1. Electron Microscopy & Spectroscopy Analysis

We identifies the characteristics of materials through structural analysis, electronic structure analysis, surface analysis, and thermal property analysis.

Main Research Field

[Atomic Level Structure / Chemical Analysis] Atomic Level Structure Analysis and Electronic Structure Analysis of Semiconductor and Nano Materials

• Atomic structure analysis / electronic structure of dielectric thin films
• Development of characterization analysis method suitable for the characteristics of semiconductor devices and implementing reliable research support of industry, academia, and research

[in-situ / 3D Tomo / Cryo-EM] Research Support of Nano-Bio Materials Using Korea's Only 1st HVEM and 2nd Bio-HVEM

• Depending on the external environment within the transmission electron microscope through various in-situ experiments
• Ultra-high resolution, three-dimensional structural analysis of thick biological samples
• High resolution 3D structural analysis for the protein/cell level through Cryo-EM analysis

[Surface analysis / Thermal analysis]

• Analysis of element type, composition ratio and chemical bonding state on the surface of the material through XPS / UPS
• Analyze thermal properties of materials such as thermal conductivity, specific heat, coefficient of thermal expansion, and thermal properties in cryogenic conditions as well as at room temperature (interface thermal resistance characteristics of laminated structural materials, etc.)

Representative Research Cases

3D Reconstruction and modeling of helical assembly of peptide programmable nanoparticles by electron tomography with high-resolution and tilting angle

• Biomaterials derived via programmable supramolecular protein assembly provide a viable means of constructing precisely defined structures. We present programmed superstructures of AuPt nanoparticles (NPs) on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that exhibit distinct electrocatalytic activities. Surface cysteine residues of the peptides create AuPt-specific nucleation site, which allow for precise positioning of NPs onto helical geometries, as confirmed by 3-D reconstruction. This origami research with 3D tilting electron tomography function of Bio-HVEM for design and confirmation approach can be expanded to versatile fields to build sophisticated functional assemblies.
• Identifying the mechanism of PL efficiency improvement through surface analysis of organic-inorganic perovskite using atomic-level imaging/electron energy loss spectroscopy (J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2019)

• Investigation of the initial thermal disorder and decomposition mechanism of black phosphorus

• Electron tomography and 3D reconstruction of Peptide programmable nanoparticle superstructure through Bio-high voltage electron microscope
  (Bio-HVEM).
• PL improvement Mechanism
  of Organic-Inorganic
  Perovskite and surface analysis
  Using EELS / STEM

2. Bio-Chemical Analysis

We establishes a joint research platform for characterization and image analysis of various biological materials (i.e., proteins, lipids and metabolites) and environmental harmful substances using advanced high-resolution research equipments (i.e., mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and magnetic resonance imaging) to conduct creative research collaborations.

Main Research Field

High-resolution mass spectrometry-based study for environmental and living harmful substances (i.e., aerosol particles, spilled oils, and active ricins) and proteins and metabolites in clinically relevant biological samples

• Development of an advanced platform for the characterization of fine aerosol and spilled oil-derived organic substances by using high-resolution mass spectrometry
• Development of a novel method to detect toxic active ricins in organic fertilizers

High-field nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy-based study for the structural characterization of biological molecules (proteins and natural products)

• Development of an advance platform for the characterization of 3D structure of biologically relevant proteins and their physico-chemical properties

High-field magnetic resonance imaging-based study for disease diagnosis and prediction

• MRI imaging-based ischemic injury index and immune cell tracking method development

Representative Research Cases

Development of an advanced platform for the characterization of fine aerosol (PM_2.5)-derived organic substances by using ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry

• To understand the chemical composition and formation mechanism of fine aerosols in the Arctic, the chemical and molecular compositions of the Arctic PM2.5-derived organic compounds were characterized using a 15 tesla FT-ICR mass spectrometer (Conducting the National Strategic Project‐Fine particle; Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 2019).

Identification of the structure of self-assembled molecular knots with 16 intersections using NMR spectroscopy

• Characterization of coordination-driven self-assembly of a molecular knot comprising 16 crossrings that mimics biomolecular and mechanical properties (Angewandte Chemie, 2018).

• Characterization of Arctic aerosols in combination with arctic airmass back-trajectories and ocean chlorophyll conc.
• Investigation of
  the formation mechanism of
  self-assembled molecular knot

3. Earth & Environmental Analysis

We provides the analytical service for geological age dating, food authenticity and trace element & isotope measurement of the earth and environmental materials using the state-of-the-art mass spectrometer and natural radioactivity measurement system. Collaboratory researches in analytical sciences are progressing with the large-geometry secondary ion mass spectrometer.

Main Research Field

Analysis of isotope and trace element for earth and environmental materials

• Korea’s only one-stop service for geological age determination using SHRIMP and OSL facilities
• Nationally accredited analysis service in trace elements and natural radioactivity for soil and water

Natural radioactivity measurement of domestic agro-fisheries and industrial products and its authenticity test

• Radioactivity test of the import-export goods for people’s safety
• Development of analytical technique in origin analysis for agro-fisheries, airborne dust and cultural heritage

Representative Research Cases

Installation of world’s first high-resolution isotope microscope comprised of next-generation large geometry secondary ion mass spectrometer and quantitative imaging sensor

• In-situ isotope analysis for the small area of earth and environmental, high-tech, and bio materials.

Study for the formation of Precambrian basement using SHRIMP U-Pb age results

• SHRIMP U-Th-Pb ages of zircon and monazite from the migmatitic gneiss in Sancheong-Hadong area of Yeongnam Massif in Korea suggest that the low-P/high-T metamorphism concomitant with the anorthosite intrusion were prolonged to ca. 15 Ma and related with the final product of hot orogeny in North China Craton during Paleoproterozoic (ca. 1.85-1.95 Ga)

• High-resolution isotope microscope combined with IMS1300-HR3 LG-SIMS and SCAPS quantitative image sensor
• U-Pb age diagrams showing
  progressive low-pressure/high-temperature
  metamorphism

4. Engineering Support

We supports the best research environment and the research result through the operation of smart-open-labs, helium liquefier supplies, ultra-precision processing tech shops and equipment maintenance.

Main Research Field

Technical support

• Maintenance and troubleshooting of research equipment.
• Consultation, design and production for the remodeling and development of research equipment.
• Professional technical training to foster research equipment maintenance personnel.

Smart Open Lab:

• Co-utilization of web / mobile based general equipment
• Self-analysis through equipment operation training
• Professional analysis technology transfer, analysis consultation and co-research

Ultra-precision tech-shop

• Operation of ultra-precision machining tech-shop
• Development of ultra-precision machining and metrology technique on freeform optics
• Development of ultra-precision machining and metrology technique on large-area optics

Helium liquefier supplies

• Helium liquefier supplies liquid helium to research equipment that requires cryogenic environments
• Low temperature related technical and business support

Representative Research Cases

Technical Support

• Modification of sample source for Nano-SIMS
• Support more than 200 cases per year

Smart Open Lab:

• Quipment training: More than 70 times per year (over 350 people)
• Autonomous analysis: More than 300 cases per year

Construction of Large-aperture Magneto-rheological Freeform surface finishing system

• 1.2 m Magneto-rheological freeform surface finishing system was constructed in 2019, and exchanging and support processing technology of ultra-precision optical components with the inside and outside the country institution (NOAO, The University of Arizona, KASI, KARI and Kyunghee University)

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