Electron Microscopy Analysis of Fibre and Polymer-based Materials

Introduction to the field of electron microscopy

Course content:

It is possible to take part of the online seminars in this course, free of charge. Register by sending an email to anaria@kth.se (deadline February 26).

The course registration for regular participation, with course credits, in both the theoretical and hands-on part, is now full. PhD students who want to participate in the course and obtain course credits are welcomed to the next course offering that is planned for September.

Welcome to the course on Electron Microscopy Analysis of Fibre- and Polymer-based Materials! In this course you will be introduced to different electron microscopy techniques, sample preparation and recent state-of-the-art methodologies within the field of electron microscopy. The course consists of two parts: theoretical, including the lectures and seminars (3 credits) and hands-on parts (4.5 credits) where you will work with different electron microscopes available at the department of Fibre and Polymer Technology (FPT, KTH). 

The course covers the basic principles of different types of:

  • Electron microscopy techniques: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tabletop SEM, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cryo-SEM, cryo-TEM, focused ion beam (FIB), Dual Beam (SEM-FIB), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).
  • More advanced analysis techniques (in situ analysis) and 3D tomography.
  • Different types of sample preparation techniques for optimal analysis of a specific sample.
  • Hands-on experience of electron microscopy imaging.

Lectures

The course consists of 24 hours of lectures where the topics mentioned above will be covered. Due to the present Covid-19 restrictions the lectures will be given online via a Zoom link that will be available on Canvas. The lectures will end with a full day of presentation by the students (live on Zoom), where students present their individual proposal. Each student will be asked to write an application for utilizing a specific electron microscopy technique. The proposal will be presented orally (7 min) and feedback on the proposal will be provided by two other students in the course including the teachers (7 min questions and answers). A template of a proposal can be found on Canvas.

Laboratory work

The laboratory part (20 hours) of the course is a prerequisite to run the electron microscopy instruments at FPT. It is compulsory to attend all laboratory work sessions in order to pass this part of the course. The students are expected to come prepared before each session and in the end the students must be able to operate the instruments by themselves. Their performance will be evaluated by the lab responsible person. All information about the laboratory work, including schedule, will be provided during the course. If you fail on this part, you will have to redo the laboratory part the next time the course is given. Important information! Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, only FPT PhD students can participate in the labs. The max number of lab attendees is 12.

Learning objectives:

After completion of the course the doctoral student should have the knowledge and ability to

1) Explain the basic principles for electron microscopy (scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy), and demonstrate for the level of the course adequate acquired knowledge in the specialized topics of the course.

2) Suggest and explain, plan and carry out different types of electron microscopy related experiments.

3) Suggest, plan and perform sample preparation of a material so that it can be imaged with electron microscopy. Reflect on the selected sample preparation technique.

4) Present and orally motivate the selected electron microscopy instrumentation for a selected sample.

March 1 – 4, 15, 2021

ECTS:

LOCATION:

REGISTER BEFORE:

February 26, 2021

Contributors:

Anastasia Riazanova (KTH), Anna Hanner (KTH), Magnus Hummelgård (MIUN), Nikki Lee (UCEM), Sofia Pettersson (Rowaco), Tom Willhammar (SU), Carsten Mim (KTH), Agnieszka Ziolkowska (UCEM), Linda Sandblad (UCEM), Reine Wallenberg (LU), Eva Olsson (Chalmers)

Literature:

Hand-outs from presentations, scientific articles and instruction manuals for running the electron microscopy facilities will be provided on Canvas

Prerequisites:

Everyone is welcome to apply

Course fee:

The theoretical part is free of charge.

Course responsible:

Anastasia Riazanova, Anna Svagan
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This course will be offerred 2 times a year. For the course in March it is possible to take part of the online seminars by sending an email to anaria@kth.se (deadline February 26). Everyone is welcome to participate and the seminars are free of charge.

The next course will be offerred in September.

Read about the course at the KTH course web >>