Scanwel KESS participant biography

Rachel Elizabeth Cross MInstP

Office: 109, Physical Sciences Building

Tel: +44(0)1970 628503

Biography:

Rachel studied for her BSc. in Physics at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth graduating in 2006. Following graduation she worked primarily in the nuclear industry for the Ministry of Defence and British Energy. Wishing to return to academic research, Rachel returned to the department in 2010, joining the Materials Research Group to study for her PhD. on a KESS (Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships) funded project generously sponsored by Scanwel, who are providing financial and technical support to the project.

Rachel’s research focuses on the electrospray deposition (ESD) of materials, soft organics and bio-materials, for rapid material characterization in vacuum. The project involves the development of instrumentation to enable the application of Aberystwyth unique surface analysis equipment to new soft materials. A current limitation is the need for materials to be processed in vacuum; this new instrumentation will enable materials to be grown in clean, thin films from solution and studied in situ. Materials to be studies shall include polymer films for applications such as low cost electroluminescent displays and bio-molecules. The project shall involve developing a detailed understanding of molecular orbital energies, chemical compositions, bonding, light emission and absorption. The electrospray process will allow thin clean films to be grown and studied individually and as interfaces with other materials in an economical way due to the low volumes used in the electrospray process.

A major challenge of the project is to allow spray deposition into the vacuum system and retain a level of vacuum suitable to enable in situ study using the characterization techniques available at Aberystwyth. The pumping system is to be optimized to eventually allow real time study of the electrospray materials in vacuum. The first stage of electrospray is in atmosphere currently, as spraying directly into high vacuum has associated difficulties due to the freezing of the solution on the emitter tip and the requirement for an amount of gas flow to initiate the electrospray process. This is something the project looks to overcome, enabling the ESD process to be completely isolated from the laboratory atmosphere. This is important not just from a sample cleanliness and vacuum level point of view but from health and safety considerations as it is wise to limit inhalation and contact with many of the materials proposed to be studied and the solvents used to facilitate the ESD process. Due to the sensitivity of the process to parameters such as applied voltage, surface tension, electrical conductivity and concentration the behavior of the electrospray process shall also be investigated and instrumentation to manipulate the spray during operation shall be incorporated into the design. Portability, size and weight consideration for mounting on vacuum systems and synchrotrons shall also be addressed in the final instrument.

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