Funding for the acquisition of an In-situ Testing Platform (Kammrath & Weiss GmbH) and a Nanoindenter for in situ micro/nano mechanical testing (Alemnis AG)

The In-situ Testing Platform enables mechanical testing under high loads (up to 10 kN) directly inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM), allowing for real-time observation of deformation and fracture mechanisms using secondary and backscattered electrons (EBSD) and high-resolution images.

This new equipment significantly expands the experimental capabilities of the Microscopy Unit, which include:

• In situ tensile, compression, and bending tests.
• Force- and displacement-controlled loading, including cyclic tests.
• Video extensometry and digital image correlation (DIC) based on SEM images.
• Compatibility with our existing Thermo Fisher Apreo 2S and EVO MA 15 SEMsEn.

The Nanoindenter for in-situ micro/nano mechanical testing features a unique intrinsic displacement mode that provides unprecedented precision and flexibility for both in-situ and ex-situ testing.

In addition, it can perform tests inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM), allowing for real-time observation of deformation and fracture mechanisms, as well as the acquisition of high-resolution images.

This new equipment significantly expands the experimental capabilities of the Microscopy Unit, which include:

• A wide range of critical testing methods, including micropillar compression, fatigue testing, microcantilever bending, and mechanical property mapping.
• High-temperature module for in-situ testing up to 1000 °C.
• Low-temperature module for in-situ testing down to -150 °C.
• Compatibility with our existing Thermo Fisher Apreo 2S and EVO MA 15 SEMsEn.