nanomaterial synthesis in the TEM?
Understanding nanomaterial synthesis processes is critical for designing advanced materials for applications in electronics, energy storage, and catalysis. However, processes such as Ostwald ripening, nucleation and growth and self-assembly have not been fully visualized at the
Techniques like transmission electron microscopy (TEM) enable high-resolution imaging of growth dynamics, structural changes, and defect formation in real time and at the nanometer scale. By using nanoscale analysis methods, researchers can gain insights into the mechanisms driving nanomaterial formation, refine synthesis processes, and accelerate the development of next-generation materials with enhanced performance.
The need to observe nanomaterial synthesis in real-time has grown significantly in recent years. In particular, in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the liquid phase has gained interest, as it allows the synthesis process to be visualized at the nanometer scale. The Poseidon AX system from Protochips uses a closed cell setup to perform in situ liquid-phase TEM. This system leverages micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) devices to contain a thin liquid layer without the risk of leakage into the microscope. These MEMS devices also apply stimuli, such as heating, while enabling highresolution imaging to monitor the synthesis in real time.
What insights can be gained from in situ liquid-phase studies using Poseidon AX for nanomaterial synthesis?
• Nanoparticle growth: Monitoring the formation and growth of nanoparticles at the nanometer scale to understand the dynamics of synthesis.
• Crystallization processes: Visualizing crystal growth in real time to optimize synthesis conditions and improve material quality.
• Comprehensive TEM analysis: Advanced techniques like 4D-STEM, EDS, and EELS can be applied to thoroughly analyze the composition and structure of nanomaterials.
With the Poseidon AX workflow, sample preparation and environmental control are efficient and reproducible at the nanoscale. Additionally, AXON machine vision helps track samples and monitor exposure during experiments.
Do you study nanomaterial synthesis reactions? Are you curious about implementing in situ liquid phase TEM to your experimental repertoire? Would you like to learn more?
Still curious about how researchers around the world have used Poseidon AX to study nanomaterial synthesis pathways? Check out this extensive bibliography.
EMEA Channels Meeting
Berlin in January + great channel partners = a pretty perfect (and chilly) way to kick off the year. We loved bringing together our EMEA (European, Middle-Eastern and Africa) channel partners, both in person and online, to reconnect and strengthen our collaboration across borders. The day wrapped up with a warm (and very delicious) traditional German dinner filled with good conversation and plenty of laughs. Grateful for partners who show up, whether at the table or on the screen.
Featured Flash Talk
Episode 36 with Dr. Charles Sidhoum
Strasbourg Institute of Material Physics and Chemistry - CNRS - Strasbourg University
“Chimie-Douce
Route to Tungsten Oxide Hydrate: Comprehensive Insight into the Formation Mechanism by Liquid-Phase Electron Microscopy Combined with Complementary Techniques” Watch it here!
Employees Spotlight
Meet our sales team!
Simon Ma Sales Manager, Asia
Simon earned a PhD in Physics from the University of Hong Kong. He then worked as an engineer and product manager before starting at Protochips in 2016 as the Asia Sales Director. He is now the Regional Sales Manager covering Asia and Oceania.
In his free time Simon likes to play tennis!
Zack Dandrea Sale Manager, US West & Latin America
Zack brings 14 years of experience in consultative, solution-driven technical sales. He partners with researchers and industry leaders to advance insitu microscopy capabilities, focusing on long-term relationships and sustainable growth. Zack firmly believes that, at its elemental level, sales is all about trust. His goal is earning genuine trust by providing clarity, value, and integrity in every interaction.
Outside of work, Zack is passionate about self-growth, fitness and endurance training. You’ll usually find him in the gym, hiking, or at a live music event on the weekend!
Leah Giovan EVP, Sales, Business Development & Service
Leah grew up in the semiconductor industry, beginning as a co-op student in the engineering intern program at Motorola Semiconductor through University of Texas at Austin. From there, Leah moved into sales roles focused on materials and equipment used in semiconductor packaging and manufacturing. Over the years, she alternated between sales and supply chain positions!
Leah has been an avid scuba diver since around the age of 10 and is deeply drawn to blue water and sunshine!
Bas TerMull Sales Manager, EMEA
Bas studied Technical Physics, then started his career at Philips Analytical X-ray (later PANalytical) as service engineer for XRF and XRD equipment.He made the transition to sales and 5 years later moved to the International Department of PANaytical to become and Area Business Manager. He later worked as a Sales Director at RMC Boeckeler.
Bas enjoys collecting minerals, collecting Dutch coins and mountaineering!
Matt Pietrucha Sales Manager, US East
Matt brings a Materials Science Engineering background to Protochips, along with extensive experience in analytical and metrology instrumentation sales. He has spent much of his career in the semiconductor industry and later added working with academic and government research labs to his resume. He enjoys engaging with customers, learning about the research driving their work, and helping them find the right tools to push their discoveries forward.
Matt is an avid sports fan and music enthusiast. He also performs as an acoustic guitarist and vocalist at bars, restaurants, breweries, and festivals!
Dan Gardiner VP, Business Development
Dan joined Protochips in 2011, where he led the productization of the Fusion, Poseidon, and Atmosphere platforms as Director of Engineering. In addition to leading Engineering, he has overseen several key functions across the organization, including Quality, Service, and Sales Operations. This year, Dan stepped into the role of Vice President of Business Development. He is excited to expand global partnerships and spend more time engaging with the Electron Microscopy community around the world.
Dan makes awesome sourdough and enjoys spending time gardening!
Product Spotlight
Unveiling
innovation: Heating and cooling research
in liquid
The release of our newest product: Triton AX, unlocks a whole new range of applications not researched before. Triton AX is the newest addition to our in situ product line and combined electrochemistry in liquid with heating and cooling! But what type of applications are interesting to research with this new product? The main three applications will be shown here.
Battery research
Electric vehicles (EVs) have seen a rise in popularity due to the drive to reduce air pollution. The main demands asked for in these vehicles are batteries with high specific energy, good charge retention capacity and no memory effects. Moreover, there is a need for electric cars to operate in a variety of environments, ranging from humid, dry but also elevated and subzero temperatures. As seen in last winter’s news articles (see below), the subzero temperatures were draining the electric car batteries leading to abandoned, dead EVs left at charging stations. On top of this, runaway thermal temperatures are another issue that EVs face. Heat accumulation and local overheating during charging and discharging of batteries are the main causes of thermal runaway. There is clear need in research progression for battery operation in hot and cold environments.
Corrosion and coatings
Large factories with various applications can operate under high and low temperatures. Unfortunately, many metals that are being used in the factories will, over time, start degrading due to corrosive processes. Research mainly focuses on using a large variety of metals and coatings, including phase change materials (PCMs) to operate as thermal storage and management systems. However, there is still a need to understand how corrosive processes are effected under high and low temperatures and to develop better materials to withstand the large temperature differences!
Nanomaterial Synthesis
The synthesis of nanoparticles can be done with a large variety of methods, including sol-gel, precipitation or hot-injection methods. The main goal with most synthesis of nanomaterials is to have good control over the size and shape, with narrow particle size distributions. To obtain a control of the size and shape of nanoparticles, specific temperature ranges need to be applied. Elevated temperatures can cause a quick nucleation and growth process, ensuring a narrow particle size distribution. However, most research which can visualize nanoparticle growth pathways can only reach up to 100 ⁰C maximum, for nanoparticles <500 nm in size.
User Perspective
Interview with Experts: Nathan Rosenmann from Professor Gianneschi’s group at Northwestern University
In this interview, we had the pleasure of speaking with Nathan Rosenmann, a sixthyear PhD student in Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University in Professor Gianneschi’s group. Nathan’s research focuses on in situ liquid-cell TEM studies of nanomaterials, exploring how particles assemble and evolve in liquid environments. He shared his perspective on the unique opportunities and challenges of studying both metallic and soft nanomaterials, and how recent advances in liquid-cell design, imaging techniques, and complementary analytical methods are shaping the future of nanoscale research.
Read the Full Interview Here
Success Community Updates and Article Highlights1
TRITON USERS:
We’ve made significant additions to the Triton AX: E-chip and Holder Setup guide which now includes links to more detailed protocols for assembling the TFS and JEOL tip configurations and troubleshooting tips for window alignment.
ATMOSPHERE USERS:
Contamination, particularly when working at low temperatures, can be a significant source of frustration for during gas-cell experiments. Review How to Mitigate Contamination during Gas-Cell Studies and don’t forget to run a Bakeout of your manifold on a regular basis.
IN SITU TEM STUDIES:
Are you interested in learning more diffraction with liquid-TEM? We’ve compiled an overview or results and key takeaways from selected papers using the Poseidon and Triton systems: Diffraction Studies in a Liquid-TEM Environment.
1Article access is dependent on the user account permission settings
POSEIDON AX
Publication Featured in Small
Understanding how calcium phosphate layers form on titanium dioxide is critical for improving bone implant integration, yet these processes are difficult to observe in real time. Therefore, nanomaterial synthesis studies like these need to be visualized at the nanometer scale using in situ microscopy. In this publication, researchers used the Poseidon AX system to directly visualize calcium phosphate mineralization on TiO2 nanoparticles in liquid.
By combining in situ TEM with correlative ex situ analysis, the team reveals a three-step pathway: nanoparticle aggregation, formation of an amorphous calcium phosphate layer, and gradual crystallization into hydroxyapatite. These real-time observations provide new insight into the mechanisms driving CaP–TiO2 mineralization and demonstrate the value of liquid-cell TEM for studying dynamic biomineralization processes.
Zhang, J. et al. (2025) “Real-Time Visualization of Calcium Phosphate Formation on Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Using Liquid Transmission Electron Microscopy,” Small, p. e05317. Available at: https://doi. org/10.1002/smll.202505317
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THIS NEWSLETTER IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Nynke A. Krans Regional Applications and Marketing Manager
I started working at Protochips in 2021 and have enjoyed every moment so far. My background is in catalysis, liquid cell TEM and I expand my knowledge by talking to users in the field. I love learning new and weird things, that’s why I do pole dancing, cooking and playing with my pet rats on the weekends!
Jennifer McConnell Senior Manager, Marketing and Product Management
I have been working at Protochips for 6 years as a product manager and recently acquired the marketing team. My background is in chemistry and I previously worked as a forensic chemist for the US government. I love hiking, especially in the mountains despite being scared of heights!
Madeline Dukes Senior Application Scientist and Training Specialist
I have been at Protochips almost 15 years after completing my PhD with Dr. Niels de Jonge. I have had a front row seat to growth and development of both the field and Protochips as a company. I enjoy collecting vintage dolls and crafting miniature clothing and accessories.
Zayna King Product Specialist
I started working at Protochips in early 2023 and have loved every minute of it ever since. I earned a doctoral degree in Cell Biology from UNC-Chapel Hill, after working in the biotech industry. I enjoy traveling, reading, and trying new cuisines but visiting my family in Saint Lucia will always be at the top of my list!
Maddie DeGroodt Marketing and Graphic Design Specialist
I started working at Protochips in 2024 and have already learned so much during my time here! I studied biology, design, and business in school and am deeply passionate about science visual communication. Outside of work I enjoy painting, traveling, and spending time outdoors!