In this article, we review special features of Gwyddion—a modular, multiplatform, open-source software for scanning probe microscopy data processing, which is available at http://gwyddion.net/. We describe its architecture with emphasis on modularity and easy integration of the provided algorithms into other software. Special functionalities, such as data processing from non-rectangular areas, grain and particle analysis, and metrology support are discussed as well. It is shown that on the basis of open-source software development, a fully functional software package can be created that covers the needs of a large part of the scanning probe microscopy user community.

https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.2478/s11534-011-0096-2/pdf

Gwyddion: an open-source software for SPM data analysis

Silicon is an attractive material for anodes in energy storage devices1,2,3, because it has ten times the theoretical capacity of its state-of-the-art carbonaceous counterpart. Silicon anodes can be used both in traditional lithium-ion batteries and in more recent Li–O2 and Li–S batteries as a replacement for the dendrite-forming lithium metal anodes. The main challenges associated with silicon anodes are structural degradation and instability of the solid-electrolyte interphase caused by the large volume change (∼300%) during cycling, the occurrence of side reactions with the electrolyte, and the low volumetric capacity when the material size is reduced to a nanometre scale4,5,6,7. Here, we propose a hierarchical structured silicon anode that tackles all three of these problems. Our design is inspired by the structure of a pomegranate, where single silicon nanoparticles are encapsulated by a conductive carbon layer that leaves enough room for expansion and contraction following lithiation and delithiation. An ensemble of these hybrid nanoparticles is then encapsulated by a thicker carbon layer in micrometre-size pouches to act as an electrolyte barrier. As a result of this hierarchical arrangement, the solid-electrolyte interphase remains stable and spatially confined, resulting in superior cyclability (97% capacity retention after 1,000 cycles). In addition, the microstructures lower the electrode–electrolyte contact area, resulting in high Coulombic efficiency (99.87%) and volumetric capacity (1,270 mAh cm−3), and the cycling remains stable even when the areal capacity is increased to the level of commercial lithium-ion batteries (3.7 mAh cm−2). A Si anode with hierarchical morphology can accommodate large volume changes, demonstrates high Coulombic efficiency and cyclability as well as an areal capacity comparable to that of commercial Li-ion batteries.

A pomegranate-inspired nanoscale design for large-volume-change lithium battery anodes

Lithium metal is an attractive anode material for rechargeable batteries, owing to its high theoretical specific capacity of 3,860 mAh g−1. Despite extensive research efforts, there are still many fundamental challenges in using lithium metal in lithium-ion batteries. Most notably, critical information such as its nucleation and growth behaviour remains elusive. Here we explore the nucleation pattern of lithium on various metal substrates and unravel a substrate-dependent growth phenomenon that enables selective deposition of lithium metal. With the aid of binary phase diagrams, we find that no nucleation barriers are present for metals exhibiting a definite solubility in lithium, whereas appreciable nucleation barriers exist for metals with negligible solubility. We thereafter design a nanocapsule structure for lithium metal anodes consisting of hollow carbon spheres with nanoparticle seeds inside. During deposition, the lithium metal is found to predominantly grow inside the hollow carbon spheres. Such selective deposition and stable encapsulation of lithium metal eliminate dendrite formation and enable improved cycling, even in corrosive alkyl carbonate electrolytes, with 98% coulombic efficiency for more than 300 cycles. Uncontrolled lithium deposition during cycling is a major concern in the development of lithium-based batteries. Here, the authors analyse the lithium nucleation pattern on various metal substrates and demonstrate that lithium can be selectively deposited in a nanoseed inside hollow carbon spheres.

https://web.stanford.edu/group/cui_group/papers/Kai_Cui_NATNRG_2016.pdf

Selective deposition and stable encapsulation of lithium through heterogeneous seeded growth

Nanoantennas for visible and infrared radiation can strongly enhance the interaction of light with nanoscale matter by their ability to efficiently link propagating and spatially localized optical fields. This ability unlocks an enormous potential for applications ranging from nanoscale optical microscopy and spectroscopy over solar energy conversion, integrated optical nanocircuitry, opto-electronics and density-of-states engineering to ultra-sensing as well as enhancement of optical nonlinearities. Here we review the current understanding of metallic optical antennas based on the background of both well-developed radiowave antenna engineering and plasmonics. In particular, we discuss the role of plasmonic resonances on the performance of nanoantennas and address the influence of geometrical parameters imposed by nanofabrication. Finally, we give a brief account of the current status of the field and the major established and emerging lines of investigation in this vivid area of research.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0034-4885/75/2/024402/pdf

Nanoantennas for visible and infrared radiation.

Graphene and graphite nanoribbons: Morphology, properties, synthesis, defects and applications

The interaction of water and the alumina surface is comprehensively reviewed. Water can be incorporated in the alumina crystal structure resulting in the formation of aluminum hydroxides such as gibbsite. Alumina dissolves into water to an extent that depends primarily upon the solution pH and temperature. The soluble Al (III)aq species (hydrolysis products) likewise depend upon the solution pH, temperature, aluminum, and other salt concentrations. The development of charge on the surface of alumina is controlled by amphoteric surface ionization reactions. The charging behavior of both alumina powders and single crystal faces is compared. The differences can be explained by the reactivities of different types of surface hydroxyl groups. The substantial difference in surface charging behavior of single crystal sapphire and alumina powders indicates that experiments and modeling conducted on single crystals is of limited use in predicting suspension behavior. The atomic scale structure of the hydroxylated sapphire (0001) basal plane is nearly identical to the gibbsite (001) basal plane. The observed surface structures are consistent with the charging behavior of the surfaces. The role of surface charge on the adsorption of processing additives is briefly discussed. How surface charge and processing additives at the alumina aqueous solution interface influence surface forces between particles is reviewed. The influence of these forces on suspension properties such as rheological behavior is outlined. The importance of controlling these behaviors to improve colloidal ceramic powder processing is stressed.

Charging Behavior at the Alumina–Water Interface and Implications for Ceramic Processing

Atomic and subnanometer resolution in ambient conditions by atomic force microscopy

Sol-gel coating of inorganic nanostructures with resorcinol-formaldehyde resin†

Novel core-shell-shell structured nanoparticles 75 nm in diameter with all-in-one "smart" functional capabilities for simultaneous photoresponsive drug release, photodynamic therapy, and cell imaging are designed and prepared. These nanoparticles consist of an upconversion (UC) emission core, a photosensitizer-embodied silica sandwich shell, and a β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) gated mesoporous silica outmost shell with drugs (Rhodamine B as a model) loaded inside. We show in this proof-of-concept demonstration that, under 980 nm near-infrared irradiation, UC 540 nm green light emissions were emitted for cell imaging, and 660 nm red light emissions were excited for activating photosensitizers to generate singlet oxygen, which could be exploited directly to kill cancer cells and simultaneously dissociate β-CD gatekeeper to release drugs. The preliminary results reported here will shed new light on the future design and applications of multifunctional platforms for cancer therapy and diagnostic.

Design and Synthesis of Core–Shell–Shell Upconversion Nanoparticles for NIR-Induced Drug Release, Photodynamic Therapy, and Cell Imaging

Cantilevers with single micro- or nanoparticle probes have been widely used for atomic force microscopy surface force measurements and apertureless scanning near-field optical microscopy applications. In this article, I critically review the particle attachment and modification techniques currently available, to help researchers choose the appropriate techniques for specific applications.

https://www.engr.colostate.edu/ECE581/fall07/reviews/surface%20force%20and%20near-field%20optical%20measurement.pdf

Invited Review Article: A review of techniques for attaching micro- and nanoparticles to a probe’s tip for surface force and near-field optical measurements

Yang Gan

Papers

Charging Behavior at the Alumina–Water Interface and Implications for Ceramic Processing

Atomic and subnanometer resolution in ambient conditions by atomic force microscopy

Sol-gel coating of inorganic nanostructures with resorcinol-formaldehyde resin†

Design and Synthesis of Core–Shell–Shell Upconversion Nanoparticles for NIR-Induced Drug Release, Photodynamic Therapy, and Cell Imaging

Invited Review Article: A review of techniques for attaching micro- and nanoparticles to a probe’s tip for surface force and near-field optical measurements