We are an interdisciplinary and international group and accordingly offer topics with experimental as well as theoretical background on cutting-edge topics in high-resolution spectroscopy. The goal is always the application to current research areas in chemistry or life sciences. PhD students are involved in one of the current graduate programs (e.g. ASP or JSMC) during their PhD studies.
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Topics for Internships / Bachelor and Master Thesis
Internships / Lab Practice
(e.g. topics project modules BC 6.4 / MC 3.2 / Chemistry of Materials / Medical Photonics / Master of Photonics)
Implementation of liquid AFM measurements at variable temperatures and liquid exchange (CH)
This internship project comprises liquid non-contact and force distance AFM measurements of e.g., polymer nanoparticles, for testing the limits of AFM stability. The student is responsible to setup a temperature-controllable fluid cell and to integrate a perfusion system to an existing AFM setup. Based on non-contact imaging and force-distance curve based AFM imaging at different temperatures, flow rates and microinjections, the student quantifies the induced mechanical drifts, i.e. tip position stability. Contact
Programming a National Instrument Data Acquisition Unit with LabView (WW)
The candidate will be responsible for LabView programming of an NI USB 6211 DAQ device for real-time monitoring of multi-channel signals generated by a scattering scanning near field microscopy (sSNOM)/tip-enhanced Raman system (TERS). The candidate will have the chance to learn the operation and knowledge of sSNOM and TERS. The candidate should already have good knowledge of LabView 2018. Contact
AFM study of pH dependent self-assembly of peptides into amyloidogenic structures (TDG)
The self-assembly of peptides into fibrillar aggregates is associated with the development of severe diseases. This aggregation is strongly affected by the environmental conditions and can lead to the formation of different morphologies. In this project, peptide aggregation into fibrillar amyloids will be performed at different pH solutions and the grown structures will be characterized using an atomic force microscope. Contact
AFM measurements of biomaterials (XY)
further Information: Contact
NanoIR investigation of bacterial walls (TS)
further Information: Contact
Master & Bachelor Thesis
Temperature controlled and liquid exchange AFM measurements - Correlative high speed AFM and Optical Microscopy
Correlative (high speed) AFM and optical microscopy can provide several advantages, starting from fast ROIs selection to probing topographical/ morphological changes and relate these to dynamic processes by tracking labeled entities. The bachelor thesis aims at implementing a S-CMOS imaging camera into an existing optical setup (AFM-TERS setup) to combine (high speed) AFM imaging and optical imaging of dynamic processes in the future. After initial implementation and alignment of the ROIs for both techniques, the imaging capabilities will be tested in respect to sensitivity and speed with nanoparticle systems. Contact (Bachelor-thesis)
TERS in liquid – Preparation, Characterization and Testing of TERS tips for TERS measurements in liquids
Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy relies on plasmonic tips, e.g. silver nanoparticle (Ag-NPs) decorated AFM cantilever tips. The high reliability of the TERS observed for TERS measurement under ambient conditions is defeated by AgNP dissolution. This Master project aims at the development of liquid-stable Ag-NP TERS tips. These are fabricated by means of an established microwave process. TERS tips are tested for their mechanical and chemical stability in different organic solvents and buffers under realistic AFM conditions. Tips are characterized for their mechanical stability and morphology changes by SEM. Chemical modifications, i.e. oxidation, will be addressed by SEM-EDX measurements. Finally, these tips are used for TERS mapping of different samples. Contact (Master-thesis)
Synthesis and characterization of a stibnite precursor solution for direct laser patterning.
The candidate will be responsible for the synthesis of a homemade stibnite precursor solution for 3D printing applications. The candidate will adopt Raman/NMR/IR for the chemical characterization of the precursor solution processed under various conditions. Contact (Bachelor-thesis)
Nanoscale characterisation of vertical and tangential near-field components via homodyne detection.
In this thesis the goal is to synchronize and program (Python) a dual lock-in amplifier (Zurich Instrument HF2LI 50 MHz) system to simultaneously detect the vertical and horizontal electric field components of a scattering near-field optical microscopy experiment. The candidate will use this system for the nanoscale field characterization of tightly focused laser spots, 2D materials, and self-assembled monolayers. The candidate should have background in Python programming and instrument control. Contact (Master-thesis)
Imaging the morpholgy and mechanical properties of fibrillar peptide aggregates (amyloids) using atomic force microscopy.
The self-assembly of peptides into fibrillar aggregates can lead to the development of severe diseases. Since the precise fibrillation mechanism is not yet fully understood, a thorough characterization of these structures is of fundamental interest. In this Bachelor thesis, selected peptides will be fibrillated and investigated using atomic force microscopy. Besides the imaging of the morphology, force-distance curve measurements will be performed providing information about the mechanical properties of the different structures under different environmental conditions.Contact (Bachelor-thesis)
Differentiation of amyloidogenic structures with atomic force microscopy and near-field Raman spectroscopy.
The self-assembly of peptides into fibrillar aggregates is associated with the development of severe diseases. In this master thesis, two different peptides will be fibrillated and the grown structures will be investigated with atomic force microscopy and tip-enhanced Raman scattering. In particular the chemical characterization of the surface composition of the amyloidogenic structures will enable the identification of hydrophobic and hydrophilic areas. Finally, different potential inhibitors will be tested for their degradation effects. Contact (Master-thesis)
Investigation of thiolate redox reactions on Ag-SERS substrates.
This topic is aiming to address the influence of different experimental conditions to the reactions. The candidate will learn to use AFM, UV-Vis and Raman/SERS, etc techniques.Contact (Master-thesis)