US’ new 200x sharper electron microscope could transform batteries and chips

Brookhaven National Laboratory has installed a custom scanning transmission electron microscope with about 200 times better energy resolution than current systems.

The instrument can observe atomic structure, chemistry, and electronic behavior together, while adding low-voltage imaging, improved electron energy-loss spectroscopy, and dual-surface detection.

Researchers say the upgrade will help reveal atomic-scale energy and electronic changes in materials with far greater detail.

The advance could support faster progress in batteries, semiconductors, quantum materials, catalysts, and other advanced technologies.