Combined Scanning Electron and Super-Resolution Fluorescence Microscopy for dynamic studies in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Recently, nanotechnology has taken an important place in materials science. Not only have traditional materials been miniaturized, nanostructured materials also possess remarkable and unique properties compared to their larger counterparts. As such it has become very important to characterize nanostructured materials at relevant length scales and under realistic conditions. By developing a unique new microscopy platform based on scanning electron microscopy and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, we target to gain insights into the relation between nanostructures and their performance. With these insights current nanomaterials can be optimized. This optimization relies on new synthesis procedures based on the use of focused photon and electron beams which will become possible with this microscopy platform. An often overlooked problem with nanomaterials is the risks they impose to health and safety. Not only do they show enhanced chemical activity; their size enables rapid biological uptake which can lead to strong and unwanted interactions with vital cell structures. These interactions can be investigated in detail by this combined fluorescence -electron microscopy approach.

Keywords:Nanotechnology, Chemical

Disciplines:Sustainable chemistry