NEWSLETTER
Summer 2025
LIGHT-SENSITIVE
MATERIALS
LIKE NEVER BEFORE
Sol, the newest addition to the Atmosphere AX family, brings light-driven capabilities to in situ TEM, enabling studies under realistic, pressurized gas environments at the nanoscale.
This opens new research opportunities in photocatalysis, optoelectronics, plasmonics, and photochemistry, supporting advancements in clean energy, advanced sensors, high-efficiency photovoltaics, and next-generation electronics. With Sol, researchers can directly observe and understand complex light–matter interactions that drive innovation in energy, electronics, and environmental solutions.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
Sol
for ATMOSPHERE AX
For over 11 years, Protochips Atmosphere AX has enabled state-of-the-art in situ TEM studies in gas environment and enabled users to correlate the effect of variables such as temperature, gas composition, pressure, and humidity on nanomaterial structure during heterogeneous catalytic processes.
Now, imagine expanding these studies to include photocatalytic materials and processes!
Protochips’ Sol is a brand-new member of the Atmosphere AX family, enabling in situ TEM studies of light-driven reactions while taking full advantage of the capabilities of the Atmosphere AX system, including seamless metadata integration and exceptional image stability.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Sol features a factory-installed optical fiber integrated into the Atmosphere holder, to enable sample illumination during in situ TEM experiments. The holder supports wavelengths from 350 to 2000 nm, and can easily be connected to any compatible, userpreferred light source via a universal fiber input. This design offers users unprecedented flexibility to perform a wide range of light-induced experiments in relevant gaseous environments at the nanoscale.
One of the most challenging aspects of designing a robust system for in situ photocatalysis studies is accurate characterization power density with respect to the sample. Sol users can quickly and easily characterize the power density experienced by the sample using the benchtop characterization setup supplied with the system. A unique “aperture” E-chip ensures accurate sensor readings of the illuminated sample area, without the inaccuracies introduced by obstructions or external reflection. Once characterized, a calibration file is generated that integrates seamlessly with the Protochips’ AXON Synchronicity software allowing the user to focus on their sample, while knowing that all power density and photo illumination parameters are embedded in the experimental timeline for further analysis.
Where will Sol Take Your Research?
Combined with Protochips powerful operando capabilities, and integrated residual gas analyzer (RGA) Sol is poised play a key role in unravelling the mechanisms and morphological properties responsible for photocatalyst activation and activity.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
At Protochips, our Sales Operations team is the engine behind the scenes—quietly powering the success of our global sales efforts. While their actions may not always be visible to customers, their impact is undeniable. We’re incredibly lucky to have such an agile, efficient, and dynamic group.
This month, we’re turning the spotlight on the entire team to recognize and celebrate their behind-the-scenes brilliance.
MEET THE TEAM
Vice President of Business Development USA
Based in Raleigh, NC, Dan loves living within reach of both mountains and beaches— and when he’s not leading global CRM and customer support efforts, you might find him deep in the woods with a map, compass, and his dog Olive. Dan’s work connects every step of the customer journey, from early-stage sales to post-sale support, ensuring our customers’ needs are not just met, but exceeded. After over 14 years at Protochips, Dan’s still gets excited when customers witness our latest innovations or when they discover new capabilities. Beyond the desk, Dan’s a topnotch baker—his sourdough loaves barely last an hour once they hit the office kitchen!
Sales Operations Administrator United Kingdom
Keness has been a key part of Protochips for the past two years, with no workday starting without her trusty cup of tea. She keeps global sales running smoothly, supporting and streamlining the sales process internally and for our distribution channels throughout EMEA. Perfectly positioned between time zones, Keness seamlessly connect colleagues in Asia, EMEA, and the U.S., making her a true global bridge in our daily operations. While she enjoys the flexibility of remote work, she sometimes reminisces about in-office moments—but as a core member of our inside sales team, she stays closely connected with colleagues around the world.
Dan Gardener
Keness Wong
Asia Sales Operations Administrator
China
Based in Shanghai, Euphe has been keeping Protochips running smoothly for the past four years. She loves the convenience of daily life in Shanghai and brings that same efficiency to her work by coordinating logistics and communication with our operations team and distribution channels across Asia. Euphe ensures the sales team stays up to date with the latest data and trends, helping them stay focused and informed as they work toward their sales goals. Her flexible schedule allows her to adapt across time zones with ease, and while her primary focus is Asia, she’s always ready to support customers globally when needed. Remote work suits her well—almost as much as a good cup of tea and a delicious meal while watching her favorite shows!
DISTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHT
We’re excited to welcome Coherent Scientific to the Protochips family! Headquartered in Adelaide, Australia, and founded in 1989, Coherent Scientific has built a nationwide presence, delivering experimental solutions to researchers across the continent. Their 18-member team spans sales operations, applications and service support, marketing, and finance—working together to bring exemplary products and services to a broad customer base.
Yichun (Euphe) Su
Specializing in technically advanced scientific equipment, Coherent Scientific supports research in materials science, engineering, physics, astronomy, biology, and cutting-edge R&D in government labs and industry. What sets them apart is their integrity, diligence, and unwavering commitment to customer success—from providing detailed technical insight during presales discussions to ensuring seamless delivery, installation, and exceptional local technical support, even long after the sale.
Their strong, supportive culture not only guides how they serve customers but also reflects their dedication to staff development and empowerment. With a decades-long reputation in the research community, Coherent Scientific brings a wealth of expertise and commitment to supporting scientists across Australia, and Protochips is proud to be represented by them in this region.
SUCCESS COMMUNITY UPDATES
Last August we announced the release of Triton, the first heating/cooling liquid phase electrochemical in situ TEM solution. In addition to the incredible temperature range, of -50 to 300 °C, the Triton system introduces an entirely new, updated AXON-integrated software1 experience, allowing users to seamlessly:
Select E-chips part numbers and window orientation during experiment setup to simplifying record keeping
Set and control the liquid flow rate within the user interface
Review temperature, flow rate, and electrochemical parameters as a function of time in AXON Studio for easy metadata analysis
SUCCESS COMMUNITY UPDATES
Now, as the first systems are beginning to be installed in labs across the world, our users have convenient 24-hour access to a full complement of step-by-step user guides and application support through the Protochips Success Community. The Triton User Guides1 are available to any of our users whose account is associated with either a Triton or Poseidon in-situ system.
In addition to developing user tools for new products, we are continuously enhancing the Success Community experience for all our products by consolidating crossplatform articles into convenient indexes. Users can find liquid-TEM E-chip and sample preparation information in the Index of Liquid-TEM E-chip Articles1 and the In Situ TEM Sample Preparation Index2.
We’ll be adding more article indexes and continuously expanding our existing articles easier for our users to find the information they need when they need it!
1Available to users with Triton or Poseidon access
2Available to users with an in-situ system access
FEATURED
Watch it here
FEATURED PUBLICATION
Operando Heating and Cooling Electrochemical 4D-STEM
Probing Nanoscale Dynamics at Solid–Liquid Interfaces
In collaboration with the Yang Group at Cornell University
“We anticipate that operando heating/cooling EC-STEM will become invaluable for understanding fundamental temperature-controlled nanoscale electrochemistry and advancing renewable energy technologies (e.g., catalysts and batteries) in realistic climates.”
Read more about the use of copper electrodeposition/ stripping processes as a model system to demonstrate quantitative electrochemistry from −40 to 95 °C in both transient and steady states in aqueous and organic solutions, paving the way for investigating energy materials operating in extreme climates.
Read it here
RECENT EVENTS
We have had an exceptionally busy first half of the year all over the globe! Did you see us at any of these events?
5th International Workshop of In Situ Microscopy, Porto, Portugal
M&M, Salt Lake City, United States
APCAT10, Singapore
Quantitative Electron Microscopy School, PortBarcarès, France
MMC/EMAG, Manchester, United Kingdom
UPCOMING EVENTS
10/8/25 - 10/10/25
MRS Fall 2025
Boston, USA 11/30/25 - 12/5/2025
EXCITING UPDATES
Nynke Krans, Regional Marketing and Applications Manager, welcomed a baby girl, Ayla, in May!
Nelson Marthe, Sr. Manager Engineering, had two kids, Adrian and Sofia, start kindergarten and pre-school!
Kate Stephens, Senior Application Engineer, and family is excited to add a new member to the family in November!
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 recently started working a Protochips and am excited for what’s to come! I graduated in the spring from North Carolina State University with a degree in Biology and Science Visual Communication with a minor in Business. I enjoy painting and making art in my free time!