Correlative Materials Characterization Workshop 2024

Title

The role of lattice distortions in coccoliths morphogenesis

Abstract

Coccoliths—micrometer-sized calcitic scales formed by unicellular algae are a prime example of biological regulation over crystal morphogenesis. Whereas calcite is expected to grow as a perfect rhombohedral crystal, coccolithophores are able to break the thermodynamically induced symmetry and morph calcite single-crystals into the most intricate shapes. Here, state-of-the-art X-ray-based coherent diffraction analysis and imaging methods were used to characterize local lattice properties in single calcitic units in coccoliths in 3D with a spatial resolution of 10 nm.

Bio

Dr. Igor Zlotnikov received his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. He then worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and, subsequently, as a Researcher at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces. Currently, he is leading the group “Multiscale Analysis” in BCUBE – Center for Molecular Bioengineering, TU Dresden. His research focuses on the fundamental question of how nature takes advantage of thermodynamic principles to generate complex mineralized morphologies.

Title

AFM in-situ SEM studies of organic and inorganic materials

Abstract

I. Kaplan-Ashiri*, I. Rosenhek-Goldian, XM. Sui, N. Kampf and S. R. Cohen

Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, 234 Herzl Street, Rehovot, Israel

AFM in-situ SEM is a valuable tool for materials’ characterization as it enables advanced imaging and spectroscopy with the various AFM and SEM modes. Preliminary AFM in-situ SEM imaging results of newly synthesized organic and inorganic materials will be presented. Morphological and topographical information gathered from SEM and AFM analyses were obtained from micro- and nanoscale particles, facilitating a deeper understanding of growth mechanisms and material properties.

Bio

Ifat Kaplan-Ashiri is an associate staff scientist at the Department of Chemical Research Support at the Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS) in Israel. She received her PhD in chemistry from WIS and had postdoc position in the University of Texas at Austin. Ifat joined the electron microscopy unit at WIS on 2012, and she is heading the SEM team. Her main fields of interest are imaging and spectroscopy of new and ancient materials as well as method development of spectroscopies (EDS and CL) in cryo-SEM for life science and in-situ and correlative SEM techniques.

Title

Multiscale XCT based Characterization and modelling of composite materials

Abstract

Even up-to-date advanced studies of the transport processes and reactions in porous materials are described either by essentially homogeneous treatment of the system characterized by average volume parameters (e.g., porosity, permeability, tortuosity) or by a more sophisticated treatment of the system (including its real micro-structures), but with a simple transport model. Two examples will illustrate a new more general attempt for the description of transport and reactions in porous systems.

Title

Correlative scanning probe and luminescence microscopy to image structural obstacles for charge carriers

Abstract

With the miniaturization of (opto)electronic semiconductor devices, structural defects like grain or domain boundaries as well as strain-induced defects have an increased impact on the charge carrier transport. Here, electrical scanning probe microscopy allows capturing charge carrier accumulations, dopants and variations in the transport behavior. By complimenting SPM with luminescence detection, we are moreover able to visualize the impact of defects on ambipolar and excitonic transport.

Bio

Ilka Hermes studied chemistry at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz. For her dissertation, she joined the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, where she used electrical and electromechanical SPM in combination with luminescence microscopy to study the impact of structural interfaces on charge carriers in perovskite solar cells. After three years in industry, Ilka started a junior research group for correlative SPM at the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research in Dresden in 2022.

Title

Synchronized multi-channel multi-technique characterization in SEM and STEM

Abstract

A very wide range of material characterization techniques are used in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM). Standard microscopes generally provide detectors for the common imaging techniques, such as Secondary Electron (SE) detectors, Back-Scattered Electrons (BSE), Bright Field (BF) or High-Angle Angular Dark Field (HAADF). Additional characterization techniques are generally provided by third-party add-on systems, such as Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Electron Beam Induced Current (EBIC), Cathodo-Luminescence (CL) and 4D STEM systems. Whilst add-on systems generally include synchronized characterization with standard detectors, synchronized imaging of all equipment required for correlative characterization remains challenging. We present here how advanced scan controllers can be employed to acquire multiple signals simultaneously, and, crucially, to synchronize multiple systems over digital trigger and synchronization signals.

Bio

Dr René Hammer graduated from Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg with a Physics diploma in 2007, and then continued in the Surface Science group as a PhD student and a Post Doc researcher to investigate structural and electronic structure of thin organic films on noble-metal single-crystals, which included low-temperature scanning-tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. Dr. René Hammer joined point electronic GmbH in 2016, where he is currently a scientist and Product Manager for Electrical Analysis systems in SEM and TEM, focusing on instrument development and application science in a wide range of fields and industries, including semiconductor, energy and novel nano-devices.

Title

Observing while it happens: operando electron microscopy of non-equilibrium dynamics

Abstract

The relatively large chamber size of SEMs and the available space around the sample provide unique opportunities for combining complementary techniques for the simultaneous detection of diverse signals. Following the pioneering work of Gerry Danilatos [1], our group is developing environmental SEM for the study of gas phase and temperature induced processes such as material growth and decomposition or phase boundary dynamics and the emergence of catalytic function. Examples are used to highlight the importance of studying non-equilibrium states of matter.

[1] G.D. Danilatos “Foundations of Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy”, Advances in Electronics and Electron Physics, Vol. 71, 1988, pp 109-250

Bio

Marc Willinger studied physics at the Technical University (TU) of Vienna and conducted his PhD studies at the Fritz Haber Institute (FHI) of the Max Planck Society. After a post-doc at the University of Aveiro in Portugal, he returned to the FHI as group leader for electron microscopy. There he started to develop and implement tools for multiscale operando electron microscopy. In 2018, he accepted a position as technical director at ScopeM, ETH Zurich. Since 2022 he is full professor at the TU Munich. He is interested in non-equilibrium states of matter, synergistic dynamics, and emergence of function.

Title

Next-Gen Batteries: understanding storage mechanisms and degradation phenomena

Abstract

Solid-state batteries are expected to became a safe and high energy alternative to todays Lithium-Ion-Batteries. However, major challenges evolving around material compatibility, mechanical stress and interface instability between solid electrolyte and active materials need to be solved. Correlative characterization is required in order to improve the understanding on mechanisms of storage and degradation. Major research questions and preliminary structure/property correlations will be addressed by providing insights into current research results on solid state battery research.

Bio

Holger Althues studied chemical engineering and received his doctoral degree in inorganic chemistry at the University of Technology Dresden in 2007. Since then he is working at the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology in Dresden, Germany. 2008 he became a team manager for the chemical surface technology group and his team was transferred into a division in 2015. In his position as division manager he administrates various projects in the area of film deposition techniques, electrode processing and future generation batteries