Sub-resolution contrast in neutral helium microscopy through facet scattering for quantitative imaging of nanoscale topographies on macroscopic surfaces.

Nanoscale thin film coatings and surface treatments are ubiquitous across industry, science, and engineering; imbuing specific functional or mechanical properties (such as corrosion resistance, lubricity, catalytic activity and electronic behaviour). Non-destructive nanoscale imaging of thin film coatings across large (ca. centimetre) lateral length scales, crucial to a wide range of modern industry, remains a significant technical challenge.

Roll-to-roll solvent annealing of printed P3HT : ICA devices.

Currently, large-scale roll-to-roll production of printed organic photovoltaics (OPVs) involves high temperature annealing steps that are not compatible with thermally sensitive substrates, such as coated fabrics. In particular, the processing temperatures needed to produce the required crystalline ordering in the printed films are typically above the deformation and melting-points of these substrates. In this paper we investigate the use of local solvent recrystallisation (solvent annealing) on the roll-to-roll scale as a method for avoiding high-temperature thermal annealing.

Role of Stabilizing Surfactants on Capacitance, Charge, and Ion Transport in Organic Nanoparticle-Based Electronic Devices.

Deposition of functionalized nanoparticles onto solid surfaces has created a new revolution in electronic devices. Surface adsorbates such as ionic surfactants or additives are often used to stabilize such nanoparticle suspensions; however, little is presently known about the influence of such surfactants and additives on specific electronic and chemical functionality of nanoparticulate electronic devices. This work combines experimental measurements and theoretical models to probe the role of an ionic surfactant in the fundamental physical chemistry and electronic charge carrier behavior of photodiode devices prepared using multicomponent organic electronic nanoparticles.

Taxonomy through the lens of neutral helium microscopy.

The field of taxonomy is critically important for the identification, conservation, and ecology of biological species. Modern taxonomists increasingly need to employ advanced imaging techniques to classify organisms according to their observed morphological features. Moreover, the generation of three-dimensional datasets is of growing interest; moving beyond qualitative analysis to true quantitative classification.

Reduced Uranium Phases Produced from Anaerobic Reaction with Nanoscale Zerovalent Iron.

Nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) has shown potential to be an effective remediation agent for uranium-contaminated subsurface environments, however, the nature of the reaction products and their formation kinetics have not been fully elucidated over a range of environmentally relevant conditions. In this study, the oxygen-free reaction of U(VI) with varying quantities of nZVI was examined at pH 7 in the presence of both calcium and carbonate using a combination of X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. It was observed that the structure of the reduced U solid phases was time dependent and largely influenced by the ratio of nZVI to U in the system.

Manipulating the orientation of an organic adsorbate on silicon: a NEXAFS study of acetophenone on Si(0 0 1).

We investigate the chemical and structural configuration of acetophenone on Si(0 0 1) using synchrotron radiation core-level spectroscopy techniques and density functional theory calculations. Samples were prepared by vapour phase dosing of clean Si(0 0 1) surfaces with acetophenone in ultrahigh vacuum. Near edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and photoelectron spectroscopy measurements were made at room temperature as a function of coverage density and post-deposition anneal temperature.

Improved field emission stability from single-walled carbon nanotubes chemically attached to silicon.

Here, we demonstrate the simple fabrication of a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) field emission electrode which shows excellent field emission characteristics and remarkable field emission stability without requiring posttreatment. Chemically functionalized SWCNTs were chemically attached to a silicon substrate. The chemical attachment led to vertical alignment of SWCNTs on the surface.