JEOL NEOARM
The JEOL NEOARM team is an advanced microscope that allows the study of samples with atomic resolution. Thanks to its special sample holders, this instrument allows the modification of the sample temperature, the application of electrical polarization and work in a liquid medium, as well as the combination of these stimuli. This makes it ideal for observing structural or chemical changes in processes such as the degradation of electrochemical batteries or the synthesis of nanoparticles, among other applications.
The integration of highly sensitive and ultra-fast direct detection cameras allows 3D reconstructions of biomolecules and viruses, as well as dynamic observation of movement, distribution or changes of proteins, viruses or nanoparticles. In addition, the team enables the analysis of protein interactions at the nanometric scale, contributing to the study of phenomena such as the aggregation or stabilization of substances of therapeutic interest.
Features of the equipment
The high spatial resolution transmission and scanning electron microscope (STEM), has a spherical aberration corrector in the probe, EDXS detectors, energy filter for the latest generation of EELS spectroscopy, a direct electron detection camera and an electrostatic dose modulator in the cannon. The flexibility of working at high and low operating voltages (30 kV – 80 kV - 300 kV), the dose modulation, the temperature control and the possibility of keeping the sample in liquid medium, allow the observation of structures sensitive to the electron beam, while mimicking the physiological and in-operando conditions in which certain biological, electrochemical and physical processes take place, visualizing them dynamically.
Applications of technology
This new instrument opens up the frontiers of research and technological innovation in order to answer transcendental questions at the at the intersection between materials science and life sciences, and for this reason it is configured to adapt to the conditions of spatial resolution, radiation dose and measurement time, as well as to the rapid uptake imposed by the nature of the samples and the dynamic phenomena that want to be studied.These cutting-edge microscopy techniques are a transversal facilitating tool aligned with the Research and innovation strategies for smart specialization of Catalonia (RIS3CAT) since the different modes of operation, the combination of spectroscopic signals and the application of external stimuli for the simulation of in-operando conditions, allow access to matter with the highest spatial resolution to simultaneously obtain vision, quantitative information and in dynamic mode to understand the interaction phenomena at the nanoscale and contribute to the design of new materials, biomarkers, biosensors, and micro-nano devices for technological innovation at the service of society.
Financing
The team, valued at 3.35 M€, is part of the MERIT project, one of the 7 cooperative projects of the Catalan knowledge system co-financed 50% through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Catalonia 2014-2020, according to the EMC/337/2019 for cooperative projects for the creation, construction, acquisition and improvement of common scientific and technological equipment and platforms to promote scientific and technological excellence.
The project was presented by a consortium led by the UB, and co-participated by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), the Bosch i Gimpera Fundation (UB), the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), the 'Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques Agust Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) and the Fundació Sant Joan de Déu (FHSD). The granting of this cofinancing, granted by the Secretary for Universities and Research of the Department of Business and Knowledge of the Generalitat de Catalunya, was made public in November 2020.
Location
The new JEOL NEOARM microscope is managed from our Transmission Electron Microscopy laboratory and is located in the CCiTUB facilities in the Parc Científic de la Universitat de Barcelona, also forming part of the unique infrastructure set of the Barcelona node of the ICTS ELECMI.