NUANCE

Pizza, Pop, and Treats will be provided!!

Peijun Guo

Graduate Student
* Grand Prize Winner

Northwestern University
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Robert P. H. Chang Research Group

“The Nanorod Family”

IMAGE: This image shows single-crystalline indium-tin-oxide nanorods epitaxially grown on a lattice-matched substrate using the vapor-liquid-solid mechanism. By controlling the oxygen flow rate and the tin doping concentration during the growth, nanorods with a variety of different morphologies, and distinct electrical and optical properties, can be obtained. Technologically, these nanorod array structures can resonate with infrared light collectively, in a similar way as noble metal nanoparticle arrays resonate with UV/visible light. Resonance of these nanorod structures with light can be achived ranging from the near infrared telecommunication wavelength, all the way up to mid infrared wavelength where molecular fingerprints are situated. Taken with the FEI Quanta ESEM in the NUANCE, EPIC Facility.

Matthew O’Brien

Graduate Student
* Honorable Mention Prize Winner

Northwestern University
Department of Chemistry
Chad Mirkin Research Group

“Nanocubes Tiled with Nanodisks”

IMAGE: Nature uses DNA as a blueprint for life. Each DNA molecule contains a genetic code, a specific sequence of parts that carry information. When the sequences of two separate DNA molecules match, they assemble together. This code can be repurposed and reprogramed in a laboratory setting to control the assembly of nanoparticles using the same sequence matching properties. Here, gold nanocubes (green) are coated with DNA that is complementary to DNA coated on a gold disk (yellow) and assembled into a well-ordered crystal. Taken with the Hitachi HD-2300A in the NUANCE, EPIC Facility.

Mike Whittaker

Graduate Student
* Honorable Mention Prize Winner

Northwestern University
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Derk Joester Research Group

“Special Snowflake”

IMAGE: Winter in Chicago is relentless and unavoidable, even in the vacuum chamber of the S-4800-II SEM (operating in cryo mode). However, optimism and perseverance are rewarded with moments of rare beauty, like this strikingly symmetric hexagonal snowflake sitting atop a sea of amorphous ice. Taken with the Hitachi S4800-II in the NUANCE, EPIC Facility.

Mark Trosper McClendon

Translational Research Officer
* Honorable Mention Prize Winner

Northwestern University
Simpson Querrey Institute

“DNA modified Nanofibers”

IMAGE: These nanofibers have been complementary strands of DNA attached with allows them to crosslink together forming these unexpected twisted braids. Taken with the LEO Gemini 1525 in the NUANCE, EPIC Facility.

Adam Jakus

Postdoctoral Fellow
* Honorable Mention Prize Winner

Northwestern University
Departments of Materials Science and Engineering, Surgery (Organ Transplantation)
Ramille Shah Tissue Engineering and Additive Manufacturing (TEAM) Lab

“Buddy Blood Cells”

IMAGE: False colored SEM micrograph of three aligned blood cells with extra cellular matrix background. Each cell is approximately 2 microns in diameter. A 3D-printed Hyperelastic Bone scaffold was implanted into mice. After 30 days, the sample was removed and imaged using standard optical histology, as well as what we in the Shah TEAM lab refer to as "Electron Histology". These three blood cells were found within the tissue that had infiltrated the scaffold space and had likely emerged from severed capillary immediately prior to chemical fixation. Taken with the LEO Gemini 1525 in the NUANCE, EPIC Facility.

James Hedrick

Graduate Student
* Honorable Mention Prize Winner

Northwestern University
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Chad Mirkin Research Group

“Floating Bridge”

IMAGE: Here is an image of the edge pyramidal tip array designed for soft lithography. These pyramids are originally made with a polymeric elastomer, which glass is then deposited onto the surface of the array with PE-CVD. This deposition is done at high temperatures and as it cools down the polymer shrinks. This shrinkage causes buckling to occur, which is visible on the surface around the pyramid. This buckling was strong enough to lift off a couple pyramids which can be seen suspended on what resembles a bridge. These hard tips will allow for patterning fine densely packed features onto a substrate for a variety of projects. When pressed against the substrate the glass tip will not deform but rather the polymer underneath will decompress creating finer features than a polymeric tip. Taken with the Hitachi S3400N-II in the NUANCE, EPIC Facility.

Yi Hua

Graduate Student
* Honorable Mention Prize Winner

Northwestern University
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Teri Odom Research Group

“Nano-Spindle”

IMAGE: Scanning electron microscope image of gold nanoscale lines wrapped around themselves forming the shape of a spindle. The structure is a defect formed on top of a gold nanograting when removing part of the Au lines through etching. Taken with the Hitachi SU8030 in the NUANCE, EPIC Facility.