Probing the Nucleation and Growth Kinetics of Bismuth Nanoparticles via In-situ Transmission Electron Microscopy

The nucleation and growth mechanism of nanoparticles is an important theory,which can guide the preparation of nanomaterials.However,it is still lacking in direct observation on the details of the evolution of intermediate state structure during nucleation and growth.In this work,the evolution process of bismuth nanoparticles induced by electron beam was revealed by in-situ transmission electron microscopy(TEM)at atomic scale.The experimental results demonstrate that the size,stable surface and crystallographic defect have important influences on the growth of Bi nanoparticles.Two non-classical growth paths including single crystal growth and polycrystalline combined growth,as well as,corresponding layer-by-layer growth mechanism along{012}stable crystal plane of Bi nanoparticles with dodecahedron structure were revealed by in-situ TEM directly.These results provide important guidance and a new approach for in-depth understanding of the nucleation and growth kinetics of nanoparticles.

Recent progress about transmission electron microscopy characterizations on lithium-ion batteries

With the rapid development of portable electronics,new energy vehicles,and smart grids,ion batteries are becoming one of the most widely used energy storage devices,while the safety concern of ion batteries has always been an urgent problem to be solved.To develop a safety-guaranteed battery,the characterization of the internal structure is indispensable,where electron microscopy plays a crucial role.Based on this,this paper summarizes the application of transmission electron microscopy(TEM)in battery safety,further concludes and analyzes the aspects of dendrite growth and solid electrolyte interface(SEI)formation that affect the safety of ion batteries,and emphasizes the importance of electron microscopy in battery safety research and the potential of these techniques to promote the future development of this field.These advanced electron microscopy techniques and their prospects are also discussed.

Ultrafast photoemission electron microscopy:A multidimensional probe of nonequilibrium physics

Exploring the realms of physics that extend beyond thermal equilibrium has emerged as a crucial branch of condensed matter physics research.It aims to unravel the intricate processes involving the excitations,interactions,and annihilations of quasi-and many-body particles,and ultimately to achieve the manipulation and engineering of exotic non-equilibrium quantum phases on the ultrasmall and ultrafast spatiotemporal scales.Given the inherent complexities arising from many-body dynamics,it therefore seeks a technique that has efficient and diverse detection degrees of freedom to study the underlying physics.By combining high-power femtosecond lasers with real-or momentum-space photoemission electron microscopy(PEEM),imaging excited state phenomena from multiple perspectives,including time,real space,energy,momentum,and spin,can be conveniently achieved,making it a unique technique in studying physics out of equilibrium.In this context,we overview the working principle and technical advances of the PEEM apparatus and the related laser systems,and survey key excited-state phenomena probed through this surface-sensitive methodology,including the ultrafast dynamics of electrons,excitons,plasmons,spins,etc.,in materials ranging from bulk and nano-structured metals and semiconductors to low-dimensional quantum materials.Through this review,one can further envision that time-resolved PEEM will open new avenues for investigating a variety of classical and quantum phenomena in a multidimensional parameter space,offering unprecedented and comprehensive insights into important questions in the field of condensed matter physics.

Characterization of local chemical ordering and deformation behavior in high entropy alloys by transmission electron microscopy

Short-range ordering(SRO)is one of the most important structural features of high entropy alloys(HEAs).However,the chemical and structural analyses of SROs are very difficult due to their small size,complexed compositions,and varied locations.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)as well as its aberration correction techniques are powerful for characterizing SROs in these compositionally complex alloys.In this short communication,we summarized recent progresses regarding characterization of SROs using TEM in the field of HEAs.By using advanced TEM techniques,not only the existence of SROs was confirmed,but also the effect of SROs on the deformation mechanism was clarified.Moreover,the perspective related to application of TEM techniques in HEAs are also discussed.

Capturing the non-equilibrium state in light–matter–free-electron interactions through ultrafast transmission electron microscopy

Ultrafast transmission electron microscope(UTEM) with the multimodality of time-resolved diffraction, imaging,and spectroscopy provides a unique platform to reveal the fundamental features associated with the interaction between free electrons and matter. In this review, we summarize the principles, instrumentation, and recent developments of the UTEM and its applications in capturing dynamic processes and non-equilibrium transient states. The combination of the transmission electron microscope with a femtosecond laser via the pump–probe method guarantees the high spatiotemporal resolution, allowing the investigation of the transient process in real, reciprocal and energy spaces. Ultrafast structural dynamics can be studied by diffraction and imaging methods, revealing the coherent acoustic phonon generation and photoinduced phase transition process. In the energy dimension, time-resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy enables the examination of the intrinsic electronic dynamics of materials, while the photon-induced near-field electron microscopy extends the application of the UTEM to the imaging of optical near fields with high real-space resolution. It is noted that light–free-electron interactions have the ability to shape electron wave packets in both longitudinal and transverse directions, showing the potential application in the generation of attosecond electron pulses and vortex electron beams.

Nanoscale cathodoluminescence spectroscopy probing the nitride quantum wells in an electron microscope

To gain further understanding of the luminescence properties of multiquantum wells and the factors affecting them on a microscopic level,cathodoluminescence combined with scanning transmission electron microscopy and spectroscopy was used to measure the luminescence of In_(0.15)Ga_(0.85)N five-period multiquantum wells.The lattice-composition-energy relationship was established with the help of energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy,and the bandgaps of In_(0.15)Ga_(0.85)N and GaN in multiple quantum wells were extracted by electron energy loss spectroscopy to understand the features of cathodoluminescence spectra.The luminescence differences between different periods of multiquantum wells and the effects of defects such as composition fluctuation and dislocations on the luminescence of multiple quantum wells were revealed.Our study establishing the direct relationship between the atomic structure of In_(x)Ga_(1-x)N multiquantum wells and photoelectric properties provides useful information for nitride applications.

Microscopic Analysis of Cementitious Sand and Gravel Damming Materia

The mechanical properties of cementitious sand and gravel damming material have been experimentally determined by means of microscopic SEM(Scanning Electron Microscopy)image analysis.The results show that the combination of fly ash and water can fill the voids in cemented sand and gravel test blocks because of the presence of hydrated calcium silicate and other substances;thereby,the compactness and mechanical properties of these materials can be greatly improved.For every 10 kg/m^(3) increase in the amount of cementitious material,the density increases by about 2%,and the water content decreases by 0.2%.The amount of cementitious material used in the sand and gravel in these tests was 80-110 kg/m^(3),the water-binder ratio was 1-1.50.Moreover,the splitting tensile strength was 1/10 of the compressive strength,and the maximum strength was 7.42 MPa at 90 d.The optimal mix ratio has been found to be 50 kg of cement,60 kg of fly ash and 120 kg of water(C50F60W120).The related dry density was 2.6 g/cm^(3),the water content was 6%,and the water-binder ratio was 1.09.

In situ observation of the electrochemical behavior of Li–CO_(2)/O_(2)batteries in an environmental transmission electron microscope

Li–CO_(2)/O_(2)batteries,a promising energy storage technology,not only provide ultrahigh discharge capacity but also capture CO_(2)and turn it into renewable energy.Their electrochemical reaction pathways'ambiguity,however,creates a hurdle for their practical application.This study used copper selenide(CuSe)nanosheets as the air cathode medium in an environmental transmission electron microscope to in situ study Li–CO_(2)/O_(2)(mix CO_(2)as well as O_(2)at a volume ratio of 1:1)and Li–O_(2)batteries as well as Li–CO_(2)batteries.Primary discharge reactions take place successively in the Li–CO_(2)/O_(2)–CuSe nanobattery:(I)4Li^(+)+O_(2)+4e^(−)→2Li_(2)O;(II)Li_(2)O+CO_(2)→Li_(2)CO_(3).The charge reaction proceeded via(III)2Li_(2)CO_(3)→4Li^(+)+2CO_(2)+O_(2)+4e^(−).However,Li–O_(2)and Li–CO_(2)nanobatteries showed poor cycling stability,suggesting the difficulty in the direct decomposition of the discharge product.The fluctuations of the Li–CO_(2)/O_(2)battery's electrochemistry were also shown to depend heavily on O_(2).The CuSe‐based Li–CO_(2)/O_(2)battery showed exceptional electrochemical performance.The Li^–CO_(2)/O_(2)battery offered a discharge capacity apex of 15,492 mAh g^(−1) and stable cycling 60 times at 100 mA g^(−1).Our research offers crucial insight into the electrochemical behavior of Li–CO_(2)/O_(2),Li–O_(2),and Li–CO_(2)nanobatteries,which may help the creation of high‐performance Li–CO_(2)/O_(2)batteries for energy storage applications.

18,X,Y aneuploidies and transmission electron microscopy studies in spermatozoa from five carriers of different reciprocal translocations

We analysed ejaculated spermatozoa from five infertile men with different balanced reciprocal translocations to contribute to the study of meiotic segregation of chromosomes 18, X and Y and also to evaluate sperm morphology by transmission electron microscopy （TEM） analysis. Conventional lymphocyte karyotype analyses highlighted dif- ferent reciprocal balanced translocations： t（12; 13）, t（4;9）, t（X;8）, t（8; 10） and t（3; 16）. Semen analysis was performed by light and TEM. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed directly on sperm nuclei using centromeric probes for chromosomes 18, X and Y. The carriers of the balanced reciprocal translocations considered in the present study showed a very similar pattern of sperm pathologies： diffused presence of apoptosis and immaturity. All patients showed meiotic segregation derangements, highlighted by the presence of sperm diploidies and sex chromosome disomies particularly related to the failure of the first meiotic division. However, an increased incidence of chromosome 18 aneuploidy was detected in spermatozoa from t（X;8） and t（8;10） carriers. We have also reported values from sex chromosomes such as t（X;8）, although the X chromosome was involved in translocation. Since patients with reciprocal translocations and spermatogenetic impairment are candidates for intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles, the study of sperm parameters, and particularly of the level of aneuploidy rates, would provide better information for couples at risk and would contribute to the data in the literature for a better understanding of the effects of chromosomal rearrangement on the whole meiotic process and, in particular, on chromosomes not involved in translocation.

A transmission electron microscopy study of the diversity of Candida albicans cells induced by Euphorbia hirta L.leaf extract in vitro

Objective:To determine the major changes in the microstructure of Candida albicans(C. albicans) after treatment with Euphorbia hirta(E.hirta) L.leaf extract.Methods:Transmission electron microscopy was used to study the ultrastructural changes caused by E.hirta extract on C. albicans cells al various exposure time.Results:It was found that the main abnormalities were the alterations in morphology,lysis and complete collapse of the yeast cells after 36 h of exposure to the extract.Whereas the control cultures showed a typical morphology of Candida with a uniform central density,typically structured nucleus,and a cytoplasm with several elements of endomembrane system and enveloped by a regular,intact cell wall.Conclusions:The significant antifungal activity shown by this methanol extract of E.hirta L.suggests its potential against infections caused by C.albicans.The extract may be developed as an anticandidal agent.

L-carnitine alleviates sciatic nerve crush injury in rats:functional and electron microscopy assessments

Several studies have demonstrated that L-carnitine exhibits neuroprotective effects on injured sciatic nerve of rats with diabetes mellitus. It is hypothesized that L-carnitine exhibits neuro-protective effects on injured sciatic nerve of rats. Rat sciatic nerve was crush injured by a forceps and exhibited degenerative changes. After intragastric administration of 50 and 100 mg/kg L-carnitine for 30 days, axon area, myelin sheath area, axon diameter, myelin sheath diameter, and numerical density of the myelinated axons of injured sciatic nerve were similar to normal, and the function of injured sciatic nerve also improved signiifcantly. These ifndings suggest that L-carnitine exhibits neuroprotective effects on sciatic nerve crush injury in rats.

CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS BY ANALYTICAL ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

The analytical electron microscopy has been used to characterize the morphology,structure and composition of the nanostructured material of Sn- Bi alloy prepared by a modified electrohydrodynamic technique. The electron diffraction pattern and the corresponding contrast image for the discrete particles with a diameter smaller than 4 nm have been obtained.It is shown that the nanocrystalline Sn-Bi alloy particles comprise a single crystal of Bi-containing β-Sn solid solution or of Sn-containing Bi solid solution. A direct preparation procedure of the samples during the electrohydrodynamic rapid solidification process has been developed for electron microscopic observation.

A review of in situ transmission electron microscopy study on the switching mechanism and packaging reliability in non-volatile memory

Non-volatile memory(NVM)devices with non-volatility and low power consumption properties are important in the data storage field.The switching mechanism and packaging reliability issues in NVMs are of great research interest.The switching process in NVM devices accompanied by the evolution of microstructure and composition is fast and subtle.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)with high spatial resolution and versatile external fields is widely used in analyzing the evolution of morphology,structures and chemical compositions at atomic scale.The various external stimuli,such as thermal,electrical,mechanical,optical and magnetic fields,provide a platform to probe and engineer NVM devices inside TEM in real-time.Such advanced technologies make it possible for an in situ and interactive manipulation of NVM devices without sacrificing the resolution.This technology facilitates the exploration of the intrinsic structure-switching mechanism of NVMs and the reliability issues in the memory package.In this review,the evolution of the functional layers in NVM devices characterized by the advanced in situ TEM technology is introduced,with intermetallic compounds forming and degradation process investigated.The principles and challenges of TEM technology on NVM device study are also discussed.

Lattice Distortion Analysis Directly from High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy Images —the LADIA Program Package

Direct strain mapping from high resolution transmission electron microscopy images is possible for coherent structures. At proper imaging conditions the intensity peaks in the image have a constant spatial relationship with the projected atom columns. This allows the determination of the geometry of the projected unit cell without comparison with image simulations. The fast procedure is particularly suited for the analysis of large areas. The software package LADIA is written in the PV-WAVE code and provides all necessary tools for image processing and analysis. Image intensity peaks are determined by a cross-correlation technique, which avoids problems from noise in the low spatial frequency range. The lower limit of strain that can be detected at a sampling rate of 44 pixels/nm is≈2%.

50 years of scanning electron microscopy of bone——a comprehensive overview of the important discoveries made and insights gained into bone material properties in health,disease,and taphonomy

Bone is an architecturally complex system that constantly undergoes structural and functional optimisation through renewal and repair.The scanning electron microscope (SEM) is among the most frequently used instruments for examining bone.It offers the key advantage of very high spatial resolution coupled with a large depth of field and wide field of view.Interactions between incident electrons and atoms on the sample surface generate backscattered electrons,secondary electrons,and various other signals including X-rays that relay compositional and topographical information.Through selective removal or preservation of specific tissue components (organic,inorganic,cellular,vascular),their individual contribution(s) to the overall functional competence can be elucidated.With few restrictions on sample geometry and a variety of applicable sample-processing routes,a given sample may be conveniently adapted for multiple analytical methods.While a conventional SEM operates at high vacuum conditions that demand clean,dry,and electrically conductive samples,non-conductive materials (e.g.,bone) can be imaged without significant modification from the natural state using an environmental scanning electron microscope.This review highlights important insights gained into bone microstructure and pathophysiology,bone response to implanted biomaterials,elemental analysis,SEM in paleoarchaeology,3D imaging using focused ion beam techniques,correlative microscopy and in situ experiments.The capacity to image seamlessly across multiple length scales within the meso-micro-nano-continuum,the SEM lends itself to many unique and diverse applications,which attest to the versatility and user-friendly nature of this instrument for studying bone.Significant technological developments are anticipated for analysing bone using the SEM.

High-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy Characterization of the Structure of Cu Precipitate in a Thermal-aged Multicomponent Steel

High-dispersed nanoscale Cu precipitates often contribute to extremely high strength due to precipitation hardening,and whereas usually lead to degraded toughness for especially ferritic steels.Hence,it is important to understand the formation behaviors of the Cu precipitates.High-resolution transmission electron microscopy(TEM)is utilized to investigate the structure of Cu precipitates thermally formed in a high-strength low-alloy(HSLA)steel.The Cu precipitates were generally formed from solid solution and at the crystallographic defects such as martensite lath boundaries and dislocations.The Cu precipitates in the same aging condition have various structure of BCC,9 R and FCC,and the structural evolution does not greatly correlate with the actual sizes.The presence of different structures in an individual Cu precipitate is observed,which reflects the structural transformation occurring locally to relax the strain energy.The multiply additions in the steel possibly make the Cu precipitation more complex compared to the binary or the ternary Fe-Cu alloys with Ni or Mn additions.This research gives constructive suggestions on alloying design of Cu-bearing alloy steels.

Fixation methods for electron microscopy of human and other liver

For an electron microscopic study of the liver,expertise and complicated,time-consuming processing of hepatic tissues and cells is needed.The interpretation of electron microscopy(EM) images requires knowledge of the liver fine structure and experience with the numerous artifacts in fixation,embedding,sectioning,contrast staining and microscopic imaging.Hence,the aim of this paper is to present a detailed summary of different methods for the preparation of hepatic cells and tissue,for the purpose of preserving long-standing expertise and to encourage new investigators and clinicians to include EM studies of liver cells and tissue in their projects.

Light and electron microscopic study of the medial collateral ligament epiligament tissue in human knees

AIM To examine the normal morphology of the epiligament tissue of the knee medial collateral ligament(MCL) in humans. METHODS Several samples of the mid-substance of the MCL of the knee joint from 7 fresh human cadavers(3 females and 4 males) were taken. Examination of the epiligament tissue was conducted by light microscopy and photomicrography on semi-thin sections of formalin fixed paraffin-embedded blocks that were routinely stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Mallory stain and Van Gieson's stain. Electron microscopy of the epiligament tissue was performed on ultra-thin sections incubated in 1% osmium tetroxide and contrasted with 2.5% uranyl acetate, lead nitrate, and sodium citrate.RESULTS The current light microscopic study demonstrated that the epiligament of the MCL consisted of fibroblasts, fibrocytes, adipocytes, neuro-vascular bundles and numerous multidirectional collagen fibers. In contrast, the ligament body was poorly vascularised, composed of hypo-cellular fascicles which were formed of longitudinal groups of collagen fibers. Moreover, most of the vessels of the epiligament-ligament complex were situated in the epiligament tissue. The electron microscopic study revealed fibroblasts with various shapes in the epiligament substance. All of them had the ultrastructural characteristics of active cells with large nuclei, well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, multiple ribosomes, poorly developed Golgi apparatus, elliptical mitochondria and oval lysosomes. The electron microscopy also confirmed the presence of adipocytes, mast cells, myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers and chaotically oriented collagen fibers.CONCLUSION Significant differences exist between the normal structure of the ligament and the epiligament whose morphology and function is to be studied further.

Comparison of scanning electron microscopy findings regarding biofilm colonization with microbiological results in nasolacrimal stents for external, endoscopic and transcanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy

AIM:To compare bacterial biofilm colonization in lacrimal stents following external dacryocystorhinostomy(EX-DCR),endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy(EN-DCR),and transcanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy(TC-DCR)with multidiode laser.METHODS:This prospective study included 30consecutive patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction who underwent EXT-,EN-,or TC-DCR.Thirty removed lacrimal stent fragments and conjunctival samples were cultured.The lacrimal stent biofilms were examined by scanning electron microscopy(SEM).RESULTS:Eleven(36.7%)of the 30 lacrimal stent cultures were positive for aerobic bacteria(most commonly Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa).However anaerobic bacteria and fungi were not identified in the lacrimal stent cultures.Twenty-seven(90%)patients had biofilmpositive lacrimal stents.The conjunctival culture positivity after the DCR,biofilm positivity on stents,the grade of biofilm colonization,and the presence of mucus and coccoid and rod-shaped organisms did not significantly differ between any of the groups(P】0.05).However,a significant difference was found when the SEM results were compared to the results of the lacrimal stent and conjunctival cultures(P【0.001).CONCLUSION:Type of dacryocystorhinostomy(DCR)surgery did not affect the biofilm colonization of the lacrimal stents.SEM also appears to be more precise than microbiological culture for evaluating the presence of biofilms on lacrimal stents.

Bacterial entombment by intratubular mineralization following orthograde mineral trioxide aggregate obturation: a scanning electron microscopy study

The time domain entombment of bacteria by intratubular mineralization following orthograde canal obturation with mineral trioxide aggregate（MTA） was studied by scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. Single-rooted human premolars（n560） were instrumented to an apical size #50/0.06 using ProF ile and treated as follows： Group 1（n510） was filled with phosphate buffered saline（PBS）; Group 2（n510） was incubated with Enterococcus faecalis for 3 weeks, and then filled with PBS; Group 3（n520） was obturated orthograde with a paste of OrthoM TA（BioM TA, Seoul, Korea） and PBS; and Group 4（n520） was incubated with E. faecalis for 3 weeks and then obturated with OrthoM TA–PBS paste. Following their treatments, the coronal openings were sealed with PBS-soaked cotton and intermediate restorative material（IRM）, and the roots were then stored in PBS for 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 weeks. After each incubation period, the roots were split and their dentin/MTA interfaces examined in both longitudinal and horizontal directions by SEM. There appeared to be an increase in intratubular mineralization over time in the OrthoM TA-filled roots（Groups 3 and 4）. Furthermore, there was a gradual entombment of bacteria within the dentinal tubules in the E. faecalis inoculated MTA-filled roots（Group 4）. Therefore, the orthograde obturation of root canals with OrthoM TA mixed with PBS may create a favorable environment for bacterial entombment by intratubular mineralization.