Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis - CEMAS

12/30/2025

Interested in learning scanning electron microscopy techniques? On The Scope is a training program covering the fundamentals of SEM operation.

Participants do a combination of online learning and hands-on microscope labs to learn advanced imaging techniques.

Learn more and register:

On The Scope – A Masterclass in Practical Scanning Electron Microscopy, is an online training program covering the fundamentals of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) operation, provided by The Ohio State University College of Engineering and Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis.

12/15/2025

Happy 🔬 In-situ electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) experiments were performed in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) during heating of a heavily deformed magnesium alloy.

These experiments were performed by graduate student Rogine Gomez in the Leonard research group in MSE with CEMAS Senior Research Associate Daniel Veghte. Recrystallization and growth are observed from the heavily deformed areas (initially non-indexable areas).

The paper demonstrated that alloying Mg with Ca shows promise in weakening deformation and recrystallization texture that can be associated with increased ductility and formability.

Read more: The Influence of Alloying on Recrystallization Behavior and Texture Development of Mg-(Ca,Zn) Alloys

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jma.2025.10.026

12/10/2025

Check out the research SEM image that turned out unexpectedly artistic when a mouse appeared, taken by graduate student Nicole Hudak!

Captured on Apreo 1/2 using standard conditions, it’s a BSE image of a titanium alloy (exact composition unknown).

What appear to be the “ears” are actually regions outlined by colloidal silica left behind during polishing and final cleaning. The “eye” is a void, and the rest of the “mouse” takes shape along the alloy’s grain boundaries. It takes a bit of imagination to see the tiny creature hiding in the microstructure 🔬

11/10/2025

Happy 🔬 This SEM backscattered electron micrograph, taken by PhD student Bryan Crossman, shows a three-dimensional, Christmas tree–like dendrite in a Ta₆₀Re₄₀ (at.%) refractory alloy, captured on the Apreo 1 at CEMAS.

The dendrite reveals the sequential growth of primary, secondary and tertiary arms as lower-melting elements solidified and were progressively depleted in the surrounding melt. The structure was exposed inside a solidification void, providing a rare 3D view of dendritic growth mechanisms.

11/07/2025

On the Scope registration is open! Learn the fundamentals + advanced techniques of scanning electron microscopy from CEMAS experts 🔬 Online learning begins April 1 and in-person labs take place in May!

On The Scope – A Masterclass in Practical Scanning Electron Microscopy, is an online training program covering the fundamentals of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) operation, provided by The Ohio State University College of Engineering and Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis.

10/08/2025

Transmission electron microscopes allow users to see the smallest structures in matter, down to the atomic scale 🔬 CEMAS is home to 5 TEM systems that can view materials and biological systems at the most fundamental level. Industries from life sciences to semiconductors can benefit from the analysis techniques possible on TEMs.

Learn more: https://cemas.osu.edu/capabilities/transmission-electron-microscopy-tem

09/22/2025

Take a cool image at CEMAS? Share it with us! We'd love to see how CEMAS has impacted your work.

Every day, CEMAS users are collecting data that are as much relevant to the scientific community as they are creative, artistic and beautiful. With hundreds of visitors to CEMAS each year, this is the opportunity for you to showcase your work.

Breadcrumb Home RESEARCH Image Submission Image Submission SnO2 nanowires were grown from commercial FTO slides using the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) method forming the backbone of these long strands. These were placed in a microwave-assisted hydrothermal chamber where TiO2 nanorods nucleated radially....

08/27/2025

Each spring, CEMAS hosts On the Scope, a program designed for industry professionals seeking to learn how to operate and perform analysis with SEMs. After learning from online lectures, participants get lab time to get hands-on experience imaging samples.

Learn more about the course:

Masterclass provides opportunity to learn from SEM experts

07/18/2025

MicroCT at CEMAS allows users to gain valuable insight from internal structures with 3D imaging.

Anthropology Assistant Professor Habiba Chirchir is using MicroCT to see bone density of different species of mammals, specifically looking to understand why humans and other close relatives now have light bodies compared to those in the fossil record. 🦴

Professor Habiba Chirchir uses CEMAS' Heliscan to get a closer look at mammal and primate bones

07/09/2025

CEMAS has two X-ray diffractometers, a Rigaku SmartLab and a Rigaku MiniFlex, that can help users determine the atomic and molecular structure of materials, particularly crystalline substances.

https://cemas.osu.edu/capabilities/x-ray-diffraction-xrd

06/13/2025

CEMAS has one of the largest concentrations of electron and ion beam analytical microscopy instruments in any North American institution. Instruments can view samples down to the subatomic level and deliver solutions to industries like medicine, advanced manufacturing, environmental science, energy harvesting and storage, and healthcare.

Become a CEMAS user:

Breadcrumb Home Become a CEMAS User Become a CEMAS User Embedded iFrame Skip iframe content Subscribe Want to keep up with the latest insights from CEMAS? Click here to sign up. 

06/05/2025

CEMAS is home to two dual beam Focused Ion Beam (FIB) microscopes 🔬 These instruments allow the preparation of samples from specific areas of a sample as well as nano-machining. Both have extremely high resolution down to 5nm and are equipped with capabilities for 3D reconstructions from serial sectioning. These kinds of cutting edge reconstruction tools are crucial for understanding the true 3D morphology of today's engineering materials.

Learn more about using CEMAS' FIBs:

Dual Beam Focused Ion Beam microscopes (DB-FIBs) are an indispensable tool in