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Cryo-electron Microscopy

Cryo-electron Microscopy

Conventional electron microscopy (EM) involves dehydration, fixation, and staining of biological samples, which distorts the native state of biological molecules and results in several artifacts. Also, the high-energy electron beam damages the sample and makes it difficult to obtain high-resolution images. These issues can be addressed using cryo-EM, which uses frozen samples and gentler electron beams. The technique was developed by Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank, and Richard Henderson, for...

Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy

Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy

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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 27, 2025

$Studying the Supramolecular Organization of Photosynthetic Membranes within Freeze-fractured Leaf Tissues by Cryo-scanning Electron Microscopy$

Studying the Supramolecular Organization of Photosynthetic Membranes within Freeze-fractured Leaf Tissues by Cryo-scanning Electron Microscopy

Published on: June 23, 2016

Cryogenic Electron Microscopy for Energy Materials.

Zewen Zhang¹, Yi Cui¹, Rafael Vila¹

¹Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States.

Accounts of Chemical Research

|July 19, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) enables atomic-resolution study of sensitive materials for clean energy technologies like batteries and solar cells. This technique overcomes limitations of traditional methods, paving the way for scientific breakthroughs and improved energy devices.

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Last Updated: Oct 27, 2025

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Energy Science
Physical Chemistry

Background:

Advancements in clean energy technologies, such as high-energy density batteries and efficient solar cells, are crucial for a sustainable future.
Understanding the atomic and molecular mechanisms governing material performance and failure is essential for innovation.
Conventional electron microscopy techniques struggle with air-sensitive and reactive materials common in energy devices.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the significance and potential of cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) in energy-related research.
To showcase how cryo-EM can overcome limitations in studying delicate materials for energy applications.
To review representative examples of cryo-EM applications in batteries, solar cells, and metal-organic frameworks.

Main Methods:

Application of cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to stabilize and image sensitive materials at atomic resolution.
Utilizing cryo-EM to probe nanostructures and chemistry of interfaces in lithium-based batteries.
Employing cryo-EM to investigate guest intercalation in metal-organic frameworks and perovskite solar cells.

Main Results:

Cryo-EM successfully resolved the nanostructure and chemistry of interfaces in lithium-based batteries, guiding materials design.
The technique revealed guest intercalation chemistry in metal-organic frameworks, elucidating host-guest interactions.
Cryo-EM preserved volatile organic molecules and protected perovskites, enabling detailed study of hybrid perovskite solar cells.

Conclusions:

Cryo-EM offers unprecedented insights into the structure and chemistry of sensitive materials critical for energy technologies.
This methodology facilitates the study of previously inaccessible phenomena, driving scientific discovery and technological breakthroughs.
Cryo-EM is poised to significantly advance energy science and materials research, leading to more efficient and reliable energy devices.