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Image of Michael Fay

Michael Fay

Research, Faculty of Engineering

Contact

  • workRoom B108 Nottingham Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Centre, Physics and Astronomy Building
    University Park
    Nottingham
    NG7 2RD
    UK
  • work0115 8467708

Biography

I have been researching using transmission electron microscopes since 1996. Having developed expertise on a number of techniques while investigating more traditional materials science materials, I have now applied these to a wide range of samples, including biological and biomedical samples, pharmaceutical products, and novel nanomaterials.

I am responsible for the day to day operation of the Nottingham Nanotechnology and Nanoscience Centre microscopy suite. This facility, in addition to providing high end scanning and transmission electron microscop to provide analytical support for a broad range of research programmes across the Physical Sciences and Life Sciences, is also equipped with a wide range of in-situ TEM holders, allowing novel and challenging research to be undertaken.

Particular areas of personal expertise are FIB-SEM and Cryo FIB-SEM for both analysis of materials in bulk, and for preparation of suitable samples from a wide range of materials for TEM analysis, and Elemental mapping in the TEM of a range of materials, including beam sensitive structures, using both energy filtered imaging and STEM-EELS techniques.

Research Summary

I am responsible for the operation of the electron microscopy (EM) laboratory and EM sample preparation facilities in the NNNC, and in raising awareness of the equipment to various interested… read more

Selected Publications

In 2010, for the Periodic Videos project (http://www.periodicvideos.com/) Professor Martyn Poliakoff and film-maker Brady Haran visited the NNNC, where we produced the world's smallest periodic table on one of the Professor's hairs (http://www.periodicvideos.com/videos/feature_small_table.htm). This video has received over 250,000 hits on YouTube, and has been featured on TV in several countries. The periodic table was recognised as the world's smallest by the Guinness Book of Records in 2011.

The NNNC has also hosted visiting sixth-form and school children, both as part of larger tours of the University, and for the student's own research.

Current Research

I am responsible for the operation of the electron microscopy (EM) laboratory and EM sample preparation facilities in the NNNC, and in raising awareness of the equipment to various interested research groups across the University.

I am in charge of training users in focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIBSEM) and advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, in addition to providing analytical support for a broad range of research programmes across the Physical Sciences and Life Sciences, and to external clients including those under the EPSRC Open Access grant (EP/F019750/1).

Past Research

From 2000 to 2007, I was employed as a post-doctoral contract researcher in the School of M3 at the University of Nottingham. The majority of the work there was carried out using a JEOL 4000fx TEM equipped with a Gatan Imaging Filter (GIF) for Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) and Energy Filtered Transmission Electron Microscopy (EFTEM). Analysis was also performed when required using related equipment at the University of Cambridge and the University of Sheffield.

I prepared for TEM and analysed a wide range of structural, functional, biomedical and nanostructured materials systems, in support of many research group programmes and undergraduate projects.

During 2006 I worked on a Basic Technology project in collaboration with the School of Physics and Astronomy, convened with the growth of thick GaN layers by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) (GR/???)

2003-2006: I worked on an EPSRC funded project (GR/S25630/01) entitled 'Microstructural Characterisation of III-V spintronic, photonic and electronic heterostructures', as a named RA associated with the contract. This research was concerned with the structural characterisation of doped GaN and GaAs ferromagnetic semiconductor layers grown by MBE. I additionally worked on materials in collaboration with both academic and industrial researchers in Europe.

2000-2003: I worked on an EPSRC funded project project (GR/M87078/01) entitled 'Optimisation of GaN contact technology' in collaboration with QinetiQ Ltd (Malvern). The research was concerned with the chemical analysis of Ti-based contacts to nitride semiconductor device structures, e.g. correlating microstructural properties to the electrical characteristics of field effect transistors.

Future Research

The NNNC electron microscopy facilities are well equipped for in-situ, dynamical analysis. I am particularly interested in utilising the transmission electron microscope to improve the understanding of the interrelationship between the process, structure and functional properties of nanostructured materials and devices.

Faculty of Engineering

The University of Nottingham
University Park
Nottingham, NG7 2RD


telephone: +44 (0) 115 951 4163
email:engineering@nottingham.ac.uk