The combination of traditional nanomechanical test instruments with complementary techniques has generated innovative ways to characterize nanoscale materials. In particular, simultaneously pairing the high sensitivity of nanoindentation with the high spatial resolution of electron microscopy creates a powerful tool for studying nanoscale structures which are often difficult to test because of the inherent challenges imposed by the size of the samples involved. Recent developments in compact vacuum-compatible instruments which are capable of quantitative nanomechanical testing with synchronized SEM or TEM observation have spurred a number of in situ studies of nanoscale structures and helped to create a more complete understanding of their behavior.

This type of in-situ testing has become necessary for filling the gap between testing at the microscale and testing at the nanoscale, which has practical implications for both research- and production-level applications. These instruments allow for site-specific testing and direct observation of complex phenomena such as:

  • Dislocation nucleation and propagation in crystalline materials
  • Pressure-induced phase transformations 
  • Delamination of thin films
  • Deformation, fracture, and shear band formation in nanoscale structures (particles, pillars)
  • Time-dependent behavior in viscoelastic materials
  • Site-specific testing in multiphase or polycrystalline materials (steels, ceramics), especially when further coupled with XEDS or EBSD

This webinar will describe new developments in in-situ nanomechanical test instruments for the TEM and SEM, highlighted by application examples. 

Who should attend:

Academic and industrial researchers involved with the development and characterization of nanoscale materials and devices.

At Materials Today our objective is to progress the understanding of advanced technologies and processes relevant to the materials research community. Working with leading suppliers and experts in their field, we use the webinar format to generate and promote educational forums to achieve this objective.