Liquid Phase Electron Microscopy (LPEM) provides unique capabilities for probing the real-time dynamics of nanomaterials, enabling the direct observation of structure formation over different length and timescales. However, regardless of the exciting success LPEM has been achieved, it is still a relatively young technique with many limitations, among which electron-beam-induced artifacts is one of the most common, leading to misinterpretation of LPEM data. Thus developing an imaging protocol with good resolution and minimized dose is highly desired. In this project, we aim to develop low-dose and contrast enhancement techniques relevant for LPEM. To this ends, we will use polymer, silica and hybrid nanoparticles with different size and different electron scattering power to evaluate resolution and contrast in low dose LPEM. In addition, scripting will be used for beam manipulation and automated image acquisition. The developed protocols will be applied in multiscale imaging, more specifically, the self-assembly of block copolymers into bicontinuous nanospheres will be studied as well as their subsequent mineralization with SiO₂.

Hanglong Wu is currently a PhD researcher in the Laboratory of Materials and Interface Chemistry at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). He was born in Zhejiang Province, P. R. China. After obtaining his bachelor of engineering in 2013, he joined the Center of Electron Microscopy in Zhejiang University to pursue his master's degree. His master's thesis, entiled, 'Unconventional crystallization of rutile crystals', focused on the investigation of growth mechanisms, self-aggregation behaviors and inner structure/defect evolution of metal oxides with curved surfaces using TEM and FIB techniques. After receiving his master thesis in June 2016, he moved to the Netherlands and joined the ERC ITN MULTIMAT, working on the project 'Low dose LP-EM for multiscale imaging'.