Sapphire is a valuable gemstone that typically forms in metamorphic or igneous rocks deep within the Earth’s crust. The growth of sapphires, which are made up of O2- anions and  Al3+ cations, is a slow process that requires rocks rich in aluminum (Al) and oxygen (O) and depleted in silicon (Si). Structural geologists are particularly interested in geological processes that result in such environments and can gain insights into these processes by studying sapphires.  ..read more

Over the last decade, there has been a boost in small-scale life science research. Advancements in electron microscopy (EM) technologies have enabled researchers to visualize the biological world of the small, leading to an enhanced understanding of cellular processes, human diseases, and viral infections. Using this knowledge, researchers have been able to develop novel treatments and vaccines at an accelerated speed.  ..read more

In the power industry, there is a growing demand for achieving ever-higher power densities and efficiency while simultaneously reducing power supply costs. As a result, silicon carbide (SiC) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) have replaced other silicon-based technologies in numerous power applications due to their superior performance [1].  ..read more

Volume electron microscopy or volume-EM (vEM), acknowledged by Nature as one of the seven technologies to watch in 2023 [1], is increasingly used in life sciences research. It represents a set of techniques and includes the use of either a transmission electron microscope (TEM) or a scanning electron microscope (SEM) [2 ..read more

Minerals and rocks can go through various deformation mechanisms, which are microscopic changes in the internal structure, shape, and volume of a material. Deformation mechanisms include processes such as  [1]: Recrystallization Cataclasis Dislocation creep Diffusion creep In both natural and experimental deformation and fracturing (faulting) processes, fluid-rock interactions often play a significant role [2 ..read more

Drug discovery plays a crucial role in healthcare, but the process is very costly and time-consuming. Fortunately, advancements in molecular and structural biology can accelerate this process by providing a better and more detailed understanding of the drug targets [1].  Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is now widely used to obtain high-resolution reconstructions of macromolecular structures, revealing the molecular basis of diseases, and thereby facilitating the design of novel drugs. The workflow of single particle analysis (SPA), a subtype of cryo-EM, includes sample preparation, cr ..read more

Inspired by the temporary exhibition Unimaginable in the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave It was on a Thursday afternoon in June when I came across an extraordinary story at the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave in Leiden [1]. I had heard about a temporary exhibition on microscopy in this science and medicine museum and hoped it would unveil interesting stories worth sharing. So, my colleague and I took the train from Delft to Leiden and spent over three hours exploring everything there was to see. The temporary exhibition 'unimaginable' at the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave. Image taken from [1 ..read more

Zircons are widely used in geochronological studies for dating geological processes, particularly through U-Pb dating [1]. This is mainly due to the following characteristics of zircons: Abundance Resistance to weathering Ability to incorporate trace elements ..read more

The usage of electron microscopy (EM) in life science research has experienced significant growth over the past decade. While cryo-EM became the main technique for structural biology to reconstruct protein and macromolecular structures, novel volume-EM techniques are increasingly used to study large tissue samples and multicellular organisms [1][2 ..read more

Cryo-electron tomography (Cryo-ET) has transformed our understanding of the structural organization and functioning of proteins and macromolecules in their near-native state. In cryo-ET, a series of two-dimensional images are captured from various angles of the sample using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). These images are then used to generate three-dimensional tomograms, which provide valuable insights into the architecture of proteins and macromolecular complexes in situ. In TEM imaging, the ideal sample thickness is below 300 nm [1]. As a result, most samples need to be thinned ..read more