Cryo-Electron Microscopy Analysis

Cryo-Electron Microscopy Analysis

Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a powerful analytical technique that has revolutionized the way we study and understand the nanoscale world, particularly when it comes to beam-sensitive materials. Unlike traditional electron microscopy, which can cause significant damage to delicate samples, cryo-EM operates at cryogenic temperatures, typically around liquid nitrogen (-196°C), effectively preserving the native structure and properties of the material under investigation.

What is Cryo-Electron Microscopy Analysis?

Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM) is a revolutionary technique that has transformed the field of structural biology and materials science. This advanced imaging technology enables scientists to visualize unmodified samples in their near-native state, providing unprecedented insights into the three-dimensional (3D) structures of biological macromolecules and materials at near-atomic resolution. The technique involves rapid freezing of samples to preserve their native structures, followed by imaging using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), which produces a series of two-dimensional (2D) projections. These projections are then computationally reconstructed into a 3D model, offering detailed structural information.

Applications of Cryo-EM in Materials Science.Fig. 1 Applications of cryo-electron microscopy in materials science. (Li W., et al., 2024)

From a scientific perspective, Cryo-EM plays a pivotal role in the morphological analysis of environment-friendly materials. This includes the study of materials such as biodegradable polymers, catalysts for environmental remediation, and components of energy storage systems. The analysis is crucial for understanding the structure-property relationships in these materials, which directly influence their performance and stability. Cryo-EM allows researchers to observe the nanoscale structure of these materials, providing insights into their morphology, which is essential for optimizing their environmental performance and sustainability.

Principles of Cryo-Electron Microscopy Analysis

The principle of Cryo-EM is rooted in the rapid freezing of samples to vitrify the water content, preventing the formation of ice crystals that can damage the sample structure. This process, known as vitrification, preserves the sample in a state close to its native form. The sample is then imaged using a TEM, where a beam of electrons passes through the sample, creating 2D projections. Advanced computational algorithms are employed to reconstruct these projections into a 3D model, revealing the sample's structural details with high resolution.

The Methods of Cryo-Electron Microscopy Analysis

Cryo-EM analysis employs a range of specialized techniques to obtain high-resolution structural information and chemical composition data for environmentally friendly materials. These methods include:

  • Single Particle Reconstruction: This technique utilizes computational algorithms to align and average thousands of individual particle images, allowing for the reconstruction of 3D structures with near-atomic resolution, even for amorphous or heterogeneous samples.
  • Cryo-Electron Tomography: By acquiring a tilt series of 2D projections and computationally reconstructing them, cryo-ET provides a 3D representation of the sample, preserving the spatial relationships between different components within the material.
  • Micro-Electron Diffraction: This method uses a focused electron beam to obtain diffraction patterns from nano- or micro-sized crystals, enabling the determination of the atomic-scale structure of materials, even for small or disordered samples.
  • 4D-STEM: This advanced imaging technique combines scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with the acquisition of a complete diffraction pattern at each scan point, providing detailed information on local crystal orientation, structural distortions, and other crystallographic properties.
  • Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS): EELS analyzes the energy loss of electrons after they interact with the sample, allowing for the determination of the chemical composition, electronic structure, and bonding characteristics of the material.
  • Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS): EDS detects the X-rays emitted from the sample when excited by the electron beam, enabling the identification and quantification of the elemental composition and distribution within the material.

Our Services

CD BioSciences offers comprehensive cryo-electron microscopy analysis services, specializing in the morphological analysis of environmental materials. Our services are tailored to provide detailed structural insights into a wide range of materials, including those used in energy storage, catalysis, and pollution control. By leveraging the power of Cryo-EM, we can help clients optimize the performance and sustainability of their materials.

Our cryo-EM analysis services cover a wide range of environmentally friendly materials, including:

Organic photovoltaics and energy storage systems

Metal-organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks

Hydrogels and other self-assembling nanostructures

Catalysts and electrocatalysts for sustainable energy conversion

Advanced battery materials, such as lithium and sodium-based anodes

Polymer-based composites and nanocomposites

Other Cryo-EM Analysis Services We Can Provide

In addition to morphological analysis, our cryo-EM services extend to a variety of other applications, including:

  • Structure Determination: We utilize single particle reconstruction and cryo-ET to determine the 3D structure of beam-sensitive materials with near-atomic resolution, providing crucial insights into their fundamental properties and performance.
  • Phase Transition and Reaction Dynamics: By taking advantage of the enhanced stability at cryogenic temperatures, we can capture and analyze the real-time changes occurring within materials, such as phase transformations and chemical reactions.
  • Elemental and Chemical Bonding Analysis: The integration of EELS and EDS into our cryo-EM workflow allows us to precisely map the distribution and chemical state of elements within the sample, enabling a deeper understanding of the structure-property relationships.
  • In Situ Observation: Our cryo-EM capabilities include the ability to perform in situ experiments, allowing for the real-time monitoring of materials under various operating conditions, such as temperature, pressure, and external stimuli.

Why Choose Us?

If you are interested in our services, please contact us for more information.

Reference

  1. Li, Weiping, et al. "Expanding the Cryogenic Electron Microscopy from Biology to Materials Science." Renewables 2.1 (2024): 73-87.

Our products and services are for research use only and cannot be used for any clinical purposes.

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