

• Ultra high-resolution microscope with point-to-point resolution of 0.18 nm and a lattice resolution of 0.10 nm.

• AMT XR41B - 4 Megapixel (2048x2048) high mag, high sensitivity bottom mount camera for materials science and diffraction studies.

• Brüker - Quantax XFlash 5030 Silicon Drift Detector (SDD) for high performance energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).

• Magnification: 200 –1500kX.

Nanocarbon Projects

Nanocarbon and graphene is a primary research focus within NASA-ASL. Faculty researcher and MACS director Michael Oye developed a process for depositing vertical graphene on copper. Characterization using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Raman spectroscopy, shown at right, provided evidence for graphitic character of the material. Microscopy training in the MACS facility focuses on projects involving collaborative research, where students learn about characterization tools in the context of real science.

From Sandoz-Rosado et al, JMR 2013

Nanoislands and GaN Steps

Image of Nanoislands and Gallium Nitride Steps from S4800 FE-SEM

AFM Image of Nano Islands

Mn on GaN 2u x 2u Amorphous region 5u x 5u

AFM images from PNI Nano-R AFM using Close Contact Mode

Gold Nanoparticle TEM

NASA-ASL intern David Skiver prepared gold nanoparticles using sodium citrate reduction of auric chloride. Particles are produced in a dark solution and suspended in a TEM grid. This particle was imaged at 1 million X using a Hitachi HR 9500 TEM. Students can see individual gold atoms in the particle, which is ~ 15 nm in diameter. The group is now developing an approach to nanosilver particles using silver nitrate and sodium citrate.

Saturday Microscopy Sessions

High School student using the Hitachi TM-3000 Tabletop SEM

Summary

• Nanoscience and nanotechnology require real images for learning about nanostructures

• Gaining real experience through hands-on activities is an effective learning approach

• Access to microscopy tools can be challenging for colleges with limited budgets/partners

• The NASA-ASL MACS facility provides opportunities for real microscopy training

• Microscopy is also a great way to have fun!