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Related Concept Videos

Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction01:07

Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction

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Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can be used to determine the 3D structure of biological samples with the help of techniques such as electron microscope tomography and single-particle reconstruction. While single-particle reconstruction can examine macromolecules and macromolecular complexes in vitro conditions only, tomography permits the study of cell components or small cells in vivo.
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Transmission Electron Microscopy01:15

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In 1931, physicist Ernst Ruska—building on the idea that magnetic fields can direct an electron beam just as lenses can direct a beam of light in an optical microscope—developed the first prototype of the electron microscope. This development led to the development of the field of electron microscopy. In the transmission electron microscope (TEM), electrons are produced by a hot tungsten element and accelerated by a potential difference in an electron gun, which gives them up to 400...
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Overview of Microscopy Techniques01:22

Overview of Microscopy Techniques

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The early pioneers of microscopy opened a window into the invisible world of microorganisms. In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister created an essentially modern light microscope. The 20th century saw the development of microscopes that leveraged nonvisible light, such as fluorescence microscopy that uses an ultraviolet light source and electron microscopy that uses short-wavelength electron beams. These advances significantly improved magnification, image resolution, and contrast. By comparison, the...
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Scanning Electron Microscopy01:07

Scanning Electron Microscopy

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A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to study the surface features of a sample by using an electron beam that scans the sample surface in a two-dimensional manner. Typically, areas between ~1 centimeter to 5 micrometers in width can be imaged. SEM can be used to image bacteria, viruses, tissues as well as larger samples like insects. Conventional SEM gives a magnification ranging from 20X to 30,000X and spatial resolution of 50 to 100 nanometers.
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Overview of Electron Microscopy01:25

Overview of Electron Microscopy

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The wavelengths of visible light ultimately limit the maximum theoretical resolution of images created by light microscopes. Most light microscopes can only magnify 1000X, and a few can magnify up to 1500X. Electrons, like electromagnetic radiation, can behave like waves, but with wavelengths of 0.005 nm, they produce significantly greater resolution up to 0.05 nm as compared to 500 nm for visible light. An electron microscope (EM) can create a sharp image that is magnified up to 2,000,000X.
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Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy01:20

Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy

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To be visualized by an electron microscope, either transmission or scanning, biological samples need to be fixed (stabilized) so the electron beam does not destroy them and dried thoroughly (desiccated/dehydrated) so the vacuum does not affect them. Fixation needs to be done as quickly as possible because the sample properties will start changing as soon as it is removed from its natural environment. For example, in a tissue sample, the oxygen levels begin decreasing, causing an altered...
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Preparation and Observation of Thick Biological Samples by Scanning Transmission Electron Tomography
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Thoughts about next-generation (S)TEM instruments in science.

Felix Börrnert1

  • 1Speziallabor Triebenberg, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany; IFW Dresden, PF 270116, 01171 Dresden, Germany.

Micron (Oxford, England : 1993)
|August 16, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Advancements in scanning transmission electron microscopes are explored, addressing challenges in data, optics, and sample environments. A novel concept utilizing current technology offers future possibilities for in situ and multi-dimensional microscopy.

Keywords:
Future developmentsSTEMTEM

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Physics
  • Chemistry

Background:

  • Current scanning transmission electron microscopes (STEM) face limitations in data accessibility, optical design flexibility, and sample environment integration.
  • These constraints hinder the full potential of advanced microscopy techniques.

Approach:

  • A conceptual framework is proposed to overcome existing STEM limitations.
  • This concept leverages current technological advancements and previously demonstrated ideas.

Key Points:

  • Addresses issues with closed data and control channels for improved accessibility.
  • Proposes a more flexible optical design beyond fixed configurations.
  • Enhances the sample environment layout for versatile in situ experiments.

Conclusions:

  • The presented concept offers a pathway to more adaptable and powerful STEM systems.
  • Enables future innovations in in situ and multi-dimensional microscopy.
  • Facilitates deeper insights into material properties and dynamic processes.