Core Facilities News - August 2023 - Space, Supercomputers and Equipment
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News
ASU spinout company, Swift Coat, blasts off
Reuniting humanity with a place untouched for over 50 years: the moon. NASA's Artemis missions aim to establish a moon base camp and orbiting spaceship, Gateway. Astronauts will utilize the state-of-the-art Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) spacesuit, featuring advancements like an anti-fogging helmet. ASU's Professor Zachary Holman and alumnus Peter Firth, founders of Swift Coat, have been chosen by NASA to develop a specialized coating ensuring clear vision for xEMU wearers. Swift Coat got it's start using equipment in the Core Research Facilities.
Learn about Swift Coat's contributions to NASA’s new space helmet.
ASU's Sol ranks among top performing supercomputers globally
ASU's Sol supercomputer secures top rankings on the global stage, surpassing prestigious institutions like Harvard, NYU, and Johns Hopkins on the TOP500 list—a ranking of the world's fastest supercomputers. Furthermore, Sol shines as a top-performing research supercomputer on the IO500 list.
ASU Research Computing has downloaded various open-source large language models (e.g., Falcon, LlaMa, Alpaca, MPT, etc.), harnessing Sol's power for tasks like inference and fine-tuning. For additional details or to request a demo of these applications, please reach out to rtshelp@asu.edu.
Read more about this achievement.
The U.S. is about to open a new window into Earth's Mysterious Insides, with help from ASU
Step into the realm of high-pressure research at Dan Shim lab at ASU, where scientists simulate extreme planetary conditions. These explosive experiments provide insights into deep planetary realms, tackling fundamental questions about Earth's habitability, the origins of life and the enigmatic forces shaping our existence. This research was aided by instrumentation in our Eyring Materials Center Core Facility.
Learn more about these extraordinary experiments.
New EMC Equipment
This summer, the Eyring Materials Center has welcomed several new instruments into their facilities. Learn more about those instruments, their application and watch exciting videos of their uncratings here.
The Thermo Fisher Scientific Talos F200i (S)TEM will send electrons through your sample to image it at atomic resolution. Its dual X-ray detector will provide rapid elemental composition. The advanced segmented detector will also further inform the sample image. The addition of the Merlin detector will also allow us to use the instrument for 4D imaging, giving not only a picture of the samples but additional structural information at each point on the image.
The Xenocs Xeuss 3.0 is a versatile diffractometer primarily optimized to provide information about samples in the nanometer to micrometer scale. It is used to study solutions, suspensions and solids in various environments and sample conditions such as heating and cooling, range of relative humidity and tension to see changes in polymers as a function of strain. The robot arm can automatically process large series of solutions by cleaning the sample tube between each loading in the BioCube biocube.
The STOE STADI P is a dual transmission diffractometer with one side used exclusively to study the low and medium range order in semi-crystalline and amorphous materials at both ambient temperature, low temperatures, and high temperatures (-170°C to 1500°C). The other diffractometer is used for ambient condition measurement of powders, and in operando coin cell and pouch cell batteries.
The Rigaku SmartLab is a high-resolution diffractometer use to characterize epitaxial and polycrystalline thin films. We can use it to determine layer composition and relaxation in semiconductors, solar cells and LED. This new diffractometer talks to you as it guides your through the setup process to ensure you get the optimal measurement setup.
Publications
Three-Dimensional images reveal the impact of the endosymbiont Midichloria mitochondrii on the host mitochondria
Congratulations to Dr. Zerrin Uzum (Regenerative Medicine Core) for being a first author on this Nature Communications paper. Dr. Uzum collaborated with researchers from ASU's School of Life Sciences and Instuiut Pasture, France.
How endosymbiont Midichloria mitochondrii impact host.
Age and Hormonal Stimulation Affect Tyramine Enrichment and Smooth Muscle Modulation within the Male Mouse Reproductive System
Congratulations to recent ASU Master's degree recipient and Histology Core Manager, Dr. Page Baluch, Assistant Director, Research Scientist and Regenerative Medicine Core Manager on their recent publication in Microscopy and microanalysis.
Core Facilities News - July 2023 - Core Facilities Innovation
Welcome to the ASU Core Facilities Newsletter. We are ready to support all your research goals. Please follow our LinkedIn page for additional resources and community information.
Arizona State University has established itself as a trailblazer in innovation, holding the distinguished title of #1 in the U.S. for innovation for several consecutive years. One crucial factor contributing to this success is the significant impact of ASU's Core Research Facilities. These cutting-edge facilities have revolutionized the university's research capabilities, providing state-of-the-art resources and expertise across a wide range of disciplines.
With access to advanced instrumentation, specialized technical support and a diverse community of scholars, ASU researchers have been able to push the boundaries of knowledge, develop innovative solutions and address society's most pressing challenges.
How ASU maintains its top status.
News
Accelerating Arizona's Semiconductor Industry with the Materials-To-Fab Center
Arizona State University and Applied Materials Inc. have announced a groundbreaking alliance supported by the Arizona Commerce Authority, bringing more than $270 million to establish the Materials-to-Fab (MTF) Center. This state-of-the-art facility, housed in ASU's MacroTechnology Works, will serve as a collaborative environment where ASU, Applied Materials, industry partners, startups, government entities and academic institutions can work together. It aims to accelerate the transformation of innovative ideas into semiconductor prototypes using cutting-edge equipment.
For more details on this exciting initiative and its impact on Arizona's microelectronics industry.
Collaboration leads to New Test Engineering Curriculum
Leading semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest Corporation and Arizona State University announced their collaboration with global semiconductor company NXP Semiconductors to create a new, ‘first-of-its-kind’ test engineering course at ASU.
The Advanced Electronics and Photonics Core Facility houses equipment that students can use for 'first-hand' experience in this course.
Why this curriculum is important.
SAXS Xenocs Xeuss 3.0 Installation
We are thrilled to announce the arrival and installation of our newest addition to the Eyring Materials Center: The Xenocs Xeuss 3.0 SAXS! This cutting-edge equipment is set to revolutionize the development of nanostructured materials with exceptional precision and versatility.
Serva Energy's Breakthrough: New Method to Produce Cancer-Killing Ac-225 Isotope
We are thrilled to unveil the groundbreaking achievements of Arizona State University's Core Research Facilities and the Eyring Materials Center in the realm of medical isotope production. Our efforts have contributed to the Serva Energy’s successful nuclear reactor-based transmutation of radium into the highly valuable and vital medical isotope actinium-225, with tremendous potential in cancer treatment.
Why this breakthrough is so important.
Videos
Who are we?
Heidelberg MLA-150
Rigaku SmartLab
Publications
Quantify and Reducing Ion Migration in Metal Halide Perovskites through Control of Mobile Ions
Researchers from the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering along with EMC and AEP Core Facilities quantify the ion migration of PSCs and MHP thin films in terms of mobile ion concentration (No) and ionic mobility (µ) and demonstrate that No has a more significant impact on device stability.
Understanding the Effect of Single Atom Cationic Defect Sites in an Al2O3 (012) Surface on Altering Selenate and Sulfate Adsorption
Researchers from the School of Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy along with ASU's Research Computing discover that adsorption is a promising under-the-sink selenate remediation technique for distributed water systems. This study aims to show the relative importance of the water network effects and surface cation identity on controlling selenate and sulfate adsorption energy using density functional theory calculations.
What this means for water systems.
Core Facilities News - June 2023 - Magnetic Resonance Research Center Highlight
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Core of the Month: Magnetic Resonance Research Center
The Magnetic Resonance Research Center (MRRC) at Arizona State University (ASU) serves as a prominent resource in the southwestern region for studying and determining the structure of proteins, DNA, biomolecules, chemical compounds and solid materials using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. The MRRC actively promotes collaborative research and provides training opportunities in the field of NMR/MRI, spanning diverse disciplines. It places particular emphasis on projects that intersect molecular medicine, bioengineering, bio-inspired chemistry and physics, as well as materials research. Moreover, the MRRC is designed to accommodate the expanding demands for NMR/MRI research capabilities, catering not only to ASU but also to regional research institutions.
How our NMR techniques advance research.
Magnetic Resonance Research Center Featured Instrument:
Our Bruker 850 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer is ideal for biological macromolecular structure and dynamic investigations of proteins, membrane proteins, nucleic acids, glycans and biomolecular complexes. The heart of this NMR is a 20 Tesla superconducting magnet. The high magnetic field strength and cryogenically cooled probe enhance resonance dispersion and sensitivity to extend the upper limits of macromolecular size for atomic level details on structure and dynamics of biological macromolecules and complexes.
How this instrument supports ASU research.
Publications
The Critical Role of DNA Flexibility in Mutation Repair Efficiency
Researchers from ASU's School of Molecular Sciences and Core Facilities, along with scientists from the University of South Florida, published this paper "The Critical Role of DNA Flexibility in Mutation Repair Efficiency" in Nature.
Researchers at ASU and USF identified the critical role of DNA flexibility in mutation repair efficiency. NMR spectroscopy, fluorescence kinetics, and molecular dynamics simulations collectively reveal that DNA flexibility directly dictates the efficiency of enzyme UNG in repairing uracil mutations in DNA. More specifically, the two bases that directly surround the lesion have the greatest impact on DNA flexibility and, consequently, DNA repair.
Preventing H2S poisoning of dense Pd membranes for H2 purification using an electric-field: An Ab initio study
High purity hydrogen is required across the energy, chemicals, and semiconductor processing industries and the current multi-step pressure swing adsorption processes are both high cost and inefficient. Dense palladium membranes are highly permeable and selective to hydrogen, but their deployment after steam methane reformation is hampered by their vulnerability to poisoning by sulfur. This publication, written by researchers that are part of ASU's School for the Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, investigates the use of an applied electric field to prevent sulfur poisoning.
Discover the breakthrough that could revolutionize hydrogen production.
Core Facilities News - May 2023 - Photovoltaics Edition
Welcome to the ASU Core Facilities Newsletter. We are ready to support all your research goals. Please follow our LinkedIn page for additional resources and community information.
Semiconductors - Photovoltaics
As an institute ranked #1 in Innovation, we strive to make the world a better place than it once was in the past. ASU is focusing on developing a pipeline of skilled workers in the semiconductor industry by utilizing the knowledge and resources of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering to advance research, development and innovation.
Semiconductors are an essential component of electronic devices, enabling advances in communications, computing, healthcare, military systems, transportation, clean energy and countless other applications. Working closely with leading microelectronics firms and leveraging Arizona’s investment in the New Economy Initiative, ASU is mobilizing the research and expertise, infrastructure and human capital necessary for industries and enterprises, large and small, to thrive.
Photovoltaics
In this first edition of our Semiconductor Newsletter Series, we will be covering how each of our Core Facilities connect to the topic of Photovoltaics, including their equipment!
For those who may be wondering, Photovoltaics is the conversion of light into electricity using semiconducting materials. The photovoltaic effect is a phenomenon studied in physics, photochemistry and electrochemistry. Creating solar photovoltaic energy doesn't emit greenhouse gases that affect climate change, making it the cleanest, most viable solution to prevent environmental degradation.
Eyring Materials Center
The Eyring Materials Center (EMC) supports photovoltaic research with most of its analytical instruments, analyzing a wide range of photovoltaic materials including the recently popular perovskite.
EMC can analyze films using surface analysis techniques such as X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) on tools such as our Kratos Axis Supra+ and Rutherford Backscattering (RBS) on our ion beam accelerator. EMC's instruments are capable of looking at the thin film structure with X-ray Diffraction, providing valuable data for photovoltaic research.
Kratos Axis Supra+
IBeAM
On the small scale, EMC's dual beam FIB/SEM instruments, the Helios5UX, Nova 200 and Zeiss Auriga, can image a sample, measure film thicknesses or prepare a thin sample lamella to be imaged in one of our transmission electron microscopes. This will get a better characterization of the film chemistry at the atomic scale.
For packaged single crystal solar cells, one can also image the warpage of the crystal using X-ray topography. This is a unique and inventive way to obtain information otherwise not available.
Coming Soon
Thermo Fisher Scientific Talos F200i materials TEM
The new transmission electron microscope will be equipped with a dual EDS detector, a segmented detector for imaging flexibility and a direct electron detector for 4D STEM measurements providing everything needed for standard TEM imaging and analyses.
SigRay Quantumleap H2000 XAS
With an X-ray energy range from 4.5 to 25 keV, the X-ray absorption spectroscopy instrument will probe samples to provide information about the local geometric and electronic structure surrounding chosen element in the material.
Rigaku 3kW SmartLab
The Rigaku 3kW SmartLab high-resolution diffractometer will have a 2.2kW CuKalpha X-ray tube. It includes cross-beam optics with a parabolic mirror and a Ge(220) 4-bounce incident beam monochromator. The diffracted beam side includes the outstanding HyPix-3000 hybrid pixel detector and a modular beam path with a Ge(220) analyzer for triple-axis measurements. The horizontal stage geometry and extensive automation will bring versatility and user-friendliness. The new diffractometer will be especially useful for analyzing thin film, both polycrystalline and epitaxial, as well as powder samples.
Solar Fab
With solar cells approaching the theoretical conversion limit, the focus has shifted towards tandems. At ASU, research in this area is being advanced with the incorporation of a slot-die coater in the Solar Fab Core.
nRad Custom System
The nRad Custom System is a versatile slot-die coater platform that can handle perovskite inks as its process fluid and accommodate substrate sizes up to M2 and G1.
Solar simulators play a crucial role in evaluating the electrical properties of solar cells, with key parameters including efficiency, open circuit voltage, short circuit current density and series and shunt resistance. As the quality of the illumination provided by the solar simulator approaches that of natural light, it is possible to carry out testing indoors.
San-Ei Electric XHS-220S1-SA
The San-Ei Electric XHS-220S1-SA is a High Spectral Match Solar Simulator that can accommodate M12 compatible substrate sizes.
Photoluminescence tools are crucial for characterizing photovoltaic devices. It operates on the principle of light emission resulting from the relaxation of excited states created in the material by an incident source, such as a laser.
BT Imaging LIS-R3
The BT Imaging LIS-R3 is a powerful lab tool, equipped with photoluminescence technology, that is ideal for process improvement, debugging and R&D in the field of photovoltaic devices. Learn more here.
The solar cell industry is following the semiconductor industry's move towards 300 mm wafer processing by using larger substrate sizes. The Solar Fab at ASU is upgrading its capabilities with new equipment to handle larger substrates.
Advanced Electronics and Photonics
The Advanced Electronics and Photonics Core Core facility has several pieces of equipment that can be used in the fabrication or characterization of solar cells.
Keyence VHX-7000 Optical Microscope
The Keyence VHX-7000 Optical Microscope has advanced imaging capabilities that make it possible to capture images with up to 6500x magnification. It is an ideal tool for critical dimension (CD) measurement and micron-scale topology mapping.
AKT 1600 PECVD System
The AKT 1600 plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) system is a powerful vacuum system used to convert reactive gaseous species into a solid film. The AKT can be fixtured to handle any solar cell substrates, holding at least two solar substrates per 370 mm x 470 mm panel.
MRC 603 Sputter System
The MRC 603 sputter system is a vacuum system relying on plasma generated from argon and oxygen ions to release atoms from a metal or ceramic target These atoms are then deposited onto the surface of a solar cell.
Angstrom Glovebox with Spin Coater
The Angstrom Engineering Glovebox evaporation deposition system with spin coater attachment operates in a nitrogen atmosphere to prevent oxidation or contamination of materials. The evaporation chamber is a vacuum system where material is heated to a vapor and deposited on substrates, such as solar cells.
Woollam M2000 Ellipsometer
The Woollam M2000 Ellipsometer is a powerful tool used for measuring the thickness and optical constants of thin films. Precise thickness control is critical for optimal solar cell performance, making the Woollam M2000 Ellipsometer an essential instrument for any solar research lab.
NanoFab
The NanoFab Core facility has several pieces of equipment that can be used to fabricate photovoltaic devices.
Heidelberg MLA-150
The Heidelberg MLA-150 Direct Write Lithography System is a powerful tool that enables printing at high resolutions down to 0.6um and pattern placement accuracy of ±0.5um globally and ±0.25um with localized alignment.
PlasmaTherm Apex ICP
The PlasmaTherm Apex ICP is a highly advanced etch system designed for compound semiconductors and dielectrics. The tool is capable of accommodating 150 mm wafers with one SEMI flat and irregularly shaped samples on a 150 mm carrier.
STS ICP DRIE
The STS ICP Deep Reactive Ion Etch System (DRIE) is a highly specialized system used for deep silicon etching using the Bosch process. The STS ASE ICP DRIE is a load locked, inductively coupled plasma etch system.
Core Facilities News - April 2023 - Regenerative Medicine Core Highlight
Welcome to the ASU Core Facilities Newsletter. We are ready to support all your research goals. Please follow our LinkedIn page for additional resources and community information.
Core of the Month: Regenerative Medicine Core
Located in the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building I, the Regenerative Medicine Core facility offers Cell Culture, Histology, Flow Cytometry and Advanced Light Microscopy services to ASU researchers and the surrounding scientific community.
Regenerative Medicine Core Facility introduces the Leica automated histology suite
The Leica histology suite will expand our current sample processing capacity, provide improved consistency and higher throughput by adding an automated tissue processor and stainer. Full histology services and technical assistance are available. The full histology suite will be ready Summer 2023.
Regenerative Medicine Core Facility combines multiple Cores under its umbrella
Looking for a reliable and expert core facility for your research needs? Look no further than our state-of-the-art facility! Our staff scientists have a wide range of skills and training in fields such as animal handling, cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology, imaging, genetics and more. See how our expert team and world-class facilities can support your tissue and stem cell culture-based research goals.
Connect with us to learn more.
Publications
Significance of Secondary Fe-Oxide and Fe-Sulfide Minerals in Upper Peak Ring Suevite from the Chicxulub Impact Structure
ASU's Eyring Materials Center along with a team of researchers investigated the nature and occurrence of primary and secondary Fe-oxide and Fe-sulfide minerals to better understand hydrothermal trends such as mineral precipitation and dissolution, and to document the remobilization of Fe and associated siderophile elements within suevites.
Regenerative Medicine Core Fun Fact
Scientists Use 3-D Printer to Speed Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research
A team of scientists is reporting a breakthrough in 3-D printing using human embryonic stem cells that could purportedly lead to life-like bioengineered tissue and, eventually, artificial organs tailor-made for specific patients. Learn more of this breakthrough through the link in the title and image.