Transmission Electron Microscopy Grids Research Articles

Scalable bottom-up synthesis of Co-Ni-doped graphene.

Introducing heteroatoms into graphene is a powerful strategy to modulate its catalytic, electronic, and magnetic properties. At variance with the cases of nitrogen (N)- and boron (B)-doped graphene, a scalable method for incorporating transition metal atoms in the carbon (C) mesh is currently lacking, limiting the applicative interest of model system studies. This work presents a during-growth synthesis enabling the incorporation of cobalt (Co) alongside nickel (Ni) atoms in graphene on a Ni(111) substrate. Single atoms are covalently stabilized within graphene double vacancies, with a Co load ranging from 0.07 to 0.22% relative to C atoms, controllable by synthesis parameters. Structural characterization involves variable-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and ab initio calculations. The Co- and Ni-codoped layer is transferred onto a transmission electron microscopy grid, confirming stability through scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. This method holds promise for applications in spintronics, gas sensing, electrochemistry and catalysis, and potential extension to graphene incorporation of similar metals.

Diffusive ex situ galvanic growth of metal nanocrystals on transmission electron microscopy grid

The uniform modification of commercial and standardized objects features considerable potential, as in the case of dip-pen lithography, biosensor kits, and disposable electrodes. In this study, we devised a dense nanoparticle array formation using the metallic mesh of a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grid, which was formerly solely employed as a sampling stage. Incompletely oxidized cationic species generated from the galvanic replacement reaction of the metallic support mesh at the opposite side of the carbon layer diffused to the exposed top side and led to ex situ nanostar formation. A uniform nanoparticle array was obtained by immersion in an aqueous solution of replacing metal cations without reducing agents or surface energy-controlling compounds. Moreover, the array density was exclusively regulated by the incubation time. The straightforward nanoparticle array formation was successfully extended to various metal mesh TEM grids and different transition metal cations capable of spontaneous redox reactions. Cu mesh TEM grid and Mo grids could be utilized as sacrificial templates, and the growth of Au, Pd, Pt, Ag, and Rh nanostructures was confirmed.

Efficient Growth of 1D Van der Waals Heterostructures on Zeolite-Supported SWCNTs.

The controlled synthesis of 1D van der Waals (1D vdW) heterostructures, specifically single-walled carbon nanotubes encapsulated within boron nitride nanotubes (SWCNT@BNNT), presents a challenge due to an incomplete understanding of the factors influencing BNNT growth. This study investigates the growth yield of SWCNT@BNNT heterostructures produced using zeolite-supported SWCNT templates on SiO2-coated Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) grids, which enable in situ synthesis and thorough evaluation of each step without compromising the nanotube structure. The high-resolution TEM analysis reveals a significant improvement in BNNT coverage on individual nanotubes, increasing from 9% to 42%, through optimization of the ammonia borane precursor amount. A thorough comparison of BNNT growth efficiency is performed using zeolite-supported SWCNT templates against the current benchmark of free-standing SWCNT films, highlighting comparable synthesis yields despite different morphologies and SWCNT diameter distributions. By integrating all Raman and TEM data from the studied SWCNT@BNNT samples, a correlation between BNNT coverage and the intensity of the buckling R-mode of BNNTs is established, providing a reliable criterion for evaluating BNNT growth efficiency in 1D vdW heterostructures. This work advances the understanding and characterization of 1D vdW heterostructures, offering insights into synthesizing hetero-nanotubes using other types of SWCNT templates and paving the way for their diverse applications.

Precision defect integrated graphene as reliable support membrane for high-resolution cryo-transmission electron microscopy

Graphene is an excellent support film for high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) but its use with biological samples, notably in cryo-TEM, is hindered by its inherent hydrophobicity. Whereas surface treatments have been proposed to render graphene hydrophilic, they are often difficult to reproduce due to a lack of information on the structural changes that modify the wetting properties of graphene. This study aims to correlate the atomic structure of graphene with its wetting properties to allow a reproducible protocol to advance its application in cryo-TEM. We follow the change in the atomic structure of graphene as a function of low-energy hydrogen plasma treatment duration on monolayer graphene transferred onto TEM grids. With finely controlled plasma exposure, partial hydrogenation, monoatomic vacancies, and pores of a few nanometers are realized in the graphene. The introduction of defects (vacancies and pores) enables the formation of continuous layers of vitreous ice on TEM grids. Grids with defect-integrated graphene are reproduced and used in the vitrification of the mouse serotonin 5-HT3 receptor, a membrane protein. Single particle analysis of the membrane protein on graphene compared to conventional holey carbon film give insight into the strengths and discretions in using graphene membrane for protein structural studies.

Influence of Initial Film Properties in UVO-Mediated Patterning of an Elastomeric Film Using a TEM Grid.

Ultraviolet irradiation of a cross-linked polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Sylgard 184 film in the presence of atmospheric oxygen (UVO) through a bare transmission electron microscope (TEM) sample holding grid is a rather simple and widely utilized technique for creating micropatterned surfaces. The surface oxidation of a Sylgard 184 film due to UVO exposure is associated with densification and the formation of a silica-like surface layer, which under a TEM grid happens only over the exposed areas of the film, resulting in a physicochemical pattern. It is known that the depth (hD) of the features depends on the duration of UVO exposure (tE). In this article, we show for the first time that hD also depends on the initial film thickness (hF) and the cross-linker percentage (CL, ratio of part A to part B) in a Sylgard 184 thin film. We show that for a specific tE, hD progressively decreases with the reduction in hF. On the other hand, hD shows a nonmonotonic dependence with CL, resulting in patterns with maximum depth for CL ≈ 10.0%. We attribute this observation to the combined effect of resistance against the penetration of the propagation front by the rigid substrate as well as stress relaxation within the exposed parts of the film below the propagating front in films with higher CL values leading to the variation of hD. The observation reported here would allow the potential fabrication of polymer films with physicochemical patterns with feature height on demand by a one-step, facile technique.

Facile in-Situ Straining Platform for Transmission Electron Microscopy with Quantification of Strains

This work aims to design and model an experimental platform to perform in-situ straining experiments in a transmission electron microscope (TEM), enabling structural characterization of materials under tensile strain. The ability to visualize changes in the crystal structure of materials under strain can provide important insights into failure modes and improve understanding of process-structure-property relationships. Existing methods of in-situ straining typical involve complex sample preparation and are not well-suited to the study of thin films or sensitive battery materials. In this work, thin films of materials are deposited on a conventional TEM grid adhered to a copper template. The template is mounted in a Gatan 654 single tilt straining holder and strained within the TEM. Electron diffraction patterns are taken from the specimens, and strain can be calculated based on shifts in the Bragg reflections.An essential component of in-situ straining experiments is the quantification of applied strains. For our facile straining platform, we calculate the expected values of strain on our specimen using a finite element model. The finite element strain simulation data was compared with experimental data collected during in-situ straining experiments. Experimental results on a variety of material systems, including those applicable to lithium-ion batteries, are within the bounds of our model. Overall, the ability to accurately simulate in-situ strains using the finite element model enables researchers to better explain observation in the TEM, improve the reproducibility of the experiments, and optimize straining geometries to be tested. Figure 1

TEM-processed defect densities in single-layer TMDCs and their substrate-dependent signature in PL and Raman spectroscopy

The optical properties of the direct-bandgap transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) MoS2 and WS2 are heavily influenced by their atomic defect structure and substrate interaction. In this work we use low-voltage chromatic and spherical aberration (CC/CS)-corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscopy to simultaneously create and image chalcogen vacancies in TMDCs. However, correlating the defect structure, produced and analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), with optical spectroscopy often presents challenges because of very different fields of view and sample platforms involved. Here we employ a reverse transfer technique to transfer electron-irradiated single-layer MoS2 and WS2 from the TEM grid to various substrates for subsequent optical examination. The dynamics of defect creation are studied in atomic resolution on a separate sample, which allows to apply the derived statistics to larger irradiated areas on the other samples. The intensity of both the defect-bound exciton peak in photoluminescence (PL) and the defect-induced LA(M) mode in Raman spectra increase with defect density. The best substrates for defect-density determination by optical spectroscopy are polystyrene for PL and SiC and Si/SiO2 for Raman spectroscopy. These investigations represent an important step towards the quantification of defects using solely optical spectroscopy, paving the way for fast, reliable, and automatable optical quality control of optoelectronic devices.

Label-free detection of platelet-derived growth factor-BB via liquid crystal/aqueous interface functionalized using a double-stranded DNA probe

A liquid crystal (LC)-filled transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grid cell coated with cationic surfactant octyltrimethylammonium bromide (OTAB) and adsorbed with a double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) probe at the LC/aqueous interface (TEMOTAB/DNA) was utilized for the highly specific detection of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB). Upon adsorption of the OTAB-coated 4-cyano-4′-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) on the TEM grid (TEMOTAB) and subsequent adsorption of the dsDNA probe, a homeotropic orientation was observed. Subsequently, the TEMOTAB/DNA biosensor was exposed to PDGF-BB, which induced a homeotropic-to-planar configurational change in 5CB, as observed using polarized optical microscopy with crossed polarizers. The optimized adsorption density of the dsDNA probe facilitated the detection of 2.63 pg mL−1 PDGF-BB in the detection range of 5–200 pg mL−1. Remarkably, this LC-based biosensor discriminated PDGF-BB from bovine serum albumin, immunoglobulin G, hemoglobin, carcinoembryonic antigen, epidermal growth factor, PDGF-AA, and PDGF-AB. The application potential of this sensor was further demonstrated by its effective performance in detecting PDGF-BB in both human serum and synthetic urine samples. Because of its high specificity, sensitivity, and label-free detection capabilities, this biosensor has potential applications in cancer detection.

Liquid crystal assisted optical DNA biosensor for the selective detection of bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae

ABSTRACT A highly selective and sensitive label-free liquid crystal (LC)-based optical DNA biosensor has been reported for the detection of bacterial disease. A sensing platform is constructed using nematic LC (4-cyano-4’−pentyl biphenyl) filled in a confined mesh area of transmission electron microscope (TEM) grid placed within a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) well of a fixed dimension for the detection of bacterial infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The optical response associated with LC orientation was investigated by using N. gonorrhoeae nucleotide-specific oligonucleotide probe interacting with both the synthetic complementary ssDNA as well as genomic DNA isolated from N. gonorrhoeae under polarised optical microscope. The grey scale area of the resultant POM images was quantised using Image J software and monitored as a function of DNA concentration. The LC-cell has been able to detect the genomic DNA of N. gonorrhoeae bacteria down to the lowest detectable concentration of 10 pM. The optical response studies of LC-biosensor with genomic DNAs isolated from different bacteria showed high specificity and selectivity exclusively for N. gonorrhoeae pathogen and its potential as a convenient, rapid, and reliable label-free detection for gonorrhoea disease.

Atomic-Scale Characterization of Microscale Battery Particles Enabled by a High-Throughput Focused Ion Beam Milling Technique.

The cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) require improvements to address issues such as surface degradation, short-circuiting, and the formation of dendrites. One such method for addressing these issues is using surface coatings. Coatings can be sought to improve the durability of cathode materials, but the characterization of the uniformity and stability of the coating is important to assess the performance and lifetime of these materials. For microscale particles, there are, however, challenges associated with characterizing their surface modifications by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques due to the size of these particles. Often, techniques such as focused ion beam (FIB)-assisted lift-out can be used to prepare thin cross sections to enable TEM analysis, but these techniques are very time-consuming and have a relatively low throughput. The work outlined herein demonstrates a FIB technique with direct support of microscale cathode materials on a TEM grid that increases sample throughput and reduces the processing time by 60-80% (i.e., from >5 to ∼1.5 h). The demonstrated workflow incorporates an air-liquid particle assembly followed by direct particle transfer to a TEM grid, FIB milling, and subsequent TEM analysis, which was illustrated with lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide particles and lithium manganese nickel oxide particles. These TEM analyses included mapping the elemental composition of cross sections of the microscale particles using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The methods developed in this study can be extended to high-throughput characterization of additional LIB cathode materials (e.g., new compositions, coating, end-of-life studies), as well as to other microparticles and their coatings as prepared for a variety of applications.

Optimizing Atomic Layer Deposition Processes with Nanowire‐Assisted TEM Analysis

AbstractAtomic layer deposition (ALD) is one of the premier methods to synthesize ultra‐thin materials on complex surfaces. The technique allows for precise control of the thickness down to single atomic layers, while at the same time providing uniform coverage even for structures with extreme aspect ratios such as deep trenches or wires. While many materials can be readily deposited using ALD there is still a lot of research going on to make other materials more accessible. When establishing a new process or adapting an existing process to a new reactor, precise optimization of the deposition parameters is necessary. However, characterizing the parameters of deposition rate, uniformity, composition, and structure is a challenging and time‐consuming task. Here a method is presented to optimize these process parameters during ALD deposition using high‐aspect ratio nanowires and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Nanowire samples are prepared directly on TEM grids that are put into the ALD reactor during deposition. Within min of the process the coated nanowires can be analyzed by TEM to obtain the thickness of the layers, chemical composition, crystallinity, and conformality of the coating. This allows for a high testing throughput and subsequently a rapid optimization of deposition parameters.

A simple coordinate transformation method for quickly locating the features of interest in TEM samples.

We developed a simple coordinate transformation method for quickly locating features of interest (FOIs) of samples in transmission electron microscope (TEM). The method is well suited for conducting sample searches in aberration-corrected scanning/transmission electron microscopes (S/TEM), where the survey can be very time-consuming because of the limited field of view imposed by the highly excited objective lens after fine-tuning the aberration correctors. For implementation, a digital image of the sample and the TEM holder was captured using a simple stereo-optical microscope. Naturally presented geometric patterns on the holder were referenced to construct a projective transformation between the electron and optical coordinate systems. The test results demonstrated that the method was accurate and required no electron microscope or specimen holder modifications. Additionally, it eliminated the need to mount the sample onto specific patterned TEM grids or deposit markers, resulting in universal applications for most TEM samples, holders and electron microscopes for fast FOI identification. Furthermore, we implemented the method into a Gatan script for graphical-user-interface-based step-by-step instructions. Through online communication, the script enabled real-time navigation and tracking of the motion of samples in TEM on enlarged optical images with a panoramic view.

Cryo-EM of soft-landed β-galactosidase: Gas-phase and native structures are remarkably similar.

Native mass spectrometry (MS) has become widely accepted in structural biology, providing information on stoichiometry, interactions, homogeneity, and shape of protein complexes. Yet, the fundamental assumption that proteins inside the mass spectrometer retain a structure faithful to native proteins in solution remains a matter of intense debate. Here, we reveal the gas-phase structure of β-galactosidase using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) down to 2.6-Å resolution, enabled by soft landing of mass-selected protein complexes onto cold transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grids followed by in situ ice coating. We find that large parts of the secondary and tertiary structure are retained from the solution. Dehydration-driven subunit reorientation leads to consistent compaction in the gas phase. By providing a direct link between high-resolution imaging and the capability to handle and select protein complexes that behave problematically in conventional sample preparation, the approach has the potential to expand the scope of both native mass spectrometry and cryo-EM.

Spatial constraints and stochastic seeding subvert microbial arms race.

Surface attached communities of microbes grow in a wide variety of environments. Often, the size of these microbial community is constrained by their physical surroundings. However, little is known about how size constraints of a colony impact the outcome of microbial competitions. Here, we use individual-based models to simulate contact killing between two bacterial strains with different killing rates in a wide range of community sizes. We found that community size has a substantial impact on outcomes; in fact, in some competitions the identity of the most fit strain differs in large and small environments. Specifically, when at a numerical disadvantage, the strain with the slow killing rate is more successful in smaller environments than in large environments. The improved performance in small spaces comes from finite size effects; stochastic fluctuations in the initial relative abundance of each strain in small environments lead to dramatically different outcomes. However, when the slow killing strain has a numerical advantage, it performs better in large spaces than in small spaces, where stochastic fluctuations now aid the fast killing strain in small communities. Finally, we experimentally validate these results by confining contact killing strains of Vibrio cholerae in transmission electron microscopy grids. The outcomes of these experiments are consistent with our simulations. When rare, the slow killing strain does better in small environments; when common, the slow killing strain does better in large environments. Together, this work demonstrates that finite size effects can substantially modify antagonistic competitions, suggesting that colony size may, at least in part, subvert the microbial arms race.

Analyzing the cellular plasma membrane by fast and efficient correlative STED and platinum replica EM

The plasma membrane of mammalian cells links transmembrane receptors, various structural components, and membrane-binding proteins to subcellular processes, allowing inter- and intracellular communication. Therefore, membrane-binding proteins, together with structural components such as actin filaments, modulate the cell membrane in their flexibility, stiffness, and curvature. Investigating membrane components and curvature in cells remains challenging due to the diffraction limit in light microscopy. Preparation of 5–15-nm-thin plasma membrane sheets and subsequent inspection by metal replica transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveal detailed information about the cellular membrane topology, including the structure and curvature. However, electron microscopy cannot identify proteins associated with specific plasma membrane domains. Here, we describe a novel adaptation of correlative super-resolution light microscopy and platinum replica TEM (CLEM-PREM), allowing the analysis of plasma membrane sheets with respect to their structural details, curvature, and associated protein composition. We suggest a number of shortcuts and troubleshooting solutions to contemporary PREM protocols. Thus, implementation of super-resolution stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy offers significant reduction in sample preparation time and reduced technical challenges for imaging and analysis. Additionally, highly technical challenges associated with replica preparation and transfer on a TEM grid can be overcome by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. The combination of STED microscopy and platinum replica SEM or TEM provides the highest spatial resolution of plasma membrane proteins and their underlying membrane and is, therefore, a suitable method to study cellular events like endocytosis, membrane trafficking, or membrane tension adaptations.

Liquid‐Phase Transfer of Organic–Inorganic Halide Perovskite Films for TEM Investigation and Planar Heterojunction Fabrication

AbstractOrganic–inorganic halide perovskites (OIHPs) show high promise in optical and electronic applications such as solar cells, light‐emitting diodes, and nonlinear optics. However, the fundamental knowledge of the atomic‐scale microstructures in OIHP thin films is limited due to the challenge in characterizing them using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Here a solution‐phase “release‐and‐transfer” method is demonstrated, which entails the lifting of OIHP films from their original substrates while maintaining the film integrity, followed by a sequential transfer onto a TEM grid. The freestanding nature of the OIHP films with a nanoscale thickness, prepared as such, allows a direct TEM observation in the plan view, complementing those typical cross‐sectional views enabled by focus‐ion‐beam specimen fabrication. Using low‐dose scanning TEM, the atomic‐scale microstructure of transferred OIHP films is confirmed to be generally maintained, while the microstrain existing in original films is largely relaxed. This “release‐and‐transfer” method is generic to both standard 3D and low‐dimensional OIHPs. Based on a simple layer‐by‐layer transfer, the fabrication of a 2D–3D planar heterojunction with a good interfacial contact and optoelectronic properties is achieved. This unique methodology offers new opportunities to accelerate the fundamental and practical developments of OIHP materials and devices.

Transmission through graphene of electrons in the 30 – 900 eV range

Here, we report on accurate transmission measurements of electrons below 1 keV through suspended monolayer graphene. Monolayer graphene was grown via chemical vapor deposition and transferred onto transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grids. A monochromatic electron gun has been employed to perform the measurements in the 30 – 900 eV range in ultra-high vacuum. The graphene transparency is obtained from the absolute measurement of the direct beam current and the transmitted one, by means of a Faraday cup. We observed a transmission going from ∼20 to ∼80% for monolayer graphene within the experimental electron energy range. The high quality and the grid coverage of the suspended graphene has been proved via micro-Raman, X-ray photoemission, electron energy loss spectroscopies and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. After a 550 °C in-vacuum annealing of the samples, the main contribution to the C 1s spectrum is due to the sp2 component and the evidence of suspended monolayer graphene has been observed through the π-plasmon excitation.

Cryogenic Soft Landing Improves Structural Preservation of Protein Complexes.

We describe an apparatus for the cryogenic landing of particles from the ion beam of a mass spectrometer onto transmission electron microscope grids for cryo-electron microscopy. This system also allows for the controlled formation of thin films of amorphous ice on the grid surface. We demonstrate that as compared to room temperature landings, the use of this cryogenic landing device greatly improves the structural preservation of deposited protein-protein complexes. Furthermore, landing under cryogenic conditions can increase the diversity of particle orientations, allowing for improved 3D structural interpretation. We conclude that this approach allows for the direct coupling of mass spectrometry with cryo-electron microscopy.

Use of Boron Doped Diamond Corrosion Free Supports to Evaluate Fuel Cell Electrocatalyst Stability Under Accelerated Stress Testing

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) electrocatalysts are typically Pt or Pt alloy nanoparticles (NPs) supported on high surface area carbon black powders, the latter which contain a significant sp2 carbon component. One of the barriers to PEMFC commercialisation is the lifetime of the catalyst-support system, which should be at least 5,000 hours for automotive applications.[1] During the start-up and shut-down of the PEMFC, the cathode is subjected to significant oxidative potentials (greater than 1 V vs RHE) which can lead to corrosion of the predominantly sp2 bonded carbon support, a key factor which can limit the lifetime of PEMFCs. [2] High quality boron doped diamond (BDD) is an sp3 bonded network with above 1:1000 B:C ratio, which is required for metal-like electronic conductivity. BDD has many favourable properties for electrochemical experiments, most notably: higher electrochemical corrosion resistance with respect to sp2 carbons, low background currents, and a wide aqueous solvent window.[3] In this work we first explore the electrochemical corrosion stability of BDD when undergoing electrochemical cycling in acid solutions. To achieve this BDD substrates (BDD TEM grid) suitable for both electrochemical experiments and high magnification (single atom resolution) transmission electron microscopy (TEM) experiments were produced using precision ion polishing (Gatan PIPS-II). The surface was characterised using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to ensure the polishing process did not significantly alter the diamond substrate. Under aggressive electrochemical potential cycling in perchloric acid and sulfuric acid solutions, both TEM morphological analysis and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) thickness measurements showed no evidence of BDD corrosion. [4] The BDD-TEM substrate was then used as a platform for investigating the degradation of a PEMFC electrocatalyst (Pt NPs) under accelerated stress testing (AST) [1] conditions on an atomic level, using the corrosion free carbon support. This enables the influence of other degradation pathways [2] (such as aggregation, Ostwald Ripening & direct dissolution) to be explored in more detail, free from issues associated with corrosion of the support. Pt NPs, in the size range 1 – 4 nm, were sputter coated onto the BDD TEM grid. Identical location ex-situ TEM (IL-TEM)[5] in combination with image analysis was used to probe NP changes e.g. size, shape, position, on an individual basis before, and after, AST (Fig. 1, which contains c.a. 200 NPs for analysis). Such measurements were complemented by Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectroscopy analysis for any dissolved Pt, and electrochemical cyclic voltammetry measurements of the Pt to highlight changes in electrocatalytic behaviour (hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen reduction reaction) due to AST cycling.Figure 1 – High magnification annular dark field (ADF) identical location images of Pt NPs, a) Pt/BDD before AST, b) Pt NPs after AST, c) Cyclic voltammogram of the 1000 cycle AST from 0.8 to 1.4 V vs Ag|AgCl (1.6 to 1.6 V vs RHE).

Characterization of Emissions from Carbon Dioxide Laser Cutting Acrylic Plastics.

Carbon dioxide laser cutters are used to cut and engrave on various types of materials, including metals, wood, and plastics. Although many are equipped with fume extractors for removing airborne substances generated during laser cutting, gases and particulate matter can be released upon opening the lid after completion. This study focused on investigating laser cutting acrylic sheets and associated emissions. Real-time instruments were utilized to monitor both particulate concentrations and size distributions, while the patented Tsai diffusion sampler was used to collect particulate samples on a polycarbonate membrane and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grid. Identification of released gases consisted of the use of gas sampling with Teflon gas bags followed by analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A portable ambient infrared air analyzer was used to quantify the concentrations of the chemicals released by laser cutting activities. The results of the study found that a significant concentration of particulate matter, including nanoplastic particles ranging 15.4-86 nm in particle sizes, and microplastics with agglomerates were released each time the laser cutter lid was opened and were observed to gradually increase in concentration for a period of at least 20 min after the completion of a cut. The GC-MS gaseous samples primarily contained methyl methacrylate at a low level close to the detection limit of the infrared air analyzer.