Carbon Nanotube TEM Micro-Grid Manufacturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional transmission electron microscope micro-grids manufactured using metal mesh nets often contain impurities like metal oxide, which interfere with sample analysis, reducing the accuracy and detail of observed images.

Innovation Solution

A method for manufacturing micro-grids using a high-purity carbon nanotube structure without metal mesh nets, where carbon nanotubes are arranged to form electron transmission portions with reduced density, allowing for sample observation without interference, achieved by irradiating selected areas with a laser beam to create holes and using van der Waals attractive forces to combine layers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metal mesh nets are used to manufacture micro-grids, then structural support is provided, but impurities such as metal oxide cause interference in component analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidmetal oxide impurity interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the metal mesh net substrate entirely from the micro-grid structure, extracting only the necessary support function to be performed by an alternative material (carbon nanotubes). This eliminates the source of metal oxide impurities while maintaining structural integrity through a different material system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from metal-based mesh to carbon nanotube-based structure. This fundamental material substitution transforms the chemical composition parameters, eliminating metal elements and their associated oxides while providing equivalent or superior mechanical support properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If carbon nanotubes are used to form micro-grids, then high-purity, interference-free observation is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to laser irradiation and precise arrangement requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference-free observationVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical manufacturing methods (metal mesh fabrication, evaporation deposition) with laser-based processing. The laser beam systematically removes or arranges carbon nanotubes to form the micro-grid pattern, substituting optical energy for mechanical fabrication processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of carbon nanotubes under laser irradiation. The laser energy induces local phase changes in the carbon nanotube material, enabling controlled removal or reconfiguration of specific regions to create the desired micro-grid structure with precise hole patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional evaporation method is used to deposit carbon films, then micro-grids are formed, but metal mesh impurities interfere with sample analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicro-grid formationVSAvoidsample analysis accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the metal mesh substrate that serves as the foundation for traditional evaporation-deposited carbon films. By eliminating this substrate, the source of metal oxide impurities is removed, allowing carbon films to be deposited or formed without contamination from underlying metal layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure using carbon nanotubes as the primary structural material and carbon film as the surface layer. This all-carbon composite eliminates metal components entirely, providing a homogeneous material system free from metal oxide impurities while maintaining the functional properties needed for micro-grid operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The carbon nanotube micro-grids eliminate interference from metal mesh impurities, enhancing the accuracy and detail of transmission electron microscope images by providing a high-purity, interference-free platform for sample observation.

Implementation Method 1

irradiating selected areas with a laser beam to create holes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

using van der Waals attractive forces to combine layers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVan der Waals force: Van der Waals Force

Data Source

PatentUS8551392B2Method for manufacturing transmission electron microscope micro-grid

Publication Date: 2013.10.08 BEIJING FUNATE INNOVATION TECH

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a transmission electron microscope (TEM) micro-grid is provided. A sheet of carbon nanotube structure comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes is first provided. Some carbon nanotubes are removed from selected portions of the sheet of carbon nanotube structure to form a plurality of electron transmission portions. Each of the electron transmission portions includes a hole defined in the sheet of carbon nanotube structure and a plurality of residual carbon nanotubes in the hole. The sheet of carbon nanotube structure having the electron transmission portions is cut into pieces to form the TEM micro-grid.