Liquid electron microscopy: then, now and future

Abstract

Contemporary microscopic imaging at near-atomic resolution of diverse embodiments in liquid environment has gained keen interest. In particular, Electron Microscopy (EM) can provide comprehensive framework on the structural and functional characterization of samples in liquid phase. In the past few decades, liquid based electron microscopic modalities have developed tremendously to provide insights into various backgrounds like biological, chemical, nanoparticle and material researches. It serves to be a promising analytical tool in deciphering unique insights from solvated systems. Here, the basics of liquid electron microscopy with few examples of its applications are summarized in brief. The technical developments made so far and its preference over other approaches is shortly presented. Finally, the experimental limitations and an outlook on the future technical advancement for liquid EM have been discussed.

In Situ Observation of the Early Stages of Rapid Solid–Liquid Reaction in Closed Liquid Cell TEM Using Graphene Encapsulation

“…Recent advances in micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) technology have enabled the fabrication of sophisticated environmental cells for analysis of liquid and gas samples under high vacuum. This has led to a dramatic development in liquid cell TEM technology (Hodnik et al, 2016; Liao & Zheng, 2016; Bharda & Jung, 2019). Liquid cell TEM is a fast-growing and interesting field of research.…”