Michael Hjelmstad 

Applications Specialist for the Nano Analysis group of Oxford Instruments

This presentation proposes research that will delve into the strategic importance of effective resource allocation in fostering innovation within acquisition practices, with a specific focus on the noteworthy contributions of the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southwest (NAVFAC SW). The research to be discussed investigates the significant impact of construction projects undertaken by NAVFAC SW on the readiness and operational capabilities of the United States Navy. The study analyzes the strategic relevance of construction projects such as piers, aircraft maintenance facilities, energy-efficient structures, and support infrastructure for emerging technologies in enhancing the Navy's readiness and operational effectiveness. Findings have direct implications for naval engineering, strategic planning, and operational decision-making, providing valuable insights into the impact of construction projects on the overall readiness and operational capabilities of the Navy. 

Michael Hjelmstad is an Applications Specialist for the NanoAnalysis group of Oxford Instruments for the past 11 years.  He is responsible for the EDS, EBSD, and WDS products lines with an expertise in EBSD.  Prior to his work at Oxford, he was the Lab Manager of the Nanofabrication Facility at the University of Washington in Seattle focusing on MEMS device fabrication.  Michael holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Materials Science & Engineering from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Will Linthicum, PhD

Applications Specialist for Oxford Instruments Asylum Research

The growing need for innovative energy storage solutions demands optimization of battery performance qualities, including energy density, power density, battery life, and storage costs. Components of batteries, such as electrodes, reactants, solid electrolyte interphases, electrolytes, separators, and housing, may individually or collectively be targeted as subjects of improvement. Atomic Force Microscopy, a nanoscale surface topography characterization technique, can additionally quantify nanoelectrical and nanomechanical information of ex situ, in situ, and in operando battery configurations, facilitating the advancement of battery research by measuring battery component properties linked to battery performance criteria.

Will Linthicum is an Applications Specialist for Oxford Instruments Asylum Research at the Pleasanton, California, demo facility. His academic background includes a bachelors degree in Physics from Union College and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, focusing on mechanical studies of living cancer cells using atomic force microscopy. Will found his true passion for the AFM instrumentation itself, so he pursued a postdoctoral position in a Materials Science lab at University of Connecticut with a primary focus on AFM techniques. With his decade of AFM experience using the instruments for a variety of techniques, Will joined the Oxford Instruments Asylum Research team to continue his passion and share it with his colleagues.
 

Related Resources

Presentation Video (Will Linthicum, PhD)
Presentation Slides (Will Linthicum, PhD)