UVic Scientists Revolutionize Electron Microscopy with New Technique

Researchers at the University of Victoria have made a significant advancement in the field of electron microscopy. They have developed a new imaging technique that achieves an unprecedented resolution of less than 0.67 Ångström, allowing scientists to visualize the atomic world with exceptional clarity. This breakthrough was led by Arthur Blackburn, co-director of UVic’s Advanced Microscopy Facility, and represents a shift in how atomic-scale imaging can be conducted in laboratories globally.

Traditionally, achieving such high-resolution imaging required large, multimillion-dollar transmission electron microscopes (TEMs). In contrast, the team utilized a compact, low-energy scanning electron microscope (SEM) paired with advanced computational techniques. “This work shows that high-resolution imaging doesn’t have to rely on expensive, complex equipment,” Blackburn stated. The findings were published on October 3, 2025, in the journal Nature Communications.

The innovative technique at the heart of this breakthrough is known as pytchography. This method employs overlapping patterns of scattered electrons to reconstruct detailed images, enabling the researchers to achieve a resolution smaller than a single atom. Notably, this level of precision is approximately one-tenth the width of a human hair.

This development holds the potential to make atomic-scale imaging more accessible by reducing costs, energy consumption, and the physical space required for high-resolution microscopes. Blackburn emphasized the impact this innovation could have on various scientific fields, stating, “This could be transformative for fields like materials science, nanotechnology, and structural biology.” The immediate benefits are expected to be seen in the research and production of two-dimensional materials, which are crucial for developing next-generation electronics.

Looking towards the future, Blackburn noted that this discovery may also assist in determining the structure of small proteins, which could significantly contribute to health and disease research. The research was conducted in collaboration with Hitachi High-Tech Canada and received support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

With this advancement, researchers worldwide may soon have access to improved microscopy techniques, paving the way for accelerated innovation across multiple disciplines. The implications of this work extend far beyond the laboratory, potentially reshaping our understanding of materials at the atomic level and their applications in technology and medicine.