Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis - CEMAS

10/20/2026

A team of researchers led by Andreas Bezold and Michael Mills found that carefully engineered atomic-scale defects can significantly strengthen metal alloys, increasing their ability to withstand stress and resist deformation at high temperatures. The work was recently published in Science Magazine.

Traditionally, materials engineers have sought to minimize defects because they often lead to damage or failure. However, this research shows that carefully controlled, organized defects can actually improve metal performance. Using transmission electron microscopy at CEMAS and computer simulations, the researchers revealed how these hidden structural features can serve as a new tool for materials design.

The work highlights how advanced microscopy helps scientists uncover relationships between structure and performance at the atomic scale, with potential applications in technologies such as aircraft turbine engines and power generation systems.

Read more:

Atomic-level structural faults can generate more durable alloys, study finds

10/15/2026

How do you study the behavior of fish that live in some of Earth’s most inaccessible environments?

At CEMAS, postdoctoral scholar Shannon Kuznar uses microCT imaging to examine the brains of deep-sea fish and uncover clues about how these elusive species interact with their environment. By using the nondestructive Heliscan imaging system, researchers can create high-resolution 3D images of rare museum specimens while preserving them for future study.

The work helps scientists better understand deep-sea fish behavior, from visual processing to sensory adaptations, and shows how advanced imaging technologies can reveal insights that would otherwise remain hidden.

Learn more:

Postdoc Shannon Kuznar image brains of fish samples

10/12/2026

🔬 Registration is now open for On The Scope – A Masterclass in Practical Scanning Electron Microscopy, an advanced training program from CEMAS.

Participants will master SEM fundamentals and advanced techniques through expert-led online instruction paired with hands-on laboratory training.

Designed for researchers and industry professionals, the program covers imaging, EDS, EBSD, sample preparation and other advanced applications, equipping participants with the practical skills needed to optimize data collection and analysis.

Learn more and register:

On The Scope – A Masterclass in Practical Scanning Electron Microscopy Online learning begins April 1, 2027; in-person traditional labs will be held May 4-5, 2027Course DescriptionOn The Scope – A Masterclass in Practical Scanning Electron Microscopy is a training program covering the fundamenta...

09/17/2026

🤝 Join a global community of researchers, students and innovators at the Machine Learning for Microscopy Hackathon 3!

CEMAS will host an Ohio State local site for this three-day event, taking place December 15-17, 2026. Participants will work in teams to tackle real challenges involving microscopy, spectroscopy, automation and machine learning.

The hackathon brings together experts and newcomers alike, creating opportunities for learning, collaboration, and discovery.

📍 Work at CEMAS while connecting with teams around the world.

Registration is now open:

08/31/2026

🔬 CEMAS's Thermo Scientific Themis Z S/TEM provides atomic-resolution imaging and analysis, helping researchers better understand the structure and composition of materials at the nanoscale. With advanced imaging, EDS and EELS capabilities, it is a powerful tool for materials characterization.

Learn more:

The S-CORR probe corrected Themis-Z™ is equipped with a

08/05/2026

🔬 At CEMAS, advanced cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) capabilities are helping researchers unlock new insights into the structure and function of biological and material systems. From visualizing proteins and cellular components to analyzing complex materials, cryo-EM provides researchers with unprecedented detail. By combining cutting-edge technology with expert support, CEMAS is accelerating discovery and enabling breakthroughs across a wide range of scientific disciplines.

CEMAS is at the forefront in the convergence of physical and life sciences. Our multidisciplinary approach drives synergy and amplifies characterization capabilities to challenge "what is possible" in electron microscopy. Our comprehensive cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) program advances this eff...

07/14/2026

☕ Need a midweek pick-me-up?

Join us tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the lounge for the weekly CEMAS Coffee Hour! Stop by for coffee, conversation and a chance to connect with others around the building.

See you there! 👋

07/08/2026

Researchers from the Center for the Accelerated Maturation of Materials (CAMM), which is based at CEMAS, have been investigating a class of metallic materials known as refractory high entropy alloys (RHEA) for high temperature and extreme environment applications. The constituent phases in these alloys govern their mechanical performance.

Newly published work links the structure of the constituent phases of the alloy to a prediction of the local deformation characteristics. The structure was determined by application of Convergent Beam Electron Diffraction (CBED) techniques in the transmission electron microscope at CEMAS.

The study is authored by Paraic O'Kelly, Brian Welk and Hamish Fraser of The Ohio State University and Jacob Jensen of Thermo Fisher Scientific.

CEMAS continues to offer advanced materials characterization facilities which enables mechanistic understanding of structure-property relationships in metallic materials.

Read more:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304399126001075

07/06/2026

CEMAS-enabled research is helping advance new solutions to combat antimicrobial-resistant foodborne pathogens.

A recent study found that NutriClayZn, a zinc-enhanced clay material, was highly effective at suppressing multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica and preventing the growth of Clostridium perfringens—pathogens that can impact livestock health and food safety. It outperformed traditional zinc oxide treatments and showed even greater efficacy when combined with low doses of antioxidants.

SEM characterization at CEMAS supported the research, highlighting how advanced materials research and state-of-the-art microscopy can contribute to more sustainable approaches for livestock production while helping address antimicrobial resistance and protect the food supply.

Zinc amended to the interlayer of montmorillonite clay is key to NutriClayZn efficacy against enterotoxigenic, multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica I 4,[5],12:i:-. Either collapsing the clay's int...

06/17/2026

At CEMAS, researchers use advanced electron microscopy to improve high-temperature materials such as Inconel 718, which faces limits at elevated temperatures due to phase instability.

In this study, researchers from Ohio State added tiny oxide particles (yttria) to the material during the additive manufacturing process and then used CEMAS’ multi-scale, multi-modal electron microscopy capabilities to closely examine the results.

The added particles integrated into the material without disrupting its overall structure and naturally settled along key internal features. While high-temperature strength showed only a slight improvement, the main finding is that the material's ductility at elevated temperatures increased significantly.

This directly addresses the intermediate-temperature embrittlement commonly observed in additively manufactured Inconel 718, suggesting a promising pathway to improve performance in demanding applications.

This research showcases how CEMAS’ advanced microscopy infrastructure empowers scientists to link processing, structure and properties at the nanoscale, driving innovation in additive manufacturing and the design of next-generation materials.

The high-temperature capability of Inconel718 is limited by the coarsening and dissolution of its primary strengthening phase, the γ′′ precipitates. To enhance its performance, this study introduces oxide-dispersion strengthening (ODS) particles by coating alloy powder with nanoscale yttria via...