Liquid-phase electron microscopy for probing dynamic process

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Seeing is believing. For hundreds of years, human beings have been on a continuous quest of new technologies that expands our visions to see things either too far away or too small to resolve. Light microscopes, invented in the 1500's, allowed observation of subjects down to sub-micrometer length scales. Electron microscopes, first constructed in 1931, using electrons to probe an object, have since advanced to be able to measure physical, chemical and microstructural information down to the atomic-level. Electron microscopy is conventionally carried out in high vacuum such that only the electron beam interacts with sample. Yet a fast-growing range of scientific research is interested in structure and dynamic processes of materials immersed in liquid at the nanometer length scale, with the option of adding additional stimuli such as heating, electrical current, or light illumination. This project aims to develop and optimize novel technologies for carrying out liquid-phase electron microscopy and correlative microscopy studies in scanning electron microscope (SEM). In order to study materials immersed in liquid, a robust, electronically-transparent liquid-cell is required for containing the specimen and it must integrate well with the operation and data collection of the SEM. We will also build a cryo SEM stage, which can lower the vapor pressure of the liquid. The proposed work will be carried out using the state-of-the art electron microscopy characterization tools at the Ontario Centre for the Characterisation of Advanced Materials at the University of Toronto. University of Toronto will collaborate with Hitachi High Technologies Canada Inc., a Toronto-based instruments distributor and manufacturer, and Norcada Inc., a MEMS technology company located in Edmonton, Alberta, for this project. This research will provide training for 2 graduate students and 2 undergraduate students. It will make a significant contribution to the development and commercialization of high valued-added technologies and products in Canada.