Atmosphere AX
Atmosphere AX is an in situ gas phase system for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It enables researchers to observe their materials under realistic, functional conditions while taking advantage of the resolving power of the TEM. With full control over temperature, pressure, and gas/humidity composition, it allows for direct visualization of processes like catalytic activation, operation, and degradation.
Key Features
- Temperature up to 1000°C
- Up to 1 bar
- H₂,O₂, CO, CO₂, CH₄, custom mixtures, humidity, organic vapors, and more
- Quiet, integrated residual gas analyser
- Live physical drift mitigation, dose analysis, and offline data analysis
Manufacturer
Protochips
Protochips are committed to advancing the capabilities of researchers worldwide by providing front-to-back workflow solutions for transmission electron microscopy.
Atmosphere AX Introduction
Flexible in situ environments: Full control to create the most relevant environments with unmatched flexibility in gas mixing and compatibility
Machine vision software suite: Integrated machine vision software manages many data collection tasks in the background so you can focus on the experiment at hand.
Front-to-back workflow: Each step of the research process, from sample preparation to data management and analysis, has been considered to maximize rigor and reproducibility.
Safety: Safety of the TEM is top priority – none of our systems require disassembly that would put the TEM at risk to enable different imaging techniques or perform maintenance.
Atmosphere AX Workflow
Prep
- Precise dropcasting
- Reproducible FIB deposition
- Sample screening
- Global scientific support
Collect
- Live physical drift control
- Dose quantification
- Metadata indexing
- Integrated notebook
Analyse
- Flexible environmental control
- Quick gas analysis
- TEM/STEM/EDX optimised
- Maximum cleanliness and safety
Publish
- Consolidated visualisation
- Fast filtering
- Historical experimental records
- RDM/FAIR compliant
Sample Support: E-chips
The Atmosphere AX solution uses custom-made microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) as sample supports to add temperature within the environmental holder. All MEMS devices (E-chips™) are designed, fabricated, and quality checked.
Uniquely utilising silicon carbide as a heating membrane instead of the traditional metal coil, Atmosphere E-chips provide superior uniformity and accuracy to other MEMS chips on the market.
Axon Machine Vision Software Platform
TEM Processing Software
There are many variables to control and record during an in situ TEM experiment and the AXON machine vision software platform provides automation without taking away control:
- Live physical drift correction
- Constant parameter recording and indexing (TEM, camera, and in situ parameters)
- Real-time electron dose calculations
- Electron dose exposure tracking and mapping
- Continuous recording for instant look-back.
You leave the TEM lab with a fully drift corrected and metadata-aligned dataset with all parameters recorded, notes integrated, and ready for trend analysis and movie creation.
- Learn faster
- Share easier
- Publish sooner
- Increase reproducibility
- Spend less time and money at the TEM
- RDM/FAIR compliant
Applications
Catalyst Synthesis / Reduction / Operation
Catalyst synthesis consists of multiple steps, such as drying, calcination and reduction. The synthesis of phyllosilicates, for example, exhibits high control over particle size and shape. This study highlights the mechanism and kinetics of nickel particle formation on silica supports.
Fuel Cells
In order, to realize improvements in the activity, efficiency, and stability of protein-exchange membrane fuel cells, a better mechanistic understanding of the mechanisms that control the growth of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts is required. In this research, the synthesis of modified hydrogen-assisted platinum nanowires was visualized using the Atmosphere AX system.
Corrosion
Corrosion is a significant problem for infrastructure, for both bulk and nanoscale functional nanomaterial. The Atmosphere AX system can be used to study corrosion of nanoparticles or FIB lamella under their native operating environments.
Molecular Sieves
Zeolites are used for many applications, such as molecular sieves. Their properties are determined by their pore size and shapes, creating preferred binding sites for certain molecules. Here, the Atmosphere AX system was used to introduce vapor (benzene) and obverse the changes in the zeolite cage structure during benzene adsorption.
Pyrolysis
Pyrolysis is used as a synthesis method for many different materials. During pyrolysis, a material, such as the zeolitic imidazolate framework shown here, is heated to extreme temperatures and under an atmosphere to produce a catalyst material.
Downloads
Atmosphere AX Brochure
Related Products
Service Support
Comprehensive repairs and servicing
Annual Support Programs
Your metrology instrumentation is a major investment that is critical to your business operation and success. In today’s competitive climate, it is more important than ever to extend the functionality and peak performance of your metrology equipment years beyond the expiration of your factory warranty. CN Tech’s Support Programs will help ensure that your investment is protected, and that you and your instrument’s are always operating at peak performance.
With over 20 years’ experience servicing and repairing you can be assured that your system is in safe hands. The independent services we offer include system relocation, maintenance visits, parts and consumables, and break down interventions.
CN Tech’s Support Programs are an economical way to guarantee optimal working condition:
- Annual Preventive Maintenance
- Priority Technical Assistance
- Preferred Parts Availability
- On-Site User Training
- Remote Diagnostics
- No surprise repair expense and much more!
Support Contact Example
An example of our service and support contracts are shown below:
Metrology & Instrumentation Annual Support Programs 2024/25
CN Tech's Support Programs will help ensure that your investment is protected, and that you and your instrument’s are always operating at peak performance.