UVic Researchers Achieve Groundbreaking Electron Microscopy Breakthrough

Researchers at the University of Victoria have made a significant advancement in electron microscopy, achieving “sub-Ångström resolution” for the first time. This groundbreaking technique allows scientists to visualize atomic structures with precision exceeding one ten-billionth of a metre, utilizing a compact, low-energy scanning electron microscope (SEM). This development marks a pivotal moment in the field, as it enables high-resolution imaging without the need for the large and costly transmission electron microscopes (TEMs) traditionally used for such purposes.

Led by Arthur Blackburn, co-director of the university’s Advanced Microscopy Facility, the research team has demonstrated that a simpler SEM combined with advanced computational techniques can match or even exceed the resolution of more expensive alternatives. In Blackburn’s words, “This work shows that high-resolution imaging doesn’t have to rely on expensive, complex equipment.”

The findings were published on October 10, 2025, in the scientific journal Nature Communications, highlighting a major step toward making atomic-scale imaging more accessible to laboratories globally. This new method reduces costs, energy consumption, and space requirements, potentially accelerating innovation across various scientific disciplines.

Revolutionizing Atomic Imaging

At the core of this breakthrough lies a technique known as ptychography. It employs overlapping patterns of scattered electrons to reconstruct extraordinarily detailed images. The team achieved an impressive resolution of just 0.67 Ångström, which is smaller than a single atom and approximately 1/10,000th the width of a human hair, all while using a low-energy electron beam.

“This could be transformative for fields like materials science, nanotechnology, and structural biology,” Blackburn noted. The immediate implications of this advancement are particularly promising for the research and production of two-dimensional materials, which are crucial for developing next-generation electronics.

Looking ahead, Blackburn emphasized the potential for this discovery to aid in determining the structure of small proteins, which could ultimately enhance health and disease research.

The research collaboration also involved Hitachi High-Tech Canada and was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, showcasing the collective effort to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and technological capability in microscopy.

As the scientific community continues to explore the implications of this technique, the University of Victoria stands at the forefront of a revolution in how researchers can visualize and understand the atomic realm.