US Government as Represented by the Secretary of the Army

University of Illinois

University of California

Fei Comapny

Applied X-Rad Technology, LLC

Todor I Donchev

Ivan Petrov

Eric Olson

Dongxiang Liao

Charles P Marsh

Jianguo Wen

Ryan Franks

Hendrik Nicolaas Slingerland

Jan Willem Bruggers

Andreas Karl Schmid

Raymond Wagner

Thomas Duden

Jeroen Van De Water

Johannes Van Den Oetelaar

Adriaan Huibert Dirk Ottevanger

Ralph R Woodruff

Stoyan A Toshkov

A method for using a reusable sample-holding device for readily loading very small wet samples for observation of the samples by microscopic equipment, in particular in a vacuum environment. The method may be used with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), a transmission electron microscope (TEM), an X-ray microscope, optical microscope, and the like. For observation of the sample, the method provides a thin-membrane window etched in the center of each of two silicon wafers abutting to contain the sample in a small uniform gap formed between the windows. This gap may be adjusted by employing spacers. Alternatively, the thickness of a film established by the fluid in which the sample is incorporated determines the gap without need of a spacer. To optimize resolution each window may have a thickness on the order of 50 nm and the gap may be on the order of 50 nm.

Method of use of reusable sample holding device permitting ready loading of very small wet samples

A reusable sample-holding device for readily loading very small wet samples for observation of the samples by microscopic equipment, in particular in a vacuum environment. Embodiments may be used with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), a transmission electron microscope (TEM), an X-ray microscope, optical microscope, and the like. For observation of the sample, embodiments provide a thin-membrane window etched in the center of each of two silicon wafers abutting to contain the sample in a small uniform gap formed between the windows. This gap may be adjusted by employing spacers. Alternatively, the thickness of a film established by the fluid in which the sample is incorporated determines the gap without need of a spacer. To optimize resolution each window may have a thickness on the order of 50 nm and the gap may be on the order of 50 nm.

Reusable sample holding device permitting ready loading of very small wet samples

Described herein is an apparatus and a method for producing atom clusters based on a gas discharge within a hollow cathode. The hollow cathode includes one or more walls. The one or more walls define a sputtering chamber within the hollow cathode and include a material to be sputtered. A hollow anode is positioned at an end of the sputtering chamber, and atom clusters are formed when a gas discharge is generated between the hollow anode and the hollow cathode.

Cluster generator

A manipulator for use in e.g. a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) is described, said manipulator capable of rotating and translating a sample holder (). The manipulator clasps the round sample holder between two members (A,B), said members mounted on actuators (A,B). Moving the actuators in the same direction results in a translation of the sample holder, while moving the actuators in opposite directions results in a rotation of the sample holder.

Manipulator for rotating and translating a sample holder

A system for irradiating material used in transfusions. The material can be pre-transfused blood, blood components and marrow. The system includes a vacuum chamber with a plate cathode inside. The cathode has a large beam electrode field-electron emissive surface with a selected cross-sectional shaped area. A power supply is connected to the cathode for generating negative high-voltage pulses and causing a selected cross-sectional shaped beam of electrons to be emitted. An electron window is also disposed inside the vacuum chamber and made of thin metal foil. The electron window receives the selected cross-sectional shaped beam of electrons therethrough and onto an electron target disposed outside the vacuum chamber. The electron target receives the selected cross-sectional shaped beam of electrons thereon and generates a selected cross-sectional shaped X-ray beam. A cathode filter is disposed next to the electron target and eliminates low energy beams from the spectrum of the X-ray beam. The filtered X-ray beam exposes the material to high energy beams for irradiation.

X-ray system for irradiating material used in transfusions

Growing community of inventors

Urbana, IL, United States of America

Todor I Donchev