Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast Episode 109: Operando Transmission Electron Microscopy
Aug 26, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Patricia Kooyman, a Professor at the University of Cape Town and a pioneer in transmission electron microscopy, dives into the groundbreaking world of operando TEM. She illustrates how this technique allows researchers to witness real-time material reactions, transforming our understanding of catalysis. The discussion also highlights the challenges of integrating complex environments like gas flows, handling vast data from microscopy, and the future innovations that promise to reshape the field.
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Choose Window Material Carefully
- Use electron-transparent, thin support windows (tens of nanometers) like silicon nitride or graphene for operando TEM.
- Balance window thickness: thicker windows are robust but add imaging background noise.
Beeswax Ruined Early Experiments
- Early experiments were ruined when a technician used beeswax in the holder and the electron beam converted it into carbon contamination.
- Switching to silicon rubber eliminated the parasitic carbon buildup and recovered imaging quality.
Electron Beam Is Not Always Passive
- The electron beam often perturbs experiments, so researchers compare beam-exposed regions to unexposed areas.
- Operando TEM must be combined with ex-situ and control measurements to validate observed mechanisms.