Aduro is Here

What is Aduro?

Aduro is the Heating/Electrical Testing TEM holder made by Protochips to perform in situ experiments in the TEM and allows for dynamic observation of nano-scale processes. With the Aduro you can insert your sample and create a heating schedule such as ramp and soak or cycle between temperatures up to a maximum of 1200C. During this heating the Aduro can record electrical measurements such as resistivity, I-V curves, etc., with electrical biasing up to 750mA and up to 50V. The Aduro does this by both a uniquely designed holder and sample stage design. The experiment is captured as a movie after which individual frames can be exported. Alternately, the experiment can be halted at certain intervals to acquire images.

Aduro holder with sample chip inserted
Aduro holder with sample chip inserted
Close-up of Aduro heating chip inserted in holder
Close-up of Aduro heating chip inserted in holder

If the samples are particulate suspended in a fluid, a sample can be simply dropped onto the center of the chip. Once the liquid is allowed to evaporate, the sample can be placed in the TEM and the experiment can be performed. Bulk specimen require a FIB cut and then are placed on the center of the chip. Conductive straps of Pt can then be deposited to connect the electrical leads or to hold the sample in place as the experiment is carried out.

Optical image of Protochips heating stage showing the heating area
Optical image of Protochips heating stage showing the heating area
SEM image of the heating area showing the holes over which samples can be viewed
SEM image of the heating area showing the holes over which samples can be viewed
Thermal profile of Protochips stage at maximum temperature 1200C
Thermal profile of Protochips stage at maximum temperature 1200C

Learn more about Aduro at prototochips.com