Materials Today - Characterization

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Molecular puppets
When it comes to charges, molecules of hydrogen are just too symmetrical.
Imaging collagen with X-rays
Coherent X-ray diffraction patterns of collagen in soft tissues have been measured for the first time by Dr Felisa Berenguer (London Centre for Nanotechnology) with her colleagues [paper to publish in PNAS 2009].
Tip-enhanced phonon Raman
Conventional phonon Raman spectroscopy is a powerful experimental technique for the study of crystalline solids that allows crystallography, phase and domain identification on length scales down to 1 mm.
Nanoparticles and living cells
New approaches and standardized test procedures to study the impact of nanoparticles on living cells are urgently needed for the evaluation of potential hazards relating human exposure to nanoparticles.
Decode the Nanoworld with the Next Generation of AFM
You’ve been expecting something genuinely new from the AFM/SPM industry, but for many years you’ve only seen tweaks to old technology.

In-Vitro Replication Of The Three-Dimensional Architecture of Biological Tissues
Interview with: Raquel Perez-Castillejos, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, USA
The opportunities and challenges of engineering education
Interview with: Dr Ruth Graham
A Biomimetic Approach toward Green Antifouling Technologies
Interview with: Prof. Tony Brennan, Margaret A. Ross Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, USA
Why Are Your Bones Not Made of Steel?
Interview with: Professor David Taylor, Trinity College, Dublin

Nanoscale Biomaterials Deposition: Learning to speak the language of biology
We invite you to join a web based discussion on new methods for patterning biological systems onto a variety of surfaces at nano- and micro-scale resolution.
Introduction to Raman Spectroscopy as a Characterization Tool for Graphene and Carbon Nanostructures
Raman spectroscopy is a laser light scattering technique, if you like a form of vibrational spectroscopy that records vibrations of covalent bonds and provides detailed molecular information, ideal in the elucidation of carbon nanomaterials.
Novel Techniques for In-Situ Nanomechanical Testing in the Electron Microscope
The combination of traditional nanomechanical test instruments with complementary techniques has generated innovative ways to characterize nanoscale materials.
In- Situ Nanomechanical Testing Techniques
Next generation materials research is highly dependent on the development and application of innovative nanomechanical testing techniques.

To tweet or not to tweet
Posted by Jonathan Agbenyega • 04 February 2010
I spotted this tweet recently, and it got me thinking... Which is a better barometer of opinion: Tweet or Taxi driver? Are we placing too much emphasis on networking via the internet when a simple f...
tags: social media, social networking, user generated content
rated:

Light scattering and nanoparticles
Metal oxide nanoparticles are finding increasing application in the preparation of new nanocrystalline materials, with metal oxide composites being used to confer new electronic, magnetic and optical properties into material structures. Often these materials are formulated and processed as slurries or aqueous suspensions. One key parameter in controlling the properties of such colloidal nanoparticle systems is their particle size. Light scattering techniques are widely used for its determination.
The frontiers of microscopy
There have been remarkable developments in microscope technology in recent years, driven in part by the nanotechnology revolution and the need to investigate ever smaller and more complex objects with higher resolution. We now not only need to know where the atoms are and what they are, but also how they interact with one another at the atomic scale. Microscopy is a large and growing area, and here we focus our discussion on two main areas that have advanced greatly in recent years: scanning probe microscopy and electron microscopy.
Nanostructure by high-energy X-ray diffraction
Detailed knowledge of the atomic-scale structure is needed to understand and predict properties of materials.
Inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy
Inelastic Electron Tunneling Spectroscopy (IETS) has re-emerged as a premier analytical tool in the understanding of nanoscale and molecular junctions.

Carbon nanotube-based neat fibers
Macroscopic fibers containing only Carbon NanoTubes (CNTs) will yield great advances in high-tech applications if they can attain a significant portion of the extraordinary mechanical and electrical properties of individual CNTs.
Novel nanostructures for SERS biosensing
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful analytical tool for chemical and biological sensing applications. However, one feature which has limited its use in biosensing applications is the difficulty involved in producing uniform, highly sensitive, and reproducible SERS substrates.
Cantilever dynamics in atomic force microscopy
Dynamic atomic force microscopy, in essence, consists of a vibrating microcantilever with a nanoscale tip that interacts with a sample surface via short- and long-range intermolecular forces. Microcantilevers possess several distinct eigenmodes and the tip-sample interaction forces are highly nonlinear.
Magnetic sensitive force microscopy
High-resolution magnetic imaging down to the atomic scale is of utmost importance to understand magnetism on the nanoscale and below.

Nanosensors for trace explosive detection • Review article
Materials Today, Volume 11, Issue 3, March 2008, Pages 28-36 | Senesac, L.; Thundat, T.G.
Graphene: carbon in two dimensions • Review article
Materials Today, Volume 10, Issue 1-2, January 2007, Pages 20-27 | Katsnelson, M.I.
Polymer-based solar cells • Review article
Materials Today, Volume 10, Issue 11, November 2007, Pages 28-33 | Mayer, A.C.; Scully, S.R.; Hardin, B.E.; Rowell, M.W.; McGehee, M.D.
III-V compound SC for optoelectronic devices • Review article
Materials Today, Volume 12, Issue 4, April 2009, Pages 22-32 | Mokkapati, S.; Jagadish, C.
Fabrication of low-cost electronic biosensors • Review article
Materials Today, Volume 12, Issue 9, September 2009, Pages 12-20 | Sokolov, A.N.; Roberts, M.E.; Bao, Z.