Unlock real-time insight into bio-derived template–directed mineral growth in liquid environments using Hummingbird Scientific liquid flow sample holders.

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Uncovering the dynamics of protein-engineered nano-calcite nucleation and assembly

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De-novo helical repeat (DHR) proteins were used as programmable templates to direct controlled calcium carbonate nucleation, growth, and assembly, captured in real time via in situ liquid-phase TEM.

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• DHR monomers and protein–Ca²⁺ assemblies were observed directly, with engineered α-helical motifs pre-organizing Ca²⁺ ions to mimic calcite coordination.
• Nano-calcite nucleated with non-natural {110}/{202} facets, followed by nanoparticle attachment driving oriented mesocrystal assembly with tunable size and polymorph.
• The results establish in-situ liquid phase TEM as a powerful platform for decoding and programming biomolecule-templated mineralization, enabling design of hybrid materials for carbon sequestration, catalysis, and bioinspired systems.

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Reference: Fatima A. Davila-Hernandez, et al, Nat. Commun. 14, 8191 (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43608-1

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Image copyright © 2024 Springer Nature Limited

Investigate how biominerals grow and evolve under hydrated conditions using Hummingbird Scientific liquid flow sample holders.

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Capturing the formation and evolution of dense liquid phase of calcium (bi) carbonate

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In situ liquid-phase TEM captured nonclassical calcium (bi)carbonate nucleation via a transient, highly hydrated dense liquid phase (DLP), resolving its formation and transformation in real time.

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• DLPs formed in a sealed liquid cell from CaCl2, NaHCO3, and polyacrylic acid or a carboxylic acid-rich de-novo-designed helical repeat protein via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of solvated Ca²⁺–(HCO₃⁻)₂ complexes.
• DLP evolved from droplets to branched networks and solidified into hollow amorphous calcium carbonate.
• The findings resolve nonclassical nucleation pathways and inform control of carbonate mineralization for biomaterials, geochemistry, and CO₂ sequestration.

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Reference: Biao Jin, et al, Nat. Mater. 24,125–132 (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41563-024-02025-5

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Image copyright © 2024, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Limited

Perform in-situ heating of your biological and soft materials directly inside your electron diffractometer using Hummingbird Scientific MEMS heating + biasing sample holders.

Phase transition in copper triazolate Cu(ta)₂ MOFs captured via in-situ heating during microED

In-situ heating combined with microED was used for direct atomic-scale tracking of structural changes in individual Cu(ta)₂ MOF nanocrystals.

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• Cu(ta)₂ nanocrystals were heated from 25 °C to 200 °C inside the XtaLAB Synergy-ED, enabling full 3D diffraction (±75° tilt).
• The α → β transition was captured in the same crystal, consistent with prior PXRD/SCXRD studies, and yielding the first single-crystal structure of the β-phase.
• This approach enables direct correlation of thermal stimuli with structural response, opening new opportunities to study phase behavior in MOFs and related porous materials.

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Reference: Lee Daniels, et al, Struct. Dyn. 12, A235 (2025). DOI: 10.1063/4.0000541

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Image from Structural Dynamics under the Creative Commons license

Observe nanoscale dynamics of biomolecule interactions with biosensors in liquid environments using Hummingbird Scientific liquid flow sample holders.

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Direct visualization of biomolecule interactions at 2D materials surfaces

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Interaction dynamics of norepinephrine molecules on 2D aluminum quasicrystals (Al-QCs) were imaged under liquid environment.

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• Binding of norepinephrine to 2D Al-QCs imaged in real time.
• Initial binding occurred at the flake edge, then spread across the Al-QC surface.
• The findings pave the way for designing next-generation, highly selective electrochemical biosensors.

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Reference: Anyesha Chakraborty, et al, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 17, 68552−68565 (2025) DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5c10972

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Image copyright © 2025 American Chemical Society

Observe whole cells and proteins freely moving in liquid environments using Hummingbird Scientific liquid flow sample holders.

In-situ liquid phase imaging and electron holography of magnetite nanocrystals inside bacterial cells

Intact bacterial cells were imaged in liquid while mapping magnetic fields from intracellular magnetite nanocrystals using off-axis electron holography, enabling simultaneous structural and electromagnetic characterization.

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• Bacterial cells were encapsulated in a ~200-800 nm thick liquid layer.
• In-situ magnetization was achieved by tilting the specimen ±75° and using magnetic field of the objective lens.
• Magnetic induction maps of magnetite chains were reconstructed in liquid, yielding saturation magnetization values (~0.58–0.63 T).
• This work highlights in situ liquid-phase electron holography for probing electromagnetic behavior in biological systems, enabling studies of nanoparticle interactions, biomineralization, and protein electrostatics.

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Reference: Tanya Prozorov, et al, J. R. Soc. Interface 14, 135, 20170464 (2017). DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2017.0464

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Image copyright © 2017 The Royal Society Publishing

Observe how biomaterials influence material stability and structure in liquid environments using Hummingbird Scientific liquid flow sample holders.

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Real-time nanoscale mapping of  pentanoic acid–induced corrosion in carbon steel

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In-situ imaging revealed how biofeedstock-derived acids drive corrosion in carbon steel. Correlative analysis linked microstructure to initiation and propagation.

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• Liquid-phase TEM of steel lamellae in pentanoic acid, combined with TKD, EDX, and thickness mapping.
• Strain-driven corrosion observed with accelerated localized attack and minimal grain boundary activity.
• These results highlight liquid-phase TEM for probing biomaterial processing environments, enabling predictive, real-time evaluation of material stability in complex organic media.

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‍Reference: Zhiheng Lyu, et al, ACS  Nano 19, 31, 28315-28325 (2025) DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5c06142

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Image copyright © 2025 American  Chemical Society

Image real time liquid phase synthesis and growth of functional microgels and microgel complexes using Hummingbird Scientific liquid flow sample holders.

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Tracking nanoscale structural dynamics of microgel-nanoparticle hybrid systems in aqueous environments  

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Synthesis of a hybrid microgel system of poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL), glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), and FePt nanoparticles (NPs) was imaged using in-situ liquid phase TEM.

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• Aqueous dispersion of PVCL/GMA microgels were loaded with sub-10 nm FePt NPs in a liquid cell followed by HAADF-STEM imaging.
• FePt NPs were distributed throughout the microgels, with a concentration gradient from the shell toward the core and localized along microgel fingers.
• Higher loadings led to non-uniform distribution and smaller nanoparticle clusters.
• The results highlight the utility of liquid phase TEM for studying nanoscale organization in hydrated soft materials under complex liquid environments.

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Reference: K. Wiemer, et al, J. Mater. Chem. B 5, 1284-1292 (2017). DOI: 10.1039/C6TB02342H

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Image copyright © 2017 Royal Society of Chemistry

Capture initiation and progression of micelle formation in liquid environments using Hummingbird Scientific liquid flow sample holders.

Dynamic micellization and gold nanoparticle encapsulation in block copolymers revealed via in-situ liquid phase imaging

Micelle growth in aqueous (ethylene oxide)₁₀₀-block-(propylene oxide)₆₅-block-(ethylene oxide)₁₀₀(EO₁₀₀-PO₆₅-EO₁₀₀) block copolymer solution was imaged with and without gold nanoparticles (NPs).

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• EO₁₀₀-PO₆₅-EO₁₀₀ solution above critical micelle concentration (CMC) was used for tracking micelle growth.
• Polystyrene-capped gold NPs were introduced to visualize encapsulation dynamics within the polymer system.
• Micelles nucleated and grew into core–corona structures; encapsulation of hydrophobic nanoparticle occurred through polymer adsorption.
• These insights guide the design of nanocarriers and future in situ studies of controlled NP loading and release processes.

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Reference: Chang Li, et al, Nanoscale 11, 2299-2305 (2019). DOI: 10.1039/C8NR08922A

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Image copyright © 2019 Royal Society of Chemistry

Perform crystal orientation mapping and 3D reconstruction of biominerals using Hummingbird Scientific tomography sample holders.

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Crystal orientation mapping of coral skeleton microstructures

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X-ray linear dichroic ptychography and 4D-STEM were used to map the crystal orientation of CaCO₃ nanocrystals in coral skeletons.

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• Ptychography phase and adsorption images revealed the presence of differently oriented nanograins across the coral fragment down to 35 nm resolution.
• The findings were confirmed by 4D-STEM and electron diffraction analyses.
• The study showcases a correlative workflow for X-ray and electron microscopy for studying structure and formation of biominerals.

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Reference: Yuan Hung Lo, et al, Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. 118, 3, e2019068118 (2021) DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2019068118

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Image copyright © 2021 National Academy of Sciences