MICROSCOPY
Figure 1: Apreo ChemiSEM SEM images of Ag/Zn Si photovoltaic surface taken with detector A) T1, B) T2, C) T3, D) ETD FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY
Kate Vanderburgh, senior product specialist at Thermo Fisher Scientific, explains how electron microscopy (EM) drives material innovation to support low-carbon technologies and combat climate change
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he advancement of materials is vital for developing low-carbon technologies. In renewable
energy, semiconductors boost solar efficiency, while advanced composites improve wind turbine durability. Furthermore, in energy storage, breakthroughs in electrodes and electrolytes enhance battery performance, lifespan and stability. Electron microscopy (EM) plays a
crucial role in these advancements, providing nanoscale resolution for detailed characterisation of material structures, interfaces and defects. This optimises properties such as conductivity, durability and catalytic efficiency, essential for energy storage and renewable energy systems.
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ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY Several technologies that are core to advancing sustainable progress reap the benefits of EM throughout their lifecycle. For instance, EM drives advances
in solar panel materials by revealing microscopic defects and grain boundary structures with sub- nanometer precision. In perovskite solar cells, EM uncovers variations in crystallinity and composition that affect charge transport and recombination. This precise insight allows researchers to optimise material formulations and processing methods, resulting in higher efficiency and improved device stability.
EM is indispensable throughout
the entire lifecycle of battery materials. It enhances the lifespan of lithium-ion and solid-state batteries by identifying structural weaknesses at the nanoscale, detecting defects such as dendrite formation, which can cause short circuits, it also monitors chemical changes during charging. These insights help engineers develop more environmentally-friendly battery materials that support circular economy principles. Hydrogen technology also benefits
from EM’s capabilities. EM is used to analyse hydrogen storage alloys and fuel cell materials by revealing nanoscale structural features and elemental distributions critical for efficient hydrogen uptake and release. This information guides the optimisation of material design, leading to faster hydrogen absorption, improved storage capacity and enhanced long-term stability — key factors for scaling hydrogen-powered transport and renewable energy systems.
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