In-situ Electron Microscopy Technique Group Center for Basic Research on Materials, NIMS
In-situ observation, which captures how materials change in response to external stimuli in real time, is an essential technique in materials research. In recent years, interest has grown worldwide in operando measurement, which captures functional materials and devices while they are actually operating. Operando measurement with electron microscopes faces many constraints arising from the observation environment itself, and each application calls for its own dedicated solutions.
Our group is advancing operando measurement techniques such as voltage application, gas-atmosphere and liquid-phase observation. At the same time, we are improving electron microscopy methods themselves, for example by developing low-damage observation techniques based on information-theoretic processing of large datasets. Through operando measurement with a wider range of applications, we aim to contribute to materials research as a whole.
The latest news from our group.
Key research themes that underpin materials measurement under operating conditions.
Using four-dimensional diffraction data acquired with a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM), structures can be analyzed at higher resolution than with conventional methods. Electron ptychography even makes it possible to directly locate trace amounts of metal atoms inside porous materials such as zeolites.
A hydrogen visualization instrument developed at NIMS. A scanning electron microscope is equipped with a system that detects hydrogen ions released by electron-stimulated desorption and a system that introduces hydrogen from the back of a thin-plate sample, allowing the two-dimensional distribution of hydrogen permeating through the sample to be measured in situ over long periods. The instrument is now manufactured and sold by ELIONIX INC. under a license agreement.
Product information (ELIONIX INC., external site, in Japanese)
Our group leader and current members. Follow the links for more information on each researcher.
Papers published by our group, listed by year.
For publications from FY2023 and earlier, please see SAMURAI (NIMS Researchers Database).
For questions about our research or inquiries about collaboration, please contact us below.
National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)
Center for Basic Research on Materials (CBRM) / Advanced Materials Characterization Field
National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)
