8 ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 solved the complex structure of aluminum oxide’s (Al2O3) surface, a puzzle listed in 1997 as one of the three mysteries of surface science. Also known as alumina, corundum, sapphire, or ruby, aluminum oxide is one of the best insulators used in a wide range of applications—in electronic components, as a support material for catalysts, or as a chemically resistant ceramic, among others. Knowledge of the precise arrangement of surface atoms is key to understanding how chemical reactions occur in this material, such as those in catalytic processes. On the surface, however, the structure deviates from that inside the crystal, and the strongly insulating nature of alumina has hindered experimental studies. The research team used noncontact atomic force microscopy (ncAFM) to analyze the surface structure. This method generates images of the TESTING | CHARACTERIZATION UNLOCKING QUANTUM MATERIALS POTENTIAL A new way to observe changes in materials at the atomic level was created by a research team at the DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tenn. The unique method opens new avenues for understanding and developing advanced materials for quantum computing and electronics. The new rapid object detection and action system, or RODAS, combines imaging, spectroscopy, and microscopy methods to capture the properties of fleeting atomic structures as they form, providing novel insights into how material properties evolve at the smallest scales. Traditional approaches combining scanning transmission electron microscopy, or STEM, with electron energy loss spectroscopy, or EELS, have been limited because the electron beam can change or degrade the materials being analyzed. RODAS overcomes this challenge and also integrates the system with dynamic computer vision enabled imaging, which uses real-time machine learning. When analyzing the specimen, RODAS focuses only on areas of interest. This approach enables rapid analysis—in seconds or milliseconds— compared to the sometimes several minutes required by other STEM-EELS methods. Importantly, RODAS extracts crucial information without destroying the sample. The RODAS technique represents a significant leap forward in materials characterization. It empowers researchers to dynamically explore structure-property relationships during analysis, target specific atoms or defects for measurement as they form, efficiently collect data on various defect types, adapt to identify new atomic or defect classes in real time, and minimize sample damage while maintaining detailed analysis. ornl.gov. LONG-STANDING ALUMINA MYSTERY SOLVED Researchers at Austria’s TU Wien and the University of Vienna have The structure of the aluminum oxide surface was determined with noncontact atomic force microscopy and computational modeling. Courtesy of Johanna Hütner, David Kugler, and Jan Balajka. Using deep learning in real time, specific sites of interest (colored circles) can be measured via electron microscopy. Courtesy of Kevin Roccapriore and Scott Gibson/ ORNL, U.S. DOE. Bruker Corp., Billerica, Mass., introduced a new benchtop metal analyzer. The Q6 Newton benchtop spark optical emission spectrometer is designed to significantly improve alloy composition analysis in the metals industry. bruker.com. Leica Microsystems Inc., Deerfield, Ill., launched a new online shopping platform with an AI search function for some of its microscopes. Users can compare features, review pricing, place an order, or request a quote. leica-microsystems.com BRIEFS
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