Innovative 3D printed nozzle will enable liquid sheet jet for European XFEL sample environment
European XFEL GmbH (EU XFEL) and UAB Pro for nano (Pro for nano) have started a joint project to revolutionize liquid sheet jet. Their collaborative work titled “Optimization and development of flat liquid micro jets to study photocatalytic properties of nanoparticles in solution (DEMO)” will focus on studying time-resolved ultrafast photocatalytic phenomena of nanomaterials as well as will open new R&D opportunities in the X-ray diffraction field.
X-ray bursts are produced from GeV energy electrons. The image is reproduced with a permission from www.xfel.eu.
Dr. Luigi Adriano from European XFEL commented: “The key motivation for the project stems from a requirement to have a reliable sample delivery system and to explore novel capabilities of the European XFEL instruments. The European XFEL is a 3.4 km-long facility that accelerates electrons to GeV energies, which are then converted to very short and bright X-ray bursts. The X-rays can be used to illuminate at up to MHz repetition rate. This high repetition rate can be fully exploited with a continuous liquid sample delivery system capable of delivering micrometer-thickness sheet liquids in vacuum.”
Dr. Gediminas Galinis, CEO at Pro for nano explained: “A high-resolution 3D printing technology will be applied to produce specifically shaped nozzles with a very high precision and reproducibility. The aim is to find an optimum nozzle design and to achieve reliable and consistent micrometer-thickness sheet jets of water in vacuum. If this is successful, countless new opportunities will open up to study various materials in water. For instance, European XFEL X-ray bursts can be used to study photocatalytic phenomena of nanomaterials. We hope that in the long run, the DEMO project will drive forward the Pro for nano ambition to produce advanced catalytic materials for green hydrogen synthesis and CO2 conversion to fuels.”
Isopropanol sheet liquid jet. Thickness of the jet is around 1-2 μm.
DEMO is an ambitious three-year project that will deliver two liquid jet injection prototypes. The prototypes will be used to undertake measurements on nanoparticle catalysts in water using the European XFEL advanced X-ray laser facility.
Pro for nano is a global innovation driven SME focusing on nanomaterials and their application in industry. The company has the ambition to minimise the impact of micro-pathogens including COVID-19 to our daily life as well as to enable the green transition to CO2 neutral economy using nanomaterials. The company is driven by a team of experienced scientists and business staff who hold expertise in commercialising nanomaterials, nanomaterial products as well as in-depth knowledge of physics, chemistry and engineering required to design, manufacture, assemble and test advanced technological processes.
European XFEL is a research facility that offers ultrashort X-ray pulses of outstanding spatial coherence and spectral brilliance. In collaboration with international user communities, especially from our shareholder countries, we perform world-class experiments for a broad range of scientific applications. By creating research opportunities, developing novel scientific methods, and pioneering beyond state-of-the-art technologies, we strengthen the competitiveness of European science. As a culturally diverse workforce with a collaborative spirit we place user support, research and knowledge transfer at the core of our mission.
