thin films – TechConnect Briefs

Impact of Colloidal Stability on Cellulose Nanocrystals Self-Ordering in Thin Films

Bruel C., Tavares J.R., Carreau P.J., Heuzey M.-C., polytechnique montreal, CA

Sulfuric acid hydrolyzed cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) display interesting self-ordering properties in water. Applications include water casting of optically active CNC- based materials and composites. N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)-cast materials do not display as good properties. Variations in [...]

Abrasive scanning with AFM on biocompatible polymers: measuring dry vs. swollen film thickness and probing properties

Haugstad G., Wormuth K., University of Minnesota, US

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is well-known as a tool for imaging surface topography down to subnanometer scales on all forms of matter, utilizing a scanning stylus (“tip”). The method is applicable to biomolecules adsorbed to [...]

Nanocomposite dodecylsulfate-modified Mg-Al layered double hydroxide thin films deposited via laser technique

Vlad A., Birjega R., Matei A., Dumitru M., Dinescu M., Zavoianu R., Pavel O.D., Corobea M.C., National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Romania, RO

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs), also known as hydrotalcites or anionic clays having a brucite-like structure are a class of host-guest materials, which can be described by the formula [M2+1-xM3+x(OH)2]x+(An-)x/n•mH2O where M2+ and M3+ are divalent [...]

Multifunctional Ceramic Thin Films for High-Performance Orthopaedic Implants

Bianchi M., Lopomo N., Boi M., Maltarello M.C., Liscio F., Marcacci M., Russo A., Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, IT

We describe here the deposition via a novel sputter-based electron deposition technique of functional ceramic thin films on the surface of the two main components of an orthopaedic implant: the load-bearing component and the segment [...]

Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Palladium Nanostructured Ensemble Supported in Anodized Alumina Membranes for Hydrogen Sensing Applications

Méndez-Colberg H.G., Martínez-Iñesta M.M., University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus, US

A Pd/Anodic alumina membrane (AAM) ensemble was formed by using Solid State Reduction. The ensemble consisted of Pd thin films on both sides of the AAM with connecting nanowires as evidenced with Scanning Electron Microscopy [...]

Silver Nanowires for Plasmon Induced Enhancement of Optical Absorption in Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells

Mailhes R., Institut des Nanotechnologies de Lyon (INL), FR

Plasmonic effects for photovoltaics are investigated through this communication. We present here an innovative design with integrated silver nanocylinders located at the rear side of a thin crystalline silicon cell. Numerical simulations (FDTD) show that [...]

Silver Nanowires for Plasmon Induced Enhancement of Optical Absorption in Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells

Mailhes R., Institut des Nanotechnologies de Lyon (INL), FR

Plasmonic effects for photovoltaics are investigated through this communication. We present here an innovative design with integrated silver nanocylinders located at the rear side of a thin crystalline silicon cell. Numerical simulations (FDTD) show that [...]

Flexible thin films based on nanostructured polymeric composites as ultra sensitive piezoresistive materials and their applications

Laukhina E., Pfattner R., Ferreras L.R., Mas-Torrent M., Laukhin V., Laukhina E., Rovira C., Veciana J., Institut Ciencia de Materials de Barcelona (CSIC)/CIBER-BBN, ES

The development of intelligent materials that respond to the application of external stimuli is of major interest for the fabrication of artificial sensing devices able to sense and transmit information about the external changes produced [...]

Novel Nanostructured Coatings onto Particles by Atomic Layer Deposition, Their Method of Manufacture, and Feasibility of Scale and Economics

Spencer J., Weimer A., ALD NanoSolutions, US

Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) on particles can provide unique opportunities to control surface chemistry or create new composite materials. These techniques can create a wide variety of structures to suit many different commercial applications from [...]

Physical properties of multilayer thin films of Ti-V and their hydrides studied by ion beam analysis methods

Drogowska K., Flege S., Becker H.-W., Tarnawski Z., Zakrzewska K., Balogh A.G., AGH University of Science and Technology, PL

A wide variety of characterization techniques were used to determine the properties of titanium, titanium oxides and vanadium oxide thin film multilayers with different thicknesses, for the as-deposited state as well as under different levels [...]