rus
Issue #6/2024
A.I.Akhmetova, T.O.Sovetnikov, L.N.Obolenskaya, I.V.Yaminsky
FEMTOSCAN ONLINE SOFTWARE IN SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES: COUNT, MEASURE AND VISUALIZE
FEMTOSCAN ONLINE SOFTWARE IN SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES: COUNT, MEASURE AND VISUALIZE
INTRODUCTION
The project on application of FemtoScan Online software has been developed for wide use by initiative teachers as additional training for schoolchildren of all ages. Schoolchildren can visualise objects that they encounter in the school curriculum during physics lessons – surfaces of materials, nanoparticles, atoms, chemistry – reactions on surfaces, oxidation, corrosion and others, biology – E. coli, virus, neurons, stem and tumour cells, DNA and RNA [1].
Using this software, students will be able to study the nanoworld objects: atomic lattice of various materials (graphite, gold, etc.), biomolecules, plant viruses, cells of higher organisms, bacteria, modern nanomaterials, and learn to interact with software used in real scientific work and in industry. The use of FemtoScan Online software has already been tested at the MSU University Gymnasium, State Budgetary Educational Institution School No. 2065 and at the Physical Department of Lomonosov Moscow State University, YICC "Nanotechnologies" created with the support of the Moscow City Government.
FemtoScan Online allows analysing 3D images obtained by atomic force, electron and optical microscopy. For each of the objects studied in probe microscopy, it is possible to calculate geometric dimensions of the object and surface roughness, calculate the perimeter, area, volume, construct a cross-section and measure angles, and even make your own short film with a fly-through of the surface. Thus, schoolchildren can not only visualise the objects they encounter in the school programme in physics, chemistry and biology lessons, but also prepare their own scientific project and take part in competitions and conferences.
RESEARCH METHODS
In one of the works with schoolchildren the characteristics of new inexpensive and safe indicators "light-time-temperature" for products of pharmaceutical and food industries were studied. For this purpose, stable sols of titanium dioxide nanoparticles modified with titanium (IV) peroxocomplexes were obtained and characterised. Electron absorption spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, scanning probe microscopy and experimental kinetic data show that by varying the synthesis conditions and hence the stability of the Ti (IV) peroxocomplexes, it is possible to ensure that their decolouration is symbiotic with degradation of the particular labelled object after expiry and/or when the required temperature conditions are not met and/or when stored in the light. The most important result of this study is that correlations were found between modification conditions of titanium peroxide sols, their optical properties, morphology of the films obtained from them, and the kinetics of their decolouration under illumination [2].
Another example is making titanium implant posts biocompatible and corrosion resistant. There are two problems associated with titanium implants (most used due to the chemical resistance and mechanical strength of Ti). The first problem is the significant difference between physicochemical and mechanical properties of bone tissue and titanium, which causes active rejection in the human body. Therefore, it is necessary to make a transition layer between titanium and bone tissue that improves osseointegration. The second problem is the possibility of chemical and biodegradation of the titanium surface. This leads to the need to replace titanium implants. This can also be solved by applying a coating that improves the resistance of the implant surface. HA (hydroxyapatite) is ideal for solving both these problems, but a new problem arises when applying HA, even nanoscale, to the surface of titanium, as it is not similar to any metal, and therefore its film is fragile. We first came up with the idea of making nano-TiO2 derived from titanyl sulphate as a bonding layer.
Using data sets visualised and processed using FemtoScan Online, it was found that the thickness of the double layer of nano-TiO2 (anatase) + nano-hydroxyapatite on the ground titanium plate was less than the combined thickness of each of these nanofilms (Figs.1, 2) applied individually.
Figure 1 shows that topography of the hydroxyapatite layer is characterised by a height difference of up to 300 nm.
To estimate thickness of the double nanocoating and not only the height difference, a toothpick was used to linearly scratch a part of the sputtering with subsequent scanning of the area on AFM (Fig.3). The image was obtained in contact mode: the height of the step was about 250–300 nm based on the cross-sectional data.
It is also noteworthy that this software can be used to monitor the etching of LEGO MINDSTORMS® parts made of ABS used in the construction of robotic devices for the synthesis and study of nano-objects by high school students [3]. According to the table [4], the solvent most hazardous to ABS, acetic acid, was selected. One of the identical parts was scanned without any processing (Fig.4). Images were obtained in resonance mode on a FemtoScan microscope, cantilever NSG10. On the obtained images of sample topography we observe rather flat surface of the part. Among the relief features we should note oblong potholes (depressions) with the length of 200-400 nm and width/depth of about 150 nm on average. Also on the surface there are in small quantity "rubbish" objects with lateral dimensions from 100 to 200 nm and height of 50–150 nm, as well as their aggregates of medium and relatively large sizes.
The second part was scanned after 2 h of operation as a stirrer blade rotated (150 rpm) in "ice-cold" acetic acid for 2 h (Fig.5). In the obtained frames, nanoparticles with lateral size of about 100 nm and height of 30 to 60 nm, as well as their aggregates, are observed precipitated on the surface of the part in large numbers. It is clearly visible how particles and aggregates are collected in the area of potholes and other relief features of the original part.
After similar stirring for 4 h, nanoparticles with lateral size of about 150 nm and height of 40 to 60 nm, as well as their aggregates with predominantly large sizes of several hundred nanometres are observed (Fig.6) precipitated on the part surface. The particles and aggregates are still "collected" in the area of irregularities in the surface of the original part.
The fourth part from the same series was scanned after synthesis of nanomagnetite, during which it acted as a blade of a top-driven stirrer. In obtained frames of the part topography, a height difference of up to 900 nm is observed (Fig.7) compared to the previous samples of parts. Nanoparticles with lateral dimensions of 100 to 150 nm and heights of 30–60 nm, as well as their aggregates of medium and relatively large sizes are present on the surface. The particles and aggregates are collected in the area of depressions and other relief features of the original part.
CONCLUSIONS
Thus, FemtoScan Online software can be used for data processing at chemistry and physics lessons, for preparation of schoolchildren’s competitive projects, for participation in conferences and Olympiads. These data will always be unique, and schoolchildren will be involved in the research process at a safe level as they will process the obtained images and interpret them independently.
At the Physical Department of MSU in the Youth Innovative Creativity Centre "Nanotechnologies" we are also actively engaged in studying objects of the nanoworld with schoolchildren. The use of FemtoScan Online implies interactive participation of children in the selection of research objects, development of original colour palette, video clips, presentations while performing independent research. For each school that applies to us, we provide free of charge FemtoScan Online software package, image atlas and a set of tasks for data processing, construction and analysis. Thus, three-dimensional images will become available for research for any schoolchild.
PEER REVIEW INFO
Editorial board thanks the anonymous reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work. It is also grateful for their consent to publish papers on the journal’s website and SEL eLibrary eLIBRARY.RU.
Declaration of Competing Interest. The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
The project on application of FemtoScan Online software has been developed for wide use by initiative teachers as additional training for schoolchildren of all ages. Schoolchildren can visualise objects that they encounter in the school curriculum during physics lessons – surfaces of materials, nanoparticles, atoms, chemistry – reactions on surfaces, oxidation, corrosion and others, biology – E. coli, virus, neurons, stem and tumour cells, DNA and RNA [1].
Using this software, students will be able to study the nanoworld objects: atomic lattice of various materials (graphite, gold, etc.), biomolecules, plant viruses, cells of higher organisms, bacteria, modern nanomaterials, and learn to interact with software used in real scientific work and in industry. The use of FemtoScan Online software has already been tested at the MSU University Gymnasium, State Budgetary Educational Institution School No. 2065 and at the Physical Department of Lomonosov Moscow State University, YICC "Nanotechnologies" created with the support of the Moscow City Government.
FemtoScan Online allows analysing 3D images obtained by atomic force, electron and optical microscopy. For each of the objects studied in probe microscopy, it is possible to calculate geometric dimensions of the object and surface roughness, calculate the perimeter, area, volume, construct a cross-section and measure angles, and even make your own short film with a fly-through of the surface. Thus, schoolchildren can not only visualise the objects they encounter in the school programme in physics, chemistry and biology lessons, but also prepare their own scientific project and take part in competitions and conferences.
RESEARCH METHODS
In one of the works with schoolchildren the characteristics of new inexpensive and safe indicators "light-time-temperature" for products of pharmaceutical and food industries were studied. For this purpose, stable sols of titanium dioxide nanoparticles modified with titanium (IV) peroxocomplexes were obtained and characterised. Electron absorption spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, scanning probe microscopy and experimental kinetic data show that by varying the synthesis conditions and hence the stability of the Ti (IV) peroxocomplexes, it is possible to ensure that their decolouration is symbiotic with degradation of the particular labelled object after expiry and/or when the required temperature conditions are not met and/or when stored in the light. The most important result of this study is that correlations were found between modification conditions of titanium peroxide sols, their optical properties, morphology of the films obtained from them, and the kinetics of their decolouration under illumination [2].
Another example is making titanium implant posts biocompatible and corrosion resistant. There are two problems associated with titanium implants (most used due to the chemical resistance and mechanical strength of Ti). The first problem is the significant difference between physicochemical and mechanical properties of bone tissue and titanium, which causes active rejection in the human body. Therefore, it is necessary to make a transition layer between titanium and bone tissue that improves osseointegration. The second problem is the possibility of chemical and biodegradation of the titanium surface. This leads to the need to replace titanium implants. This can also be solved by applying a coating that improves the resistance of the implant surface. HA (hydroxyapatite) is ideal for solving both these problems, but a new problem arises when applying HA, even nanoscale, to the surface of titanium, as it is not similar to any metal, and therefore its film is fragile. We first came up with the idea of making nano-TiO2 derived from titanyl sulphate as a bonding layer.
Using data sets visualised and processed using FemtoScan Online, it was found that the thickness of the double layer of nano-TiO2 (anatase) + nano-hydroxyapatite on the ground titanium plate was less than the combined thickness of each of these nanofilms (Figs.1, 2) applied individually.
Figure 1 shows that topography of the hydroxyapatite layer is characterised by a height difference of up to 300 nm.
To estimate thickness of the double nanocoating and not only the height difference, a toothpick was used to linearly scratch a part of the sputtering with subsequent scanning of the area on AFM (Fig.3). The image was obtained in contact mode: the height of the step was about 250–300 nm based on the cross-sectional data.
It is also noteworthy that this software can be used to monitor the etching of LEGO MINDSTORMS® parts made of ABS used in the construction of robotic devices for the synthesis and study of nano-objects by high school students [3]. According to the table [4], the solvent most hazardous to ABS, acetic acid, was selected. One of the identical parts was scanned without any processing (Fig.4). Images were obtained in resonance mode on a FemtoScan microscope, cantilever NSG10. On the obtained images of sample topography we observe rather flat surface of the part. Among the relief features we should note oblong potholes (depressions) with the length of 200-400 nm and width/depth of about 150 nm on average. Also on the surface there are in small quantity "rubbish" objects with lateral dimensions from 100 to 200 nm and height of 50–150 nm, as well as their aggregates of medium and relatively large sizes.
The second part was scanned after 2 h of operation as a stirrer blade rotated (150 rpm) in "ice-cold" acetic acid for 2 h (Fig.5). In the obtained frames, nanoparticles with lateral size of about 100 nm and height of 30 to 60 nm, as well as their aggregates, are observed precipitated on the surface of the part in large numbers. It is clearly visible how particles and aggregates are collected in the area of potholes and other relief features of the original part.
After similar stirring for 4 h, nanoparticles with lateral size of about 150 nm and height of 40 to 60 nm, as well as their aggregates with predominantly large sizes of several hundred nanometres are observed (Fig.6) precipitated on the part surface. The particles and aggregates are still "collected" in the area of irregularities in the surface of the original part.
The fourth part from the same series was scanned after synthesis of nanomagnetite, during which it acted as a blade of a top-driven stirrer. In obtained frames of the part topography, a height difference of up to 900 nm is observed (Fig.7) compared to the previous samples of parts. Nanoparticles with lateral dimensions of 100 to 150 nm and heights of 30–60 nm, as well as their aggregates of medium and relatively large sizes are present on the surface. The particles and aggregates are collected in the area of depressions and other relief features of the original part.
CONCLUSIONS
Thus, FemtoScan Online software can be used for data processing at chemistry and physics lessons, for preparation of schoolchildren’s competitive projects, for participation in conferences and Olympiads. These data will always be unique, and schoolchildren will be involved in the research process at a safe level as they will process the obtained images and interpret them independently.
At the Physical Department of MSU in the Youth Innovative Creativity Centre "Nanotechnologies" we are also actively engaged in studying objects of the nanoworld with schoolchildren. The use of FemtoScan Online implies interactive participation of children in the selection of research objects, development of original colour palette, video clips, presentations while performing independent research. For each school that applies to us, we provide free of charge FemtoScan Online software package, image atlas and a set of tasks for data processing, construction and analysis. Thus, three-dimensional images will become available for research for any schoolchild.
PEER REVIEW INFO
Editorial board thanks the anonymous reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work. It is also grateful for their consent to publish papers on the journal’s website and SEL eLibrary eLIBRARY.RU.
Declaration of Competing Interest. The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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