Master Thesis Projects | 2026-2027
Development of electron holography methods for robust mapping of electric potential at the nanoscale
Available
Electron holography is a renowned transmission electron microscope (TEM) technique for the quantitative mapping of electromagnetic potentials at the nanoscale. In this approach, the TEM is used as an optical bench for charged particles in which a coherent electron wave interacting with the sample is interfered with a reference wave. The resulting interference pattern (hologram) is numerically processed to produce a quantitative image of potential distribution. Electron holography is particularly relevant for electric field mapping in semiconductor devices and for magnetic texture analysis. Despite the technique was invented in the 1950’s, challenges remain to improve the reliability and spatial resolution of the measurement.
This project aims at exploring and implementing novel methods to enhance electron holography measurements, addressing both hologram acquisition on an advanced TEM instrument (FEI Titan Themis) and numerical processing of the holograms. Both these aspects of the measurement chain will be developed in light of recent advances in the field, including “precession holography” or “phase-shifting holography”, requiring specific hologram acquisition strategies and dedicated data processing methods. This project is strongly scripting-orientated to translate these concepts into automated acquisition schemes through control of the microscope hardware, and into efficient numerical methods for hologram reconstruction. The developed methods will be benchmarked against conventional holography measurements using semiconductor device samples. Thereby, this project is well suited to a student with strong coding skills and problem-solving mindset, eager to bring sophisticated measurement concepts to real application cases in an electron microscopy.
Contact: Dr. Victor Boureau and Prof. Tileli
Simultaneous SE and STEM imaging in SEM for monitoring dynamic processes in energy materials
Available
This project aims to develop a correlative imaging methodology combining simultaneous secondary electron (SE) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) imaging within a scanning electron microscope (SEM), enabling real-time visualisation of dynamic processes in energy materials. By concurrently capturing surface-sensitive SE signals alongside transmitted electron signals, the approach provides complementary and comprehensive information on both surface morphology and internal microstructural evolution under operando conditions. A key challenge lies in the need to dynamically adjust critical microscope operating parameters — including accelerating voltage, electron beam current, and field of view — in real time without compromising the integrity of either imaging channel. The simultaneous dual-signal acquisition will enable direct nanoscale correlation of surface and bulk phenomena, overcoming the limitations of sequential imaging approaches where temporal misalignment can obscure the processes under investigation. The student will develop custom software embedded directly into the microscope’s operating interface (AutoScript – Python-based), while acquiring scientifically relevant datasets in the fields of thermal catalysis and/or corrosion.
Contact: Prof. Tileli
Thermodynamic behaviour of microfabricated electrodes for microcells
Available
This project aims to develop miniaturised sensor electrodes capable of providing locally resolved pH measurements within liquid-phase electron microscopy (LP-EM) systems, with the ultimate goal of mapping pH gradients in real time during electrocatalytic processes. The system is based on palladium thin-film electrodes, whose electrochemical charging with hydrogen to form a stable palladium hydride phase offers a promising and elegant approach to potentiometric pH sensing at the microscale. A central challenge — and scientific opportunity — lies in thermodynamically controlling the formation and stability of the hydride phase, which is critical to achieving a reliable and reproducible sensor response. The project will begin with the cleanroom microfabrication of custom microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) chips integrating palladium reference electrodes alongside platinum counter and working electrodes, followed by their electrochemical hydrogenation and thorough characterisation. The potentiometric response of the hydride electrode will then be systematically evaluated, with particular attention to the stability of the electrochemical potential over time and any associated structural changes in the electrode material, making this an excellent opportunity for a student with interests spanning microfabrication, electrochemistry, and in-situ electron microscopy characterisation.
Contact: Prof. Tileli