Max Planck Institute and Asylum Research Organize 2nd International Workshop for Scanning Probe Microscopy for Energy Applications


February 17, 2011 (Santa Barbara, CA): The Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPI-P) and Asylum Research, the technology leader in scanning probe/atomic force microscopy (SPM/AFM), are co-organizing the 2nd International Workshop for Scanning Probe Microscopy for Energy Applications, to be held at the MPI-P in Mainz, Germany from June 8-10, 2011. Following the highly successful first conference with well over 100 attendees at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2010, this 2nd Workshop will focus on sharing new and innovative research involving characterization of the microscopic mechanisms underpinning solar cell, battery, and fuel cell operations, and materials used for alternative energy applications at the nanometer to micron range. Recent advances/techniques in SPM/AFM used to characterized energy relevant materials and systems will also be addressed. The three-day meeting will include invited/contributed talks and a poster session. Equipment labs and tutorials will be held on the last day for demonstration of recently-developed dynamic and multi-spectral SPM modes using Asylum Research's Cypher(TM) and MFP-3D(TM) SPM/AFMs. Abstracts are now being accepted for contributed talks and a poster session. Go to www.mpip-mainz.mpg.de/symposium/spm2011 for information on the agenda, abstract submission, and registration.

Rüdiger Berger of Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research commented, "I am happy that we can host the 2nd International Workshop on Scanning Probe Microscopy for Energy Applications at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research. Green energy is one of the most important current issues and we need multidisciplinary teamwork in this area to identify the best strategies. Surfaces and interfaces play a crucial role in solar cell devices and batteries. We are proud to bring together scientists from all over the world to discuss recent findings and to discuss ways to accelerate the development of green energy technologies."

"Energy generation, storage, and conversion systems are an integral component of emerging green technologies, including solar power, automotive, and storage components of solar and wind energy economics. The microscopic mechanisms underpinning solar cell, battery and fuel cell operations in the nanometer to micron range are currently not well understood. This workshop is designed to bring together leading scientists in these energy applications of SPM/AFM to share their research and spur additional work to advance the field," added Roger Proksch, President of Asylum Research.

About Asylum Research

See what our users are saying about Asylum Research at: www.MyAsylumAFM.com

Asylum Research is the technology leader in atomic force and scanning probe microscopy (AFM/SPM) for both materials and bioscience applications. Founded in 1999, we are an employee owned company dedicated to innovative instrumentation for nanoscience and nanotechnology, with over 250 years combined AFM/SPM experience among our staff. Our instruments are used for a variety of nanoscience applications in material science, physics, polymers, chemistry, biomaterials, and bioscience, including single molecule mechanical experiments on DNA, protein unfolding and polymer elasticity, as well as force measurements for biomaterials, chemical sensing, polymers, colloidal forces, adhesion, and more. Asylum's product line offers imaging and measurement capabilities for a wide range of samples, including advanced techniques such as electrical characterization (CAFM, KFM, EFM), high voltage piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM), thermal analysis, quantitative nanoindenting, and a wide range of environmental accessories and application-ready modules.

Asylum's MFP-3D set the standard for AFM technology, with unprecedented precision and flexibility. The MFP-3D is the first AFM with true independent piezo positioning in all three axes, combined with low noise closed-loop feedback sensor technology. The MFP-3D offers both top and bottom sample viewing and easy integration with most commercially-available inverted optical microscopes.

Asylum's new Cypher AFM is the world's first new small sample AFM/SPM in over a decade, and sets the new standard as the world's highest resolution AFM. Cypher provides low-drift closed loop atomic resolution for the most accurate images and measurements possible today, rapid AC imaging with small cantilevers, Spot-On(TM) automated laser alignment for easy setup, integrated thermal, acoustic and vibration control, and broad support for all major AFM/SPM scanning modes and capabilities.

Asylum Research offers the lowest cost of ownership of any AFM company. Ask us about our industry-best 2-year warranty, our legendary product and applications support, and our exclusive 6-month money-back satisfaction guarantee. We are dedicated to providing the most technically advanced AFMs for researchers who want to take their experiments to the next level. Asylum Research also distributes third party cantilevers from Olympus, Nanoworld/Nanosensors, and our own MFM and iDrive(TM) tips.

For additional information, contact Terry Mehr, Director of Marketing Communications, or Monteith Heaton, EVP, Marketing/Business Development, Asylum Research, 6310 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA 93117, 805-696-6466x224/227, Terry@AsylumResearch.com, Monte@AsylumResearch.com, www.AsylumResearch.com.

About the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research

The Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPI-P) ranks among the top research centers in the field of polymer science worldwide. The institute was founded in 1983 on the campus of the Johannes Gutenberg University and commenced work in June 1984. Currently the work force is made up of 130 scientists, 180 doctoral and diploma students, 80 visiting scientists and 140 technical, administrative and auxiliary staff.

The focus on so-called soft materials and macro-molecular materials has resulted in the worldwide unique position of the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research and its research focus. The Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research offers ideal conditions for conducting outstanding research. The institute combines all the necessary specialized expertise - from the creative design of new materials, from their synthesis in the lab to their physical characterization as well as the theoretical understanding of polymer characteristics. The Institute is divided into six working areas of basic scientific research into the field of polymers.

o Structure and Dynamics
o Surfaces and Interfaces
o Functional Materials and Devices
o Approaches to Synthesis
o Development of Methods
o Supramolecular Architectures

There is strong interaction between the different departments working on interdisciplinary research projects. In addition the institute has several service groups at its disposal, e.g. analysis of polymers, spectroscopy, electronic data processing, x-ray structure analysis, atomic force microscopy and mechanical spectroscopy. Each service group is headed by one of the institute's directors, but these services can be used by all the scientists at the institute. For more information, visit www.mpip-mainz.mpg.de.

Keywords: Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM), Energy Research, Photovoltaics

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