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University of Wyoming

UW Technologies Available for Licensing

 

Technology Disclosure: 97-001 Hyperbaric Hydrothermal Flow-Through Fluid Cell Atomic Force Microscope

Summary

In conjunction with Lawrence Livermore National Labs (LLNL), the University of Wyoming has developed a Hyperbaric Hydrothermal Atomic Force Microscope (HAFM). This novel HAFM overcomes limitations associated with the temperature and pressure ranges that are accessible to all current AFMs. It can be used to image solid surfaces in fluids, either gas or liquid, working at pressures ranging from ambient (~15 psi) to at least 150 psi, and temperatures ranging from ambient (~20ÁC) to 150ÁC. It also has a vertical resolution under flowing conditions at maximum temperature and pressure of better than one (1) nanometer.

Applications

This HAFM can be applied in many situations, including studying surface chemical reactions that employ a water process requiring nanometer-scale monitoring or quality control and temperatures sufficient to increase net rates of reaction for many materials that have previously not been amenable to study using conventional AFM methods. It can also be used for crystal growth, metal corrosion, geochemistry, environmental science, and semiconductor device manufacturing and other areas of manufacturing that employ a process occurring at the nanometer scale.

Patents


Currently, there are two patents issued on this technology, US Patent # 6,437,328 and US Patent # 6,586,734. The Adobe Acrobat Viewer will be required to view these files.

If your company would like to learn more about this technology and how your company may apply it in commercial or industrial situations, please contact the director of the University of Wyoming Research Products Center, Davona Douglass. We would be pleased to share further details.