Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis - CEMAS

04/01/2026

Congratulations to this Ohio State research team on their recent publication in Nature Communications, which reveals new structural and functional insights into the cardiac sodium channel Nav1.5 using state‑of‑the‑art cryo‑electron microscopy and computational techniques. The insights provide important implications for cardiac arrhythmias and therapeutic targeting.

CEMAS supported this work by providing advanced cryo-electron microscopy capabilities. Publications like this underscore the value of collaboration in enabling high‑impact, interdisciplinary science and advancing discoveries that improve human health.

Read the full article:

Cardiac rhythm depends on tightly regulated sodium channel gating. Here, the authors determine the structure of human Nav1.5 in an intermediate open state and show how specific N-terminal interactions and ion binding near the IFM motif together regulate fast inactivation.

03/23/2026

Research enabled by CEMAS’s advanced characterization capabilities is uncovering the microstructural origins of exceptional high‑temperature performance in next‑generation additively manufactured alloys.

Using a state‑of‑the‑art multi‑scale, multi‑modal approach, this work reveals why the alloy GRX‑810 exhibits extraordinary strength, oxidation resistance, and over 1,000× improved creep performance at 1093 °C compared to conventional AM Ni‑based alloys.

By leveraging X‑ray diffraction and advanced STEM‑based techniques available through CEMAS, researchers are establishing critical design guidelines for future 3D‑printable ODS alloys capable of operating in extreme environments

Read more:

03/18/2026

Congratulations to Research Professor Gopal Viswanathan on receiving a university Accelerator Grant 🎊

His project proposes an accelerated, high-throughput method to assess creep behavior of aerospace Titanium alloy by combining cantilever bending with digital image correlation (DIC).

Read more:

Ten Ohio State research teams have been awarded up to $50,000 each in Accelerator grants through the President’s Research Excellence (PRE) program in the latest cycle. PRE Accelerator grants are reserved for small teams formed to pursue curiosity-driven, novel, high-risk and high-reward research.

03/11/2026

Researchers have uncovered how a NbTaTiV high‑entropy alloy deforms under room‑temperature compression. Using advanced TEM techniques, the team found that deformation is dominated by low‑mobility screw dislocations gliding on {110} planes, with frequent junction formation contributing to strain hardening. The study, published in Acta Materialia, was led by Ohio State and AFRL collaborators.

CEMAS’ advanced electron microscopy continues to enable this level of atomic‑scale insight, supporting breakthroughs in alloy design and characterization.

NbTaTiV characterized with CEMAS equipment

03/11/2026

📢 TODAY is the last day for early bird pricing for On the Scope!

The course provides a focused, in‑depth introduction to SEM fundamentals and advanced imaging techniques. Participants learn directly from experts, covering core SEM principles and practical operation skills. 🔬

This program is ideal for researchers, engineers, technicians and industry professionals working with materials characterization, imaging or nanoscale analysis.

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.

03/02/2026

Happy 🔬 New research from Ohio State shows that simulated lunar dirt can be turned into extremely durable structures, potentially paving the way to more sustainable and cost-effective space missions through laser 3D printing.

Researchers utilized CEMAS' scanning electron microscopes to characterize the microstructures of the printed products.

Learn more:

Simulated lunar dirt can be turned into extremely durable structures, potentially paving the way to more sustainable and cost-effective space missions, a new study suggests. Using a special laser 3D printing method, researchers melted fake lunar soil – a synthetic version of the fine dusty materi...

02/26/2026

🔬 New research enabled by CEMAS:

Work from Gerald Frankel and Irem Efe shows how simple maintenance practices, like periodic handwashing and especially tap‑water rinsing every 2 days, can significantly reduce corrosion product buildup and improve surface passivation on AA2024‑T3 aluminum and low‑carbon steel.

These findings can directly inform aircraft and maritime maintenance routines, where frequent fresh‑water rinsing is a low‑cost, high‑impact way to slow corrosion on exposed components, extending service life and reducing downtime.

Read the study:

This study examines the effects of handwashing with a detergent and water rinsing on the atmospheric corrosion of AA2024-T3 and low carbon steel (LCS) 1010

02/23/2026

Happy 🔬 Today, we are sharing a recent HRSTEM HAADF micrograph captured by Bryan Crossman, showing a low-angle grain boundary (LAGB) in a BCC Ta₅₅Re₄₅ (at.%) refractory alloy. This boundary is primarily a tilt boundary, formed by a ~12.6° rotation about the [001] zone axis.

In classical defect theory, LAGBs are described as arrays of dislocations whose spacing (D) is directly tied to the boundary tilt (θ), following the well-known relationship:

D = b / sin(θ/2)

From the micrograph, the dislocations along this boundary show a measured spacing of 1.40 ± 0.3 nm. Burgers circuit analysis confirms projected Burgers vectors of [-100] and [-110], with the latter likely representing projections of ⟨001⟩ dislocations aligned with the viewing direction, contributing to both the tilt and a slight twist.

Using the alloy’s lattice parameter (0.321 nm), the expected spacing for ⟨100⟩-type LAGB dislocations is 1.42 nm.

✨ The close match between experimental observation and classical theoretical prediction offers a great example of how atomic-scale microscopy continues to validate foundational materials science principles.

02/19/2026

🔬 Ready to take your microscopy skills to the next level?

The On The Scope masterclass is back, offering engineers, researchers and industry professionals a hands-on deep dive into practical scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

This unique program combines:

- Online asynchronous lectures starting April 1, 2026

- choice of in-person traditional labs or a flexible 1-on-1 individual track

- Access to $40M+ in advanced electron microscopes at CEMAS

- Guidance from leading faculty and expert CEMAS staff

Participants gain real experience operating SEM instruments, imaging their own samples, and exploring advanced techniques in a state-of-the-art environment. Optional add-on instrument time is also available for deeper exploration.

If you're looking to expand your technical capabilities or bring advanced microscopy skills back to your team, this is the program for you.

🔗 Learn more & 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.

02/02/2026

🔬 : Recent research enabled by CEMAS investigates micro- and nanoplastics (MNP) in treated drinking water and bottled water.

The results showed bottled water had significantly higher particle concentrations of MNPs than the treated drinking water. CEMAS's scanning electron microscopes allowed the team to detect and identify particles down to their smallest parts.

New research investigates the amount of tiny plastic particles in drinking water

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