BERNINI , Cristina

Colloidal probe atomic force microscopy (AFM) allows us to explore sliding friction phenomena in graphite contacts of nominal lateral size up to hundreds of nanometers. It is known that contact formation involves tribo-induced material transfer of graphite flakes from the graphitic substrate to the colloidal probe. In this context, sliding...

We used ink-jet printing technique to fabricate conducting silver circuits on two substrates of technological interest (alumina and insulating ceramic-glass) using a very simple and cost-effective reduction reaction of silver nitrate (AgNO3) aqueous solution followed by annealing in argon-5% hydrogen atmosphere. Commercial dishwashing detergent...

We report on the fabrication, mechanical characterization and electrostatic actuation of dielectric STO(0 0 1) thin film microcantilevers (MCs). Finite element analysis (FEA) is used for mechanical analysis and for calculating the distribution and the magnitude of the dielectric forces on the actual devices. The actuation of insulating oxide...

High-sensitivity nanomechanical sensors are mostly based on silicon technology and related materials. The use of functional materials, such as complex oxides having strong interplay between structural, electronic, and magnetic properties, may open possibilities for developing new mechanical transduction schemes and for further enhancement of...

According to theoretical predictions [Phys. Rev, Lett. 114, 136601 (2015)], Sb substitution in Fe2TiSn full-Heusler compounds is thought to enhance the n-type thermoelectric power factors. We prepare Fe2TiSn samples with 0%, 10%, and 20% Sb substitution on the Sn site and study the effects of the heat treatment protocol and of Sb substitution...