Microscopy Tools Research Articles

Probing the Mo-Redox in Alluaudite Battery Materials

Alluaudites are essentially naturally occurring mixed metal (Mn and Fe) phosphate-based minerals [1] consisting of an open framework structure to support fast alkali migration. The general formula for alluaudite can be expressed by A(1)A(2)M(1)M(2)2(XO4)3 where A and M sites are alkali ion and transition metals respectively and X can be S, P, As, Mo, W, V and so on [2]. The presence of polyanionic moieties (XO4) assures structural stability and high-voltage operation arising from the inductive effect [3]. Till date, a variety of phosphate and sulfate-based alluaudites have been reported as cathodes for Li-ion and Na-ion batteries [4,5].In 2017, the first molybdate-based alluaudite material, Na2.67Mn1.67(MoO4)3, was reported as a 3.45 V Mn-based cathode [6]. Inspired by this work, we have explored other 3d (Co, Ni) based molybdate alluaudite homologues as potential compounds with desirable electrochemical and electrocatalytic activities. Solution combustion synthesis was employed to prepare phase pure Na36Co1.32(MoO4)3 by restricting the annealing duration to one minute as compared to the reported solid-state route warranting prolonged (100 h) annealing. It was found to act as a high-voltage cathode (4 V vs Na/Na+ and 4.1 V vs Li/Li+) involving Co3+/Co2+ redox center [7] while cycling between 3.0 V to 4.3 V. The above-mentioned alluaudite consists of Mo species, which can be redox-active at lower voltages. When cycled in a low-voltage window (0.01 V to 3.0 V), this material was found to act as an anode for both Li-ion and Na-ion batteries. High capacity (ca 400-500 mAh/g) was obtained with a central potential ~0.6 V involving conversion and (de)insertion reaction mechanism. The Ni-analogue, Na4Ni0.8(MoO4)2 alluaudite, was studied as an anode material in both Li-ion and Na-ion batteries involving conversion and (de)intercalation redox mechanisms like the Co- analogue. The underlying redox mechanism will be described for both cases involving post-mortem diffraction, electron microscopy, and spectroscopic tools as well as with the help of the density functional theory (DFT) approach. Finally, alluaudite Na4Cu(MoO4)3 was prepared by soft chemistry route, which was found to work as an anode material in the voltage window of 0.01 V to 3.0 V. The phase transformation and underlying redox mechanism will be elucidated.

Application of machine learning models to predict driver left turn destination lane choice behavior at urban intersections

When there are multiple lanes to choose from downstream of a turning movement, drivers should choose the innermost lane so that drivers at other approaches of the intersection may make concurrent turning movements in the outermost lane(s). However, human drivers do not always choose the innermost lane, which could lead to crashes with other vehicles. Therefore, predicting human driver behaviors is vital in reducing crashes, as the need to share the roadways with automated vehicles (AVs) continues to grow. In this research, various machine learning models have been used to predict the left turn destination lane choice of human-driven vehicles (HDVs) at urban intersections based on several quantifiable parameters. A total of 174 subject vehicles were extracted and analyzed in Los Angeles, California, and Atlanta, Georgia, using HDV trajectory data from the Next Generation SIMulation (NGSIM) database. Five machine learning techniques, namely binary logistic regression, k nearest neighbors, support vector machines, random forest, and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system, were applied to the extracted data to predict the lane choice behavior of drivers. The k nearest neighbors model showed the most promising results for the evaluated data with a correct decision score of over 93% for the unseen test data. This model may be programmed into: (i) AVs, in conjunction with sensors, to predict if an HDV is about to turn into the incorrect destination lane; and (ii) microscopic traffic simulation tools so that modelers can identify potential conflicts when HDVs do not select the appropriate destination lane.

Modified Gipps model: a collision-free car following model

Car following (CF) models are used in microscopic traffic simulation tools to help assess the effects of a new road design or to assess the effect of change in traffic flow. In 1981, Gipps developed a collision avoidance CF model using the Newtonian laws of motion to describe the motion of each vehicle in a stream of traffic. It is one of the most widely used CF models in both research and practice. Although it is claimed that the Gipps model produces collision-free results, the model produces a collision when the intention of the following vehicle is to brake harder than the perceived deceleration of lead vehicle. For the ease of simulations, a traffic simulation tool is expected to not show unrealistic crashes. This study was carried out to make the Gipps model collision-free in all conditions. It first highlights the conditions where the original Gipps model produces a collision. Then the study derives an equation for a collision-free Gipps CF model. This modified Gipps CF model produces collision-free results that always maintain a safe spacing with the lead vehicle.

Natural Vector of Avian Haemoproteus asymmetricus Parasite and Factors Altering the Spread of Infection.

Avian haemosporidians (Apicomplexa, Haemosporida) are widespread blood protists, often causing severe haemosporidiosis, pathology, or even mortality in their hosts. Migrant birds regularly bring various haemosporidian parasites from wintering grounds to European breeding areas. Some haemosporidian parasites are prevalent in breeding sites and complete their life cycles in temperate climate zones and can be transmitted, but others do not. The factors altering the spread of these haemosporidians are not fully understood. Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) play an important role in the transmission of worldwide distributed avian haemosporidian parasites belonging to the genus Haemoproteus, but this information is particularly scarce and insufficient. The key factors limiting the spread of these pathogens in temperate climate zones, which we suspect and aim to study, are the absence of susceptible vectors and the ecological isolation of birds from vectors during the breeding period when transmission occurs. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate how the habitats of biting midges and bird breeding sites influence parasite transmission while also seeking to expand our understanding of the natural vectors for these parasites. Biting midges were collected using UV traps on the Curonian Spit, Lithuania, in different habitats, such as woodland and reeds, from May to September. Parous Culicoides females were identified, dissected, and investigated for the presence of Haemoproteus parasites using both microscopy and PCR-based tools. Among the dissected 1135 parous Culicoides females, the sporozoites of Haemoproteus asymmetricus (genetic lineage hTUPHI01) have been detected for the first time in the salivary glands of Culicoides festivipennis. The sporozoites of four Haemoproteus lineages were detected in Culicoides segnis, C. festivipennis, and Culicoides kibunensis biting midges. PCR-based screening showed that the females of seven Culicoides species were naturally infected with Haemoproteus parasites. The DNA of the parasite of owls, Haemoproteus syrnii (hSTAL2), was detected for the first time in Culicoides punctatus. The highest abundance of collected Culicoides females was in June, but the highest prevalence of Haemoproteus parasites in biting midges was in July. The abundance of Culicoides was higher in the woodland compared with reeds during the season. The acquired findings indicate the varied abundance and diversity of biting midges throughout the season and across distinct habitats. This variability could potentially impact the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites among birds with diverse breeding site ecologies. These outcomes hold the potential to enhance our understanding of the epizootiology of Haemoproteus infections within temperate climatic zones.

Influence of gold nanostructures on excited state intramolecular proton transfer in multidomain HTTH dye

Organic multidomain dyes exhibiting excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) are known due to large Stokes shifts and dependence of their luminescence spectral characteristics on the properties of the environment. In this work, influence of gold nanostructures on the spectral characteristics of a “polycarbonate matrix – gold nanostructures – HTTH” system was studied using thiazole dye HTTH as an example. A hypothesis about the possibility of plasmon resonance energy transfer (PRET) between the HTTH molecules in different states, namely the ground state (enol form) and the state after proton transfer (keto form), mediated by gold nanostructures was experimentally tested. Presence of gold nanostructures in the vicinity of HTTH molecules was found to lead to the changes in the ratio of the luminescence peak intensities for the enol and keto form of these molecules. This phenomenon opens up the possibility of additional regulation of the spectral characteristics and may evidence the PRET effect in the systems containing ESIPT-exhibiting dyes and plasmonic nanostructures. The obtained results improve our understanding of the physical processes in the systems similar to the studied one and imply new practical applications of them such as fabrication of organic light-emitting diodes, sensors, super-resolution microscopy tools and ultraviolet-to-visible radiation convertors.

Surface and Conductivity Characterization of Layered Organic Ionic Plastic Crystal (OIPC)-Polymer Films.

Organic ionic plastic crystals (OIPCs) are attractive solid electrolyte materials for advanced energy storage systems owing to their inherent advantages (e.g., high plasticity, thermal stability, and moderate ionic conductivity), which can be further improved/deteriorated by the addition of polymer or metal oxide nanoparticles. The role of the nanoparticle/OIPC combinations on the resultant interphase structure and transport properties, however, is still unclear due to the complexity within the composite structures. Herein, we demonstrate a systematic approach to specifically interrogating the interphase region by fabricating layered OIPC/polymer thin films via spin coating and correlating variation in the ionic conductivity of the OIPC with their microscopic structures. In-plane interdigitated electrodes have been employed to obtain electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) spectra on both OIPC and layered OIPC/polymer thin films. The thin-film EIS measurements were evaluated with conventional bulk EIS measurements on the OIPC pressed pellets and compared with EIS obtained from the OIPC-polymer composites. Interactions between the OIPC and polymer films as well as the morphology of the film surfaces have been characterized through multiple microscopic analysis tools, including scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and optical profilometry. The combination of EIS analysis with the microscopic visualization of these unique layered OIPC/polymer thin films has confirmed the impact of the OIPC-polymer interphase region on the overall ionic conductivity of bulk OIPC-polymer composites. By changing the chemistry of the polymer substrate (i.e., PMMA, PVDF, and PVDF-HFP), the importance of compatibility between the components in the interphase region is clearly observed. The methods developed here can be used to screen and further understand the interactions among composite components for enhanced compatibility and conductivity.

Precise particle size control during spherical agglomeration of benzoic acid by modification of the bridging liquid phase using TWEEN 20

The interest in spherical agglomeration processes in the pharmaceutical industry is rising due to the possibility of direct tableting of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and enhancements in bulk powder properties translating into improved powder processability. While agglomerating needle-shaped particles into spheres offers numerous advantages, such as improved flowability, filterability, and particle density, achieving precise control over the particle size and shape of the agglomerates remains a significant challenge. More specifically, the obtained agglomerate size rarely reaches values below 500 μm, which is the desired size range for pharmaceutical applications. To address this challenge, the current research investigates the effectiveness of incorporating surfactants at varying concentrations as a means to control the particle size and shape of the resulting agglomerates. Reversed addition antisolvent crystallization experiments were performed in ethanol/water using benzoic acid as a model compound, followed by the addition of a bridging liquid (toluene), which wets and bridges the single crystals into agglomerates. To modify the interfacial tension between the two immiscible liquid phases, different concentrations of the tween 20 surfactant were used, leading to a range of interfacial tensions spanning from 0.50 to 16.38 × 10−3 N/m. Both crystallization and agglomeration processes were monitored in situ using in-process microscopy tools. The experimental results demonstrated that by adjusting the surfactant concentration and thus the corresponding interfacial tension of the bridging liquid, highly tunable agglomerate sizes were achieved, ranging from 160 μm to 4412 μm. A higher surfactant concentration is correlated with smaller agglomerates and is key to control the final agglomerate size. However, it should be noted that the introduction of surfactants in the spherical agglomeration process negatively impacted the agglomerate's strength. Nonetheless, this method remains a promising and innovative technique for controlling the final particle size during spherical agglomeration.

Optical Coherence Tomography in the Evaluation of Suspected Carotid Webs

BackgroundCarotid web (CaW) is a subtype of fibromuscular dysplasia that predominantly involves the intimal layer of the arterial wall and is commonly overlooked as a separate causative entity for recurrent...

Prevalence of Trichomonas gallinae in Birds of Iran and its Pathological Findings: A Review study

Trichomonas gallinae is a flagellated protozoan parasite that affects numerous avian species worldwide, causing a range of diseases collectively termed trichomonosis. This review study aimed to present a comprehensive analysis of the prevalence of T. gallinae in birds of Iran, along with an exploration of its associated pathological findings. Through an extensive search of published studies, scientific databases, and relevant literature, we identified several studies conducted in Iran that focused on the prevalence of T. gallinae in different bird populations as well as their pathological effect. These studies utilized a variety of techniques, including direct microscopic examination, culture methods, and molecular tools to detect and identify the presence of this parasite. This review study indicates that T. gallinae infections are prevalent among various bird species in Iran, including Domestic pigeons, Zebra Finches and Turkey. The prevalence rates reported showed significant differences among various regions and bird species, ranging from as low as 2.5% in zebra finches to as high as 70% in pigeons. The clinical signs of infected birds varied from no clinical signs to visible yellowish-white masses of caseous necrotic material, hyperplasia of mucous cells and significant congestion of lung. These findings underline the importance of T. gallinae as a significant pathogen affecting avian populations in Iran. Using at least two techniques such as culture or PCR in addition to direct smear is recommended for better diagnosis of infection. The study highlights the need for further epidemiological studies to better understand the risk factors associated with T. gallinae transmission and to develop effective prevention and control strategies.

An Innovative Multi-Probe Tomographic Atomic Force Microscope for Materials Research and Failure Analysis

Abstract This article describes recent advancements in multi-probe sensing schemes and development of a tomographic atomic force microscopy tool for materials research and failure analysis.

Ovary of Zebrafish during Spawning Season: Ultrastructure and Immunohistochemical Profiles of Sox9 and Myostatin.

This study sought to examine the ovarian cellular and stromal components of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) throughout the spawning season using light and electron microscopic tools. The ovaries of zebrafish showed oocytes in all stages of follicular development and degeneration (atresia). Six stages of oogenesis were demonstrated: oogonia, early oocytes, late oocytes, vacuolated follicles, the yolk globule stage (vitellogenesis), and mature follicles. The SOX9 protein was expressed in the ooplasm of the primary and previtellogenic oocytes and the theca cell layer of the mature follicles. Myostatin was expressed in the granulosa and theca cells. Many stem cells in the ovarian stroma expressed myostatin and SOX9. During the spawning season, the EM results indicated that the zona radiata increased in thickness and was crossed perpendicularly by pore canals that contained processes from both oocytes and zona granulosa. The granulosa cells contained many mitochondria, rER, sER, and vesicles. Meanwhile, the thecal layer consisted of fibroblast-like cells. Atretic follicles could be demonstrated that involved both oocytes and their follicular walls. Several types of cells were distinguished in the ovarian stroma, including mast cells, telocytes, lymphocytes, fibroblasts, endocrine cells, macrophages, adipocytes, dendritic cells, and steroidogenic (stromal) cells. The ovary of the zebrafish serves as a model to investigate follicular development.

Experimental and theoretical study on the role of 2D Ti3C2Tx MXenes on superior charge transport and ultra-broadband photodetection in MXene/Bi2S3 nanorod composite through local Schottky junctions

2D MXenes have garnered widespread attention in the fields of photocatalysis, energy conversion etc. because of their unique properties. Integration of semiconductor nanostructures with 2D MXene can be a promising approach for high-performance photodetection. Herein, we adopted an in-situ hydrothermal approach for in-situ anchoring of Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets on 1D Bi2S3 nanorods and fabricated a Bi2S3/Ti3C2Tx (1D/2D) Schottky junction broadband photodetector (PD) with outstanding performance. The mechanism behind the excellent performance and formation of the local Schottky junction was investigated through density functional theory (DFT) calculations and validated through various microscopic and spectroscopic tools. In particular, the DFT analysis reveals that the partial density of states of Bi2S3 is altered with additional electronic states in the band-gap region due to attachment of Ti3C2O2, which helps in the efficient charge transport and charge separation across the local junctions. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy elucidates the nature of band alignment and interfacial charge transfer across the Bi2S3/Ti3C2Tx MXene junction locally. The low-cost PD exhibits an excellent broadband responsivity spanning from ultraviolet to near-infrared region (300–1550 nm) with a peak responsivity of 36.7 A/W and 26.2 A/W at 300 nm and 780 nm, respectively. Further, the device exhibited an external quantum efficiency of ∼3.9 × 103 %, and a fast response of ∼300 μs under 3 V bias, which are remarkable. Finally, the fabricated PD demonstrates a very high long-term storage stability in ambient condition. This work provides a deeper insight into the superior charge transport and ultra-broadband photodetection in MXenes based composites for high-performance optoelectronic applications.

Simultaneous bright- and dark-field X-ray microscopy at X-ray free electron lasers

The structures, strain fields, and defect distributions in solid materials underlie the mechanical and physical properties across numerous applications. Many modern microstructural microscopy tools characterize crystal grains, domains and defects required to map lattice distortions or deformation, but are limited to studies of the (near) surface. Generally speaking, such tools cannot probe the structural dynamics in a way that is representative of bulk behavior. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction based imaging has long mapped the deeply embedded structural elements, and with enhanced resolution, dark field X-ray microscopy (DFXM) can now map those features with the requisite nm-resolution. However, these techniques still suffer from the required integration times due to limitations from the source and optics. This work extends DFXM to X-ray free electron lasers, showing how the 10^{12} photons per pulse available at these sources offer structural characterization down to 100 fs resolution (orders of magnitude faster than current synchrotron images). We introduce the XFEL DFXM setup with simultaneous bright field microscopy to probe density changes within the same volume. This work presents a comprehensive guide to the multi-modal ultrafast high-resolution X-ray microscope that we constructed and tested at two XFELs, and shows initial data demonstrating two timing strategies to study associated reversible or irreversible lattice dynamics.

Multisine impedimetric monitoring with an in-depth distribution of relaxation times analysis of WE43 and AZ31 magnesium alloys corrosion

This research aims to develop and utilize an impedance-based tool for monitoring non-stationary electrochemical processes, coupling the multisinusoidal perturbation signal approach and distribution of relaxation times (DRT) analysis for the first time. The approach was used to distinguish independent processes occurring at the surface of AZ31 and WE43 Mg alloys undergoing corrosion in Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution at 37 °C. We highlighted two common processes related to corrosion product layer formation. Detailed DEIS-DRT analysis was capable of real-time identification of a unique third process for the WE43 alloy, resulting from a spatially localized filiform corrosion attack in the vicinity of intermetallic particles. The proposed tool proved to be highly efficient in terms of studying non-stationary processes, while the DRT analysis allowed for an in-depth and precise localization of the number and the kinetics of the ongoing processes. The corrosion mechanism description was supported by numerous microscopic and spectroscopic tools.

Multiphoton In Vivo Microscopy of Embryonic Thrombopoiesis Reveals the Generation of Platelets through Budding.

Platelets are generated by specialized cells called megakaryocytes (MKs). However, MK's origin and platelet release mode have remained incompletely understood. Here, we established direct visualization of embryonic thrombopoiesis in vivo by combining multiphoton intravital microscopy (MP-IVM) with a fluorescence switch reporter mouse model under control of the platelet factor 4 promoter (Pf4CreRosa26mTmG). Using this microscopy tool, we discovered that fetal liver MKs provide higher thrombopoietic activity than yolk sac MKs. Mechanistically, fetal platelets were released from MKs either by membrane buds or the formation of proplatelets, with the former constituting the key process. In E14.5 c-Myb-deficient embryos that lack definitive hematopoiesis, MK and platelet numbers were similar to wild-type embryos, indicating the independence of embryonic thrombopoiesis from definitive hematopoiesis at this stage of development. In summary, our novel MP-IVM protocol allows the characterization of thrombopoiesis with high spatio-temporal resolution in the mouse embryo and has identified membrane budding as the main mechanism of fetal platelet production.

Site-Specific Emulation of Neuronal Synaptic Behavior in Au Nanoparticle-Decorated Self-Organized TiOx Surface.

Neuromorphic computing is a potential approach for imitating massive parallel processing capabilities of a bio-synapse. To date, memristors have emerged as the most appropriate device for designing artificial synapses for this purpose due to their excellent analog switching capacities with high endurance and retention. However, to build an operational neuromorphic platform capable of processing high-density information, memristive synapses with nanoscale footprint are important, albeit with device size scaled down, retaining analog plasticity and low power requirement often become a challenge. This paper demonstrates site-selective self-assembly of Au nanoparticles on a patterned TiOx layer formed as a result of ion-induced self-organization, resulting in site-specific resistive switching and emulation of bio-synaptic behavior (e.g., potentiation, depression, spike rate-dependent and spike timing-dependent plasticity, paired pulse facilitation, and post tetanic potentiation) at nanoscale. The use of local probe-based methods enables nanoscale probing on the anisotropic films. With the help of various microscopic and spectroscopic analytical tools, the observed results are attributed to defect migration and self-assembly of implanted Au atoms on self-organized TiOx surfaces. By leveraging the site-selective evolution of gold-nanostructures, the functionalized TiOx surface holds significant potential in a multitude of fields for developing cutting-edge neuromorphic computing platforms and Au-based biosensors with high-density integration.

Multidimensional Super-Resolution Microscopy Unveils Nanoscale Surface Aggregates in the Aging of FUS Condensates.

The intracellular liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of biomolecules gives rise to condensates that act as membrane-less organelles with vital functions. FUS, an RNA-binding protein, natively forms condensates through LLPS and further provides a model system for the often disease-linked liquid-to-solid transition of biomolecular condensates during aging. However, the mechanism of such maturation processes, as well as the structural and physical properties of the system, remains unclear, partly attributable to difficulties in resolving the internal structures of the micrometer-sized condensates with diffraction-limited optical microscopy. Harnessing a set of multidimensional super-resolution microscopy tools that uniquely map out local physicochemical parameters through single-molecule spectroscopy, here, we uncover nanoscale heterogeneities in FUS condensates and elucidate their evolution over aging. Through spectrally resolved single-molecule localization microscopy (SR-SMLM) with a solvatochromic dye, we unveil distinct hydrophobic nanodomains at the condensate surface. Through SMLM with a fluorogenic amyloid probe, we identify these nanodomains as amyloid aggregates. Through single-molecule displacement/diffusivity mapping (SMdM), we show that such nanoaggregates drastically impede local diffusion. Notably, upon aging or mechanical shears, these nanoaggregates progressively expand on the condensate surface, thus leading to a growing low-diffusivity shell while leaving the condensate interior diffusion-permitting. Together, beyond uncovering fascinating structural arrangements and aging mechanisms in the single-component FUS condensates, the demonstrated synergy of multidimensional super-resolution approaches in this study opens new paths for understanding LLPS systems at the nanoscale.

Aberration free synthetic aperture second harmonic generation holography.

Second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy is a valuable tool for optical microscopy. SHG microscopy is normally performed as a point scanning imaging method, which lacks phase information and is limited in spatial resolution by the spatial frequency support of the illumination optics. In addition, aberrations in the illumination are difficult to remove. We propose and demonstrate SHG holographic synthetic aperture holographic imaging in both the forward (transmission) and backward (epi) imaging geometries. By taking a set of holograms with varying incident angle plane wave illumination, the spatial frequency support is increased and the input and output pupil phase aberrations are estimated and corrected - producing diffraction limited SHG imaging that combines the spatial frequency support of the input and output optics. The phase correction algorithm is computationally efficient and robust and can be applied to any set of measured field imaging data.

Protocells Capable of Generating a Cytoskeleton-like Structure from intracellular Membrane-active Artificial Organelles.

The intricate nature of eukaryotic cells with differently viscous intracellular compartments provides (membrane-active) enzymes to trigger time- and concentration-dependent processes in the intra-/extracellular matrix. Herein, we capitalize on membrane-active artificial organelles (AOs) to develop fluidic and stable proteinaceous membrane-based protocells. AOs in protocells induce the self-assembly of oligopeptides into an artificial cytoskeleton that underline their influence on the structure and functionality of protocells. A series of microscopical tools is used to validate the intracellular assembly and distribution of cytoskeleton, the changing protocells morphology, and AOs inclusion within cytoskeletal growth. Thus, the dynamics, diffusion and viscosity of intracellular components in the presence of cytoskeleton are evaluated by fluorescence tools and enzymatic assay. Membrane-active alkaline phosphatase in polymersomes as AOs fulfills the requirements of biomimetic eukaryotic cells to trigger intracellular environment, mobility, viscosity, diffusion and enzymatic activity itself as well as high mechanical stability and high membrane fluidity of protocells. Thus membrane-active AOs in protocells thoroughly provide a variable reaction space in a changing intracellular environment and underline their regulatory role in the fabrication of complex protocell architectures and functions. This study demonstrates an important contribution to effective biomimicry of cell-like structures, shapes and functions.

Work smart, not hard: How array tomography can help increase the ultrastructure data output.

Transmission electron microscopy has been essential for understanding cell biology for over six decades. Volume electron microscopy tools, such as serial block face and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy acquisition, brought a new era to ultrastructure analysis. 'Array Tomography' (AT) refers to sequential image acquisition of resin-embedded sample sections on a large support (coverslip, glass slide, silicon wafers) for immunolabelling with multiple fluorescent labels, occasionally combined with ultrastructure observation. Subsequently, the term was applied to generating and imaging a series of sections to acquire a 3D representation of a structure using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Although this is a valuable application, the potential of AT is to facilitate many tasks that are difficult or even impossible to obtain by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Due to the straightforward nature and versatility of AT sample preparation and image acquisition, the technique can be applied practically to any biological sample for selected sections or volume electron microscopy analysis. Furthermore, in addition to the benefits described here, AT is compatible with morphological analysis, multiplex immunolabelling, immune-gold labelling, and correlative light and electron microscopy workflow applicable for single cells, tissue and small organisms. This versatility makes AT attractive not only for basic research but as a diagnostic tool with a simplified routine.