Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis - CEMAS

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

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....