Dear CNM User Community,

Happy National Nanotechnology Day! Today, 10/9, pays tribute to the work of researchers at the nanoscale, 10^-9 meters. The National Nanotechnology Initiative chose this day to help raise awareness of nanotechnology, its current uses in products that enrich our daily lives, and the challenges and opportunities it holds for the future.

For over 15 years, the Center for Nanoscale Materials has stood at the vanguard of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The groundbreaking research conducted at CNM by both staff and visiting users expands our knowledge and lays the groundwork for practical applications in green technology, quantum information science, healthcare and energy.

Recent CNM research published in high-impact journals include the discovery of unusual ultrafast motion in layered magnetic materials, development of digital twin software that could help the thousands of future users of DOE facilities employ their time more efficiently, and creation of a low-cost catalyst for a process that yields clean hydrogen from water. You can read more about these exciting developments in the links below. But these are only the tip of an iceberg filled with discoveries by CNM staff and users.

Today, we applaud the pioneers of nanoscience and nanotechnology, including staff and users at CNM and at nanoscience research centers across the nation, including our DOE Office of Science sister Nanoscale Science Research Centers (NSRCs). Our cumulative work expands our knowledge and promises a greener, healthier and more energy-efficient future.

Sincerely,
Ilke Arslan

Director
Center for Nanoscale Materials
Argonne National Laboratory

ASYLUM CYPHER S ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE

A new Asylum Cypher S atomic force microscope (AFM) has been acquired and is located in B108. It will complement (and eventually replace) the existing Bruker (Veeco) Multimode 8 scanning probe microscope. The Cypher S provides routinely achievable high-resolution, fast-scanning capabilities and simple operational mechanics. It is also equipped with “blueDrive”, which is an option for photothermal excitation of the cantilever (rather than piezo-driven). This mode makes tapping mode measurements simpler, more stable and more quantitative for studying mechanical, electrical and magnetic properties of a variety of samples. The new Cypher S will provide a flexible AFM scanning platform for improved non-contact and contact mode measurements, such as lateral force imaging, (single-frequency) piezo-force microscopy, AC imaging, conductive AFM, kelvin probe force microscopy, electric force microscopy, magnetic force microscopy and fast force mapping.

SCIENTISTS DISCOVER UNUSUAL ULTRAFAST MOTION IN LAYERED MAGNETIC MATERIALS

Using ultrafast imaging resources in CNM, a multi-institutional team, including Argonne researchers, revealed unusual ultrafast mechanical motion tied to a change in magnetic state in a layered material. This magnetic effect could have possible application in nanodevices.

READ MORE

A STITCH IN VIRTUAL TIME SAVES NINE IN REAL TIME

An Argonne team led by CNM is working on digital twin software that could help the thousands of users of DOE facilities employ their time there more efficiently.

READ MORE

EXTRACTING A CLEAN FUEL FROM WATER

A multi-institutional team, including CNM, has developed a low-cost catalyst for a process that yields clean hydrogen from water.

READ MORE

WELCOME ASSISTANT SCIENTIST GENGNAN LI

Before joining CNM, Gengnan Li studied dynamic heterogeneous catalytic systems through combined in-situ characterization and computational simulations at the Center for Functional Nanomaterials of Brookhaven National Laboratory. At the CNM, she will conduct research and support users in the fields of CO₂ conversion and clean energy, which include hydrogen production, storage and transportation. She will be applying thermal- and electro-catalysis approaches to advance nanoscale understanding of related materials and chemical phenomena. Li received her Ph.D. in materials science and engineering at the East China University of Science and Technology. She then pursued postdoctoral studies at Washington State University and the University of Oklahoma.

CNM STAFF EXHIBIT AT NOBBCHE CONFERENCE

The CNM, along with the other four NSRCs, recently exhibited at the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) 50th Annual Meeting. This annual conference provides opportunities for networking and mentorship between professionals and students of all levels. In addition, the conference creates a venue for scientific dialogue through technical programming, as well as personal and professional development for students and early/mid-career professionals. We had a great time chatting and meeting with the conference participants.

MESSAGE FROM JIM YOUNG,
CNM ENVIRONMENT, SAFETY AND HEALTH COORDINATOR

There have been a couple of important recent changes to safety protocols:

• There is a new evacuation assembly area for Building 440 and 441. If a building alarm is activated and/or a building public address announcement directs occupants to evacuate, staff and visiting users should exit the building and assemble in the CNM west parking lot (overflow parking lot). In the event of an extended real event, the alternate location is the Lower Gallery of Building 402. 
• Laboratory B121 in Building 440 now requires the use of safety glasses upon entering.  

As always, cleaning up lab space and reporting incidents are critical components of maintaining a safe, productive and scientifically rigorous laboratory environment. Please keep your lab areas clean and immediately report any accident, spill or other incident to your Scientific Contact or Jim Young.