Spatial and temporal CryoEM of molecular gels and 1-dimensional structures

Understanding the structure and structure-property-function relationship is key for the development of new functional materials. Structural analysis of multiscale soft systems may, however, be limited due to the ‘invisible’ complexity of the structures. Cryo-electron microscopy (CryoEM) techniques which comprises cryo-TEM and cryo-SEM are non-invasive methods that enable direct detection of soft suprastructures in solution at their hydrated state, at multiple length scales, and at high resolution. Additionally , analysis is done directly, i.e., without the need for a pre-determined model or post-imaging analysis. Cryo-TEM, for example, is highly effective for resolving the coexistence of multiple nanostructures and short-lived intermediates [1], thus providing particle-specific unique data that cannot be obtained from techniques such as scattering or rheology that probe bulk properties. Cryo-SEM covers a wide scale of structures and can readily be applied to highly visocus systems. Combined with another CryoEM method, Cryo-Tomography, one can resolve the detailed spatial organization in 3 dimensions. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract