Semester Projects | Spring 2024

(can be adapted to Bachelor or Master level)

Sample preparation design by finite element method
Available

Sample preparation is important for the success of in-situ biasing experiment that are aimed in understanding on how materials respond to applied voltages. The preparing consists of making a thin lamella from the material of interest on a specialized biasing chip. The aim of the project is to design a sample preparation procedure using finite element methods (FEM), that will be realized afterwards in a real experiment. FEM is a versatile tool for the evaluation of many physical properties. The student will investigate the effect of different design parameters, including sample shape, position as well as the design of the chip. The computations will be executed using the specialized software COMSOL.

Contact: Mr. Pierpaolo Ranieri
 
 
Microfabrication of MEMS-chips for electrochemical liquid-phase TEM
Reserved

Electrochemical liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (ec-LPTEM) is a contemporary technique for studying catalysts, offering a wide range of possibilities. The fundamental principles of electron microscopy impose multiple limiting factors on the composition and design of the electrochemical cell. To achieve electron beam transparency and stable measurements, micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) chips with transparent membranes and patterned electrodes are used to form an electrochemical cell. In this project, the student is invited to undertake the complete microfabrication process of MEMS chips equipped with a three-electrode planar structure. The student will gain hands-on experience in a cleanroom and build expertise in photolithography and thin-film deposition approaches. Previous cleanroom experience is preferred but not required.

Contact: Ms. Elizaveta Shcherbacheva
 
 
Quantifying catalyst electrochemical active surface area at CO2 electroreduction conditions
Reserved

Catalysts that partake in the CO2 electroreduction undergo restructuring processes leading to the alteration of the electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) of catalyst. Quantifying ECSA allows for reporting comparable data and can also serve as a complementary method to in situ electron microscopy techniques. This project aims to quantify ECSA for Cu nanocube catalysts at CO2 electroreduction conditions using an electrochemical microcell holder. Electrochemical techniques to be used include impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry. Previous hands-on experience with electrochemical techniques is preferred for this project.

Contact: Ms. Saltanat Toleukhanova
 
 
Detecting products of CO2 electroreduction in electron microscopy dedicated catalytic microcells
Reserved

CO2 electroreduction nanocatalysts tend to undergo restructuring in the course of catalytic reactions. In situ electron microscopy techniques can provide real-time information on catalyst degradation during the processes. However, for comprehensive characterization of their catalyst performance, we need dynamic information on the alteration of its product selectivity. In this project, we aim to perform a series of experiments for validation of the feasibility of detection of products formed during CO2 electroreduction in electrochemical holders dedicated for electron microscopy. The student will gain hands-on experience in electrochemical techniques such as chronoamperometry and product detection techniques such as gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

Contact: Ms. Saltanat Toleukhanova
 
 
Electric field calculation in ferroelectrics by finite element method
Reserved

In the context of in-situ biasing experiment on ferroelectric materials, ensuring the uniformity of the electric field is crucial for reducing the complexity in interpretation of the observed dynamic processes. Finite element method (FEM) is a valuable tool for evaluating the field distribution in samples. The aim of the project is to replicate the existing ferroelectric samples prepared on biasing chips, utilizing FEM simulations to evaluate their electric field distribution. The computations will be executed using COMSOL.

Contact: Mr. Pierpaolo Ranieri