Nano Focus Research Articles

Unveiling Trends: Nanoscale Materials Shaping Emerging Biomedical Applications.

The realm of biomedical materials continues to evolve rapidly, driven by innovative research across interdisciplinary domains. Leveraging big data from the CAS Content Collection, this study employs quantitative analysis through natural language processing (NLP) to identify six emerging areas within nanoscale materials for biomedical applications. These areas encompass self-healing, bioelectronic, programmable, lipid-based, protein-based, and antibacterial materials. Our Nano Focus delves into the multifaceted utilization of nanoscale materials in these domains, spanning from augmenting physical and electronic properties for interfacing with human tissue to facilitating intricate functionalities like programmable drug delivery.

Tribological Investigation of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites against 52100 Chrome Alloy Steel Based on ELECTRE Decision-Making Method.

Fibers play an important role when studying the tribological behavior of reinforced friction composites. The purpose of the current research is to develop a glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) recipe with improved tribological properties as well as to find the composites with the optimal tribological behavior. A ball-on-disc tribometer was used to perform dry sliding friction testing, the obtained results were then analyzed with the ELECTRE (ELimination Et Choix Traduisant la REalite-elimination and choice translating the reality) method based on a utility matrix having process parameters the applied load, sliding velocity, and weight percentage of the fiber content. The ELECTRE method was chosen to find the optimal tribological parameters, with respect to more performance criteria, because it is one of the best multiple criteria decision-making methods. The optimal combination of parameters for the multi-response characteristics of the investigated friction composite was at an applied load of 10 N, a sliding velocity of 0.1 ms-1 and a 54% weight fiber content. The results showed that the addition of glass fiber (GF) content did not considerably improve the tribological behavior of the friction composites. In addition, from the nano focus-optical 3D scanning electron microscopy, images of the friction, tested friction and wear composites, plate formation, fiber-matrix delamination, fiber pull-out, and matrix cracking and damage, various wear mechanisms were identified.

3D-printed sheet jet for stable megahertz liquid sample delivery at X-ray free-electron lasers.

X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) can probe chemical and biological reactions as they unfold with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. A principal challenge in this pursuit involves the delivery of samples to the X-ray interaction point in such a way that produces data of the highest possible quality and with maximal efficiency. This is hampered by intrinsic constraints posed by the light source and operation within a beamline environment. For liquid samples, the solution typically involves some form of high-speed liquid jet, capable of keeping up with the rate of X-ray pulses. However, conventional jets are not ideal because of radiation-induced explosions of the jet, as well as their cylindrical geometry combined with the X-ray pointing instability of many beamlines which causes the interaction volume to differ for every pulse. This complicates data analysis and contributes to measurement errors. An alternative geometry is a liquid sheet jet which, with its constant thickness over large areas, eliminates the problems related to X-ray pointing. Since liquid sheets can be made very thin, the radiation-induced explosion is reduced, boosting their stability. These are especially attractive for experiments which benefit from small interaction volumes such as fluctuation X-ray scattering and several types of spectroscopy. Although their use has increased for soft X-ray applications in recent years, there has not yet been wide-scale adoption at XFELs. Here, gas-accelerated liquid sheet jet sample injection is demonstrated at the European XFEL SPB/SFX nano focus beamline. Its performance relative to a conventional liquid jet is evaluated and superior performance across several key factors has been found. This includes a thickness profile ranging from hundreds of nanometres to 60 nm, a fourfold increase in background stability and favorable radiation-induced explosion dynamics at high repetition rates up to 1.13 MHz. Its minute thickness also suggests that ultrafast single-particle solution scattering is a possibility.

Biomineralization of mantis shrimp dactyl club following molting: Apatite formation and brominated organic components

The stomatopod Odontodactylus scyllarus uses weaponized club-like appendages to attack its prey. These clubs are made of apatite, chitin, amorphous calcium carbonate, and amorphous calcium phosphate organized in a highly hierarchical structure with multiple regions and layers. We follow the development of the biomineralized club as a function of time using clubs harvested at specific times since molting. The clubs are investigated using a broad suite of techniques to unravel the biomineralization history of the clubs. Nano focus synchrotron x-ray diffraction and x-ray fluorescence experiments reveal that the club structure is more organized with more sub-regions than previously thought. The recently discovered impact surface has crystallites in a different size and orientation than those in the impact region. The crystal unit cell parameters vary to a large degree across individual samples, which indicates a spatial variation in the degree of chemical substitution. Energy dispersive spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy show that this variation cannot be explained by carbonation and fluoridation of the lattice alone. X-ray fluorescence and mass spectroscopy show that the impact surface is coated with a thin membrane rich in bromine that forms at very initial stages of club formation. Proteomic studies show that a fraction of the club mineralization protein-1 has brominated tyrosine suggesting that bromination of club proteins at the club surface is an integral component of the club design. Taken together, the data unravel the spatio-temporal changes in biomineral structure during club formation. Statement of significanceMantis shrimp hunt using club-like appendages that contain apatite, chitin, amorphous calcium carbonate, and amorphous calcium phosphate ordered in a highly hierarchical structure. To understand the formation process of the club we analyze clubs harvested at specific times since molting thereby constructing a club formation map. By combining several methods ranging from position resolved synchrotron X-ray diffraction to proteomics, we reveal that clubs form from an organic membrane with brominated protein and that crystalline apatite phases are present from the very onset of club formation and grow in relative importance over time. This reveals a complex biomineralization process leading to these fascinating biomineralized tools.

Development of projection X-ray microscope with 100 nm spot size

ABSTRACT A projection X-ray microscope useful for industrial non-destructive inspections and various biological observations has been developed. By installing a Schottky type electron source, a nano focus X-ray source with 100 nm focal spot size that is easy to handle in various laboratories is successfully achieved at 20 to 80 kVp. An imaging system has been composed of a vertical type that can adjust a sample position on the optical axis, and high-resolution imaging can be achieved by using a high precision stage unit. A test chart with 200 nm line width can be clearly confirmed by a transmission image, and CT images with high spatial resolution were also obtained for a test sample of glass containing air micro-bubbles. Finally, we confirmed that the spatial resolution of the system estimated from the obtained CT images does not contradict the result of the evaluation formula of spatial resolution including the effect of X-rays diffraction.

Understanding Plasma Dynamics of Argentina Nano Focus Machine Using the Lee Code

Argentina Nano Focus Machine is a small plasma focus machine used as an intense neutron source. To understand the working of its plasma dynamics, the Lee model code is used. The results obtained from the Lee code agree reasonably well with the experimental data in terms of the peak current, radial start time and the pinch duration. Additionally, this code also produces information such as the optimum neutron yield (6.2x104), maximum ion beam energy (1.2 J) and the dependence of these yields and various speeds on operating pressure. The resultant data is reliable and all the input that is required is just one experimental current waveform together with the actual machine and operating parameters.

Development of Projection X-ray Microscope with 100 nm Spot Size

A projection X-ray microscope useful for industrial non-destructive inspections and various biological observations has been developed. By installing a Schottky type electron source, a nano focus X-ray source with 100 nm focal spot size that is easy to handle in various laboratories is successfully achieved at 20 to 80 kVp. An imaging system has been composed of a vertical type that can adjust a sample position on the optical axis, and high-resolution imaging can be achieved by using a high precision stage unit. A test chart with 200 nm line width can be clearly confirmed by a transmission image, and CT images with high spatial resolution were also obtained for a test sample of glass containing air micro-bubbles. Finally, we confirmed that the spatial resolution of the obtained CT images does not contradict the measurement conditions by using the evaluation formula of spatial resolution including the effect of X-rays diffraction.

Laboratory-Based Nano-Computed Tomography and Examples of Its Application in the Field of Materials Research

In a comprehensive study, we demonstrate the performance and typical application scenarios for laboratory-based nano-computed tomography in materials research on various samples. Specifically, we focus on a projection magnification system with a nano focus source. The imaging resolution is quantified with common 2D test structures and validated in 3D applications by means of the Fourier Shell Correlation. As representative application examples from nowadays material research, we show metallization processes in multilayer integrated circuits, aging in lithium battery electrodes, and volumetric of metallic sub-micrometer fillers of composites. Thus, the laboratory system provides the unique possibility to image non-destructively structures in the range of 170–190 nanometers, even for high-density materials.

Quality control phantom using 3D-printing technology in a multi-modality system

In this paper, we proposed a design for a preclinical and clinical quality control (QC) phantom system and validated the performance of the multi-modality system. The QC phantom system can be easily built with complicated shapes using three-dimensional (3D)-printing technology. An Objet Eden 3D printer (Stratasys Ltd., USA) was used to fabricate a 3D multi-material phantom. The 3D-printed phantom composed of two main parts with QC disk units to support both X-ray imaging and nuclear imaging, which were imaged on a Inveon PET system (Siemens Medical Solutions, Knoxville, USA) and a micro-CT system (Nano Focus Ray co. Ltd. Polaris-G90, South Korea) scanner and reconstructed. The spillover ratio (SOR), non-uniformity, recover coefficients (RC) and spatial resolution were assessed using NEMA NU 4-2008 image quality phantom to compare the pixel-value statistics. Finally, the uniformity and the Hounsfield Units (HU) for computed tomography (CT) were assessed by examining a disk-type phantom. A custom phantom was created using a 3D printer. This phantom offered efficient control of the multi-modality system (CT/PET/SPECT) and was able to accommodate the flexibility of changing quality parameters for a multi-modality system by changing the QC disk in a standard manner. A further refinement of the phantom construction process is needed for routine use.

Nano Focus: “Ada” demonstrates capabilities of a self-driving laboratory

Nano Focus: “Ada” demonstrates capabilities of a self-driving laboratory

Integrating Nanotechnology into Cancer Care.

Research activity in medical and cancer nanotechnology has grown dramatically over the past 15 years. The field has become a cradle of multidisciplinary investigations bringing together physicists, chemists, and engineers working with clinicians and biologists to address paramount problems in cancer care and treatment. Some have argued that the explosion in the number of research papers has not been followed by sufficient clinical activity in nanomedicine. However, three new nanodrugs have now been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past three years, confirming the validity of nanotechnology approaches in cancer. Excitingly, translational pipelines contain several additional intriguing candidates. In this Nano Focus article, we discuss potential barriers inhibiting further incorporation of nanomedicines into patient care, possible strategies to overcome these barriers, and promising new directions in cancer interventions based on nanotechnology. Insights presented herein are outcomes of discussions held at a recent strategic workshop hosted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which brought together research, clinical, and commercial leaders of the nanomedicine field.

Nano Focus: “GO doughs” build versatile graphene-based structures

Nano Focus: “GO doughs” build versatile graphene-based structures

Nano Focus: Shrinkage leads to nanoscale resolution in 3D geometries and with a variety of materials

Nano Focus: Shrinkage leads to nanoscale resolution in 3D geometries and with a variety of materials

Nano Focus: MXenes poised to improve wearable artificial kidney options

Nano Focus: MXenes poised to improve wearable artificial kidney options

Nano Focus: Remote-controlled wearable tribo-sensor is compatible with water

Nano Focus: Remote-controlled wearable tribo-sensor is compatible with water

Dynamic variation of arc discharge and its effect on corrosion direction under current-carrying sliding

Current-carrying sliding tests were performed on an HST-100 high-speed multifunction friction and wear tester. Cf/Cu/C composite was used as the pin, and commercial QCr0.5 was employed as the disk. Sliding tests were carried out at a speed of 30 m/s and a load of 70 N under 25 A, 50 A, 75 A, and 100 A, respectively. Light intensity was collected by a photodiode, and the arc discharge process was recorded by a high-speed camera (HX-5) with a capture rate of 20,000 fp/s. The worn surfaces were characterized by a Nova NanoSEM230 scanning electron microscope and a NANO Focus AG three-dimensional topography instrument. The result indicates that arc discharge occurs randomly, both temporally and spatially, as long as the condition is suitable and occurs more at the beginning and end of the friction process. The arc moves constantly along the friction direction to the outlet. Compared to the inlet, the erosion of the outlet is considerably worse. This finding indicates the arc is moving towards the outlet and grows by a large margin when it leaves the friction surface at the outlet end.

Nano Focus: Detoxifying the oceans by using reused polystyrene

Nano Focus: Detoxifying the oceans by using reused polystyrene

Nano Focus: Solidification technique at the nanoscale expands range of 3D-printable alloys

Nano Focus: Solidification technique at the nanoscale expands range of 3D-printable alloys

Evidence of nuclear fusion neutrons in an extremely small plasma focus device operating at 0.1 Joules

We report on D-D fusion neutron emission in a plasma device with an energy input of only 0.1 J, within a range where fusion events have been considered very improbable. The results presented here are the consequence of scaling rules we have derived, thus being the key point to assure the same energy density plasma in smaller devices than in large machines. The Nanofocus (NF)—our device—was designed and constructed at the P4 Lab of the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission. Two sets of independent measurements, with different instrumentation, were made at two laboratories, in Chile and Argentina. The neutron events observed are 20σ greater than the background. The NF plasma is produced from a pulsed electrical discharge using a submillimetric anode, in a deuterium atmosphere, showing empirically that it is, in fact, possible to heat and compress the plasma. The strong evidence presented here stretches the limits beyond what was expected. A thorough understanding of this could possibly tell us where the theoretical limits actually lie, beyond conjectures. Notwithstanding, a window is thus open for low cost endeavours for basic fusion research. In addition, the development of small, portable, safe nonradioactive neutron sources becomes a feasible issue.

Nano Focus: Sliding metals: A quantitative roadmap for low-friction materials

Nano Focus: Sliding metals: A quantitative roadmap for low-friction materials