MDT: A simple tool to facilitate dropcasting on in situ TEM MEMS chips
In situ transmission electron microscopy with holders based on the use of micro-electromechanical systems provides valuable insights into material kinetics, yet sample preparation remains complex due to fragile silicon nitride (Si3N4) windows and the risk of leaks and contamination during dropcastin...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | HardwareX |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468067225000446 |
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| author | Matthias Quintelier Joke Hadermann |
| author_facet | Matthias Quintelier Joke Hadermann |
| author_sort | Matthias Quintelier |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In situ transmission electron microscopy with holders based on the use of micro-electromechanical systems provides valuable insights into material kinetics, yet sample preparation remains complex due to fragile silicon nitride (Si3N4) windows and the risk of leaks and contamination during dropcasting. This results in failed experiments and increases experimental costs. This paper introduces the MEMS Dropcasting Tool (MDT), a cost-effective, in-house 3D-printable solution that confines the droplet to a specific area, preventing particle migration under the O-ring and reducing contamination risks at the inlet and outlet ports of closed cell chip holders. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cd054872a7a94098a4a9db7f77f64dbc |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2468-0672 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | HardwareX |
| spelling | doaj-art-cd054872a7a94098a4a9db7f77f64dbc2025-08-20T03:24:00ZengElsevierHardwareX2468-06722025-09-0123e0066610.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00666MDT: A simple tool to facilitate dropcasting on in situ TEM MEMS chipsMatthias Quintelier0Joke Hadermann1EMAT, Department of Physics, University of Antwerp 2020 Antwerp, BelgiumCorresponding author.; EMAT, Department of Physics, University of Antwerp 2020 Antwerp, BelgiumIn situ transmission electron microscopy with holders based on the use of micro-electromechanical systems provides valuable insights into material kinetics, yet sample preparation remains complex due to fragile silicon nitride (Si3N4) windows and the risk of leaks and contamination during dropcasting. This results in failed experiments and increases experimental costs. This paper introduces the MEMS Dropcasting Tool (MDT), a cost-effective, in-house 3D-printable solution that confines the droplet to a specific area, preventing particle migration under the O-ring and reducing contamination risks at the inlet and outlet ports of closed cell chip holders.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468067225000446In situTEMSample preparationDropcasting |
| spellingShingle | Matthias Quintelier Joke Hadermann MDT: A simple tool to facilitate dropcasting on in situ TEM MEMS chips HardwareX In situ TEM Sample preparation Dropcasting |
| title | MDT: A simple tool to facilitate dropcasting on in situ TEM MEMS chips |
| title_full | MDT: A simple tool to facilitate dropcasting on in situ TEM MEMS chips |
| title_fullStr | MDT: A simple tool to facilitate dropcasting on in situ TEM MEMS chips |
| title_full_unstemmed | MDT: A simple tool to facilitate dropcasting on in situ TEM MEMS chips |
| title_short | MDT: A simple tool to facilitate dropcasting on in situ TEM MEMS chips |
| title_sort | mdt a simple tool to facilitate dropcasting on in situ tem mems chips |
| topic | In situ TEM Sample preparation Dropcasting |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468067225000446 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT matthiasquintelier mdtasimpletooltofacilitatedropcastingoninsitutemmemschips AT jokehadermann mdtasimpletooltofacilitatedropcastingoninsitutemmemschips |