Surface plasmon resonances at the nanoscale hold great potential for applications in many areas, and the characterization of plasmonic nanostructures plays a critical role in the realization of these applications. Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) has emerged as a powerful characterization tool to study the response of plasmonic nanostructures due to its high spatial-resolution and the capability to probe bright as well as dark plasmonic modes. The main limiting factor of EELS is the energy resolution. However, in this thesis, we overcome this limitation using a combination of electron monochromation and the use of the Richardson-Lucy algorithm. We show that the algorithm could be used to obtain effective energy resolutions up to 10 meV. Using EELS we analyze the resonances of planar nanostructures, and we found that the supported resonances can be described as edge and cavity or film modes, behaving as 1D and 2D modes respectively. We also demonstrate that edge modes are unaffected by the presence of bends up to the critical angle of 90◦ where the modes start self-interacting producing large energy shifts. The interaction of plasmon resonances is also studied, and we show that the coupling can be reduced to three behaviors: coupling through the edge, coupling through a corner, and non-coupling. We propose a method to control the coupling through the edge in offset nanowires, by tuning the nodal alignment and spectral overlap of the edge modes. Finally, we analyze the plasmon modes supported by Koch snowflake fractal antennas, and we demonstrate that modes present in the fractals are formed by the edge modes supported by their characteristic edges. This thesis provides a complete picture of the surface plasmon resonances supported by planar nanostructures and demonstrates the ability of EELS to probe and image a wide variety of plasmonic resonances. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in muscle ultrastructure and strength performance following a single bout of elbow flexor resistance exercise. Eight untrained males performed 8 sets of 8 repetitions at 80% concentric 1 RM. One arm performed only the concentric (CON) phase of the movement while the other performed only the eccentric (ECC) phase. Maximum isometric (MVC), low (LV} and high velocity (HV} concentric peak torque, and evoked contractile property measurements of the elbow flexors were made before and after the bout, and at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Needle biopsies were obtained from the biceps brachii prior to the exercise, immediately post-exercise from each arm (POSTCON, POST-ECC}, and 48 h post-exercise from each arm (48H-CON, 48H-ECC). Electron microscopy was used to quantify the extent of fiber disruption in each sample. The severity of disruption was classified as focal (FOC}, moderate (MOD}, or extreme (EXT}. All strength measurements decreased (P s; o. 05} below pre-exercise values immediately post-ex in both arms, but dramatic differences were observed between arms during the subsequent recovery period. MVC, LV, HV and peak twitch torque (PTT) recovered to pre-ex values by 24 h in the CON arm. In the ECC arm, HV did not recover for at least 72 h, and MVC, LV and PTT remained depressed at 96 h. ANOVA revealed a greater (P s; 0.05) number fibers were disrupted in the POST-CON, POST-ECC, 48H-CON and 48H-ECC samples compared to BASE. Significantly more fibers appeared disrupted in the POST-ECC (82%) and 48H-ECC (80%) samples compared to the POSTCON (33%) and 48H-CON (37%) samples, respectively. In addition, the POST-ECC (41%) and 48H-ECC (50%) samples contained a greater number of fibers with EXT disruption compared to the POST-CON (13%) and 48H-CON (17%) samples. Decreases in MVC at 48 h correlated (P ~ 0.05) with the extent of EXT disruption in the 48H-CON and 48H-ECC samples. These data indicate that both the CON and ECC phase of weightlifting produce myofibrillar disruption, with the greatest disruption occurring during the ECC phase. This study was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

Schwertmannite, a ferric oxyhydroxysulfate mineral typically found under acidic, high sulfate and iron aqueous conditions, such as acid mine drainage environments, was studied using analytical high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). HRTEM offers advantages over bulk techniques such as powder x-ray diffraction and pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of synchrotron data, in its ability to discern multiple phases within poorly crystalline nanominerals. Based on extensive HRTEM observations of both natural and synthetic schwertmannite samples, the authors suggest that schwertmannite should not be described as a single phase mineral with a repeating unit cell, but as a polyphasic nanomineral with crystalline areas spanning less than a few nanometers within an amorphous matrix. The few visible lattice fringes observable in both natural and synthetic schwertmannite agree well with d-spacings of goethite (and jarosite in natural samples) implying that the transformation from schwertmannite to these phases occurs as a gradual structural reordering at the nanoscale. In the synthetic study, the complete transformation from schwertmannite to goethite nanorods and nanoparticles within 24 hours at 75°C was observed, indicating a low energetic barrier to schwertmannite's phase transformation. We also found that amorphous silica can be intimately entrained within natural schwertmannite, and that high concentrations of arsenic can be held in close association of nanocrystalline regions of the mineral. / Ph. D.

The major experimental problems involved in this investigation were two in number. The first problem was that of obtaining an accurate calibration of the electron microscope to be used for making electron micrographs. This was done by comparison with a secondary standard. A Bausch and Lomb Type ILS metalloscope, which was calibrated by use of a steel grating furnished by the manufacturer, was used as the secondary standard. The second problem was the examination of yellow iron oxide pigments manufactured by three major manufacturers for the purpose of comparing individual pigment particles and also determining particle shape and dimensions. Both problems were successfully solved and the following observations were made: 1. The magnification of the RCA Type ENC electron microscope used in the investigation is 4274. 2. The particle size and structure of yellow iron oxide paint pigments made by different manufacturers are the same, i.e., 0.5 micron by 0.1 micron and rod-like in structure. / Master of Science

Yes / Previous research on the Iron Age in Britain has argued that no fishing occurred during this period in Britain. This argument has now been complicated by large assemblages of fish bones that have been excavated from Iron Age sites in the Northern Isles. Further investigation into this issue became the focus of the author's MSc dissertation research in 2016, specifically on the recently excavated fish bone assemblages from the site of Swandro on Rousay, Orkney. Analytical methods, including stable isotope analysis and scanning electron microscopy, were applied in an attempt to determine how the fish may have been utilised at the site. Results have revealed evidence that could be interpreted as fishing activity and possible consumption by humans at Swandro. This paper disseminates and further examines these results and considers how this particular project is useful as a pilot study in the application of analytical methodologies to problematic faunal remains such as fish, and why this could be important to future zooarchaeological and environmental archaeological research.

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No description available.

Particle contamination control is a critical issue for the semiconductor industry. In the near future, this industry will be concerned with the chemical identities of contaminant particles as small as 0.01 pm in size. Therefore, analytical techniques with both high chemical sensitivity and spatial resolution are required. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provides excellent spatial resolution and yields structural and compositional information. It is rarely used, however, due to the difficulty of sample preparation. The goals of this research are to promote the use of TEM as an ultrafine particle analysis tool by developing new sample preparation methods, and to exploit the new TEM techniques for analysis of particles in semiconductor processing fluids. A TEM methodology for the analysis of particulate contaminants in fluids with an elemental detectability limit as low as 0.1 part per trillion (ppt), and a particle concentration detectability limit as low as 1 particle/ml for particles greater than 0.2 pm was developed and successfully applied to the analysis of particles in HF, H202, de-ionized (DI) water, and on the surface of an electronic device. HF samples from three manufacturers were examined. For HF (B), the maximum particle concentration was 8.3 x 103 particles/ml. Both a viscous material and lath-shaped particles were observed. The Sb concentration was less than 0.6 part per billion (ppb). HF (C) was the cleanest. CaF2 and TiO2 particles were identified in HF (D). For H2 02, iron and tin oxides and hydroxides were identified. The maximum particle concentration was 990 particles/ml. The Sn and Fe concentrations were less than 0.3 ppb. Spherical and dendritic particles were observed. For DI water, spherical and dendritic particles (<2 particles/ml), and particles containing Fe or Si with concentrations less than 0.1 ppt were observed. Contaminants on an electronic device surface were also analyzed. Clusters of small particles were determined to be a mixture of aluminum oxides and aluminum silicates.

As características das células musculares e da junção miotendínea do músculo pterigóideo mediai de ratos adultos e com envelhecimento foram estudadas, empregando-se as técnicas de microscopia de luz e eletrônica de varredura e de transmissão. A microscopia de luz mostrou que as fibras musculares inserem-se na superfície óssea mandibular através de tecido colágeno composto por numerosos fibroblastos. Os cortes examinados sob luz polarizada revelaram a presença de fibras colágenas tipo\' e li\' nesta região. Além disso, puderam-se notar os capilares sangüíneos em grande número. Observações ao microscópio eletrônico de varredura ressaltaram as estriações presentes no músculo esquelético. O tecido conjuntivo que constitui o endomísio foi notado quando as amostras foram tratadas com solução de hidróxido de sódio e foi possível observar os diferentes diâmetros apresentados pelas fibras musculares. A microscopia eletrônica de transmissão evidenciou o alinhamento dos sarcômeros e as concentrações de mitocôndrias junto à lâmina basal na terminação da fibra muscular. O estudo da junção miotendínea dos ratos adultos e com envelhecimento identificou as fibras colágenas e os feixes de miofibrilas formando interdigitações que promovem o aumento da superfície de contato nesta região. Os aspectos observados nos músculos de ratos adultos mostraram-se bastante similares aos encontrados nos ratos com envelhecimento. / The mediai pterygoid muscle cells and myotendinous junction characteristics of adult and aging rats were studied, using light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The Iight microscopy showed the muscle fibers inserting in the mandible surface through collagen tissue and numerous fibroblasts. The samples examined in polarized light revealed the presence of type I and 11I collagen fibers in this site. Furthermore, the numerous blood capillaries could be noticed. Observations at the scanning electron microscope evidenced strias present in the skeletal muscle. The connective tissue that constitutes the endomysium could be noticed when the samples were treated with sodium hydroxide solution and it was possible to observe the muscle fibers different diameters. The transmission electron microscopy revealed the sarcomeres alignment and the mitochondria concentration by the basal lamina in the muscle fiber termination. The adult and aging rats myotendinous junction study showed the collagen fibers and the myofibrils bundles developing finger-like processes that increases the contact areas in this site. The aspects seen in adult rats pterygoid muscles were very similar to the ones seen in the aging rats.