Developing a scalable production route for functional high performance in-situ TEM cells

This project aims to revolutionize in-situ gas cell transmission electron microscopy (TEM) by scaling up the novel in-situ cells that have been pioneered in the EvoluTEM Starting grant. Traditional commercially available gas cells limit TEM imaging resolution and spectroscopy due to significant electron scattering. The EvoluTEM project has demonstrated a proof of principle cell design which reduces the electron scattering and hence provides opportunities for TEM experiments with greatly improved imaging of atomic structure and spectral analysis of local changes in oxidation state or elemental distribution. This research project will scale up the gas cell fabrication process, validating its performance in key applications and ensuring its compatibility with commercial TEM in-situ holder systems. The overall aim of this project is to provide the wider scientific and industrial TEM community with environmental cells that provide a step change in the performance of their existing in-situ technology. This will be vital for improved understanding of nanomaterials and catalysts under relevant environmental conditions, thereby accelerating the development of improved materials for applications such as sustainable energy generation, healthcare and new communication technologies.