Chemistry and pharmaceutics

Due to their unique properties, nanoparticles are becoming increasingly important in industry as well as university research. Their chemical and physical properties depend heavily on their size, shape and composition. With the high-performance instruments from JEOL, these properties can be reliably analysed, even down to the sub-nanometer range.

Electron microscope image of an iron oxide nanoparticle

Source data: JEOL (Germany) GmbH, Bielefeld University, Dr. Ennen / Applied Research Paper F200

Due to their unique properties, nanoparticles are becoming increasingly important in industry as well as university research. Their chemical and physical properties depend heavily on their size, shape and composition. With the high-performance instruments from JEOL, these properties can be reliably analysed, even down to the sub-nanometer range.

Element core-shell nanoparticle. The inner gold core (red) is covered by a 0.6 mm thin palladium layer (green).

Source data: JEOL Ltd. / GrandARM presentation

At the boundary between organic and inorganic chemistry, the organometallic compounds have unique properties that predestine them for use as catalysts or for epitaxial deposition. The analysis of the often temperature- or air-sensitive compounds poses a particular challenge for the measuring instruments. JEOL therefore supplies tailor-made mass spectrometers with specially developed ion sources.

Cold-spray mass spectrum of a copper complex at -30°C

Source data: JEOL Ltd. / JMS-T100LP brochure, page 13

As a mass-produced product, it is possible to manufacture paper cost effectively if the ratio of fibres and filler material is optimised without the changing the mechanical and printing properties. In this respect it is important to examine the distribution of fibre and filler material in the paper both during the paper development and production. The exceptionally robust analytic systems from JEOL can be used during challenging routine operation for artifact-free preparation, as well as for the precise morphological and chemical characterisation of cellulose.

Facing cut through a sheet of paper

Source data: JEOL (Germany) GmbH

Inorganic base materials form the basis of a number of important industrial intermediate and end products (e.g. plastics, dyes, fertilisers). These basic materials therefore already have to fulfil certain quality criteria. The powerful systems from JEOL enable the structural characterisation of such chemicals and thus make unequivocal statements regarding their composition and purity.

²⁷Al solid NMR spectrum of an inorganic compound with octrahedally (right) and tetrahedally (left) coordinated aluminium species

Source data: JEOL Ltd. / Solid State NMR brochure, page 2 (text portions deleted)

Organic basic chemicals are an elemental component of the manufacturing chemical industry. Precise molecular characterisation is essential for any further processing. Thanks to their diversity, the high-performance JEOL spectrometers are capable of quickly and efficiently resolving all structural questions.

Source data: Application Note, JEOL USA, Inc.

Asbestos was used for decades as a fire- and temperature-proof raw and insulation material. Once the health risks were discovered, many laboratories examined potentially asbestos-containing construction materials. JEOL is the only manufacturer to offer the powerful combination of its own electron microscopes and own spectrometers as a complete solution for standards-compliant asbestos analysis.

Identification of a chrysotile fibre by means of SEM imaging and EDX spectrum

Bildquelle: JED-Broschüre

These days, biocides are used extensively for pest control in agriculture. The quantitative determination of the toxic residues of the applied pesticides is of vital importance for the authorisation of agricultural products. JEOL high-resolution analytical instrument are capable of detecting biocides quickly and simply, even with the smallest of concentrations.

Mass spectrum of various herbicides

Source data: JEOL Ltd. / DART Application Notes, page 57

The surface of lotus leaves can serve as a model for self-cleaning surfaces. The exact characterisation of these surfaces is vital in order to be able to recreate them. The surface of lotus leaves comprises small wax tubes that can be easily destroyed during examination with an electron beam. JEOL therefore offers tailor-made solutions that thermally stabilise the samples in a controlled manner and thus prevent them from being destroyed by the observation.

Surface of a lotus petal. The wax tubes have a diameter of approx. 50 nm

Source data: JEOL (Germany) GmbH

Cryo electron microscopy  and the analysis of protein structures has undergone drastic changes since the last years. This technique was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2017 (https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/2017/advanced-chemistryprize2017.pdf).
With the introduction of fast and highly sensitive camera techniques as well as dedicated, automated electron microscopes resolutions of 2 Ångström and lower could be achieved under near to native conditions. This single particle analysis method (SPA) allows to efficiently determine the structure of non crystalline proteins in order to design new drugs or to resolve the fundamental functions of biochemical or molecular biological processes.

GroEL protein at 40k x magnification (pixel size 0.12 nm), detector: K2 summit, instrument: CRYO ARMTM200, Schottky 200kV, inset: reduced live FFT, zero-loss image with 20eV slit width

Source data: JEOL Ltd., University Osaka, Prof. Namba

DNA origami is a new technology in synthetic biology, or rather the disciplines of biochemistry and biophysics. It involves DNA molecules being turned into random two- and three-dimensional nanoforms. These synthetically folded DNA molecules are used as e.g. future biocompatible carriers for active substances or to produce nanomachines or nanorobots.

Negatively contrasted TEM image of synthesised DNA molecules

Source data: JEOL (Germany) GmbH, Technical University of Munich, Prof. Dietz and Klaus Wagenbauer.

Specific preparation methods must be used for the high-resolution imaging and analysis of biological samples in an electron microscope. Food stuffs and their constituents in particular can only be imaged artifact-free through active cooling. JEOL electron microscopes are therefore prepared as standard for the installation of cryogenic systems so that sensitive samples can be prepared externally, transferred in a cooled state and subsequently examined in a cryogenic mode of operation.

Electron microscope image of powdered milk

Source data: JEOL (Germany) GmbH, DIL Quakenbrück

Modern paintwork is usually a multi-layer system. In the case of macroscopically visible paint defects, it is very important to be able to determine the layer in which the cause of the defect lies. JEOL preparation systems enable the simple and reproducible production of artifact-free cross-sections.

Cross-section of a painted metal surface. The diameter of the inclusion is approx. 10 µm.

Source data: JEOL Ltd., CP brochure

Li batteries are used in mobile phones or vehicles, among other things. Thanks to the newly developed light element spectrometer from JEOL, detecting in a microscope has for the first time become routine and standard with high spatial resolution and detection sensitivity.

Identification of lithium in an Li-ion battery

Source data: JEOL Ltd., SXES brochure

Magnetotactic bacteria orientate themselves along the Earth's magnetic field with the help of magnetite particles enveloped in a membrane. These organisms serve as a model for examining the complex processes of biomineralisation. Entities known as magnetosomes (comprising magnetite crystal and membrane) are also tested as carriers for active substances and for new forms of therapy in medicine (hyperthermia therapy). JEOL supplies combined and fully automated solutions for the high-resolution elementary classification of the individual constituents.

Element analysis (red rectangle) at 120 kV in S(TEM) on magnetotactic bacteria, magnetite chains (green)

Source data: JEOL (Germany) GmbH

Fibres are used in many branches of industry, e.g. in textile processing or as a structural material in mechanical engineering. Their structural properties can be studied by means of a fibre cross-section, for example. JEOL supplies an established and powerful complete solution for simple, artifact-free preparation and high-resolution imaging and analytics.

SEM image of a cross-section through a fibre bundle

Source data: JEOL Ltd., Ion Slicer brochure

Fossil fuels such as Diesel are highly complex mixtures of a wide range of linear, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons. Separating theses and thus unequivocally determining the constituents of the fuel is therefore of crucial importance. The combination of special, two-dimensional GC techniques allows JEOL systems to quickly deliver exact structural information.

Two-dimensional total ion current chromatogram (TICC) of diesel fuel by GCxGC/TOFMS; separation after boiling point (abscissa) and polarity (ordinate)

Source data: JEOL Ltd., JMS-T200GC AccuTOF GCx brochure, page 4

The precise determination of gases with minimal differences in their atomic masses is an important task in the production of technical gases. It is not possible to exactly determine all the constituents of a gas mixture with conventional mass spectrometers. The special high-performance mass spectrometers from JEOL enable the determination and analysis of all gaseous, chemical compounds, including atomic hydrogen.

Identification of H2 and H in the mass spectrum of a gas mixture

Source data: JEOL Ltd., JMS-MT3010HRGA brochure, page 3

The atomic imaging and analysis of light, electron-beam-sensitive materials requires high-performance microscopes. Thanks to their high stability and outstanding resolution, JEOL transmission electron microscopes are even capable of effortlessly identifying and examining lattice defects between individual carbon atoms.

Atomic resolution image of graphene

Source data: JEOL Ltd., GrandARM presentation

The properties of materials are essentially determined by their structure and the bonding states of the atoms. Precise knowledge of the structure and chemical composition are of key importance for the development of new materials. With the high-resolution spectroscopy systems from JEOL, it is possible to examine such bonding states locally with atomic precision.

Energy loss spectrum of the minerals rutile (red) and anastase (grey)

Source data: JEOL Ltd., ARM200F presentation

To achieve the high-resolution imaging and analytics of biological samples, it is often necessary to examine the sample in its native state. Thanks to the patented JEOL Aqua Cover, it is even possible to image moist or hydrated samples in a scanning electron microscope at low pressure.

Image of a water droplet on the surface of a rose petal

Source data: JEOL Ltd. (Aqua Cover presentation)

As a widespread fuel, petroleum comprises a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons. It is very difficult to perform molecular analysis on it with standard mass spectrometric methods. JEOL systems are capable of determining the molecular weight without fragmentation in a quick, uncomplicated manner by soft ionisation.

Mass spectra of an n-alkane, imaged with field ionisation (top) and electron impact ionisation (bottom)

Source data: JEOL Ltd., 200GC-Petroleum_and_Petrochemical_Solutions brochure

The linking of light microscopy signals and electron-optical details allows, among other things, conclusions to be drawn regarding the exact location of proteins in specific sections of tissues. JEOL manufactures intuitive, multi-system complete solutions for combining fluorescence and high-resolution electron microscopy.

Thin section of a zebra fish: correlatively superimposed electron and fluorescence microscopic images

Source data: JEOL (Germany) GmbH, Centre for Regenerative Therapies, TU Dresden.

The colours of a butterfly wing are created by pigment or structural colours. Due to the delicate surface of the wing, it is mechanically impossible to prepare a cross-section. With JEOL preparation systems and scanning electron microscopes, even fragile, organic structures can become accessible and visible.

Image of a cross-section through a butterfly wing (Morpho)

Source data: JEOL Ltd., Cross Section Polisher brochure