Both fundamental and applied research is undertaken in Nanostructured Materials with an emphasis on advanced transmission electron microscopy techniques at atomic resolution.

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Aberration corrected Transmission Electron Microscopy

Annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF-STEM), 4D STEM with ultrafast pixelated detectors, phase contrast TEM, low voltage single atom TEM (60-80kV), in-situ heating/biasing of 2D materials, atomically resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), image simulations based on DFT models. 

The Texas Materials Institute has just established the new electron microscope facility in the EER building, shown below. This includes a low-voltage aberration corrected neoARM TEM that can operate from 30 – 200 kV and with atomically resolved EELS and EDX. New capabilities in the cryo-FIB, cryo-TEM and air-free transfer of samples is being established for battery materials.

ADF-STEM imaging of graphene at 80kV

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Materials Chemistry: Synthesis, Functionalization, and Processing

Chemical vapour deposition growth of 2D materials such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides and hBN. Nanoscale patterning. Vertical layered heterostructure formation. Interfacing with quantum dots and molecular systems.

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Nanoscale Electronic and Opto-electronic Devices

Nanofabricated devices using 2D materials, ultrathin 2D opto-electronics, lateral heterostructures, vertical stacked heterostructures, photodetectors, light emitting devices, flexible electronics, in-situ electrical measurements in the TEM.

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Catalysts and Energy Materials

Single atom sites for catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction, 2D materials for catalysis, hybrid 2D:nanoparticle systems for catalysis,  Structural analysis of catalyst using TEM, nanoporous electrode systems, structural characterization of energy materials.