Principle of TEM alignment using convolutional neural networks: Case study on condenser aperture alignment.

The possibility of automatically aligning the transmission electron microscope (TEM) is explored using an approach based on artificial intelligence (AI). After presenting the general concept, we test the method on the first step of the alignment process which involves centering the condenser aperture. We propose using a convolutional neural network (CNN) that learns to predict the x and y-shifts needed to realign the aperture in one step.

Limitations and drawbacks of DQE estimation methods applied to electron detectors.

The detective quantum efficiency (DQE) is generally accepted as the main figure of merit for the comparison between electron detectors, and most of the time given as a unique number at the Nyquist frequency while it is known to vary with electron dose. It is usually estimated, thanks to a method improved by McMullan in 2009. The purpose of this work is to analyze and to criticize this DQE extraction method on the basis of measurement and model results, and to give recommendations for fair comparison between detectors, wondering if the DQE is the right figure of merit for electron detectors.

Design, synthesis, and characterization of protein origami based on self-assembly of a brick and staple artificial protein pair.

A versatile strategy to create an inducible protein assembly with predefined geometry is demonstrated. The assembly is triggered by a binding protein that staples two identical protein bricks together in a predictable spatial conformation. The brick and staple proteins are designed for mutual directional affinity and engineered by directed evolution from a synthetic modular repeat protein library.

CdP/ZnP Core-Shell Nanocrystals: Synthesis and Optical Properties.

II-V semiconductor nanocrystals such as CdP and ZnP have enormous potential as materials in next-generation optoelectronic devices requiring active optical properties across the visible and infrared range. To date, this potential has been unfulfilled due to their inherent instability with respect to air and moisture. Core-shell system CdP/ZnP is synthesized and studied from structural (morphology, crystallinity, shell diameter), chemical (composition of core, shell, and ligand sphere), and optical perspectives (absorbance, emission-steady state and time resolved, quantum yield, and air stability).

Heterogeneous Oxysulfide@Fluoride Core/Shell Nanocrystals for Upconversion-Based Nanothermometry.

Lanthanide (Ln)-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) often suffer from weak luminescence, especially when their sizes are ultrasmall (less than 10 nm). Enhancing the upconversion luminescence (UCL) efficiency of ultrasmall UCNPs has remained a challenge that must be undertaken if any practical applications are to be envisaged. Herein, we present a Ln-doped oxysulfide@fluoride core/shell heterostructure which shows efficient UCL properties under 980 nm excitation and good stability in solution.

Synthesis of hybrid colloidal nanoparticles for a generic approach to 3D electrostatic directed assembly: Application to anti-counterfeiting.

Hypothesis: The capability of making 3D directed assembly of colloidal nanoparticles on surfaces, instead of 2D one, is of major interest to generate, tailor, and enhance their original functionalities. The nanoxerography technique, i.e.

Directed evolution of artificial repeat proteins as habit modifiers for the morphosynthesis of (111)-terminated gold nanocrystals.

Natural biocomposites are shaped by proteins that have evolved to interact with inorganic materials. Protein directed evolution methods which mimic Darwinian evolution have proven highly successful to generate improved enzymes or therapeutic antibodies but have rarely been used to evolve protein-material interactions. Indeed, most reported studies have focused on short peptides and a wide range of oligopeptides with chemical binding affinity for inorganic materials have been uncovered by phage display methods.

Detection of the conformational changes of Discosoma red fluorescent proteins adhered on silver nanoparticles-based nanocomposites via surface-enhanced Raman scattering.

Description of the relationship between protein structure and function remains a primary focus in molecular biology, biochemistry, protein engineering and bioelectronics. Moreover, the investigation of the protein conformational changes after adhesion and dehydration is of importance to tackle problems related to the interaction of proteins with solid surfaces. In this paper the conformational changes of wild-type Discosoma recombinant red fluorescent proteins (DsRed) adhered on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)-based nanocomposites are explored via surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS).

Interface Magnetoelectric Coupling in Co/Pb(Zr,Ti)O3.

Magnetoelectric coupling at multiferroic interfaces is a promising route toward the nonvolatile electric-field control of magnetization. Here, we use optical measurements to study the static and dynamic variations of the interface magnetization induced by an electric field in Co/PbZr0.2Ti0.