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3d ago

Tohoku University Unveils Cryo-EELS Technique for Nanoscale Elemental Mapping in Frozen Solvents

Pairing three-window background correction with drift compensation alongside an automated ParallEM extension enables 10 nm-scale mapping of silicon, calcium and phosphorus distributions.

A gloved researcher uses precision tools to handle a sample on the cryo-TEM stage, surrounded by metallic components and cooling elements. The setup is submerged in liquid to maintain freezing conditions essential for high-resolution imaging of organic nanomaterials.
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Overview

  • Published on July 31, 2025 in Analytical Chemistry, this work is the first demonstration of concurrent cryo-EM structural imaging and elemental mapping in organic nanomaterials.
  • By integrating the three-window method and drift compensation, the approach minimizes ice-plasmon background signals and sample blur during electron energy loss spectroscopy.
  • A newly released ParallEM control system extension automates energy-shift adjustments, reducing manual intervention and enhancing reproducibility.
  • Validation on silica and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles showed clear visualization of silicon, calcium and phosphorus distributions at roughly 10 nm resolution.
  • This low-dose elemental mapping technique is poised to accelerate research across biomaterials, medical implants, catalysts, food science and functional inks.