On the diatomite-based nanostructure-preserving material synthesis for energy applications.

The present article overviews the current state-of-the-art and future prospects for the use of diatomaceous earth (DE) in the continuously expanding sector of energy science and technology. An eco-friendly direct source of silica and the production of silicon, diatomaceous earth possesses a desirable nano- to micro-structure that offers inherent advantages for optimum performance in existing and new applications in electrochemistry, catalysis, optoelectronics, and biomedical engineering. Silica, silicon and silicon-based materials have proven useful for energy harvesting and storage applications.

Novel microscopy-based approaches to study the film formation mechanism and associated mechanical response in polymer lattices.

In this paper, we present the results from novel microscopy-based approaches aimed at providing further insight into the mechanism of film formation and associated mechanical response in polymer lattices. Firstly, a 'simple' methodology, combining the use of variable pressure scanning electron microscopy and a recently introduced enhanced coolstage (-50 to +50°C), was successfully developed and not only used to study dynamic processes, e.g.

Cracking of drying latex films: an ESEM experiment.

In this study environmental scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the cracking of drying latex films below their glass-transition temperature. By controlling the relative humidity so that it decreases linearly with time, a critical level of humidity at which cracking occurs can be determined and this is measured as a function of film thickness. It was found that the cracking humidity decreases with increases in film thickness for thicknesses in the range of 30 to 100 mum and then remains almost unchanged.

A new tensile stage for in situ electron microscopy examination of the mechanical properties of "superelastic" specimens.

We have developed a novel tensile stage that can be used for in situ electron microscopy examination of the mechanical properties of "superelastic" materials. In our stage, one of the specimen clamps is replaced by a cylindrical roller, which when driven by a motor can easily stretch ("roll on") any specimen irrespective of its plastic properties. We have used the so-called Roll-o-meter in the study of the tensile behavior of two different film formed latex formulations, here referred to as standard and novel.