Observing chemical reactions in real

At Empa's Electron Microscopy Center, a new transmission electron microscope has recently been used that offers completely new opportunities for the physical and chemical analysis of very small samples. It can be used, for example, to observe the growth of nanocrystals in real time - and to record it on video. Rolf Erni is enthusiastic about the latest instrument, which has been in operation at Empa's laboratory facilities since the start of the year. The new transmission electron microscope (TEM), including all its the associated equipment, fills a whole room. Thanks to its higher resolution, the new TEM allows atomic-resolution chemical analysis and in-situ measurements, i.e. the real-time observation of processes such as chemical reactions. "That is what makes videos so valuable, because they show the precise progress of the reaction and not just a snapshot," says Erni. Erni and his team have already carried out several in-situ experiments with the new TEM.