Thermo Fisher Unveils New Transmission Electron Microscope

The Thermo Scientific Iliad (S)TEM is a fully integrated multimodal analytical scanning transmission electron microscope designed to offer new insights into the chemical composition and atomic-level structure of modern materials.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has introduced its latest scanning transmission electron microscopy advancement for research purposes.

The Thermo Scientific Iliad (S)TEM is a fully integrated multimodal analytical scanning transmission electron microscope designed to offer new insights into the chemical composition and atomic-level structure of modern materials.

How the New Tech Works?

The Iliad (S)TEM incorporates advanced technology to address growing demands in materials science research. 

Combining multiple technological modalities such as energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), and the NanoPulser for electron dose optimization, this microscope enhances the precision and accuracy of chemical and structural investigations. 

Integrating these features allows researchers to study complex materials with greater detail and efficiency.

David Wall, vice president and general manager of materials science at Thermo Fisher Scientific, said, "A revolutionary new platform like this only comes around once a decade. Beginning with its unveiling at EMC, Iliad has already received a positive and energetic reception from researchers and industry leaders across the globe.

Optimizing Microscopy Workflows

Iliad’s new design features the EELS Spectrometer and Energy Filter for enhanced spectroscopic analysis, providing a new dimension to modern materials research. 

Additionally, integrating the NanoPulser technology allows scientists to optimize electron dose control, which is crucial for experiments requiring delicate material handling.

The Thermo Scientific Velox software powers the system, which manages both imaging and spectroscopy processes. This software platform allows users to execute complex experiments more easily, ensuring smooth workflows. 

Nearly every component of Iliad is accessible via Python scripting through Autoscript, enabling researchers to adopt artificial intelligence-based data collection and analysis strategies.

Professor Jo Verbeeck from the University of Antwerp, who collaborated on developing Iliad, highlighted the importance of data quantification in this new system. 

"It’s one thing to write papers on electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) quantification; it is far more exciting to see these ideas also implemented in a product that will really change the user experience and reproducibility of EELS," Verbeeck said.

While the Iliad (S)TEM is poised to benefit material science research, it also has important applications in healthcare. 

This technology will help scientists explore the atomic structure of biomedical materials and devices, leading to potential advancements in medical diagnostics, drug development, and the creation of next-generation medical implants.

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