IMPRESS Workshop 1

The first IMPRESS Training Workshop, co-organized by Euro-BioImaging and CERIC-ERIC with the support of Promoscience, successfully gathered a diverse group of scientists, technologists and stakeholders over two virtual sessions on November 5 and 7, 2024.

With over 65 participants joining each day, the workshop showcased leading-edge developments in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) carried out within the framework of the IMPRESS Project, fostering a collaborative exchange of ideas and solutions for enhancing the capabilities of TEMs.

Innovation and Interoperability in TEM Technology

During the workshop, participants explored critical advancements in TEM technologies, including high-resolution electron sources, event-based detectors, real-time data processing tools, and in situ methodologies. In her opening remarks, IMPRESS Project Coordinator Regina Ciancio emphasized the project’s commitment to pushing TEM’s technological boundaries.

Speakers and participants underscored the growing need for enhanced electron optics and detectors, interoperability and real-time application capabilities in TEM. Throughout the event, discussions centered on current limitations and bottlenecks, as well as innovative solutions to address and overcome these challenges.

Day 1: Advancements in Electron Sources, Detectors and Data Management

On November 5, presentations focused on innovations in electron sources, optics and detectors, and data automation and management. Axel Lubk from IFW Dresden introduced a novel multi-purpose electron gun prototype and advanced simulation techniques designed to deliver precise control of electron beams.

Luiz Galvao Tizei from CNRS showcased the potential of event-based detectors, which capture individual electron interactions rather than entire frames, offering significant advantages in studying fast-evolving electron dynamics.

A presentation on data management, led by Ruggero Lot and Federica Bazzocchi from Area Science Park, provided an overview of FAIR principles (guidelines to make scientific data more Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and explored software solutions aimed at facilitating interoperability across TEM platforms and other instrumentation. The subsequent discussions highlighted the challenge of balancing efficiency with technical requirements for TEM applications.

Day 2: Real-Time Observation Techniques in Energy and Bioimaging Applications

The November 7 session expanded the focus to in situ, operando and correlative methodologies, which enable real-time observation of materials under operational conditions. Paolo Ronchese from Area Science Park presented innovative MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) devices for operando liquid and solid battery research. These developments are timely, as the role of TEM grows in energy storage research due to the rising demands of electric vehicles and portable devices.

Alba Garzon from ICN2 showcased current developments in MEMS-based cells for operando catalysis in CO2 reduction, explaining procedures for in situ material characterization. The importance of developing a specialized photocatalytic device, which is not yet commercially available, was emphasized.

A presentation by Anjusha Mathew from Maastricht University focused on multi-purpose carriers for operando applications in bioimaging. Advancements in cryogenic carriers for bioimaging were highlighted, with the innovative devices allowing researchers to analyze biological samples without degradation as they are transferred between imaging platforms. Furthermore, automated sample handling systems promise seamless transfer of specimens and their preservation.

Alessandro Nicolaou from SOLEIL discussed soft and hard X-ray beamlines, focusing on the SEXTANTS beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron. The speaker provided insight into correlative spectroscopies, such as Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering (RIXS) and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS), which enhance the ability of researchers to study intricate material transformations and properties.

Finally, Amir Tavabi from Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) presented time-resolved TEM techniques for observing ultra-fast transformations in materials. In order to overcome current limitations in detecting chemical processes and dynamics on extremely fast timescales, the speaker discussed laser-free approaches as alternatives to conventional laser-based methods for time-resolved TEM.

Collaborative Discussions on TEM Challenges and Solutions

Interactive breakout sessions offered a unique opportunity for participants to engage directly with experts. The discussions covered a wide range of topics, from the technical constraints of TEM detectors and beam shaping to data-sharing protocols and bioimaging techniques. Among the variety of issues tackled, Alessandro Nicolaou addressed challenges in integrating data from different spectroscopic techniques, while Paolo Ronchese shared insight into designing MEMS devices that are compatible with the unique requirements of battery research. The participants agreed on the importance of standardized data formats to facilitate seamless data exchange and integration, highlighting the necessity of interoperable coding standards and metadata consistency across TEM setups.

A Path Forward for TEM

The inaugural IMPRESS Workshop underscored the growing demand for innovation in TEM technologies to address the evolving needs of materials science, bioimaging, energy research and other fields. By bringing together researchers, developers, users and other stakeholders, the event facilitated the sharing of technological advancements and offered a collaborative platform to tackle both current challenges and future directions in TEM technology.

With promising new developments ranging from electron sources and optics to detectors and multi-purpose carriers, the IMPRESS project continues to lead TEM into a new era of precision, efficiency, interoperability and interdisciplinary application. The success of the workshop illustrates the potential of collaborative efforts to drive impactful advancements in electron microscopy and related fields.