Speaker: Prof. Yizhong Huang (Nanyang Technological University)

Time: 09:00, June 28, 2019

Venue: Room 205, Building 14, Wushan Campus

Abstract: Phase transformation is a process that involves microstructural transition of materials when subject to external environments and usually accompanied by a variation in energy. Whenever a phase transformation occurs, sufficient energy is required to overcome the barriers of the structure rearrangement, no matter the transformation process is exothermic or endothermic. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) is a powerful technique and provides diffraction and phase contrasts that allow the characterization of crystalline structures of materials at nano/atomic scale. It is capable of in-situ observation of the evolution of crystals when subject to external environments (such as electron-beam irritation and an aqueous solution) with the help of in-situ holder facilities attached.

In this presentation, three examples will be given based on the recent research work that was performed by my research group members and collaborators: (1) Water induced phase transformation of GeO2 glass to nanocrystals under ambient condition; (2) Hexagonal Close Packed Au Nanostructures; (3) Transformation of CuO to Cu2O when subject to electron beam irradiation.