Advanced Electron Microscopy in Materials Research

The research unit advanced electron microcopy in materials research focuses on structural, compositional and functional characterization providing a direct correlation between synthesis/processing and properties/functionality in materials research.

High-end structural and compositional characterization is one of the essential requirements for advanced materials development; the experimental basis for a systematic understanding of materials and modelling. Electron microscopy is one of the most versatile and powerful tools to provide this basis by quantitative characterization of the atomic, nanometer and micron scale structure and composition. Moreover, in-situ experiments provide a direct correlation between structural changes, materials properties and functional behavior.

In addition to using state-of-the-art electron microscopy techniques for materials characterization, we develop microscopy techniques to provide answers to specific research problems in materials and physical sciences.

News & Publications

Sangjung Kang received DGE PhD Prize

Sangjun Kang has been awarded the DGE prize for the best PhD thesis. Congratulations!

Editor for 'The Innovation Materials'

Christian Kübel has become editor at 'The Innovation Materials'

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Large-angle Lorentz 4D-STEM map of the strain and magnetic field distribution in a deformed glass

Large-angle Lorentz 4D-STEM simultaneous PDF, strain and magnetic mapping

Together with Xioake Mu, we have developed large-angle Lorentz 4D-STEM imaging as a new approach to simultaneously image the pair distribution function, strain and magnetic field distribution at the nanoscale. We have used this approach to directly correlated the strain distribution around shear bands in a metallic glass with the magnetic domain structure. Further details about the technique and our findings are available at S. Kang, et al.,
Nature Communication, 2025, 16, 1305; DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56521-6.

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MC2025 in Karlsruhe

Together with Yolita Eggeler, Astrid Pundt and Rasmus Schroeder and supported by Conventus, we are organizing the MC2025 at the Messe Karlsruhe from August 30st to September 4th. We are expecting around 1000 participants and am looking forward to also welcome you in Karlsruhe.

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Sangjun Kang has been appointed as editorial director by the Korean Ceramics Society

Former News

Browse through our archive of former news and highlights you may want to revisit.

Method Development

We are optimizing and developing new microscopy methods to address emerging structural and functional questions.

In-situ TEM

Heating, biasing, electro-chemistry, gas environment, mechanical deformation

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4D-STEM

Automated crystal orientaton mapping

Pair distrubution function mapping

Differential phase contrast

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Electron Tomography

Quantitative 3D nanoscale and microscale analysis

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Materials Research

We are applying advanced electron microscopy techniques such as (S)TEM, EELS, EDX, NBED, tomography and FIB to characterize a variety of materials for different application areas.