Breakthrough Molecular Imaging Technique Reveals Real-Time Motion
Recent advances at the California Institute of Technology have enabled real-time imaging of molecular motion at an unprecedented scale. Using a novel optical technique, scientists can now visualise particles as small as tens of angstroms. This breakthrough allows direct observation of molecular dynamics in fluids and gases, opening new avenues in biomedical research and nanotechnology.
About Brownian Motion
Brownian motion is the random movement of particles suspended in a fluid. It results from constant collisions with surrounding molecules. First explained by Albert Einstein over a century ago, this phenomenon reveals how microscopic particles behave in liquids and gases. The new imaging technique exploits Brownian motion to infer molecular size and behaviour.
Limitations of Traditional Microscopy
Conventional microscopes have limited resolution and often require invasive sample preparation. They cannot distinguish molecules smaller than a few hundred nanometres. Existing methods also rely on slow, point-by-point scanning, which restricts real-time observation. These constraints have hindered direct visualisation of molecular interactions at the angstrom scale.
Innovative Imaging Approach
The Caltech team developed a single-shot microscope using ultrafast laser pulses and digital micromirror devices (DMD). The laser slices through samples causing them to emit light. The DMD shapes this light into patterns that encode molecular information. A streak camera then converts light photons into electron patterns, revealing molecular size and motion within nanoseconds.
Speed and Scale Advantages
This technique achieves imaging speeds of hundreds of billions of frames per second. It captures wide-field images spanning centimetres, much larger than traditional microscopes. This allows observation of molecular ensembles in real time without damaging samples. The method is non-intrusive and requires minimal preparation.
Applications and Testing
Researchers tested the microscope on fluorescein-dextran molecules, commonly used in medical diagnostics. They also observed black carbon nanoparticles in flames, proving the technique’s versatility in both liquid and gas phases. These results confirm its accuracy and potential for studying chemical reactions and biological processes live.
Significance for Science and Technology
This breakthrough could revolutionise fields such as drug design, disease detection, and nanomaterial fabrication. By providing direct visualisation of molecular interactions, it enables better understanding of fundamental processes. The ability to capture ultrafast molecular dynamics may lead to innovations in chemistry and biophysics.
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