In this study, we will describe a new design of carbon nanotubes tip. Single-walled carbon nanotubes produced using high-pressure CO over Fe particles (HiPCO) at CNI, Houston, TX used in this study. These tips were manufactured by employing a drawing technique using glass puller. Field electron microscopies with tips (cathode) to screen (Anode) separation of ~10 mm was used to characterize the electron emitters. The system was evacuated down to base pressure of (${\sim}10^{-8}$ mbar) when baked at up to (${\sim}200^{\circ}C$) over night. An electron field emission patterns, as well as current versus voltage characteristics and Fowler-Nordheim plots, are discussed.

High resolution measurements of the carrier profile in semiconductor devices is required as the semiconductor industry progresses from the 10-nm lithography node to 7-nm and beyond. We examine the factors which determine the resolution of the present method of scanning spreading resistance microscopy as well as such factors for the newer method of scanning frequency comb microscopy that is now under development. Also, for the first time, we consider the sensitivity of both methods to the location of heterogeneities in the semiconductor. In addition, mesoscopic effects on these measurements are considered for the first time. Two simple analytical models are extended to study the sensitivity to heterogeneities as well as mesoscopic effects.

In this investigation, synchrotron X-ray imaging was used to investigate the water distribution inside newly developed gas diffusion media in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. In-situ radiography was used to reveal the relationship between the structure of the microporous layer (MPL) and the water flow in a newly developed MPL equipped with randomly arranged holes. A strong influence of these holes on the overall water transport was found. This contribution provides a brief overview to some of our recent activities on this research field.

The effect of temperature and vanadium metal concentration on the electronic and thermoelectric properties of Si in the diamond cubic structure has been investigated using a combination of density functional theory simulations and the semi classical Boltzmann's theory. The BotzTrap code within the constant relaxation time approximation has been used to obtain the Seebeck coefficient and other transport properties of interest for alloys of the structure $Si_{1-x}V_x$, where x is 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, and 0.5. The thermoelectric properties have been extracted for a temperature range of 300 K to 1,000 K. The general trend with V atom substitution for Si causes the Seeback coefficient to increase and the thermal conductivity to decrease for the various alloys. The optimum values are for $Si_5V_3$ and $Si_4V_4$ alloys for charge carrier concentrations of $10^{21}cm^{-3}$ in the mid temperature range of 500~800 K. This is a very desirable effect for a promising thermoelectric and the figure of merit ZT approaches 0.2 at 600 K for the p-type $Si_5V_3$ alloy.

Non-isothermal thermogravimetry (TG) measurements on melt-quenched $Bi_xSe_{100-x}$ specimens (x=0, 2.5, 7.5 at%) were made at a heating rate ${\beta}=10^{\circ}C/min$ in the range $T=35^{\circ}C{\sim}950^{\circ}C$. The as-measured TG curves confirm that $Bi_xSe_{100-x}$ samples were thermally stable with minor loss at $T{\leq}400^{\circ}C$ and mass loss starts to decrease up to $600^{\circ}C$, beyond which trivial mass loss was observed. These TG curves were used to estimate molar (Se/Bi)-ratios of $Bi_xSe_{100-x}$ samples, which were not in accordance with initial composition. Shaping features of conversion curves ${\alpha}(T)-T$ of $Bi_xSe_{100-x}$ samples combined with a reliable flow chart were used to reduce kinetic mechanisms that would have caused their thermal mass loss to few nth-order reaction models of the form $f[{\alpha}(T)]{\propto}[1-{\alpha}(T)]^n$ (n=1/2, 2/3, and 1). The constructed ${\alpha}(T)-T$ and $(d{\alpha}(T)/dT)-T$ curves were analyzed using Coats-Redfern (CR) and Achar-Brindley-Sharp (ABS) kinetic formulas on basis of these model functions, but the linearity of attained plots were good in a limited ${\alpha}(T)-region$. The applicability of CR and ABS methods, with model function of kinetic reaction mechanism R0 (n=0), was notable as they gave best linear fits over much broader ${\alpha}(T)-range$.

This study deals the prediction of temperature effect on low-frequency dispersion of alternating current (AC) conductivity spectra of composite materials based on copolymer reinforced with carbon black (CB) particles. A sample of ethylene butylacrylate loaded with 13% of CB particles were prepared and investigated using the impedance spectroscopy representation in the frequency range from 40 Hz to 0.1 MHz and temperature range from $20^{\circ}C$ to $125^{\circ}C$. The dielectric constant, ${\varepsilon}^{\prime}$, and dielectric losses, ${\varepsilon}^{{\prime}{\prime}}$, were found to decrease with increasing frequency. The frequency dependence of the AC conductivity follows the universal power law with a large deviation in the high frequency region, the positive temperature coefficient in resistivity effect has been observed below the melting temperature which makes this composite potentially remarkable for industrial applications.

The dielectric relaxation characteristics of composites with different concentrations of carbon nanotubes loaded in an epoxy polymer matrix has been studied as a function of frequency over a wide range (1 Hz~10 MHz) at room temperature. Two characterization techniques were used in this work to measure and calculate the dimensionality parameters: small angle neutron scattering and impedance spectroscopy. The results obtained from both methods are in good agreement, indicating the reliability of the estimated fractal dimension, despite of the difference in the length scales accessed by the two techniques.

In this work further optical and electrical investigations of pure and Zr doped $Mn_3O_4$ (from 0 up to 20 at.%) thin films as a function of frequency. First, the refractive index, the extinction coefficient and the dielectric constants in terms of Zr content are reached from transmittance and reflectance data. The dispersion of the refractive index is discussed by means of Cauchy model and Wemple and DiDomenico single oscillator models. By exploiting these results, it was possible to estimate the plasma pulse ${\omega}_p$, the relaxation time ${\tau}$ and the dielectric constant ${\varepsilon}_{\infty}$. Second, we have performed original ac and dc conductivity studies inspired from Jonscher model and Arrhenius law. These studies helped establishing significant correlation between temperature, activation energy and Zr content. From the spectroscopy impedance analysis, we investigated the frequency relaxation phenomenon and hopping mechanisms of such thin films. Moreover, a special emphasis has been putted on the effect of the oxidation in air of hausmannite thin films to form $Mn_2O_3$ ones at $350^{\circ}C$. This intrigue phenomenon which occurred at such temperature is discussed along with this electrical study. Finally, all results have been discussed in terms of the thermal activation energies which were determined with two methods for both undoped and Zr doped $Mn_3O_4$ thin films in two temperature ranges.

The wide distribution of redox-sensitive elements (RSE) as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), selenium (Se), and strontium (Sr) in the top soil of Siwaqa area are related to the weathering action of alkaline surface and groundwater on the parent rocks. The bioavailability, distribution, sorption, and ecotoxicity of As, Cd, Se, and Sr, of the wild plants and top soils in the study area were investigated. A total number of 23 surface soil samples and 23 plant samples were collected and analyzed for the most toxic elements. The uptake of elements by plants was dependent on the plant species and the concentration of elements in the soil. For example, Sr was the highest concentration in soil samples and plants, while Se was the lowest concentration in soil samples and pants. For the plants, the results showed that Bellevalia sp. had the highest elements uptake, while Allium rothii had the lowest elements uptake. The results of this work provide a valuable knowledge for understanding the bioavailability of some toxic elements in the soil and plants of Central Jordan. The results are expected to be of great help for the Jordanian Uranium Mining Company during their environmental risk assessments.

This study concerns (i) Botanical characterization of local almond ecotype named "Beldi" based on flowering period and flowers color measurements (ii) Chemical characterization of almond oil such as acidity and peroxide index and specific UV absorbance values (K232 & K270). The color results of 100 flowers analyzed by chromameter shows two different color categories. The first is very light pink to whitish ($L^*=81.58$, $a^*=7.43$, $b^*=8.06$). The second is a dark pink ($L^*=71.64$, $a^*=18.34$, $b^*=4.97$) with a difference in color between the two categories ${\Delta}E=15.07$. Compared to Ferragnes/Ferraduel varieties, Beldi almond kernel has almost a comparable oil yield but different acidity and peroxide values which are 0.81%, $8.12meq/O_2/kg$ and 0.40%, $16.39meq/O_2/kg$ respectively.

Electron crystallography has been used as the one of powerful tool for studying the structure of biological macromolecules at high resolution which is sufficient to provide details of intramolecular and intermolecular interactions at near-atomic level. Previously it commonly uses two-dimensional crystals that are periodic arrangement of biological molecules, however recent studies reported a novel technical approach to electron crystallography of three-dimensional crystals, called micro electron-diffraction (MicroED) which involves placing the irregular and small sized protein crystals in a transmission electron microscope to determine the atomic structure. In here, we review the advances in electron crystallography techniques with several recent studies. Furthermore, we discuss the future direction of this structural approach.

Gas vesicles are intracellular gas-filled protein-shelled nanocompartments. The structures are spindle or cylinder-shaped, and typically $0.1{\sim}2{\mu}m$ in length and 45~250 nm in width. A variety of prokaryotes including photosynthetic bacteria and halophilic archaea form gas vesicles in their cytoplasm. Gas vesicles provide cell buoyancy as flotation devices in aqueous habitats. They are used as nanoscale molecular reporters for ultrasound imaging for biomedical purposes. The structures in halophilic archaea are poorly resolved due to the low signal-to-noise ratio from the high salt concentration in the medium. Such a limitation can be overcome using focused ion beam-thinning or inelastically scattered electrons. As the concentric bodies (~200 nm in diameter) in fungi possess gas-filled cores, it is possible that the concept of gas vesicles could be applied to eukaryotic microbes beyond prokaryotes.

Negative staining has been traditionally used for exosome imaging; however, the technique is limited to surface topology only and can cause staining artifacts. Therefore, to analyze the internal structure of exosomes, we employed a method of block preparation, thin sectioning, and electron tomography. In addition, an automatic serial sectioning technique with 15-nm thickness through focused ion beam was employed to observe the three-dimensional structure of exosomes of various sizes. Cryo-transmission electron microscopy revealed the near-to-native structure of exosomes.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have been studied widely owing to their outstanding properties since monolayer graphene was isolated in 2004. Especially, among 2D materials, phosphorene, a single atomic layer of black phosphorus (BP), has been highlighted for its electrical properties. This material can serve as a substitute for graphene, which has been revealed as a "semi-metal", in next-generation semiconductors. However, few-layer BP is prone to degradation under ambient conditions owing to its reactivity with oxygen and water, which results in the condensation of water droplets on the surface of the BP flakes. This causes charge transfer from the phosphorus atom to oxygen, resulting in the formation of phosphoric acid (oxide) and degrades the various properties of BP. Therefore, it is necessary to find passivation methods to prevent BP flakes from being degraded under ambient conditions. This review article deals with recent studies on passivation methods for BP and their performance against oxygen and water, effects on the electrical properties of BP, and the extent to how they protect BP.

The classical electron band theory is a powerful tool to describe the electronic structures of solids. However, the band theory and corresponding density functional theory become inappropriate if a system comprises localized electrons in a scenario wherein strong electron correlations cannot be neglected. $SrRuO_3$ is one such system, and the partially localized d-band electrons exhibit some interesting behaviors such as enhanced effective mass, spectral incoherency, and oppression of ferromagnetism and itinerancy. In particular, a Metal-Insulator transition occurs when the thickness of $SrRuO_3$ approaches approximately four unit cells. In the computational studies, irrespective of the inclusion of on-site Hubbard repulsion and Hund's coupling parameters, correctly depicting the correlation effects is difficult. Because the oxygen atoms and the symmetry of octahedra are known to play important roles in the system, scrutinizing both the electronic band structure and the lattice system of $SrRuO_3$ is required to find the origin of the correlated behaviors. Transmission electron microscopy is a promising solution to this problem because of its integrated functionalities, which include atomic-resolution imaging and electron energy loss spectroscopy.

A homogeneous $KNbO_3$ (KN) phase was formed by sintering at $1,040^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour, without formation of the $K_2O$-deficient secondary phase even though suffering the minor loss of $K_2O$. KN liquid phase was formed during sintering and abnormal grain growth occurred in this specimen. The detailed microstructural observations on KN during sintering were carried out using high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The ledged structures were found at the KN grain boundary and the abnormal grain growth was performed by the lateral migration of these ledges in the presence of the liquid phase. The liquid pockets were found in the KN grains. They have various external shapes mainly due to the kinetic factors. They have atomically flat interfaces with some ledges with one atomic height. The slight deficient $K_2O$ by evaporation might somewhat reduce the melting point of KN from the reported at $1,058^{\circ}C$. The liquid pockets play an important role in supplying the liquid phase during the abnormal grain growth in the sintering process of KN ceramics.

The microstructural changes in Co nanoparticles and an Au-10at.%Pd thin film have been investigated using an in situ heating holder with a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS). In Co nanoparticles, two phases (face-centered cubic and hexagonal close-packed crystal structures) were found to coexist at room temperature and microstructures at temperatures, higher than $1,000^{\circ}C$, were observed with a quick response time and significant stability. The actual temperature of each specimen was directly estimated from the changes in the lattice spacing (Bragg-peak separation). For the Au-10at.%Pd thin film, at a set temperature of $680^{\circ}C$, the actual temperature of the sample was estimated to be $1,020^{\circ}C{\pm}123^{\circ}C$. Note that the specimen temperature should be carefully evaluated because of the undesired effects, i.e., the temperature non-uniformity due to the sample design of the MEMS chip, and distortion due to thermal expansion.