Researchers successfully applied water freeze-drying to bacterial specimens, preserving native ultrastructure and reducing artifacts. The WFD method avoids chemical fixation and organic solvents, making it a practical and accessible strategy for high-resolution SEM analysis.
The COCOON Lab provides a coordinated suite of microscopes that work together to connect macro-scale observations to findings at the nanoscale. This allows researchers to study biological and industrial materials in unprecedented detail, from the macroscale down to the molecular scale.
Researchers at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History analyzed 18 scorpion species and found striking patterns in metal concentration and distribution among their pincers and stingers. The study reveals that zinc plays a role beyond hardness, possibly enhancing durability, and provides insight into how organisms adapt to pr...
A study by researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology discovered that engineered disorder can amplify transverse electron transport in magnetic materials. The findings suggest that deliberately using disorder in materials design could lead to new opportunities in spintronics and thermoelectric energy-conversion technologies.
Researchers visualized activity across a platinum catalyst with unprecedented detail, revealing coordinated, interconnected systems. Individual crystal grains specialize in different chemical steps, and cooperative electron flows enhance overall reaction efficiency.
The Blavatnik Awards recognize exceptional early-career achievements in Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, and Physical Sciences & Engineering. The 2026 Laureates are Maxie M. Roessler, Thi Hoang Duong Nguyen, and Paola Pinilla.
Researchers discovered functional gradients in elephant and cat whiskers, allowing for precise touch sensing. The stiff-to-soft transition enables elephants to navigate their environment with ease, including picking up delicate objects.
The newly inaugurated cryo plasma-FIB scanning electron microscope with nanomanipulator at Goethe University Frankfurt enables imaging of living cells and provides new insights into cellular structures. Researchers can now visualize protein structures in their natural environment or trace cellular changes in diseases.
A team at Graz University of Technology found that espresso is a favourable and environmentally friendly substitute for uranyl acetate, which is highly toxic and radioactive. The results showed equally good quality images under the microscope with coffee staining.
Researchers from Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology have catalogued the science behind Bashofu textiles, which have kept Okinawans cool for over 500 years. The study reveals the unique properties of Musa balbisiana var. liukiuensis fibers, including a honeycomb structure that effectively leads sweat away from the skin.
Researchers developed a simple algorithm to analyze scanning electron microscopy images and predict lithium metal battery performance. The method measures lithium uniformity, finding that increasing ID values indicate degradation and earlier cell failure.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to fabricate ultrapure diamond films for quantum and electronic applications. By growing an extra layer of diamond on top of the substrate after ion implantation, they can bypass high-temperature annealing and generate higher-purity films.
University of Missouri scientists have developed an ice lithography technique that etches small patterns onto fragile biological surfaces without damaging them. The method uses frozen ethanol to protect the surface and apply precise patterns.
Scientists from the University of Tokyo have created a filter that can capture nanoparticles such as viruses while maintaining air flow, resulting in improved user comfort. The filter uses nanosheets with porphyrin molecules and is capable of achieving a particle filtration efficiency of 96%, exceeding N95 mask requirements.
A team of researchers from Syracuse University and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has discovered a new surface texture on sculpin fins that may enhance their grip in harsh environments. This finding could lead to the development of bio-inspired adhesives for robots, medical devices, and other applications.
Researchers developed nanocomposites that effectively reduce noise and improve signal transmission for brain pacemakers. The materials use a combination of graphene and clay to absorb and disperse energy, reducing the impact of external electrical fields on patients.
Researchers discovered that heart cockle shells have translucent areas with hair-thin strands that deliver specific wavelengths of light into the bivalves' tissues. This natural system filters out bad wavelengths and channels in optimal wavelengths for photosynthesis, benefiting the clams' symbiotic algae.
The study reveals that atomic resolution SE imaging can distinguish between surface atomic arrangements with high sensitivity, identifying honeycomb-like structures composed of molybdenum and sulfur atoms. The method's depth sensitivity is also demonstrated by the absorption or scattering of SEs from the second layer.
Researchers have found that MXene catalysts are more stable and efficient than metal oxide compounds for the oxygen evolution reaction. The discovery holds promise for developing low-cost, high-performance electrolysers for producing green hydrogen.
A new microscopy method, Tempo STEM, significantly reduces radiation required by 'shutting off' the beam at peak efficiency. This approach eliminates excess damaging irradiation and avoids sample transformation or destruction.
A team from City University of Hong Kong has designed a compact hybrid transmission and scanning electron microscope that can operate at room temperature, offering high-resolution imaging capabilities without cryogenic temperatures. The new system reduces radiation damage to samples and provides improved image contrast using pulse elec...
Researchers developed a novel scanning electron microscopy technique to visualize instantaneous material states in high-speed devices. The method achieves resolutions of up to 43 picoseconds, allowing for the measurement of electrical circuit performance across GHz frequencies.
Researchers at National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) in Japan developed a new technique to observe heat propagation paths and behavior within material specimens. This technique uses scanning transmission electron microscopy with pulsed electron beams and high-precision temperature measurement devices.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed a method to synthesize hundreds of new 2D materials, expanding the possibilities for energy storage, catalysis, and water purification. The study uses a three-step process, including large-scale computations and chemical exfoliation, to identify and create suitable materials.
Researchers successfully improved lithium metal battery charging rates by adding a cesium nitrate compound, while maintaining long cycle life. The new findings challenge conventional beliefs about effective interphase components and contribute to the development of high-energy density batteries.
Researchers have developed a new technique to understand the relationship between atomic structure and electric polarization in 2D van der Waals ferroelectric materials. This discovery is expected to revolutionize domain engineering in these materials, positioning them as fundamental building blocks for advanced devices.
Researchers introduced a cost-effective solution to correct tilt and curvature errors in two-photon polymerization 3D printing. The method uses Fourier scatterometry, which offers lower uncertainties than traditional methods, resulting in improved image quality and precision.
Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University have developed a sensitive and robust pH sensor that can detect pH variation in just a few microliters of samples. The new sensor uses novel materials and methods to overcome the current method's limitations, which are not sensitive enough or fragile for commercial-scale use.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed an autonomous microscopy technique that uses AI to selectively target points of interest for scanning, speeding up the experimental process and allowing for greater efficiency in facilities with limited beam time. This innovative approach has the potential to accelerate scientif...
A study by Diamond Light Source reveals that mixtures of Zn-aggregates/micro-polymers leach out from commercial products containing Zinc Oxide, harming aquatic life. Microplastics can carry zinc particles, which can be ingested by fish and other organisms.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new steel alloy with extraordinary strength and plasticity, achieving a yield strength of about 700 megapascals. The treatment produced ultra-fine metal grains that exhibit super-plasticity, allowing the material to stretch and bend without rupturing.
The City University of Hong Kong has developed a novel electron microscope that combines scanning and transmission electron microscope modes in a compact format. The device can produce high-resolution images in five minutes, enabling the study of atom dynamics and beam-sensitive materials.
New research reveals that millipede segments contain tiny bundles of legs, which appear as transparent protrusions before molting. This discovery could help understand how not only millipedes but also other arthropods grow and develop.
Researchers have identified properties like curl shape, coils, and cuticle layers that can help distinguish between curly, kinky, wavy, and straight hair. These findings aim to provide a more precise and quantitative classification system for haircare products.
A team of scientists from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf investigated how four different fungal species interact with europium, a rare earth element. They found that fungi like the Split-Gill can bind up to four times more europium compared to other species, and that the binding site and transport mechanisms differ among them.
A gold coin long dismissed as a forgery appears to be authentic and depicts Emperor Sponsian, who ruled Roman Dacia during civil wars. The study used scientific analysis to confirm the coin's authenticity, shedding light on Sponsian's history.
A new analysis confirms that ancient Roman coins featuring the portrait of 'Sponsian' are genuine, suggesting he was a real leader who ruled Roman Dacia in the 260s CE. The study used advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques to analyze the coins and uncover evidence of their authenticity.
Researchers studied diatom shells to understand how they perform photosynthesis in low-light conditions. They found that the frustule can contribute a 9.83% boost to photosynthesis, especially during transitions from high to low sunlight.
Physicists have introduced a new technique for 3D nanoscale elemental analysis using ion-electron microscope systems, improving resolution to 15 nanometres and detecting hard-to-characterise elements like hydrogen and lithium. This device can be retrofitted to existing focused ion beam systems, optimizing the characterisation workflow.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new method to capture and predict the fatigue strength of metallic materials using automated high-resolution electron imaging. This approach allows for rapid prediction of metal failure and breakage, leading to design of safer and more resilient materials for various applications.
The Biofinder instrument has successfully detected bio-residue in ancient fish fossils from the Green River formation, confirming that biological residues can survive millions of years. The device's capabilities make it an ideal tool for future NASA missions to detect signs of past life on other planetary bodies.
Physicists at FAU have designed a framework to observe light-electron interactions using traditional SEMs, reducing costs and increasing experiment range. This photon-induced electron microscopy (PINEM) technique allows for precise measurements of energy changes in electrons.
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science discovered that microscopic voids in lithium anodes cause dendrite formation in solid-state batteries. By adding a thin layer of refractory metals to the electrolyte surface, they delayed dendrite growth and extended battery life.
Researchers at Eötvös Loránd University detected smallest earthquakes in micron-scale metals, exhibiting characteristics similar to seismic events. The findings reveal a two-level structure of strain bursts and demonstrate the correlation between acoustic signals and plastic deformation.
A team of researchers at NGI and NPL demonstrated that slightly twisted 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) display room-temperature ferroelectricity. This characteristic can be used to build multi-functional optoelectronic devices with built-in memory functions on a nanometre length scale.
Researchers used advanced technology to study dopamine neuron structure, addiction, and brain recovery in mice exposed to cocaine. The study found changes in axon branching and the formation of huge swellings at various locations along the axon, providing new insights into dopamine transmission and addiction.
A University of Guam professor emeritus has discovered a new species of diatom, Licmophora complanata, that produces an estimated one-fifth of the oxygen in the air we breathe. The discovery was made using advanced microscopy techniques and builds on previous finds by UOG students.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh aim to reduce workplace accidents by creating a predictive model of friction based on floor-surface topography. They will use advanced techniques such as scanning electron microscopy to measure small-scale features that affect shoe-floor friction.
A study published in the Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine found that alginic acid improves artificial bones by increasing porosity, compressive strength, and setting time. The addition of alginic acid to calcium phosphate cement enhances its mechanical properties, allowing for more effective bone replacement.
Researchers discovered that certain catalyst materials, such as erythrite, improve in performance over time due to restructuring. This process increases the surface area of the material, allowing for more reactions to occur, resulting in higher oxygen yields and doubled electrical current generation.
A team of researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a novel imaging method using metal-atom tracers in HAADF-STEM to determine the conformational structures of complex polynuclear coordination compounds. The technique achieves accurate visualization of highly branched molecules, filling a gap in structural analysis.
Lehigh University researchers are transforming an aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) into a synchrotron facility, expanding scientists' ability to characterize material composition and bonding status down to the single-atom level. The new system will have capabilities up to ~13,000 eV and enable the i...
Researchers have developed a novel synthetic aperture microscopy method using digital micromirror devices, achieving high spatial resolution and fast imaging speeds. The technique enables the observation of subcellular dynamics and nanometric structures without harming living cells.
Human hair is 50 times softer than steel yet can cause razor blade chipping and wear. Researchers found that the blade's microstructure and angle of approach to hair play key roles in initiating cracks.
Researchers have uncovered surprising complexity behind ancient ostrich egg production, tracing origins to specific climatic zones and routes. The study also suggests eggs were taken from wild birds' nests despite evidence of captivity, adding luxury value due to risk and storage requirements.
Researchers at Duke University found that ultra-black butterfly wings achieve light-absorbing properties using a 3-D structure of wing scales, which creates an optical illusion. This study could help design thinner ultra-black coatings for applications like military camouflage and space telescopes.
Researchers at Rice University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a new method to produce laser-induced graphene (LIG) with features more than 60% smaller than traditional macro versions. This technique creates LIG with almost 10 times smaller dimensions, making it ideal for flexible electronics applications. The scientists su...
Researchers developed innovative methods to image and reconstruct mitochondria at the synaptic level, revealing higher mitochondrial volumes in mature calyx of Held. This finding supports the idea that increased mitochondrial volume enables the high energy demands of a more active mature calyx.
Scientists at the University of Vienna have developed a method to produce ultradense arrays of magnetic quanta in high-temperature superconductors, inspired by traditional Japanese basket weaving art. The research uses a helium-ion microscope to create complex periodic arrangements with dense defect structures, which can be used to stu...
Researchers have developed a new way to visualize nano objects using superlenses and titanium oxynitride films, achieving spatial resolutions of 8 nm and 80 nm. This breakthrough enables non-destructive analysis and 3D visualization without the need for fluorescent labels.