31 May 2025
This report presents an experimental workflow designed to perform correlative measurements as part of the NEP-NFFA project, using silicon nitride (Si3N4) membranes equipped with platinum (Pt) markers. These membranes were developed through a collaboration between DESY NanoLab and ESRF-ID21. DESY NanoLab was responsible for the Pt deposition on the Si3N4 membranes, while ESRF-ID21 carried out the correlative measurements. The purpose of the Pt markers on the membranes is to act as fiducial points that help to precisely locate specific regions or points of interest (ROI/POI) with micrometric or nanometric accuracy. This is essential to analyze the same point of the sample using different techniques, and to collect complementary data for a better understanding of the sample. The proposed workflow involves complementary techniques such as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and synchrotron-based techniques like micro X-ray fluorescence (µXRF) performed at the nano-X-ray microscope (nano-SXM) at beamline ID21 of the Softhis report describes the initial design of the membranes with the markers, as well as the optimized version, based on results obtained during the first tests with nano-SXM. In addition, it shows how the Pt markers enable accurate correlation through the web-based graphical interface Daiquiri, linking the morphological information from optical microscopy with the chemical information obtained from µXRF. The technical feasibility of this approach has been confirmed, showing that the process is reproducible and potentially applicable to similar studies. This is possible due to the standardized Pt deposition process and the use of nano-SXM for sample localization and data acquisition.28 Feb 2025
This deliverable summarizes the experience and guidelines for the NFFA community in developing, deploying, and using data provenance tools. It is articulated in 3 sections, dedicated to 1) establishing the high-level provenance of the physical and digital entities of research workflows, 2) automatically integrating this into digital provenance tools, including electronic lab notebooks and workflow management systems, and 3) disseminating this in FAIR modes to the community at large.31 Oct 2024
Investigating materials and processes in realistic environments is crucial for understanding and designing materials for applications in energy storage, catalysis, corrosion resistance, and nanotechnology. In this context, one of the key objectives of JA1 is to integrate operando capabilities into scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experiments in multiphase environments. Specifically, sub-task 11.1.2 focuses on setting up versatile electrochemical STM (EC-STM) systems and developing user-friendly protocols for in-situ electrochemical STM, enabling operation at solid/liquid interfaces under well-defined gas atmospheres and with electrochemical control. To this end, two custom-built EC-STM systems have been set up that are based on the same platform developed by the Wandelt research group (Uni Bonn) that is characterized by a rugged design, great flexibility concerning various electro-chemical environments, and excellent performance regarding lateral spatial resolution [1]. While the system at ICN2 has been developed to offer optimized, user-friendly protocols for external users and will complement the advanced characterization tools available at ICN2 through the NFFA, the reference system at TUM has been optimized to host high-speed capabilities, enabling operando experiments on electrochemically relevant systems with sub-s time resolution. Given TUM's extensive technical and research experience in electrochemical STM, and the fact that both systems share the same design, the transfer of knowledge in nearly all technical aspects has been crucial for the successful implementation of the ICN2 system.
