Experimental Testing of Lateral and Depth Resolution in Imaging Methods

A polymer laminate and a PA-PTFE blend were studied by various imaging methods (FT-IR, Raman, ESEM). Different lateral and depth resolution of the methods were used to gain complementary information on the structure of the materials. Radiation damage caused by the electron beam during ESEM investigation was studied by Raman global imaging.     

In situ scanning probe microscopy and new perspectives in analytical chemistry

The resolution of scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and other scanning probe microscopies is unprecedented but the techniques are fraught with limitations as analytical tools. These limitations and their relationship to the physical mechanisms of image contrast are first discussed. Some new options based on in situ STM, which hold prospects for molecular- and mesoscopic-scale analytical chemistry, are then reviewed. They are illustrated by metallic electro-crystallisation and -dissolution, and in situ STM spectroscopy of large redox molecules. The biophysically oriented analytical options of in situ atomic force microscopy, and analytical chemical perspectives for the new microcantilever sensor techniques are also discussed.     

Imaging in the modern age

This report of the 2011 James L. Waters Symposium at Pittcon 2011 highlights the powerful imaging technologies of electron microscopy (EM) and ion microscopy (IM). The four speakers each provided a window into a specific subset of the field:

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David Bell described the history, development, application, and commercialization of transmission EM (TEM) and scanning TEM (STEM);

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David Martin presented the challenges and methodologies of imaging ordered polymers and biomaterials with TEM;

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Joseph Michael explained the history of the commercialization of scanning EM (SEM) and its modern applications; and,

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David Joy, who submitted his talk in absentia, provided a history of EM and a summary of the advantages of IM versus EM.

     

Characterization of Barbiturates by Infrared and Raman Microscopy

There have been many studies involving spectroscopic characterization of barbiturates since the 1970s. Most studies focused on the spectral collection with a single instrument. Few explanations of the peak assignments, low frequency accuracy (2–4 cm^?1), and limited band investigation (<2000 cm^?1) were found in these studies. In this report, the latest infrared and confocal Raman microscopy techniques were employed to characterize and discriminate eight barbiturates, including barbital, phenobarbital, pentobarbital, amobarbital, secobarbital, butalbital, pentothal, and butabarbital. Good discrimination of these substances was achieved. The characteristic frequencies were summarized and tentatively assigned to the corresponding vibrations of the functional groups. These results are beneficial for the characterization of barbiturates in the forensic and pharmaceutical fields.     

Correlative imaging for polymer science

The characterization of polymeric materials is key towards the understanding of structure–activity relations and therefore for the rational design of novel and improved materials for a myriad of applications. Many microscopy techniques are currently used, with electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and atomic force microscopy being the most relevant. In this perspective paper, we discuss the use of correlative imaging, that is, the combination of multiple imaging methodologies on the same sample, in the field of polymeric materials. This innovative approach is emerging as a powerful tool to unveil the structure and functional properties of biological and synthetic structures. Here we discuss the possibilities of correlative imaging and highlight their potential to answer open questions in polymer science.     

Microscopic features of methacrylate polymers with zwitterionic pendant groups determined by various techniques

The objective of this work was to determine microscopic structural features of three methacrylate polymers with different numbers of diethylene glycol residues and zwitterionic pendant groups. X‐ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and scanning probe microscopy techniques were employed. X‐ray data led to the adoption of a model made up of molecular aggregates forming lamellar domains, establishing in this way ordered characteristics of these kinds of polymers. Scanning electron microscopy images provided evidence of the occurrence of a lamellar structure forming the morphology of the polymers. This was corroborated by atomic force microscopy experiments. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the lamellar aggregates conformed into clusters immersed in a polymeric matrix. From phase‐contrast images, information on the homogeneity of the composition at a molecular surface level was obtained. Then, the techniques provided evidence of the lamellar domain characteristics of the studied sulfobetaines. The crystallinity was a function of the number of ethoxy groups because as this number increased, the crystallinity became lower © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1152–1160, 2005     

High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy Re-examined as a Tool in Solid State Chemistry

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can be used with crystalline solids to obtain direct images of small structural groups comprising a few coordination polyhedra with resolution nearly down to atomic scale (“lattice imaging”). More exact knowledge of the conditions required for direct imaging, as well as improvements in the instruments themselves, have now made it possible to examine very small defect regions (microdomains), faults in the stacking sequence of structural groups or atom layers (planar or Wadsley defects), and isolated defects in narrowly delimited areas that may actually be below the dimensions of the unit cell. The structural principle of the very smallest ordered regions can even be determined when X-ray structure analysis proves unable to do this. “Block structures” are particularly suitable as models for the testing and further development of the high-resolution method; the detection of three-dimensional, two-dimensional, and one-dimensional defects has been studied on such structures.     

基于光学成像技术的单颗粒电化学研究

光学显微镜技术具有高时空分辨率、高通量、高灵敏度、非接触等优点,十分适合于微观、异相界面的电子转移过程研究,因而在单颗粒电化学分析中展现出良好的应用前景.结合本课题组的研究工作,本文主要介绍了单分子荧光显微镜、表面等离激元共振显微镜、暗场显微镜及电化学发光四种光学显微技术在单纳米粒子电化学研究方面取得的最新研究进展,最...     

Direct Imaging of Octahedral Distortion in a Complex Molybdenum Vanadium Mixed Oxide

Complex Mo,V‐based mixed oxides that crystallize in the orthorhombic M1‐type structure are promising candidates for the selective oxidation of small alkanes. The oxygen sublattice of such a complex oxide has been studied by annular bright field scanning transmission electron microscopy. The recorded micrographs directly display the local distortion in the metal oxygen octahedra. From the degree of distortion we are able to draw conclusions on the distribution of oxidation states in the cation columns at different sites. The results are supported by X‐ray diffraction and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements that provide integral details about the crystal structure and spin coupling, respectively.     

DNA分子结构的多态性研究(Ⅰ)——阳离子型表面活性剂诱导λ┐DNA由线圈型向球型的转变

活性细胞众多的遗传信息均通过ＤＮＡ链的碱基序列按一定的自身调节方式表达出各种蛋白质［１］．ＤＮＡ与各种不同性质的组分，如蛋白质、类脂及无机离子等的相互识别作用是确保细胞处于生理活性状态的重要调节机制．阳离子型表面活性剂与带相反电荷的多价离子的相互作用...     

Friction force microscopy of self-assembled monolayers: probing molecular organisation at the nanometre scale

The basic principles behind friction force microscopy are described. Applications of friction force microscopy to self-assembled monolayers are reviewed. Work in the author’s laboratory on the frictional properties of self-assembled monolayers is described, and the findings applied in the characterisation of a much more complex material, plasma-treated polyester. Friction force microscopy is found to be a powerful tool for the analysis of the chemical composition and molecular organisation of molecular materials at the nanometre scale.     

Application of multisine nanoscale impedance microscopy to heterogeneous alloy surface investigations

In the recent years atomic force microscopy is recognized as valuable tool for investigation of surficial features of construction materials. It concerns, among other things, studies of changes caused by such phenomena as galvanic corrosion, passivation associated with the growth of oxide layers, or sensitization of austenitic steels with the formation of carbide phases. In addition, atomic force microscopy allows easy coupling with impedance technique which is especially promising because of its versatility in investigations of both conductive and dielectric materials. The authors discuss the possibility of application of such type of measurement, known as impedance microscopy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy of cellulose from Micrasterias denticulata; evidence for a chiral helical microfibril twist

Atomic force microscopy (AFM), tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TM-AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have been used to image the cell wall, ultrathin sections of whole cells and cellulose microfibrils prepared from the green alga Micrasterias denticulata. Measurements of the microfibril dimensions are in agreement with earlier observations carried out by electron microscopy. Images at the molecular level of the surface of the microfibrils were obtained with AFM and show regular periodicities along the microfibril axis that correspond to the fibre and glucose repeat distances of cellulose. Twisted regions visible at intervals along the microfibrils dried down onto substrates were noted to be right-handed in over 100 observations by TEM, AFM and TM-AFM. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

单细胞成像分析研究进展

本文综述了近年来单细胞成像分析方法的研究进展。重点讨论了图像细胞光度测量、荧光显微成像、红外(近红外)与拉曼显微成像、磁共振成像和扫描探针显微镜成像等技术,并展望了单细胞成像的发展前景。     

Characterization of nanomaterials in food by electron microscopy

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are increasingly being used in the food industry. In order to assess the efficacy and the risks of these materials, it is essential to have access to methods that not only detect the nanomaterials, but also provide information on the characteristics of the materials (e.g., size and shape).This review presents an overview of electron microscopy (EM)-based methods that have been, or have the potential to be, applied to imaging ENMs in foodstuffs. We provide an overview of approaches to sample preparation, including drying, chemical treatment, fixation and cryogenic methods. We then describe standard and non-standard EM-based approaches that are available for imaging prepared samples. Finally, we present a strategy for selecting the most appropriate method for a particular foodstuff.     

Organic semi-conducting architectures for supramolecular electronics

The properties of organic electronic materials in the solid-state are determined not only by those of individual molecules but also by those of ensembles of molecules. The ability to control the architectures of these ensembles is thus essential for optimizing the properties of conjugated materials for use in electronic devices (light emitting diodes, field effect transistors, solar cells, …) and is primordial for potential technological applications in nanoelectronics.Here, we report on the observation by atomic force microscopy (AFM) of 1D and 2D nanoscale architectures obtained in the solid-state from solutions of molecularly-dissolved conjugated block copolymers or oligomers, and demonstrate that the conjugated molecules can organize onto a surface over lengthscales from nanometers to several microns, forming semiconducting fibrils or bi-dimensional organizations (monolayers) by π-stacking processes (by changing the sample preparation conditions).     

Analysis of subcellular surface structure, function and dynamics

Analytics of single biological cells allows quantitative investigation from a structural, functional and dynamical point of view and opens novel possibilities to an unamplified subcellular analysis. In this article, we report on three different experimental methods and their applications to single cellular systems with a subcellular sensitivity down to the single molecule level. First, the subcellular surface structure of living bacteria (Corynebacterium glutamicum) was investigated with atomic force microscopy (AFM) at the resolution of individual surface layer (S-layer) proteins; discrimination of bacterial strains that lack the expression of hexagonally packed surface layer proteins was possible. Second, quantitative measurement of individual recognition events of membrane-bound receptors on living B-cells was achieved in single cell manipulation and probing experiments with optical tweezers (OT) force spectroscopy. And third, intracellular dynamics of translocating photoactivatable GFP in plant protoplasts (Nicotiana tabacum BY-2) was quantitatively monitored by two-photon laser scanning microscopy (2PLSM).