Long-term geophysical observations on the inguri dam rock foundation

Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment - It has been found that during construction of the dam, prior to the filling of the reservoir, compaction and loading of the rocks under the...     

A decade of piezoresponse force microscopy: progress, challenges, and opportunities

Coupling between electrical and mechanical phenomena is a near-universal characteristic of inorganic and biological systems alike, with examples ranging from piezoelectricity in ferroelectric perovskites to complex, electromechanical couplings in electromotor proteins in cellular membranes. Understanding electromechanical functionality in materials such as ferroelectric nanocrystals and thin films, relaxor ferroelectrics, and biosystems requires probing these properties on the nanometer level of individual grain, domain, or protein fibril. In the last decade, piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) was established as a powerful tool for nanoscale imaging, spectroscopy, and manipulation of ferroelectric materials. Here, we present principles and recent advances in PFM, including vector and frequency-dependent imaging of piezoelectric materials, briefly review applications for ferroelectric materials, discuss prospects for electromechanical imaging of local crystallographic and molecular orientations and disorder, and summarize future challenges and opportunities for PFM emerging in the second decade since its invention     

Application of spectromicroscopy tools to explore local origins of sensor activity in quasi-1D oxide nanostructures

We have tested a range of imaging and spectroscopic techniques to address their ability to locally explore the interplay between surface reactivity and transport properties of the metal oxide nanostructure wired as a chemiresistor and chemi-FET. In particular, we used scanning surface potential microscopy (SSPM) to monitor the spatial and temporal particularities of the dc potential distributions in an operating device. We also successfully implemented synchrotron radiation-based photoelectron emission microscopy (PEEM) to explore submicron lateral compositional and electronic (work function) inhomogeneity on the surface of an individual nanowire sensor. These results open new avenues to visualize and spectroscopically address the chemical phenomena on an individual quasi-1D nanostructure both in real time and at nano-?and mesoscopic level.     

The partially reversible formation of Li-metal particles on a solid Li electrolyte: applications toward nanobatteries

The feasibility of large-scale implementation of Li-air batteries (LABs) hinges on understanding the thermodynamic and kinetic factors that control charge-discharge rates, efficiency and life times. Here, the kinetics of bias-induced reactions is explored locally on the surface of Li-ion conductive glass ceramics, a preferred electrolyte for LABs, using direct current-voltage and strain spectroscopies. Above a critical bias, particle growth kinetics were found to be linear in both the bias and time domains. Partial reversibility was observed for Li particles as evidenced by the presence of anodic peaks following the Li(+) reduction, as well an associated reduction in particle height. The degree of reversibility was highest for the smallest particles formed. These observations thus suggest the possibility of producing nanobatteries with an active anode volume of the order of 0.1 al.     

Voltage-gated ion transport through semiconducting conical nanopores formed by metal nanoparticle-assisted plasma etching

Nanopores with conical geometries have been found to rectify ionic current in electrolytes. While nanopores in semiconducting membranes are known to modulate ionic transport through gated modification of pore surface charge, the fabrication of conical nanopores in silicon (Si) has proven challenging. Here, we report the discovery that gold (Au) nanoparticle (NP)-assisted plasma etching results in the formation of conical etch profiles in Si. These conical profiles result due to enhanced Si etch rates in the vicinity of the Au NPs. We show that this process provides a convenient and versatile means to fabricate conical nanopores in Si membranes and crystals with variable pore-diameters and cone-angles. We investigated ionic transport through these pores and observed that rectification ratios could be enhanced by a factor of over 100 by voltage gating alone, and that these pores could function as ionic switches with high on-off ratios of approximately 260. Further, we demonstrate voltage gated control over protein transport, which is of importance in lab-on-a-chip devices and biomolecular separations.     

Influence of annealing on magnetic, relaxation and structural properties of composite and multilayer films

This work is devoted to the research of influence of annealing to ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) properties of films of the A, B series with the compositions of (Co45-Fe45-Zr10)x(Al2O3)y, multilayer films of the D series with compositions {[(Co45-Fe45-Zr10)x(Al2O3)y]-[alpha-Si]}120 and revealing their relationship with the nanostructure characteristics. The films were obtained in an argon atmosphere (the A, D series) and with addition of oxygen (the B series). All samples were deposited on substrates by the ion-beam sputtering method and were annealed. The resonant fields and width of ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) line were measured before and after annealing. The changes in the FMR field and width of the line at varying temperatures of annealing for the composite and multilayer films are analyzed in the work. The character of changes in the structural characteristics of films at different annealing temperatures is determined.     

Multifrequency imaging in the intermittent contact mode of atomic force microscopy: beyond phase imaging

The cantilever dynamics in single-frequency scanning probe microscopy (SPM) are undefined due to having only two output variables, which leads to poorly understood image contrast. To address this shortcoming, generalized phase imaging scanning probe microscopy (GP-SPM), based on broad band detection and multi-eigenmode operation, is developed and demonstrated on diamond nanoparticles with different functionalization layers. It is shown that rich information on tip-surface interactions can be acquired by separating the response amplitude, instant resonance frequency, and quality factor. The obtained data allow high-resolution imaging even in the ambient environment. By tuning the strength of tip-surface interaction, different surface functionalizations can be discerned.     

Open-loop band excitation Kelvin probe force microscopy

A multidimensional scanning probe microscopy approach for quantitative, cross-talk free mapping of surface electrostatic properties is demonstrated. Open-loop band excitation Kelvin probe force microscopy (OL BE KPFM) probes the full response-frequency-potential surface at each pixel at standard imaging rates. The subsequent analysis reconstructs work function, tip-surface capacitance gradient and resonant frequency maps, obviating feedback-related artifacts. OL BE KPFM imaging is demonstrated for several materials systems with topographic, potential and combined contrast. This approach combines the features of both frequency and amplitude KPFM and allows complete decoupling of topographic and voltage contributions to the KPFM signal.     

Symmetry relationship and strain-induced transitions between insulating M1 and M2 and metallic R phases of vanadium dioxide

The ability to synthesize VO2 in the form of single-crystalline nanobeams and nano- and microcrystals uncovered a number of previously unknown aspects of the metal-insulator transition (MIT) in this oxide. In particular, several reports demonstrated that the MIT can proceed through competition between two monoclinic (insulating) phases M1 and M2 and the tetragonal (metallic) R phase under influence of strain. The nature of such phase behavior has been not identified. Here we show that the competition between M1 and M2 phases is purely lattice-symmetry-driven. Within the framework of the Ginzburg-Landau formalism, both M phases correspond to different directions of the same four-component structural order parameter, and as a consequence, the M2 phase can appear under a small perturbation of the M1 structure such as doping or stress. We analyze the strain-controlled phase diagram of VO2 in the vicinity of the R-M2-M1 triple point using the Ginzburg-Landau formalism and identify and experimentally verify the pathways for strain-control of the transition. These insights open the door toward more systematic approaches to synthesis of VO2 nanostructures in desired phase states and to use of external fields in the control of the VO2 phase states. Additionally, we report observation of the triclinic T phase at the heterophase domain boundaries in strained quasi-two-dimensional VO2 nanoplatelets, and theoretically predict phases that have not been previously observed.