Dr Thor Bostrom

Biography

Research theme: Environment
Research discipline: Chemistry
 
Research areas
Microstructure related to ion sorption properties of manganese oxide materials
Certain manganese oxides show selective sorption of cations and may potentially be used to remove ionic contaminants from environmental waters. The microstructure of these compounds is being investigated using high resolution analytical electron microscopy and other techniques.
Characterisation of environmental aerosol nanoparticles
The composition and morphology of submicron inorganic aerosol particles can be specifically investigated using analytical transmission electron microscopy. In a current study, nanoparticles emitted from laser printers are being analysed to identify likely sources during the printing process.
Physical processes in microanalysis during heating stage ESEM
Changes in materials with temperature can be studied using a heating stage in an environmental SEM. At elevated temperatures both imaging and X-ray microanalysis show some anomalous behaviour, and this study is an investigation of the physical processes involved under these conditions.
Areas of expertise

• Transmission and scanning electron microscopy


• Quantitative X-ray microanalysis


• Electron diffraction


• Scanning probe microscopy


• Particle microanalysis

Selected research projects

• Quantitative particle microanalysis in the EM


• Physical processes in microanalysis at elevated temperatures using heating stage ESEM


• Microstructure and ion sorption properties of manganese oxide materials


• Characterisation of nanostructures by quantitative TEM, SEM and SPM